Sukhothai, Thailand: travel guide
Ruined temples, lotus ponds and Buddha statues of an early Thai capital
The Historic City — UNESCO site of serene ancient temples and ruins spanning Thailand's Golden Age in a peaceful riverside setting.
About Sukhothai
Sukhothai was the capital of the first Thai kingdom in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and its ruins are now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old city sits within moats and walls, surrounded by rice fields and low hills.
The historical park is best explored by bicycle, passing lotus ponds, tall chedi and serene seated Buddha figures. Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum are the main sights, and the park looks especially beautiful at sunrise. The new town, a few kilometres away, has simple guesthouses and a night market.
Sukhothai suits history lovers and photographers. The cooler months from November to February are the most pleasant for cycling among the ruins.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- THS
- Typical trip
- 1-2 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Sukhothai
Sukhothai Historical Park — Central Zone
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO World Heritage site: ruins of the first Thai kingdom, centred on Wat Mahathat and 200+ temples.
Wat Si Chum
temple · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Mandapa housing a colossal 11.3-metre seated Buddha whose fingers alone are 1.25 m wide.
Wat Mahathat Sunrise Reflection
historical_landmark · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Pre-dawn visit for ethereal sunrise reflections over the lotus pond at Sukhothai's most important temple.
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
historical_landmark · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO satellite park 50 km north with Khmer-influenced ruins in pristine forest. Rarely crowded.
Wat Saphan Hin
temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop temple on a stone causeway with a 12.5-metre standing Buddha and panoramic park views.
Sukhothai Night Market
market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Saturday night market in the new town with local food, handicrafts and live cultural performances.
Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Covers the Sukhothai Kingdom, with the Ramkhamhaeng Stone Inscription — world's oldest Thai script.
Wat Traphang Thong Lang
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
Temple with the finest stucco reliefs in Sukhothai showing the Buddha's footprint, framed by a lotus moat.
Sangkhalok Kiln Museum
museum · 3.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Intact 14th-century kilns that produced Sangkhalok celadon exported across Asia.
Wat Chang Lom Si Satchanalai
temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · entry ฿200 (≈ ₹570)
Grand Ceylonese chedi on 39 elephant buttresses, Si Satchanalai's centrepiece.
Wat Si Sawai
temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · entry ฿200 (≈ ₹570)
Three Khmer-style prang temple originally a Hindu shrine.
Thuriang Kilns
ruins · 4.0 rating · about 0.5 h · free entry
Excavated ancient celadon-pottery kilns north of the old city.
Things to do
- Sukhothai Historical Park Bicycle Tour Cultural · 5 h · from THB 520 per person
- Sukhothai Loi Krathong Candlelight Festival Experience Cultural · 3 h · from THB 520 per person
- Sukhothai Historical Park Guided Tour Cultural · 4 h · from THB 520 per person
- Sukhothai Countryside Village Bike Tour Adventure · 3 h · from THB 410 per person
- Sukhothai Sunset Bike at the Old City Sightseeing · 2 h · from THB 280 per person
- Si Satchanalai & Chaliang Guided Day Trip Cultural · 6 h · from THB 690 per person
- Si Satchanalai Historical Park & Chaliang Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from THB 860 per person
- Sukhothai Noodle Cooking Class Food · 3 h · from THB 520 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sukhothai Historical Park Full-Day Cycling Tour 8 h · from THB 550
- Si Satchanalai & Sangkhalok Kiln Full-Day Tour 9 h · from THB 760
Where to stay in Sukhothai
- Historical Park about THB 2,000 per night
UNESCO heritage site with temple accommodations
Hotels
- Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort 3-star · THB 1,100 to THB 2,200 per night
- Orchid Hibiscus Guest House 3-star · THB 1,000 to THB 2,200 per night
- Legendha Sukhothai Resort 4-star · THB 2,000 to THB 4,200 per night
- Ruean Thai Hotel 3-star · THB 1,200 to THB 2,600 per night
- Tharaburi Resort 4-star · THB 1,800 to THB 3,800 per night
- Lotus Village 3-star · THB 900 to THB 1,900 per night
Where to eat
- Jay Hae Sukhothai Noodles Thai, Northern Thai · about THB 135 per person
- Ta Pui Sukhothai Noodle Thai, Northern Thai · about THB 135 per person
- Sinvana Thai Restaurant Thai · about THB 300 per person
- Poo Restaurant Thai, European · about THB 135 per person
- Dream Cafe Thai · about THB 300 per person
- Chopper Bar Thai, Western · about THB 135 per person
- Ban Kru Eiw Thai, Northern Thai · about THB 135 per person
- Coffee Cup Thai, Western, Cafe · about THB 135 per person
Getting to Sukhothai
Airport: Sukhothai (THS)
How visitors arrive in Sukhothai
- Bus from Bangkok By road from Bangkok · common
Direct buses run from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot and Phitsanulok; the bus station is outside the town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight to Sukhothai Airport By air from Bangkok · common
Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi to Sukhothai Airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Train to Phitsanulok, then bus By train from Phitsanulok · possible
Trains stop at Phitsanulok, from where a bus continues to Sukhothai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight to Phitsanulok, then road By air from Phitsanulok · possible
Air Asia flies from Don Mueang to Phitsanulok, with a ground transfer on to Sukhothai. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Tuk-tuk from the bus station
The bus station is outside New Sukhothai; tuk-tuks and mototaxis meet arriving buses and take you into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Songthaew to the historical park
Blue songthaews leave from the bus station to Old Sukhothai and stop by the park's central entrance. Confirm the drop-off with the driver. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Bicycles can be rented from a shop opposite the main entrance of the historical park, and cycling is a favoured way to see the ruins.
- Motorbike Rental
Motorbikes and scooters can be rented in New Sukhothai for reaching the historical park, which lies several kilometres away.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Sukhothai
- Jan 33°C
- Feb 36°C
- Mar 38°C
- Apr 39°C
- May 36°C
- Jun 34°C
- Jul 33°C
- Aug 33°C
- Sep 33°C
- Oct 31°C
- Nov 30°C
- Dec 30°C
More in Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Sukhothai
- How many days do you need in Sukhothai?
- A typical trip to Sukhothai is 1-2 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Sukhothai?
- The highest-rated places in our Sukhothai guide are Wat Si Chum, Wat Mahathat Sunrise Reflection, Sukhothai Historical Park — Central Zone, Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Wat Saphan Hin.
- Where should I stay in Sukhothai?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Sukhothai: Historical Park.
- How do I get around Sukhothai?
- Ways to get around Sukhothai covered in our guide: Bicycle, Motorbike rental, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Sukhothai?
- Scams reported to us for Sukhothai include Generic tourist overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Sukhothai?
- Average daytime highs in Sukhothai run from 30°C in Nov to 39°C in Apr.
- Which airport is nearest to Sukhothai?
- The nearest airport to Sukhothai has the code THS.