Sukhothai


Sukhothai is located about 440 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok, in the northern Chao Phraya Basin, at the junction of today's central to northern region of Thailand. The city consists of two relatively separate districts: Old and New Sukhothai. The city (new) Sukhothai itself is approximately 10 kilometers away from the historic park. Today's Old Sukhothai was founded in 1238 from an ancient Khmer settlement. It is particularly noteworthy that the temple art and architecture of Sukhothai founded the so-called Sukhothai style. In the Historical Park there are many, in part very well preserved Buddha statues of unbelievable beauty! Sukhothai's fascinating ruins, Hindu shrines, ornamental ponds, ramparts and moats are now accessible to interested visitors as the Sukhothai Historical Park, and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 and are the city's most important landmark. Inside and outside the old city walls are nearly 200 temple ruins, the oldest ruins date back to the 13th century.

Hotel recommendations


In Sukhothai, there are many smaller, cozy guesthouses near the temples.

getting there


Sukhothai has an airport. From Bangkok you can arrive the fastest by plane. The flight takes just under 2 hours and costs between 60 and 100 €.

Arrival from Bangkok:
In Bangkok there are 2 airports to choose from (Don Muang, where only domestic flights take off and land and Suvarnabhumi International)

From Suvarnabhumi Airport take the City Line (Airport Rail Link) to Phaya Thai. Here you change to the BTS Skytrain to Ekkamai. In Ekkamai the bus terminal continues with the Pattaya bus to Bangkok "Mo Chit". Here you change to the bus of the North Route (999) to Sukhothai. The journey takes about 9 hours.

Public buses run every hour from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) directly to Sukhothai. Air-conditioned first-class buses cost around 440 baht. The travel time is about 6 hours, as there are public buses, several stops are approached. Also during the rush hour in the morning and in the evening there are often traffic jams on the streets to Bangkok / Bangkok.

The most scenic way to Sukhothai is the arrival by train. From Suvarnabhumi Airport it goes by bus to Don Muang Airport. From here, take the State Railway of Thailand train to Phitsanulok. Change back to the bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. The total journey time is about 9.5 hours
 

You can also rent a car at the airport. The journey from Suvarnabhumi Airport takes about 6 hours. Here are all the usual lenders to choose from (Thai Rent a Car, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way to book the car already in Germany.

From Don Muang Airport (Domestic Airport):
From Don Muang you can go by train (State Railway of Thailand) to Phitsanulok. Change to bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. The total journey time is about 7.5 - 8 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Arrival from Koh Phangan / Koh Tao / Koh Samui:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (Phangan & Samui) or Chumphon (Koh Tao). From the pier, take the minibus or the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok. The journey to Bangkok takes between 13 and 16 hours. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This goes to Sukhothai. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. The entire route then takes about 17 hours.

From Koh Samui you can also fly comfortably by plane to Bangkok and from here to Phitsanulok. Change to bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. The total journey and flight time is about 5 hours.

From Koh Tao / Chumphon, you can take the ferry from the ferry to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train (State Railway of Thailand) to Phitsanulok. Change to bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. The total journey time is about 16 hours, depending on traffic.

Arrival from Phuket:
Again, it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the bus station in Phuket Town and from there by VIP bus to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok.

Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 14 and 18 hours. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This goes to Sukhothai. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. Or optional from Phuket by bus to Chumphon, change to the train to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train (State Railway of Thailand) to Phitsanulok. Change to bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. This journey takes about 19 hours.

From Phuket you can alternatively travel by plane to Sukothai. The flight time is 6 hours.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the bus station and from there with the VIP bus on to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This drives to Ayutthaya.

From Krabi you can alternatively travel by plane to Bangkok, Don Muang Airport.

From Pattaya you can travel by bus no. 638 "Phetprasert Tour" to Tak, change to the next bus no. 829 "Phetprasert Tour" to Sukhothai. The bus ride takes about 10 hours, depending on the traffic. Or you can take the train from Pattaya to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train to Ayutthaya. This journey takes about 5.5 hours.

From Hua Hin, take the train to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train (State Railway of Thailand) to Phitsanulok. Change to bus 829 "Phetprasert Tour". This goes to Sukhothai. This trip takes about 13.5 hours.

Sightseeing and attractions


Sukhothai Historical Park

impressions