New town
ValueTwelve kilometres from the ruins.
Sukhothai city guide
Things To Do In Sukhothai
The first capital of Siam, a UNESCO park of brick temples and giant Buddhas among lotus ponds, best seen by bicycle at dawn. Quieter than Ayutthaya, and the birthplace of Loy Krathong.
1
Hostels in the city
9.0
Average, from 420 reviews
13th c.
The first Thai capital
1991
Joins UNESCO
15 m
The Buddha at Wat Si Chum
The dawn of happiness
Sukhothai, whose name means the dawn of happiness, was the first capital of a Thai kingdom, founded in the thirteenth century. Its kings created the Thai alphabet and a distinctive style of graceful walking Buddhas.
The ruins of the old city are now the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of temples, chedis and seated Buddhas set among lotus ponds and trees. It is far quieter than Ayutthaya.
The new town, twelve kilometres away, is where most people sleep. Two days is right, as a stop between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Where to stay
New Sukhothai, twelve kilometres from the ruins, has most guesthouses, restaurants and the bus station, and is cheaper. Old Sukhothai, beside the historical park, puts you within cycling distance of the ruins at sunrise.
Old city
SunriseBeside the historical park.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Sukhothai
Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam in the thirteenth century, and its ruined city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, is one of the most beautiful historic sites in Thailand.
Rent a bicycle and cycle between the ruins in the historical park, among lotus ponds and trees. Wat Mahathat, the royal temple, has rows of standing and seated Buddhas and lotus-bud chedis. Wat Si Chum holds a 15-metre seated Buddha inside a roofless hall, its long fingers famous. Wat Sa Si sits on an island in a pond.
The central zone is the most visited; the northern and western zones have quieter temples reached on longer rides. Go at dawn or late afternoon, when the light is golden and the heat bearable; the park is lit up on some evenings.
Loy Krathong, the festival of floating offerings, is said to have begun in Sukhothai, and it is celebrated here in November with light shows and fireworks in the ruins.
Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, the other two cities of the UNESCO site, are quieter and an hour or more away.
Free things
Free things to do in Sukhothai
Some temples outside the paid zones are free to visit. The old city's streets and lotus ponds are free to cycle past, and sunrise views over the ruins from outside the walls cost nothing.
The central zone and other zones each charge a small fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Sukhothai
Sukhothai noodles, kuay tiew Sukhothai, rice noodles in a sweet, sour and spicy broth with pork, peanuts and green beans, are the local dish. The night market in the new town is the cheapest place to eat.
A meal is €1 to €3.
Nightlife
Going out in Sukhothai
Sukhothai is quiet at night, with a few guesthouse bars and the night market. Loy Krathong, in November, is the exception.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Sukhothai
Songthaews run between the new town and the historical park. Rent a bicycle to get around the park.
Buses reach Bangkok in about seven hours and Chiang Mai in about five. The nearest main railway station is Phitsanulok, an hour away.
Costs
What Sukhothai costs
Sukhothai is cheap. Dorms start around €5 and a careful day is €15 to €25.
Each zone of the historical park charges about €3, and bicycle hire is about €1.
The currency is the baht (THB), at roughly 37 to 40 baht to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts. Cards work in cities and resorts; street food is cash or QR payment.
Safety
Staying safe in Sukhothai
Sukhothai is very safe.
The midday heat in the park is intense; go at dawn and late afternoon, and carry water.
At temples and palaces, cover shoulders and knees, take off your shoes, and never point your feet at a Buddha image.
Since 15 September 2026, eligible visitors get 30 days visa-free, for tourism only, extendable once by 30 days at an immigration office, and fewer nationalities qualify, so check whether you now need a visa. All visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arriving.
Tourist Police: 1155. Emergency: 191 police, 1669 ambulance.
Day trips from Sukhothai
The other ancient cities and a river city.
Si Satchanalai
A quieter ancient city.
Kamphaeng Phet
The third city of the UNESCO site.
Phitsanulok
A river city with a famous Buddha.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Loy Krathong is said to have begun here.
November
Loy Krathong
Historical park
Candles on the ponds, light and sound shows; said to have begun here.
13–15 April
Songkran
Sukhothai
Thai New Year.
Hostels
Where to stay in Sukhothai
The top-rated places to stay in Sukhothai right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
November to February is the coolest and best.
Jan
Cool and dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Hot
Apr
Very hot
May
Rains
Jun
Rainy
Jul
Rainy
Aug
Rainy
Sep
Rainy
Oct
Clearing
Nov
Loy Krathong
Dec
Cool
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Very hot from March to May.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in baht locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Sukhothai travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Where should I stay?
In the old city for sunrise in the park; the new town is cheaper.
How do I see the park?
By bicycle, at dawn or late afternoon.
What is Loy Krathong like here?
Said to have begun in Sukhothai, it is celebrated in November with light shows in the ruins.
How do I get there?
By bus from Bangkok, about seven hours, or Chiang Mai, about five.
How many days do you need?
Two.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February.
What should I eat?
Sukhothai noodles.
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