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Sukhothai had been sitting on my to-go list for a while.
It wasn’t until last year, while I was in Chiang Mai, that I decided to seriously plan a visit.
One day, I had some free time and went to the bus station to check schedules for a friend.
That’s when I realized getting to Sukhothai by bus is actually super easy.
From that moment, I knew I’d make it there the next time I returned to Chiang Mai.
Aside from flying, you can also get to Sukhothai by land. This post is all about how to take the bus from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai.
Where to catch the bus in Chiang Mai?
It’s the same station you’d use to get to Pai! You’ll need to head to Chiang Mai Arcade 2, so just be sure not to go to the wrong terminal.
💁♀️ For how to buy Pai tickets online, check out this post:
🔎 Recommended reading：
🚌 Chiang Mai to Sukhothai Bus Schedule & Travel Info
🕓 Bus Schedule from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai ( 3 departures daily ):
- 11:00 AM – 304 THB
- 12:50 PM – 324 THB
- 3:00 PM – 324 THB
🚌 Sukhothai to Bangkok/Ayutthaya ( 3 departures daily ):
- 8:00 AM
- 9:30 AM
- 9:00 PM
I actually doubted there were only two buses going back to Chiang Mai, so I double-checked with the ticket lady at the Sukhothai station. She pointed to the posted schedule just outside the building. Looks like that’s really all there is. ( but the bus station in New Town seems to have many buses back to Chiang Mai )
I’ve included this info since many travelers go from Chiang Mai down south through Sukhothai to Bangkok. This route might fit your plan! 😉
⏱ How long is the ride?
About 5.5 hours.
Will there be any rest stops during the ride?
Yes, the bus does stop at rest areas! Along the way, it makes a few stops at gas stations or terminals.
For example, my 12:50 PM bus stopped at Lampang Bus Terminal around 2:30 PM, and then again at a few roadside stations.
On the ride from Sukhothai back to Chiang Mai, I remember it stopping at a gas station about every hour.
I took the chance to use the restroom then, since it’s hard to know when the next stop will be, I recommend using the bathroom whenever the bus stops. Don’t hold it in — it’s not good for your body!
Tip: If you need to use the toilet, let the driver or the bus attendant know. I saw locals doing this too. I always check with them before getting off, especially if only a few passengers are leaving — I don’t want to be left behind!
Fun fact about me: I have this strange talent of waking up right before every rest stop, even when I’m dead asleep. 😅 It’s like my body knows we’ve pulled into a station. I even woke up just as the bus was arriving at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal — talk about perfect timing!
🧃 Snacks on the bus
Before boarding, they hand out:
- 1 small drink
- 1 bottle of water
- 1 sweet snack
But the snack won’t really fill you up, so if you get hungry, you can grab a bite at one of the rest stops or gas stations.
🧭 Planning to Connect from Sukhothai → Chiang Mai → Pai
For this trip, I didn’t plan to stay another night in Chiang Mai—I wanted to go straight to Pai.
Since both buses leave from the same terminal, it made sense to catch the earliest Sukhothai → Chiang Mai bus and then connect to Pai by minivan the same day.
I bought my return ticket as soon as I arrived in Sukhothai — just to be in case.
Only two buses go back to Chiang Mai, both in the morning. The first one is at 9:50 AM, but my hotel arranged a 9:30 AM ride to the station, and I was there by 9:40 AM.
Because I wasn’t sure what time I’d arrive back in Chiang Mai, I didn’t book the Pai ticket in advance (even though early booking saves you around 50 THB and lets you pick a seat). I ended up booking it online that night once I had my return ticket to Chiang Mai.
The 9:50 AM bus from Sukhothai left closer to 10:00 AM, and with a 5.5-hour ride, I expected to arrive by 3:30 PM. I added a one-hour buffer just in case, and booked a 4:30 PM minivan to Pai.
Turns out I arrived even earlier than expected, just before 3:30 PM!
I had time to grab a late lunch near the bus station before catching the minivan to Pai. The timing worked out perfectly.
You can check out how to book the Pai ticket online in this post 👇👇👇
🧳 Other Questions
Q: What kind of bus is it?
It’s a double-decker bus! Locals mostly sit downstairs, and tourists usually sit upstairs, but it’s mixed. The bus stops often — people get off and new passengers hop on.
Q: Can I bring a large suitcase?
Yes, absolutely! Compared to going to Pai, bringing a big suitcase to Sukhothai is easier. These big buses have luggage compartments near ground level, so it’s not hard to lift your bag in (even my 20kg one). The driver helped too.
Going to Pai, though, is trickier. They use minivans and strap large suitcases on the roof of a car.
I’ve seen travelers bring big bags to Pai, but I usually leave my luggage at a hostel in Chiang Mai before going.
Just be aware that some hostels only allow luggage storage if you’re returning to stay again.
Q: Can I buy the ticket on the same day?
Yes, especially in the low season. But if you want a specific time slot, try to buy earlier in the day.
During peak season, it’s better to book in advance — I almost had to wait three hours at the station for the 3 PM bus.
I recommend buying your return ticket as soon as you arrive in Sukhothai. That way, you won’t have to go back to the station again and can secure a seat ahead of time.
Q: When’s a good time to visit Sukhothai?
I went right after the Loy Krathong festival, and most of the decorations were already taken down.
A local tuk-tuk (golf cart) driver told me the festival days are stunning. Next time, I’d love to come a few days before Loy Krathong, then head back to Chiang Mai to celebrate with friends.
Q: Is there an airport in Sukhothai?
Yes, but it’s far from both the new and old towns. There’s no Grab or Bolt in the area — only local taxis. If you’re flying, ask your hotel if they can help arrange transport.
Q: How do I get to my hotel from the bus station?
Definitely contact your hotel ahead of time and ask if they can arrange a pickup. I tried contacting a taxi service when I arrived, but no one replied on LINE and the office was closed — so I walked to my hotel instead.
There’s no Grab or Bolt available in the area 😅
( 回清邁時，則在車站對面等車，先在售票的地方等，售票阿姨會帶大家去對面等車 )
Q: Where should I stay in Sukhothai?
Since the bus drops you off near the Old City, I’d suggest staying around there — it’s close to the historical park and much easier to explore by bike. I didn’t visit the New City at all.
