The easiest way to get from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai is the Tour with Thai bus with hotel pickup: about 6 hours, THB 950 on 12Go, with 5 departures a day from 09:30.
Need Sukhothai → Ayutthaya? See the reverse guide.
On a tight budget, the 12:40 Cherdchai Tour North express from the highway near Lotus City Park costs THB 544.
A private car from your Ayutthaya hotel starts at about THB 4,600 and cuts the trip to 4 hours 30 minutes.
Compare every bus, van and car on one page
See Ayutthaya → Sukhothai times on 12Go →The detail everyone misses: no bus to Sukhothai starts on Ayutthaya island.
The northbound coaches come up from Bangkok and only stop on the highway east of the old city, so you either get picked up at your hotel or ride a tuk-tuk out to a roadside stop.
At the other end, most buses finish at the terminal near New Sukhothai, about 12 km from the ruins you came to see.
At a Glance
Ayutthaya to Sukhothai transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then jump to the option that fits your plans.
| Transport | Fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus with hotel pickupTour with Thai, 5 departures a day | FareTHB 950per person, to the bus terminal | Travel timeAbout 6h |
| Express bus from the highwayCherdchai Tour North or Tara Tour | FareTHB 544 to 1,042per person | Travel time5h 45m to 6h 20m |
| Minivan to your Sukhothai hotelAEC 168, one morning run | FareTHB 2,498per person | Travel timeAbout 5h 10m |
| Train to Phitsanulok, then busTwo tickets, most flexible | FareFrom about THB 361per person | Travel time7h or more |
| Private car or vanHotel to hotel | FareFrom about THB 4,600per vehicle | Travel time4h 30m to 5h |
| Rental carSelf-drive, about 355 km | FareVariesplus fuel | Travel timeAbout 5h |
Fares are 12Go and Bookaway listings for a Saturday departure. Prices change with the date, so check live before you book.
Ayutthaya to Sukhothai timetable
Here are the regular departures 12Go lists for the trip north, plus the two legs of the train route via Phitsanulok.
Tap any line to see live seats and book.
| Transport | From | Time | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Ayutthaya, direct | |||
| Bus (express) | THB 690 | 6h | 09:30, 11:30, 19:10, 20:30, 21:00, 22:00 |
| Private car or van | THB 5,797 | 4h 30m to 5h 30m | Pickup at any time you choose |
| Via Phitsanulok | |||
| Train, Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok | THB 218 | About 5h | 08:59, 15:20 and 21:09, plus night trains |
| Bus, Phitsanulok to Sukhothai | THB 143 | 1h 30m to 2h | 5 departures, 06:30 to 15:00 |
Typical lowest fares from the 12Go timetable and live listings. The cheapest bus on a given day can be lower or higher, so tap a route to see live seats.
1. Tour with Thai bus with hotel pickup, the one I would book
Tour with Thai is the operator most travelers use on this route, and 12Go tags it as a bestseller.
You book a seat, a car or van collects you from your Ayutthaya guesthouse, and you continue north on the bus to Sukhothai Bus Terminal.
There are 5 departures a day, at 09:30, 11:30, 12:40, 19:10 and 22:00, each scheduled at about 6 hours.
The fare is THB 950 per person, or THB 1,312 if you want the drop at the Historical Park instead of the bus terminal.
How the pickup works
The operator asks you to wait in your hotel lobby at least 30 minutes before the departure time. The vehicle class can change at short notice, depending on how many people booked that day.
The bus allowance is two checked bags with a total of 20 kg per person.
The operator also warns that arrival can run 1 hour 30 minutes or more behind schedule, so do not plan a tight connection in Sukhothai.
My verdict: the least hassle for the money. Take the 09:30 or 11:30 run so you reach Sukhothai in daylight.
Want the pickup sorted before you arrive?
Book the Tour with Thai bus on 12Go →2. Express bus from the highway, cheapest direct ride
If you do not mind getting yourself to the main road, the big express coaches heading north from Bangkok are cheaper.
12Go lists three of them for a typical day.
| Bus | Boards at | Departs | Arrives | Price on 12Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherdchai Tour North | Lotus Ayutthaya City Park highway shelter | 12:40 | 19:00, Sukhothai | THB 544 |
| Tara Tour and Travel | Tesco Lotus Ayutthaya | 12:35 | 18:45, Sukhothai Bus Station | THB 903 |
| Tara Tour and Travel | Tony Place, Ayutthaya | 11:45 | 18:00, Sukhothai Bus Station | THB 1,042 |
Bookaway sells the same two Tara Tour coaches, the 11:45 from Tony Place for US$27 and the 12:35 from Tesco Lotus for US$24.
It also lists the Cherdchai bus from the Lotus highway shelter from US$15.
Where to catch it
The Lotus stop sits beside the Asian Highway, east of the island and well outside the walking area of the old city.
A tuk-tuk from the guesthouse streets near the train station is the easiest way to get there.
Tell your driver it is the bus shelter on the highway side, not the mall entrance. Get there 30 minutes early with your e-ticket ready, because these coaches only pause briefly.
Public Transport Co and Win Tour coaches also run this corridor and stop on the highway at Ayutthaya. Times shift by season, so check the 12Go listings rather than relying on an old printed timetable.
My verdict: the best price for a direct seat, as long as you sort the ride to the highway yourself.
Traveling on a budget?
Compare express buses on 12Go →3. Minivan straight to your Sukhothai hotel
AEC 168 Transport and Travel runs one minivan in the morning, leaving Ayutthaya at 08:00 and reaching Sukhothai around 13:11.
It drops passengers at city hotels, so you skip the bus terminal and the tuk-tuk ride at the end.
At THB 2,498 per person it costs more than twice the bus, and minivans have little room for big suitcases.
For two people it is getting close to the price of a private car.
My verdict: a good fit for a solo traveler who wants an early arrival and a hotel drop.
Prefer an early arrival?
See the minivan on 12Go →4. Train to Phitsanulok, then a bus to Sukhothai
Sukhothai has no railway station, so the train route runs to Phitsanulok, about an hour east, and finishes by bus.
It is the most flexible option and the one with the most departures.
Rapid train 111 leaves Ayutthaya at 08:59 and reaches Phitsanulok at 14:08, with third-class fan seats from THB 218 on 12Go.
Train 109 leaves at 15:20 and arrives at 20:35, which is too late for an onward bus the same evening.
On some days 12Go also lists a faster second-class air-conditioned express in the morning. Open the train tab for your date and compare before you pick.
The connection in Phitsanulok
Buses to Sukhothai leave from Phitsanulok’s bus terminals, not the railway station, so take a tuk-tuk for that short hop.
From Bus Terminal 2, Tour with Thai sells seats on 12Go for THB 175, with 4 departures between 06:30 and 14:15 and a ride of about 1 hour 30 minutes.
After train 111, the best fit is the 15:00 Tour with Thai standard bus from Bus Terminal 1, THB 143 on 12Go and about 2 hours to Sukhothai Bus Terminal.
A Phitsanulok to Sukhothai taxi on 12Go starts at about THB 1,400 per car if you arrive late.
My verdict: great if you like trains or want to stop a night in Phitsanulok. As a straight transfer it is slower than the direct bus.
Leg one: the train
Book the train to Phitsanulok on 12Go →Leg two: the bus
See Phitsanulok to Sukhothai buses on 12Go →5. Private car or van, best for families and groups
A private car collects you from your Ayutthaya hotel and drives you to your door in Sukhothai, including your resort near the Historical Park.
Expect about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours on the road, plus any stops you ask for.
| Vehicle | Price per vehicle | Where |
|---|---|---|
| MPV or SUV, Khamkhun Tour and Travel | From THB 4,600 | 12Go |
| Sedan, 2 people | From THB 4,830 | 12Go |
| Economy car, Tour with Thai | From THB 5,000 | 12Go |
| VIP van, 9 seats, Arnud Transport | From THB 7,125 | 12Go |
| Private minivan, 9 seats, EasyRide Services | From US$212 | Bookaway |
Daytrip operators on this route suggest stops at Lopburi, Bang Pa-In Palace or Phitsanulok. Ask your driver when you book, since most fixed-price transfers do not include long detours.
My verdict: for three or four people sharing, it is the most comfortable way to cover a long day.
Traveling as a family or group?
Compare private cars on 12Go →Want more vehicle options?
See private transfers on Bookaway →6. Rental car, if you plan a road trip north
The drive is about 355 km, roughly 5 hours north through Nakhon Sawan and on toward Phitsanulok. Traffic keeps left in Thailand, so carry an International Driving Permit along with your home license.
A car pays off if you want Si Satchanalai, Kamphaeng Phet or the Phitsanulok temples on the same trip.
To compare prices, see rental cars in Thailand.
My verdict: only worth it for a multi-stop trip. For a straight transfer, the bus or a private car is less tiring.
Take a morning departure. The night buses reach Sukhothai between 01:00 and 04:00, when the songthaews have stopped and you are stuck haggling with a tuk-tuk in the dark.
Step by step: the hotel-pickup bus to Sukhothai
- Book on 12Go a day or two ahead, and choose the 09:30 or 11:30 departure.
- Add your hotel name to the booking so the operator knows where to collect you.
- Wait in the lobby 30 minutes before departure, with your e-ticket on your phone.
- Ride north for about 6 hours, with a food and toilet stop on the way.
- Get off at Sukhothai Bus Terminal, about 2 km from the New Sukhothai center.
- Take a tuk-tuk or songthaew into town or out to the Historical Park.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherdchai express bus | THB 544 | THB 1,088 | THB 2,176 |
| Train (3rd class) and bus | About THB 361 | About THB 722 | About THB 1,444 |
| Tour with Thai hotel-pickup bus | THB 950 | THB 1,900 | THB 3,800 |
| Private car (MPV or SUV) | From THB 4,600 | From THB 4,600 | From THB 4,600 |
Solo travelers save the most on the bus. For four people, a private car costs about THB 1,150 each and takes you from hotel to hotel.
Which option should you choose?
- First time in Thailand or heavy bags: the Tour with Thai bus with hotel pickup.
- Lowest price for a direct seat: the 12:40 Cherdchai Tour North bus from the highway.
- Solo and want to arrive by lunchtime: the 08:00 AEC 168 minivan.
- Love trains or want a night in Phitsanulok: train 111 and the bus on.
- Family or group of 3 or more: a private car straight to your resort.
- Planning several stops up north: a rental car.
Arriving in Sukhothai
Most buses finish at Sukhothai Bus Terminal, about 2 km from the center of New Sukhothai, the modern town with the guesthouses, banks and night market.
Some services, including the Tour with Thai Historical Park option, continue to Old Sukhothai.
- New Sukhothai center: about 2 km, a tuk-tuk for around THB 60.
- Sukhothai Historical Park: about 12 km west of New Sukhothai; a tuk-tuk from the terminal costs around THB 150 to 300.
- Shared songthaew: about THB 30 per person between New and Old Sukhothai, roughly every 20 to 40 minutes until the late afternoon.
- Grab and Bolt: drivers are hard to find here, so plan on tuk-tuks, songthaews or a ride arranged by your hotel.
Inside the Historical Park, bicycles are the way to get around.
Shops near the main entrance rent them for about THB 30 to 50 a day, and each zone charges foreigners THB 100, plus a small fee for the bike.
Sukhothai: things to do and where to stay
Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam, and its Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of lotus ponds, Buddha statues and brick chedis.
It feels calmer and greener than Ayutthaya, and you can cycle between the ruins on flat, quiet lanes.
Start at Wat Mahathat in the central zone, then ride out to the giant seated Buddha of Wat Si Chum.
The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum covers the history, and Si Satchanalai is a quieter second ruined city to the north.
See the tours section below for guided rides.
Which area to stay in
- New Sukhothai: cheap guesthouses, food stalls and the bus terminal close by, but 12 km from the ruins.
- Old Sukhothai, by the park: walk or cycle to the temples at sunrise; quieter in the evening.
- The rice fields between the two: resort-style hotels with pools, best with a car or bicycle.
- Near Sukhothai Airport: resort stays well outside town, only worth it if you are flying on.
Best places to stay in and around Sukhothai
- Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa: a boutique resort in the rice fields, about 2 km from the Historical Park, with an infinity pool and a spa.
- Legendha Sukhothai: 62 Thai-style rooms on the Mae Rampan canal, right behind the elephant chedi of Wat Chang Lom, with an outdoor pool.
- Sukhothai Treasure Resort and Spa: contemporary rooms with private balconies set among rice fields, and an outdoor pool.
- Sukhothai Heritage Resort: low-rise buildings in old Sukhothai style among rice fields near Sukhothai Airport, with two pools.
The rice-field and airport resorts are well away from the bus terminal, so a private transfer straight to the door is the easiest way to arrive.
Practical tips before you go
Carry small cash. Tuk-tuks, songthaews, bike shops and the park ticket booths want baht, so break big notes at a 7-Eleven before you set off.
Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Guesthouse and cafe networks are open to everyone. A VPN such as ExpressVPN encrypts your ticket bookings and banking on those shared networks.
Book ahead for weekends and holidays. Seats on the daytime buses go first, and Sukhothai fills up for Loy Krathong in November.
Going back? See our Sukhothai to Ayutthaya guide, or head straight to the capital with Sukhothai to Bangkok.
Still in the south? Read Bangkok to Ayutthaya and Ayutthaya to Bangkok too.
Tours from Sukhothai
A guided bicycle tour of the Historical Park and the countryside is the classic, and day trips to Si Satchanalai are worth the extra time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
The easiest way is the Tour with Thai bus, which picks you up at your Ayutthaya hotel and takes about 6 hours for THB 950. You can also take a highway express bus, a train to Phitsanulok and then a bus, or a private car.
How much is the bus from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
On 12Go the cheapest direct bus is the 12:40 Cherdchai Tour North express for THB 544. Tour with Thai costs THB 950 with hotel pickup, and Tara Tour costs THB 903 to 1,042.
How long does it take to get from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
About 6 hours by bus, 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours by private car, and 7 hours or more by train and bus via Phitsanulok.
Is there a direct train from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
No. Sukhothai has no railway station. Take the train to Phitsanulok, about 5 hours, then a bus of about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours to Sukhothai Bus Terminal.
Where do buses to Sukhothai leave from in Ayutthaya?
There is no northbound terminal on the island. Tour with Thai collects you from your hotel, and the express buses stop on the highway east of the old city, for example at Lotus Ayutthaya City Park.
What time is the first bus from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
The Tour with Thai service starts at 09:30. The AEC 168 minivan leaves earlier, at 08:00, and drops passengers at Sukhothai hotels.
How much is a taxi from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai?
A pre-booked private car starts at about THB 4,600 per vehicle on 12Go, and a 9-seat van costs from about THB 7,125. Bookaway lists a private 9-seat minivan from US$212.
How do I get from Sukhothai Bus Terminal to the Historical Park?
Take a tuk-tuk for around THB 150 to 300, or go into New Sukhothai and catch the shared songthaew for about THB 30. The park is about 12 km west of the new town.
Ready for Sukhothai?
Live seats and prices for buses, minivans, trains and private cars from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai.
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: bus, van, train and private car fares from 12Go’s and Bookaway’s live listings and the 12Go timetable; operator rules from Tour with Thai; terminal transfers, songthaew and park fees from local travel guides; hotel details from hotel guides and listings.
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Tim Kroeger is a luxury wellness travel specialist, founder of Universal Traveller, and creator of The Restorative Index, a performance-based framework for evaluating wellness hotels. After 15+ years across 110+ countries, he shifted from destination-chasing to travel recovery. Based in Bangkok, he reviews luxury wellness hotels and spas on tim-kroeger.com through a performance lens, combining firsthand testing with expert insights.
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
