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Sukhothai Historical Park, with its stone Buddhas and lotus ponds, lies in the lower north of Thailand, and Phitsanulok is the nearest big city to the east. The hop between them is short, which makes it an easy link if you are heading on by train or plane. Phitsanulok station is on the State Railway of Thailand's Northern Line to Bangkok,[1] and the city's airport has Nok Air and Thai Lion Air flights.[2][3]
Sukhothai to Phitsanulok by Bus
The Transport Co. runs buses from Sukhothai Bus Terminal to Phitsanulok Bus Terminal 2.[4] On booking platforms the fare is about $4 (October 2026) and the ride takes from about 1 hour.[5] Take a window seat for the rice paddies and roadside markets along the way.
The Sukhothai terminal is in New Sukhothai, not beside the ruins, so allow time to reach it from a guesthouse in the Old City.
Sukhothai to Phitsanulok by Private Transfer
A private car picks you up at your hotel and drops you at Phitsanulok Airport, the railway station or a hotel. It suits groups and anyone with heavy luggage, and it spares you the trip out to the bus terminal. On booking platforms, transfers start at about $68 (October 2026) and take from about 55 minutes. Vehicles range from 3-seat economy and comfort cars and 4-seat SUVs to 9-seat vans and luxury VIP vans, with prices rising to about $124.[5]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | About $4 | From 1h[5] |
| Private transfer | $68 to $124 | From 55m[5] |
Tips for Traveling from Sukhothai to Phitsanulok
- Old City or New City: Buses leave from the terminal in New Sukhothai. From a guesthouse near the ruins, a private transfer saves the extra ride.
- Catching a train: Phitsanulok railway station is the stop for the Northern Line. Tell your driver or taxi you want the railway station, not just the city.
- Book transfers ahead: Reserve a private transfer a day or two in advance in the cool season, when demand is highest.
Timetable
| Bus Sukhothai - Phitsanulok $ 3.85 1h | |
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| Taxi Sukhothai - Phitsanulok $ 68.10โ123.76 55m โ 1h 50m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Sukhothai to Phitsanulok, including current prices and schedules.
The bus is the cheapest option, about $4 per person on booking platforms (October 2026).
A private transfer can take from about 55 minutes and drops you at your door. The bus takes from about 1 hour but leaves from the terminal in New Sukhothai.
Allow from about 1 hour by bus or from about 55 minutes by private transfer, and more in heavy traffic.
Yes. A private transfer can drop you at Phitsanulok Airport, which has Nok Air and Thai Lion Air flights, so you do not have to change to a bus or taxi.
Book ahead on holidays and weekends to be sure of a seat on your preferred departure.
At Phitsanulok Bus Terminal 2. From there, take a taxi or local transport to the railway station or your hotel.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] State Railway of Thailand: SRT Timetable Matrix 2026 (Northern Line outbound). Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [2] Nok Air: Where We Fly. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
- [3] Thai Lion Air: Baggage Allowance and Destinations. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
- [4] The Transport Co., Ltd.: Bus Schedule of The Transport Co., Ltd.: Sukhothai - Phitsanulok. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [5] 12Go: 12Go Timetable: Sukhothai - Phitsanulok. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.