On-site tram
- Fare
- 60 baht per person
- Frequency
- Approximately every 15 minutes
The tram fare is separate from admission to the ruins. It is an option if you want to reduce the amount of walking.
Official visitor information ↗Sukhothai Historical Parkอุทยานประวัติศาสตร์สุโขทัย
Sukhothai · Ruins of the old Sukhothai city and temples in separate zones
Sukhothai Historical Park lets you explore temples, chedis and Buddha images inside and outside the walls of the old city. See Sukhothai architecture and Buddhist sculpture up close, from Wat Mahathat’s lotus-bud-shaped chedi to the large seated Phra Achana Buddha at Wat Si Chum.
It suits visitors who want to walk among historic temples and take in the architecture and scenery. The central, northern and western ruins are in separate zones with different tickets. Exploring several temples in the central zone offers a different experience from visiting the large Buddha beyond the city walls.
Location and getting there
The pin marks the place, not necessarily its entrance, ticket office or vehicle drop-off point.
Essential visitor information
- Opening information
- 06:30–19:30
- Saturday lighting
- Until 21:00 · Tourism Authority information, August 2026
- Zone ticket information
- Central 200 · North 120 · West 120 baht
- All-zone ticket information
- 400 baht · check included zones and validity when buying
- Managed by
- Fine Arts Department of Thailand
On-site tram and bicycle rental
K-Shop bicycle rental near the east entrance
- Rental
- 30 baht per day
- Payment
- Pay after use
- Hours
- 05:30–19:00
- Location
- East side of Sukhothai Historical Park
This is the rate for one K-Shop rental service listed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It does not apply to every rental shop nearby. You can choose a bicycle size and style and take a short test ride before renting.
Official visitor information ↗What can you see?
A lotus-bud chedi and a large seated Buddha
Wat Mahathat in the Central Zone was an important temple of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The central lotus-bud-shaped chedi is its signature structure. Buddha images and hall foundations remain nearby, so explore the surrounding remains after seeing the main chedi.
Outside the city walls, Wat Si Chum houses a large seated Buddha called Phra Achana. After visiting the temples in the Central Zone, travel beyond the walls to see the image up close. This is a good visit if you are interested in Sukhothai Buddhist sculpture as well as temples and chedis.
Walk among the remains of the old city
Sukhothai’s heritage extends beyond one temple. Temples and chedis are scattered inside and outside the old city walls, forming a UNESCO World Heritage property together with the historic towns of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet. Which ruins you see depends on their location: Wat Si Sawai and Wat Sa Si are inside the walls, while Wat Si Chum is outside.
Within the walls, you can explore several temples, including Wat Si Sawai and Wat Sa Si, on foot or by bicycle. Allow extra travel time for remains outside the walls. Instead of rushing through every zone, choose the temples you want to see and enjoy their architecture and surroundings.
Zone tickets and Saturday night lighting
According to the Tourism Authority’s August 2026 information, the Central Zone costs 200 baht, the North and West zones 120 baht each, and a full ticket 400 baht. The ruins are spread inside and outside the walls, so a Central Zone visit covers a different area from a ticket for additional zones.
Lighting is listed until 21:00 on Saturdays. Check the same-day guidance for the zone you intend to visit, as it does not follow that every ruin and ticket office offers the same night-entry conditions.
Wat Si Sawai, with three remaining towers
If you are exploring inside the walls, include Wat Si Sawai. Its three towers stand side by side and look different from the lotus-bud chedi of Wat Mahathat in the Central Zone. Up close, notice the pointed Khmer-style towers and their decoration.
The three towers preserve a history that runs from Hindu architectural influence to a Buddhist temple. Rather than thinking of Sukhothai as having a single architectural style, compare the towers at Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Sawai. Wat Si Chum, in the North Zone, is a different part of the park.
Before you visit
Wat Si Chum is in the North Zone
The large seated Phra Achana Buddha is at Wat Si Chum in the North Zone. A Central Zone ticket does not cover every other zone.
A tram is another option for visitors who find walking difficult
If it is difficult to walk between the ruins, you can take the park tram for 60 baht per person. The Tourism Authority lists departures about every 15 minutes. The tram fare is separate from the Central Zone admission ticket.
If you prefer to set your own pace, you can rent a bicycle. K-Shop on the east side lists a rate of 30 baht per day, paid afterward. This is K-Shop’s price; other rental businesses may charge differently.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a bicycle near the east entrance to Sukhothai Historical Park?
K-Shop on the east side lists bicycle rental at 30 baht per day, paid afterward. Its stated hours are 05:30–19:00; this price applies to that shop.
Is there a way to see the ruins without walking?
The park tram is listed at 60 baht per person, with departures about every 15 minutes. Admission to the ruins is separate from the tram fare.
Is Wat Si Chum, with its large seated Buddha, in the Central Zone?
No. Wat Si Chum, with its Phra Achana Buddha, is in the North Zone. Wat Mahathat, with its lotus-bud chedi, and Wat Si Sawai, with three towers, are inside the walls in the Central Zone. Central, North and West are separate zones with separate admission.
Related places and travel information
Sources checked:
Official sources · 6
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — attraction and visitor information ↗
- Government of Thailand — major remains in Sukhothai Historical Park ↗
- UNESCO — Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns ↗
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — K-Shop bicycle rental in Sukhothai ↗
- Thailand Tourism Directory — three towers at Wat Si Sawai ↗
- Public Relations Department — Hindu and Buddhist influences in Wat Si Sawai architecture ↗
Sharing image credit: Garonzi Stefania / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0