Town, Thailand
Sukhothai
Calm town beside a UNESCO historical park of temple ruins, best explored by bicycle. Cheap, quiet and good for culture lovers; few services, little nightlife and a long way from the coast.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$656–1,040Comfortable, one person · ฿22,000–35,000Details
- Value for money96/100Better value than 95% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–FebWarmest: Apr, 38°CDetails
- Internet299 MbpsFixed broadband, Thailand medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledUse bottled or refill-machine water; guesthouses sell bottles cheaply.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$12–36Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundSongthaew New–Old SukhothaiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash for markets, local restaurants, buses and guesthouses; cards in a few hotels and cafés.Details
Where to stay in Sukhothai
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| New Sukhothai | Town center: buses, hospital, markets, cheaper food |
| Old Sukhothai (near the historical park) | Guesthouses and cafés beside the ruins |
| Ban Lao (Ayutthaya) street | Quiet homestays 3–5 km from the park |
Apps that work in Sukhothai
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| LINE MAN | Limited restaurants in New Sukhothai |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- 12Go: Buses, trains and ferries between towns
- IQAir AirVisual: Checking smoke levels in burning season
- Taxis: No ride apps. Use songthaews, tuk-tuks or hotel-arranged drivers; agree prices first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Thailand.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash for markets, local restaurants, buses and guesthouses; cards in a few hotels and cafés.
- Currency: Baht (THB). US$1 ≈ ฿33.56 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 THB per withdrawal; limits usually 20,000–30,000 THB, so withdraw larger amounts.
- Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 20–100 THB for good service. Upmarket restaurants add 10% service charge plus 7% VAT.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; Thai QR (PromptPay) works with some linked Asian bank apps.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival; paid look-alike sites are scams.
- Officers may ask for an onward ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds (20,000 THB per person); rarely checked, but enforced at times.
- In May 2026 the cabinet approved shortening visa-free stays; check the current permitted length before booking a long trip.
Emergency numbers
Police 191 · Ambulance 1669 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1155
Plugs
Type A, B, C, O · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
AIS, True and dtac airport counters sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs, roughly 300–600 THB for 8–15 days; passport required. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Thailand
Going to Sukhothai solo?
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Sources
- Fine Arts Department, Sukhothai Historical Park
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Sukhothai
- Bangkok Airways
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.