Chiang Mai - Sukhothai From Bkk, 3 Days

[sunsetlover]

Hello all,

I'm planning to do BKK-Chiang Mai-Sukhothai-BKK in late July. 2 days in Chiang Mai, bus to Sukhothai, 1 day there, then flight from Phitsanulok back to BKK. Is this doable?

First time traveling to both places. Am I going to be hurried all the time? Is one day enough in Sukhothai? I understand it's vast ancient grounds in the old city. Are weekends to be avoided?

Thanks!

[SamSipEt]

You'll have to choose between a variety of options if you are only in Chiang Mai for 2 days....

Lots to do here and earlier this week I did the Flight of the Gibbon. Fantastic experince so do try and keep a day free for that as well as a day trip to Wat Doi Suthep, another day at an elephant camp, maybe a Thai cooking course for a day or two, spend an evening wandering around the night markets. Time out to relax eating, drinking and generally having fun. Enjoy :-)

[cmbe]

You have a limit time only 3 days, my idea you can take direct flight to Chiang Mai then looking for 1 day tour to Sukhothai then come back to Chiang Mai in the evening, or 2 days tour (Chiang Mai-Sukhothai-Chiang Mai).

There are also 2 flights (07:00 and 15:15 ) with bangkok airway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai stop at Sukhothai if you want overnight there. Fight from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai departure at 09:25.

[zippydedodah]

personally, i think you are wasting your money... if it was my money, i would not spend such little time in any of those places... the cost of getting there (to each place) is the same, your hotels and food can be very affordable all the way around.. but then, if that is all the time you have...perhaps it is your money well spent.

[orang37]

... There are also 2 flights (07:00 and 15:15 ) with bangkok airway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai stop at Sukhothai if you want overnight there. Fight from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai departure at 09:25.

Are you sure about this: the current Bangkok Air web-site shows only flights from Lampang<=>Sukhothai.

And BA's downloadable PDF schedule http://www2.bangkokair.com/time-table/PG-timetable.pdf

Does not show any flights from even Lampang to Sukhothai, or the reverse (probably out-dated).

best, ~o:37;

[uptheos]

I'd skip Chiang Mai altogether and do Sukhothai, Sri Sachanalai and lots to see in P'lok including Wat Phra Sri Rattana etc .

[orang37]

I'd recommend forgoing Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai, given the heat this time of year, and relax in Chiang Mai. Certainly the magnificent Phra Chinnaraj Buddha in Phitsanulok is one of the most significant and beautiful Buddhas in the world; it's in the Wat Khun Uptheos mentioned, known to locals as "Wat Yai." And, yes, the ruins in Sukhothai are sublimely beautiful, and its museum well-worth visiting, if you're into museums.

You can take a train from CM to Phitsanulok, get off, go to Sukhothai by bus in an around an hour (if I recall correctly), then head back to Phitsanulok and resume your train journey to Bangkok.

But, if it's your style to enjoy going many places quickly, more power to you

best, ~o:37;

[JeffreyMcCollum]

2 cities 3 -5 hours apart. And will you be rushed ? Seems most of your time will just be traveling.

Why limit yourself to 3 days. If that is all the time you have? Stay down where your at and look some more at what is near you.

[cmbe]

... There are also 2 flights (07:00 and 15:15 ) with bangkok airway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai stop at Sukhothai if you want overnight there. Fight from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai departure at 09:25.

Are you sure about this: the current Bangkok Air web-site shows only flights from Lampang<=>Sukhothai.

And BA's downloadable PDF schedule http://www2.bangkoka...G-timetable.pdf

Does not show any flights from even Lampang to Sukhothai, or the reverse (probably out-dated).

best, ~o:37;

Try to check again.

http://www2.bangkokair.com/en/plan-your-trip/flight-schedule.php price 2,250-3,620 for departure on 18th June

http://www.thaitransport-photo.net/airportmap/sukhothai.htm

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I'd skip Chiang Mai altogether and do Sukhothai, Sri Sachanalai and lots to see in P'lok including Wat Phra Sri Rattana etc.

Yes, completely agree with this. Or if you do want to add Chiang Mai then spend some more days, and maybe do it by rental car. You could go from Sukhothai past Srisatchanalai (another historical site with a more remote and less touristy feel) and then on to Chiang Mai. Or Phrae, also a nice and old little town.

[uptheos]

I'd skip Chiang Mai altogether and do Sukhothai, Sri Sachanalai and lots to see in P'lok including Wat Phra Sri Rattana etc.

Yes, completely agree with this. Or if you do want to add Chiang Mai then spend some more days, and maybe do it by rental car. You could go from Sukhothai past Srisatchanalai (another historical site with a more remote and less touristy feel) and then on to Chiang Mai. Or Phrae, also a nice and old little town.

I love Sri Satchanalai, it has a much more natural feel to it. I'd love to camp there for a few days.

I spent 5 months once in Phrae....not my favourite place but 5 months was way too long.

P'Lok is an OK place to explore for a couple of days and its 'interesting' at night.

[Krupnik]

Yes, you will be very hurried! I think the others are right - skip Chiang Mai and wait until you have more time as your time won't be nearly enough for there. Just make the most of it in Sukhothai and P'lok, like others said Sri Satchanalai is also a very nice ancient park alot say it is much nicer than the famous one that is in the main town and not to be missed. It's about 40 minutes out of the town, but I'm not sure how else to get there except by car or taxi. By car it takes about 40 minutes to P'lok, maybe about an hour by bus.

I wouldn't worry about avoiding the weekends, it won't make much difference around these places. But Sukhothai in particular is prone to flooding, just to warn you.