If you are going to travel through Thailand, it is very likely that you will pass through or stop at Surat Thani at some point in your journey. It is a city with an important transportation hub for the country as it connects the capital, Bangkok, which is located in the north, with some of the best islands and beaches in the south. In addition, it is also known for attractions such as the night market. From Surat Thani there are many possibilities to continue your adventure with Thailand, but one of the most popular islands is Phuket. Its crystal clear waters and tropical beaches attract many tourists, as do bars and nightclubs. But Phuket is also a place with fabulous landscapes thanks to the mountains and forests inland. If you’re looking for a place to unwind with your family or partner, there are also some fantastic resorts where you can spend a few peaceful days. If you want to know how to travel from Surat Thani to Phuket, read the detailed information.
Phuket is an island, but it is connected to Thailand by a bridge.
Travel options from Surat Thani to Phuket
If it were possible to fly in a straight line, the distance from Surat Thani to Phuket would be only 170 kilometers (106 miles). As you can see, these places are not too far away. But while both Surat Thani and Phuket have their own airports, there are no flights serving the route between the two places. If you wanted to go by plane, you would have to fly from Surat Thani to Bangkok and from there take another flight to Phuket. As this is not a very practical option, it is best to consider other alternatives such as buses, vans and taxis. Both buses and vans are very affordable options.
From Surat Thani to Phuket by bus
Phantip Bus in Surat Thani © kyozstorage_stock / Shutterstock.com
Most tourists traveling from Surat Thani to Phuket take the bus as it is the cheapest option. There are several bus companies that offer multiple trips per day and tickets can be booked through the travel website 12Go.asia. Phantip has both buses and vans, but more on that later. Phantip buses can be caught both at Surat Thani Railway Station and downtown at the Downtown Transportation Hub (Talad Kaset 2).
Departing from the railway station, the journey time from Surat Thani to Phuket is approximately 4.5 hours. The bus departs at 7:30 AM and arrives at Phuket Bus Terminal 2 at 12:00 PM. The journey takes place in a standard air-conditioned bus. While comfortable enough, don’t expect any other services on board.
If you are departing from the city center, you can choose different departure times, but the journey will be a bit longer. Buses leave at 7:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Arrival times to Phuket vary depending on departure time and traffic, but you can expect a 4.5-5.5 hour drive. As with the buses that depart from the train station, they are also of the standard type with air conditioning.
When looking for an option to go from Surat Thani to Phuket on 12Go, you will also see that there is another option available with Phantip. This is a combo ticket that includes taxi pickup from almost any hotel in Surat Thani city. This is a very practical option if you don’t want to organize your own transfer to the stop, although the price is almost double when this service is included in the price.
From Surat Thani to Phuket via Van
As mentioned earlier, Phantip also operates vans to cover the route from Surat Thani to Phuket, and they can also be booked through 12Go. Traveling by van from Surat Thani to Phuket is slightly more expensive than by bus, although it only costs a few euros more. Vans reach Phuket in less time than the bus, which takes 4 hours on schedule.
Vans depart from the Downtown Transportation Hub in Surat Thani and there are several daily departures to choose from, so it’s easier to find one that fits your travel plans. Vans leave every hour between 8:00 and 18:00.
Apart from the practicality of traveling by van from Surat Thani to Phuket, this option does not offer many other advantages. Vans have less space than buses, so you may feel cramped. But if you prefer to travel in a smaller vehicle and a little faster, this can be a good alternative.
Taxi from Surat Thani to Phuket
The third and final option to travel from Surat Thani to Phuket is by taxi. You might be surprised to learn that you can also easily book a taxi through 12Go. The search results include taxis from five different companies and different types of vehicles, so this is a very flexible and convenient option.
You can choose where to pick you up in Surat Thani and where to drop you off in Phuket. Prices vary greatly, so you need to make sure you find the most suitable vehicle for your situation. There are economical and comfortable sedans suitable for two passengers, SUVs for four or vans for up to nine passengers. When it comes to savings, vans are the best option as the total cost of the vehicle can be shared among all passengers. If you are traveling in a group or with your family, a van can be quite an economical and private option to get from Surat Thani to Phuket.
Between buses, vans and taxis, there is a wide range of transport available to travel from Surat Thani to Phuket. It will not be difficult for you to find the option that best suits your plans and pocket.