Surat Thani is one of the cities in Thailand that you must have heard about as a popular transport hub in the south of the country. Serving as the main gateway to the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Surat Thani sees thousands of tourists every year, but very few spend a few days in the city. But if the beach call can wait, you can spend a few days in an unusual Thai city where you can experience the culture of this country without strong Western influences, visit its beautiful temples and shrines and try its amazing street food.
If you’re looking for information on how to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani, keep reading to see what your options are.
Flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani
Thai Lion Air © PK.Inspiration_06 / Shutterstock, Inc.
If you make it on time, flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani is without a doubt the best option. It is 650 kilometers (406 miles) from the Thai capital, so the journey is very long, with the flight taking just over an hour. Even if you add the waiting time at the airport to that, flying between the two cities is still the fastest travel option, although, as you can imagine, it is more expensive than traveling by bus or train.
You can save a lot on costs by booking your flight to Surat Thani as far in advance as possible. If you put off buying a ticket the day before, you’ll spend a nice amount of money. Don’t limit your search to one airline. There are several options: Thai Airways (operated by Thai Smile) is the only company that flies from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, but if you are traveling from Don Mueang Airport you can choose between Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia and Nok Air. Between all these airlines, there are usually a dozen flights a day.
Upon arrival at Surat Thani International Airport, you will find yourself 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of the city center. Buses and tuk-tuks will be available to take you into the city for a reasonable price.
Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani
Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. It is easily accessible by MRT subway. © Sittirak Jadlit / Shutterstock, Inc.
Traveling by train in Thailand is a fantastic option if you need to watch your spending and want to travel comfortably but are not in a hurry. Train connections in Thailand are very slow and journeys are often even longer than by road. All that aside, daytime trains give you the chance to enjoy beautiful scenery along the way, and because you can get up, walk, and use some services, trains are much more comfortable than a bus or van.
Trains depart from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok, and several trains run on this route throughout the day. Depending on which train you take, the journey will take anywhere from 8 hours 40 minutes to 12 hours 15 minutes, so in the end it will take you all day to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
Because the train journey is so long, overnight sleeper trains are a very popular option. You won’t see as much scenery along the way, but you can sleep on the train and make the most of your time instead of spending all day traveling. Sleeping compartments are available in first and second class and both options are comfortable.
Upon arrival at Surat Thani Railway Station, you will not be in the city center but in a town called Phun Phin which is 15 kilometers (9 miles) west of Surat Thani. You will find many buses and taxis to take you to the city center.
From Bangkok to Surat Thani by bus
Bangkok South Bus Terminal © Gos Eye View / Shutterstock, Inc.
The third option to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani is by bus. Among those traveling on a budget, buses are the most popular option because they are very cheap and, as we mentioned, they are not slower than the train. In fact, most buses are faster than trains, and in this case the journey takes between 9 and 11 hours.
If you are traveling by bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani, you can choose between several operators and timetables. In terms of costs, most operators have similar prices, although there is some difference between “express” and “VIP” services. The VIP service offers a higher level of comfort and usually includes a meal and snacks on board.
Buses depart from Bangkok’s South Bus Terminal, but be sure to check departure times as there are only a few scheduled in the morning. Those with afternoon departure times are more frequent.
Private van or taxi to Surat Thani
Taxis in Chinatown, Bangkok © Elena Ermakova / Shutterstock, Inc.
A final option that is ideal for budget travelers who want the ultimate in comfort is to take a taxi or private van to go from Bangkok to Surat Thani. They can be booked through your hotel, and operators usually require at least two days’ advance booking. They are much more expensive than other options but are unbeatable in terms of convenience as they pick you up at your hotel door in Bangkok and take you directly to your hotel in Surat Thani.
Regarding the price, the most expensive way to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani is by taxi, then by plane, then by train, and finally by bus.