Contents
Overview | Bus | Taxi/Car Rental | Secret Escapes
How to travel from/to Surat Thani Airport?
Surat Thani often serves as a stop along the way to Krabi, Phuket or to Islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It may not be as exciting as the islands but it still offers some charm and sights, like outdoor activities such as hiking through the National Parks or exploring the rain forest.
From Surat Thani Airport, you can either take a shuttle bus or book a private car to the town center. The bus ride takes about 1 hour and will cost you 150 THB ($5).
Bus or Taxi/Car Rental?
| Transport mode | Duration | Costs | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 1 hour | 150 THB ($5) | Check bus tickets |
| Bus | 1 hour | 170 THB ($5.50) | Read article for info |
| Taxi | 50 minutes | 1,180 THB ($39) | Reserve a taxi |
| Car Rental | depends on your destination | depends on your destination | Read article for info |
Travelling with a group? Taking a taxi or a minivan from Surat Thani Airport to the town center can be more convenient for you. Rates start from 1,180 THB ($39).
Itinerary from/to Surat Thani Airport
Surat Thani Airport by Bus
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: 150 THB ($5)
Seatran Ferry operates the shuttle bus service that takes you from Surat Thani Airport to the town center. The journey takes about 1 hour and costs 150 THB ($5).
You can buy your tickets at the Seatran counter at the arrivals hall of the airport. But if you want to skip the possibly long bus queues, you can also purchase your ticket online beforehand on 12go.Asia.
| Bus Company | Schedule | Duration | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seatran Ferry | 09:30-10:30 10:30-11:30 14:00-15:00 15:00-16:00 16:45-17:45 | 1 hour | 150 THB ($5) |
Check Bus Tickets with 12go.Asia
Another you can use for this route is Phantip Travel. They are normally the more preferred service for this route but currently, they are operating on a reduced capacity due to the pandemic.
You can still try checking out their counter at the arrivals hall though. A ticket costs around 100 THB ($3.30).
Transfer to Other Destinations
There are many buses bound for Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan at Surat Thani Airport. It’s best to arrange your transfer in advance, especially during peak season.
Surat Thani Airport by Taxi/Car Rental
Duration: 50 minutes
Cost: 1,180 THB ($39)
If you’re travelling with a group, travelling by taxi or private minivan from the airport may not be too expensive.
With Phantip Travel, you can get a minivan good for up to 7 persons for only 900 THB ($30). They’re available to book at the airport, but you can save a lot of time if you just book it online via BookAway.
As for the taxi, we also prefer to book beforehand to skip not just the taxi queues but also the touts often offering overpriced rides. With Klook, you can get a 3-seater sedan from 1,180 THB ($39) and a 10-seater van from 1,300 THB ($43). Klook is also known for its spacious cars and reliable drivers.
Car Rental from Surat Thani Airport
Popular companies such as Thai Rent-a-Car, Avis, Budget and Hertz offer car rental services from Surat Thani Airport.
Our preferred though are the ones offered by Skyscanner as they are normally cheaper. Rates start from 750 THB ($25) for a 24-hour rental.
The car rental companies can be found at the counters in the arrival hall of Surat Thani Airport.
My favourite places to stay in Surat Thani
Garden Homestay
Looking for that true Thai culture and welcoming feeling? Garden Homestay is definitely the best choice for you! The hosts are known to be extremely friendly and enjoy spending time with guests, showing them around town and taking them to the sights. A wonderful Asian style breakfast is included each morning of your stay and the homestay is centrally located.
- Extremely friendly and welcoming hosts
- Breakfast included
- Very comfortable beds
- Garden area
Private rooms start at $20 per night
Blu Monkey Hub and Hotel Suratthani
Set centrally in Surat Thani, the Blu Monkey Hub and Hotel Suratthani is within walking distance of the night market. The hotel features an onsite restaurant, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, and private bathrooms. A buffet breakfast is available every morning and the staff is happy to provide guests with directions and information about the area. This hotel is known for its extremely comfortable beds.
- Very comfortable beds
- Onsite restaurant
- Walking distance to the night market
- Breakfast included
Private rooms start at $23 per night
Bangsrai Cottage
Enjoy the stunning river views from the terrace at this centrally located cottage in Surat Thani. The outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to cool down after exploring the area and the cottage gardens. There is also a shared lounge, free wifi and free bike rentals for guests to enjoy. Delicious continental breakfast is included with your stay.
- Breakfast included
- Swimming pool
- River views
- Centrally located
Private bungalows start at $49 per night
