The Ultimate Surat Thani Travel Guide

Is Surat Thani worth visiting?

Surat Thani is a city located in southern Thailand, mostly known as a jumping-off point to other attractions rather than for its own activities.

To answer the question of whether the city is worth visiting, it’s best to look at your own itinerary.

For travellers on a tight time frame, Surat Thani is probably best suited as just a transportation hub and entryway to the popular islands on the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) or the Andaman coast (Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi).

However, for those with a bit of time to spare it may be worth setting aside some time to get a glimpse of the ‘real’ Thailand that is slowly becoming buried by tourism.

That’s why Surat Thani’s location also makes it a great spot for day trips to explore the surrounding areas.

Also read: Top 5 Things to Do in Surat Thani

How to get around in Surat Thani

One of the main reasons why travellers come to Surat Thani is due to it’s transport links, so it’s no surprise that getting around is fairly easy.

Once you’re in the city, Surat Thani is a relatively easy city to walk around or even more fun, hire a bicycle for 100 baht/day. If you prefer the bike to do all the work, then you can also hire a motorbike for around 300 baht/day.

Equally, there are plenty of tuk-tuks, songthaews and taxis roaming the streets, waiting for their next customer.

How to get to your next destination from Surat Thani

Most people arrive at Surat Thani train station, located 14 kilometers from town. Here, you’ll find plenty of travel companies offering you transportation for your onward journey.

You’re nearly there if your destination is one of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Most travel companies offer a package deal with a bus taking you to a nearby port, either Donsak or Tapee River, followed by a boat journey to your chosen paradise.

Surat Thani railway station

If you’re planning to stay the night, the small town has taken the stress out of travelling with their orange buses. Costing just 20 baht, they will take you from the train station into town. For those with a big enough wallet, a taxi will set you back around 140 baht for the same journey.

Surat Thani Airport

If you’ve chosen air travel, the cost to get from the airport to town is slightly higher. The bus ride takes around 40 minutes and will cost you 100 baht, whilst a taxi can cost somewhere in the region of 1500 baht!

Surat Thani to the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phanghan and Koh Tao)

Ferries heading from Surat Thani to the Gulf of Thailand

See here a quick overview of travel times to the Island in the Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani:

• Surat Thani – Koh Phangan (hs 30m)
• Surat Thani – Koh Samui (3 hours)
• Surat Thani – Koh Samui (4 hours)

Surat Thani to the Andaman coast (Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi)

For those looking to head west, hop on a bus and enjoy the blur of Thailand as you pass through unsullied countryside.

See here an indication of travel times to the destinations around the Andaman coast:

• Surat Thani – Krabi (hs 30m)
• Surat Thani – Phuket (hs 30m)
• Surat Thani – Koh Phi Phi (4 hours)

How to get to Surat Thani

Leaving from	Duration	Prices from	See details
Bangkok	h 15m-13.5 hours	from 500 THB ($15)	Bangkok to Surat Thani
Krabi	2.5-5 hours	from 270 THB ($8)	Krabi to Surat Thani
Phuket	4-5 hours	from 250 THB ($8)	Phuket to Surat Thani
Surat Thani Airport to City Centre	50 minutes-1 hour	from 150 THB ($5)	Surat Thani Airport
Surat Thani Railway Station to City Centre	30-50minutes	from 20 THB ($0.61)	Surat Thani Railway Station