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How to Get From Bangkok to Surat Thani: Complete Guide

How to Get From Bangkok to Surat Thani: Complete Guide

Surat Thani is a city located in the Southern part of Thailand and is the capital of the Surat Thani Province. Boasting several incredible attractions to check out, beautiful beaches and hidden natural gems, this is a destination you will definitely want to explore around. If you love diving then Surat Thani is the place to be, with its crystal clear waters and refreshing temperatures you will be amazed by the underwater world. Getting from Bangkok to Surat Thani is made easy with the handful of travel options available which you can book a ticket online for through 12Go.

Bangkok to Surat Thani Bus

HOW TO GET FROM BANGKOK TO SURAT THANI

Throughout this article I am going to delve into the details around how you can get from Bangkok to Surat Thani and also book your ticket online. There are currently 4 forms of transport that you can use to make the commute with, which are bus, train, plane or taxi. The cost of tickets for these journeys are between $25 and $606, either per person or per vehicle, with buses being the most affordable and taxis being the most expensive.

Commute times can take from 1 hour and 10 minutes up to just over 16 hours depending on which form of transport you choose. I will break down the choices that you have available to help you decide which option will suit your preferred travel plans from Bangkok to Surat Thani the most.

Further down this blog I will then go on to discuss things such as key points that are great to know ahead of booking your ticket online and for during the journey, how you can get to departure stations in Bangkok and final destinations in Surat Thani, as well as great bits of information to be aware of for your time in Surat Thani.

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Bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani

BEST WAY TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM BANGKOK TO SURAT THANI

The simplest answer for understanding the best way to book your ticket from Bangkok to Surat Thani is through 12Go. This online booking platform provides you with all of the key information that you will need to know, alongside allowing you to compare forms of transport, times of travel, commute lengths and ticket prices. However, within this article I will be discussing all of the options available for you to travel from Bangkok to Surat Thani, meaning you won’t need to do all of the research yourself and it will make it a lot easier for you to book your ticket online.

If you are also interested in finding out when is the best time to visit Surat Thani, how long you should spend there and a handful of must-do activities that you will definitely want to check out, then I suggest you keep on reading this blog or save it till you have the time to.

Flight Don Mueang Airport - Surat Thani Airport $ 30.30–42.29 1h 10m – 1h 20m
  •   Economy 07:00, 07:15, 09:15, 14:25, 15:40, 17:40, 18:05, 18:25
Bus Bangkok - Surat Thani Bus Terminal $ 16.68–27.28 9h 40m – 16h 12m
  •   Express 16:00, 17:00, 17:15, 17:32, 18:15, 18:35
  •   VIP 07:30, 17:30, 18:10, 18:30
  •   VIP 24 19:00, 19:30
  •   VIP 32 18:50
  •   Express 42 19:50
  •   VIP 30 19:00
Bus Bangkok - Surat Thani $ 16.68–27.82 10h – 16h 10m
  •   Express 06:45, 16:00, 16:30, 16:45, 17:00, 17:05, 17:15, 17:30, 17:32, 18:00, 18:05, 18:15, 18:35, 19:00
  •   Bus 19:00
  •   VIP Bus 19:00
Taxi Bangkok - Surat Thani $ 207.04–392.11 9h – 11h
  •   VIP Van 9pax
  •   Luxury VIP Van 9pax
  •   Comfort Car 3pax
  •   Luxury SUV 4pax
  •   Economy 3pax
  •   SUV 4pax
  •   Van 10pax
Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Surat Thani $ 234.04–285.05 9h
  •   Economy
  •   SUV 4pax
  •   Van 10pax
Train Bangkok - Surat Thani Train Station $ 7.26–50.79 8h 50m – 10h 2m
  •   1st Class Sleeper 16:50, 18:50
  •   2nd Class Sleeper AC 15:10, 16:10, 16:50, 17:50, 18:50, 19:50, 20:30
  •   2nd Class Sleeper Fan 15:10, 17:50, 20:30
  •   2nd Class AC seats only 07:30, 22:50
  •   2nd Class Fan seats only 15:10, 16:10, 17:50, 18:50, 19:50, 20:30
  •   Class 3 Fan 15:10, 16:10, 17:50, 18:50, 19:50, 20:30
Taxi from Bangkok to Surat Thani

4 OPTIONS OF TRAVEL TO GET FROM BANGKOK TO SURAT THANI

These are the current 4 forms of transport that you can take to get from Bangkok and Surat Thani, alongside more information around each commute and how you can book your ticket online via 12Go

Option 1 – Bus
There are approximately 10 buses running daily from Bangkok to Surat Thani through several different travel operators. The first bus departs from Bangkok at 7.30am with the last being at 7.50pm, taking between 9 hours and 12 hours in commute time. Tickets start as low as $26, and the highest costing $44 per person, making it one of the most affordable ways to go from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

Buses depart in Bangkok either from Southern Terminal or Khao San (with a few different pick up points in close proximity to each other), with arrival stations in Surat Thani being at the main bus terminal, Sapthaweephol Office or Jarinthon Tour station. You can book your ticket online through 12Go.

Option 2 – Train
When travelling by train from Bangkok to Surat Thani you have a handful of options to choose from which are all operated by Thai Railways. All trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, and arrive at Surat Thani Train Station. The earliest train you can catch is at 4.50pm, and the latest being at 8.30pm, with commute times taking from 9 hours and 30 minutes up to 10 hours and 46 minutes. Ticket prices cost between $43 and $79 per person, depending on whether you decide to travel in 1st or 2nd class. Find out more information and book your ticket online with 12Go.

Option 3 – Plane
Taking a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani is the quickest way you can make the journey. There are roughly 15 flights running daily, departing from either DMK Don Mueang or BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, and arriving into URT Surat Thani Airport. Flights leave Bangkok as early as 6.50am or as late as 5.30pm, with the travel time taking 1 hour and 10 minutes or 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are several airlines who operate these flights, with ticket prices costing as little as $43 per person, or as much as $138. To book your ticket online, head over to 12Go.

Option 4 – Taxi
If you would like to travel by taxi from Bangkok to Surat Thani you have four options to choose from, which are operated by Firstplan Transport Services, Glassflower or BangkokTaxi24. With this form of transport the commute will take between 9 hours and 11 hours in travel time. You will depart from either Bangkok Transfer station or Suvarnabhumi Airport, and arrive at either Surat Thani Town or Surat Thani Airport. A great thing about travelling by taxi is that you get to choose your own departure time from Bangkok, making it very easy to plan your trip.

The cost of taxis from Bangkok to Surat Thani are charged per vehicle, starting at $364 and reaching $607, depending on which capacity of people you book for. You can choose between a 3, 4, 9 or 10 seater taxi, which you can pre-book online with 12Go.

Taxi from Bangkok to Surat Thani
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KEY POINTS

Here are some great pocket bursts of information to know ahead of booking your ticket online and travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani

Most affordable form of transport from Bangkok to Surat Thani
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani is by taking the 7.50pm bus from Southern Terminal Bangkok, arriving at Surat Thani Bus Terminal for 7.50am after a 12 hour commute. This travel option costs just $26 per person, which you can book online through 12Go.

Quickest form of transport from Bangkok to Surat Thani
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani is by plane. There are four flights that depart from DMK Don Mueang Airport and arrive at URT Surat Thani Airport, operated by either Nok Air or Thai Lion Air. These take just 1 hour and 10 minutes in commute time. Book your ticket online via 12Go.

Arrival and check in times at departure stations in Bangkok
When travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani, I would suggest arriving between 15 minutes to 30 minutes prior to the check in time stated on your pre-booked ticket. This will allow you time to check that you have everything needed ahead of travelling and also avoid any queues that may occur, as well as ensuring that you don’t miss your trip.

Check in times for travelling by bus are between 30 and 60 minutes earlier than the departure time which you have booked online. Before making the commute you will need to double check this information on your ticket as it depends on which travel operator you have chosen to make the commute with.

There is no stated time for check in when travelling by train, however, you will need to pick up your official boarding pass at the check in point so arriving 30 minutes prior to the departure time which you have booked would be the best thing to do.

If you are travelling by flight, the latest check in times are 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to the departure time stated on your ticket, depending on which airline you choose to take the commute with.

Depending on which travel operator you have chosen to go with when travelling by taxi, there is either no time check in time stated on your ticket or you are needed to check in 30 minutes prior to your departure time. If you are late to the pick up time stated or a no show, additional charges will occur.

Luggage allowance for each form of transport
Most buses from Bangkok to Surat Thani allow each passenger to travel with 1 piece of hand luggage and 1 piece of checked in luggage weighing no more than 20kg, to confirm these details you will need to check your booking confirmation.

There are no stated luggage allowances when travelling by train, however, be considerate that there are other people using this form of transport, so storage space may be limited.

When travelling by flight, checked in luggage is not always included in the ticket price. Most flights allow each passenger to take 1 piece of hand luggage on board, weighing no more than 7kg. If you purchase checked in luggage, this can vary between one or two pieces weighing no more than 20 kg.

If you have booked to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani by taxi, you are allowed to take 1 piece of luggage with you. If this is oversized or you have more than one, you will need to inform 12Go as this could incur an additional charge.

Additional information when travelling by train
When travelling by train, the voucher you will receive when booking a ticket online with 12Go is not your valid ticket. Once you arrive at the train station you will have to pick up your boarding pass when you go to check in. 

Plane from Bangkok to Surat Thani

HOW TO BOOK A TICKET ONLINE FROM BANGKOK TO SURAT THANI

The most convenient way that you can book a ticket online from Bangkok to Surat Thani is through 12Go, as it offers a simple and smooth process alongside all of the information you will need to know ahead of booking and travelling. It provides a reliable platform for you to use as well as a form of contact should anything change with your travel plans, or with the journey options which you have pre-booked online.

You will be able to discover what forms of transports make the commute, the travel operators who provide them, their departure and arrival times, how long each trip will take in time and the cost of each ticket either per person or per vehicle.

Flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani

HOW TO GET TO YOUR DEPARTURE STATION IN BANGKOK

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and also the largest city in the country which means you are lucky enough to have many options of how to commute around the area, making it easy to get to your departure location ahead of travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

The cheapest and fastest way to get around Bangkok is with the Skytrain, as well as being the best option to avoid getting stuck in any traffic. However, if you can’t use this form of transport then another affordable option is commuting with Bangkok’s public bus service. For an authentic way to commute around the city, choosing to travel with a tuk-tuk is a fun must-do, other forms of transport include boat, motorbike or taxi.

When deciding how you will reach your departure station ahead of travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani you will need to consider things such as how long it will take you in commute time, if their schedules match up to you arriving in enough time and will the cost of it suit your travel budget. Once factoring in these points, you will then find it easier to choose which form of transport you will take to your departure station in Bangkok.

HOW TO GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN SURAT THANI

Once you have arrived from Bangkok to Surat Thani the last part of your journey is getting to your final destination. It is well known that walking around the city is very accessible to get to places, although, if this isn’t how you would prefer to commute you are also able to hire bicycles, jump on a tuk-tuk, rent a motorbike, take a songthaew or hail a taxi.

The easiest way to decide which form of transport you should take is by checking the distance between your arrival location and final destination, as this will allow you to discover the most suited choice for you.

Bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani

BEST TIME TO VISIT SURAT THANI

During the months of January through to and including March, it is known for being the best time to visit Surat Thani as this is when the rainfall is at its lowest, with temperatures being high. This period of time is ideal to plan your trip during as you will be able to make the most of what the wonderful city has to offer, as well as being perfect for taking a trip around to see the other islands.

HOW LONG TO SPEND IN SURAT THANI

Spending 3 days in Surat Thani is definitely enough time for you to check out the stunning natural gems, great attractions and gorgeous beaches. You will also be able to fit in a day trip to another island. If you are looking to have a less jam packed itinerary, then extending your trip by a couple more days is never a bad idea, but isn’t always necessary.

Full Moon Party

MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN SURAT THANI

These are some great must-do activities to check out during your time in Surat Thani…

Khao Sak National Park
This is a popular activity to do if you are looking to have a relaxing day trip. You will be able to explore through one of the oldest rainforests in the world by following hiking trails or taking elephant rides. What an experience. It even hosts the largest limestone mountain which has been around since the Ice Age.

Full moon party
Enjoy an evening of fun whilst dancing underneath the full moon. To partake in this experience you will need to pre-book a spot as you will need to take a ferry over to the location, but it is definitely worth doing.

Southern Thai Food
You won’t want to miss out on indulging in authentic Southern Thai Food. There are several restaurants that you can eat at located in Surat Thani Old Town to taste the mouth watering flavours.

The City Pillar Shrine
This magnificent building is a unique piece of architecture that you can admire both inside and out. It is a landmark spot that you are going to want to witness.

Island hop
Whilst in Surat Thani it is easy to check out some of the islands located around. There are several tours you can take that will show you the natural beauty and crystal clear waters filled with sea life. You will even get to enjoy a beautiful sunset to finalise your day of exploring.

Southern Thai Food

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