Surat Thani Town
Transportation
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Surat Thani Town Information
Surat Thani is a marvelous place and there are many ways a traveler could use to reach it. One of those ways is by plane, Surat Thani has an international airport with flights coming in and out daily. Another way to get to Surat Thani is by train, as it has a fully equipped train station, trains depart every day heading to and coming from many destinations like Bangkok, Trang, and Phatthalung and stopping at various places along the way like Chumphon, Hua Hin, and Nakhon Si Thammarat among more. Surat Thani also has 3 bus stations that have many rides to and from a big selection of places including Hat Yai, Krabi, Chumphon, Phuket and more. Last but not least is boat transportation, many piers in islands around the province offer amazing boat trips to Surat Thani like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao.
Popular Routes
Popular crossings to Surat Thani Town — pick a route to book.
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Surat Thani Town Information
Surat Thani town: gateway to the Gulf Coast islands
Surat Thani literally translates to the city of good people which is a testament to its locals. It usually works as a gateway to the islands of Thailand's Gulf Coast including Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Koh Samui. However, it has many interesting places to visit from religious sights to national parks and amazing nature, it's all really worth your visit.
Sitting on the Tapi River in southern Thailand, Surat Thani Town is both a working provincial capital and one of the busiest transfer hubs in the region. Most travellers pass through on their way to or from the islands, but the town itself rewards anyone who stays a night or two.
How to get to Surat Thani town
Surat Thani is well connected by air, rail, road and water, which is why so many island journeys route through it.
- By air: Surat Thani International Airport (URT) sits west of the town centre and receives domestic flights from Bangkok and other Thai cities.
- By rail: The main railway station is at Phun Phin, a short ride from the town centre, on the southern line running between Bangkok and the Malaysian border.
- By road: Long-distance services connect Surat Thani with Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Hua Hin and other southern towns.
- By sea: Piers around the province link the mainland with the Gulf islands.
You can compare the options serving Surat Thani Town on our booking pages, where several routes routes are currently listed with fares from our online fares.
Ports and terminals
Arrivals and departures are split across several points rather than one central station, so check your ticket carefully before travelling.
- Donsak — the main mainland pier area for island crossings, roughly an hour and a half from the town by road.
- Tapi River pier — used by some night services leaving from the town itself.
- Phun Phin station — the rail arrival point, with onward connections into town.
- Town bus terminals — used by regional and long-distance road services.
Many tickets sold as a single journey are combined products: a road transfer to the pier followed by a crossing, issued together by our transport partners. That means your departure point may be in the town centre even when the vessel leaves from the coast.
Popular routes to and from Surat Thani
The busiest connections run to the three Gulf Coast islands, with services in both directions throughout the day.
- Surat Thani to Koh Samui — the shortest of the three island hops.
- Surat Thani to Koh Phangan — popular around the monthly full moon events.
- Surat Thani to Koh Tao — the longest crossing, favoured by divers and snorkellers.
- Bangkok to Surat Thani — the main overnight approach from the capital.
- Phuket to Surat Thani — the usual link across the peninsula from the Andaman coast.
Return legs from the islands back to the mainland follow the same pattern, and connections onward to Krabi, Khao Sok and Hua Hin are also commonly booked from here.
Practical travel information
A few things worth knowing before you arrive:
- Allow a buffer between legs. If you are connecting from a train or flight to a crossing, leave time for the road transfer to the pier.
- Confirm your exact departure point. Town centre, Phun Phin and Donsak are all some distance apart.
- Check baggage rules. Allowances differ between road and sea services, and oversized items such as surfboards or bicycles may need to be declared at booking.
- Book ahead in peak periods. Thai public holidays, the December–March high season and island event weekends fill seats quickly.
- Weather matters. The Gulf Coast sees heavier rain and rougher seas around October to December, when crossings are occasionally rescheduled.
Cancellation and amendment terms are set by each carrier and shown against the fare during booking, so read the conditions attached to your chosen service before paying.
What to see and do in Surat Thani
If you build in a stopover, the town and its surroundings offer plenty beyond the transfer.
Nature and national parks
Khao Sok National Park, inland from the town, is known for limestone karsts, rainforest and the reservoir at Cheow Lan Lake. Closer to the coast, the mangrove channels and small river islands make for easy half-day trips.
Temples and religious sights
Chaiya, north of the town, is home to some of southern Thailand's oldest religious sites and a well-known forest monastery. Several riverside temples in the town itself are open to visitors.
Markets and local life
The night market along the river is the easiest introduction to southern Thai cooking, and the town is known regionally for its oysters and its rambutan, celebrated with a local festival each August.
Book your journey
Compare departures, prices and travel times across every operator serving Surat Thani Town in one place, then confirm your seat online. Search availability to see today's options for Surat Thani town.
Surat Thani Town Highlights
City Pillar Shrine
Chaiya National Museum
Ang Thong National Park
The Night Market
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?
Phuket Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.
Ferry Samui :
FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
Bali Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
What are the tourist seasons ?
Phuket Ferry :
Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.
Ferry Samui :
There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).
Bali Ferry :
Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.
Will bad weather affect my travels?
Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.
Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.
On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.
What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?
At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.
When will I receive my ticket confirmation?
After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.
On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.
What are the baggage allowances?
Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.
To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.
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