Go to Surat Thani By Bus, Air, Train
Surat Thani is 644 km south of Bangkok, 84 km southwest of Ko Sarnui, and 290 km
northeast of Phuket.
See below under “Ko Sarnui,” the ultimate destination for most travelers passing
through the region, for more information on travel to/from Surat Thani.
Air: Thai Airways (3/27 Karunarat Rd., tel. 077-272610 or 273355) flies three
times daily from Bangkok (one hour), once daily from Phuket (30 minutes,
), and twice weekly from Chiang Mai (two hours). The airport is 30
km west of town. Thai Airways is an
alternative to booked-out flights with Bangkok Airways.
Train: Trains depart Bangkok nine times daily and take 11-13 hours to reach the
terminal at Phun Phin, 14 km west of Surat Thani. The most convenient departure is the rapid train at 1830, which arrives in Phun Phin at 0600 and al lows plenty of time for an earty ferry to Ko Sarnui. Buses from the various ferry companies meet and transfer passengers to the boat and ferry terminals.
Overnight trains should be reserved several weeks in advance. Travelers without
reservations must often stand for several hours until a seat is vacated.
Bus: Six a/c buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal in Thonburi daily
07.00-09.30 and 18.00-21.00, arriving in 11-13 hours at the Surat Thani bus
terminal. Buses meet them and provide transfer to the various ferry piers.