Major city · Thailand
Surat Thaniสุราษฎร์ธานี
Treat Surat Thani as a transfer hub, not a destination: one night if your ferry or train forces it, otherwise go straight to Ko Samui, Khao Sok or Chaiya.
Surat Thani is the largest province in southern Thailand and the mainland gateway to the Gulf islands — Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao — plus Khao Sok National Park and Ang Thong Marine Park. The city itself is a working Thai provincial capital with a riverfront, a night market and a few temples; most travellers pass through it on the way to somewhere else. Ferries to the islands mostly leave from Donsak, 65 km east, while the airport and the train station are both outside town, so a stop needs planning.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (drier, cooler); Feb–Sep for the Gulf islands
- avoid Nov (wettest month on the Gulf coast), Apr–May (hottest)
- Airports
- URT · USM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Surat Thani191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Surat Thani, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyProvincial Thailand, generally calm; the real risks are ferry and package scams at the airport and station, night-boat cancellations…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportURT Surat Thani International Airport (26 km (16 mi) west of the city centre in Phunphin; low-cost carriers from both Bangkok airports and Chiang Mai.URT Surat Thani International Airport (16 mi (26 km) west of the city centre in Phunphin; low-cost carriers from both Bangkok airports and Chiang Mai.
- Getting aroundcheckThe centre is small enough to walk; tuk-tuks around town cost roughly ฿10–20 (≈ under US$1) per person (check) and Grab works.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced tea฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice plate at a market stall฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a 7-Eleven฿80–150 (≈ US$3–5)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk around town, per person฿10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person฿250 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿700 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿1,500 (≈ US$50) · High ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- URT Surat Thani International Airport (26 km (16 mi) west of the city centre in Phunphin; low-cost carriers from both Bangkok airports and Chiang Mai. Phantip Travel bus to town, about ฿100 (check).) · USM Samui Airport (On Ko Samui, mostly Bangkok Airways; useful if you are going straight to the island.)URT Surat Thani International Airport (16 mi (26 km) west of the city centre in Phunphin; low-cost carriers from both Bangkok airports and Chiang Mai. Phantip Travel bus to town, about ฿100 (check).) · USM Samui Airport (On Ko Samui, mostly Bangkok Airways; useful if you are going straight to the island.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Care
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Apr–May. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Nov (21 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Surat Thani: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small enough to walk; tuk-tuks around town cost roughly ฿10–20 per person (check) and Grab works. Songthaews and municipal buses link the centre with the train station and bus terminals. For the islands, buses and minivans run to Donsak and Bandon piers; Phantip Travel is the main licensed operator.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chaiya
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or bus north from Surat Thani, about 45–60 min
Srivijaya-era temple ruins; a half day is enough.
Khao Sok National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Phantip minivan from town, about 2.5 h, ฿200 (≈ US$7)
Rainforest and Ratchaprapha Dam raft houses; too far for a return day.
Khanom
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or minivan from Talad Kaset 2, about 1.5 h, ฿200 (≈ US$7)
Quiet Gulf beaches and pink dolphins; better as an overnight.
Ko Tao
overnightDoor to door: 4–6 h
Bus to Donsak or Bandon then ferry, 4–6 h total
Dive island; go for at least three nights.
Ko Nang Yuan
overnightDoor to door: 5–7 h
Ferry to Ko Tao, then a short boat from Sairee or Mae Haad
Day visitors pay a landing fee; stay on Ko Tao and day-trip.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Minivan from Talad Kaset 2, about 2.5 h, ฿140 (≈ US$5)
Old southern capital with a famous temple; a full day or overnight.
Lang Suan
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train south along the southern line, about 2 h
Small town, few sights; only worth it if you are already on the rail line.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre / Talad Mai Road
Walkable to the night market, TAT office and Phantip; best for one night before a ferry or train.
Near the train station (Phunphin)
Only if you arrive late or leave early by rail; 12–15 km (7.5–9.3 mi) from town, few services.Only if you arrive late or leave early by rail; 7.5–9.3 mi (12–15 km) from town, few services.
Donsak / Don Sak
Ferry piers for Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, 65 km (40 mi) east; sleep here only for a very early sailing.Ferry piers for Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan, 40 mi (65 km) east; sleep here only for a very early sailing.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿700–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,200–2,500 (≈ US$40–80) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,500 (≈ US$80)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × ฿1,200 | ฿1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿1,500 | ฿3,000 |
| Phantip bus, airport to town, one way2 × ฿100 | ฿200 |
| Ferry, Donsak to Ko Samui, one way2 × ฿140 | ฿280 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿528 |
| Trip total≈ ฿2,904 per person per day, bed included | ฿5,808≈ US$180 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights and island ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced tea | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice plate at a market stall | ฿50–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a 7-Eleven | ฿80–150 (≈ US$3–5) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Tuk-tuk around town, per person | ฿10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi, train station to city centre, fixed | ฿140 (≈ US$5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ฿250–500 (≈ US$8–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Airport and station touts sell inflated island packages: buy ferry tickets from the operator or Phantip only.
- The train station is in Phunphin, not the city; the last municipal bus to town runs around 17:00, then it is a taxi.The train station is in Phunphin, not the city; the last municipal bus to town runs around 5:00 PM, then it is a taxi.
- Night boats from Bandon Pier are individually owned, can be cancelled without notice and vary in departure time: confirm on the day.
- The islands' ferry piers are 65 km (40 mi) east at Donsak — allow 1.5 h by road before your sailing.The islands' ferry piers are 40 mi (65 km) east at Donsak — allow 1.5 h by road before your sailing.
- If you are repeatedly asked where you are from and where you are going, you are being sized up: keep bags close and know what Thai police uniforms look like.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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Surat Thaniสุราษฎร์ธานี
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
No embassies in Surat Thani; most countries have embassies in Bangkok and consulates in Phuket or Chiang Mai. Check your own before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre, Phantip bus: about ฿100 (≈ US$4), 30–40 min
- Train station → city centre, taxi: ฿140 (≈ US$5) fixed, about 20 min
- Donsak Pier → Ko Samui, ferry: ฿140–350 (≈ US$5–11) depending on operator, 1.5 h
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawasdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (thao rai)
- ท่าเรืออยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the pier? (tha ruea yu thi nai)
- ไม่ต้องการทัวร์ — I don't want a package tour (mai tong kan thua)
- ใช้มิเตอร์ด้วย — Please use the meter (chai miter duai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Surat Thani. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (drier, cooler); Feb–Sep for the Gulf islands · avoid Nov (wettest month on the Gulf coast), Apr–May (hottest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for URT: last Phantip departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Talad Mai and the night market, the riverfront and City Pillar Shrine, the bus terminals, Phunphin station.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (City Pillar Shrine, Bang Bai Mai floating market, Chaiya ruins) and eat pages with last orders.
- Pier and ferry fixtures for Donsak, Bandon and Tapee so gate checks can go green.
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
- officialSurat Thani City Municipality
- officialSurat Thani International Airport
- officialPhantip Travel
- officialLomprayah
- officialSeatran Ferry
- officialRaja Ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage: Surat Thani, revision 5240241 (CC BY-SA 4.0)