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ThailandGeneral information about Surat Thani
Surat Thani City (Surat Thani, Suratthani, Surat Thani, Suratani, IATA code - URT) is located near the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Southern Thailand (Surat Thani on the map of Thailand). It is one of the largest settlements in the country, the number of inhabitants is about 125 thousand people. The name, which means "city of good people" in translation, is quite young. In 1915, the King of Siam, Vachiravudh (Rama VI), decided to rename the previously existing town here to Surat Thani.
Economically, today it is an important point of fishing and timber trade, as well as a center for mining.
Surat Thani for tourists is primarily the gateway to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Sometimes it is also used to get to Phuket, in Krabi, Pi Pi Island and Ko Lanta Island. The city is connected to Koh Samui by a ferry. The transit point on the way to the island is the airport, which is located 30 km from the "City of good People". Surat Thani railway station is part of the southern branch of the country's railway communication, which connects the capital of Thailand with its southern regions and goes further to Malaysia and Singapore.
By itself, the city of Surat Thani is not a tourist Mecca. There are no crowds of traveling foreigners here, except for those who happened to be in the city on their way to the islands. But Surat Thani is a chance to see a real, non–tourist Thailand. Here you can taste local food, meet friendly people and learn more about their real life. Prices for food, travel and accommodation in Surat Thani are quite low.
One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of Surat Thani is the Monkey Training College, which is located just 8 km from the city. This is the first there is a similar project in Thailand. Here animals are taught to collect coconuts. Guests are offered to watch entertainment performances of school graduates and those who are still studying. If desired, tourists can spend the night in one of the bungalows in the immediate vicinity of the monkeys.
Local activities include a boat trip along the Tapi River. Along the way you can see coconut plantations, typical Thai houses, bright representatives of the local fauna, mangrove groves.
The city acquires special attractiveness at night. If you dare to go for a walk along the river at this time, you can witness a firefly show. The city market also comes to life after sunset. Popular Thai dishes are sold here: corn on the cob, fried chicken, saffron rice, squid kebabs, sushi.
How to get to Surat Thani
As we mentioned above, Surat Thani is most often used to get through it to the islands of Koh Samui, Phangan, Tao, Phuket. For more information on how to get to each of these islands, see the relevant sections:
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To Surat Thani by Plane
Surat Thani Airport is a small international airport in Surat Thani (code URT). It is located 20 kilometers from the city (airport on the map). There are regular international flights from Kuala Lumpur, charter flights from China and Taiwan, as well as domestic flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A lot of daily flights are operated from Bangkok: from the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and from the old Don Mueang. Budget airlines operate flights from the latter Air Asia, Nok Air, Lion Air, Thai Ariways (their Thai Smile division) flies from Suvarnabhumi. Flights are inexpensive, you can fly one way from 1000 baht. Conveniently, Air Asia and Nok Air offer combined plane-bus-ferry tickets directly to Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao.
You can find and book flights to Surat Thani for the dates you need using the search form. The search is very flexible and allows you to find flights on different dates, with or without transfers, in both directions or one, etc.:
Minimum prices for flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani:ЦЕНА ПЕРЕСАДКИ АВИАКОМПАНИЯ ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ Купить от 8739 ₽ Без пересадок 
30.05.2026 04.06.2026 Купить от 5680 ₽ Без пересадок 
19.06.2026 03.07.2026 Купить от 5462 ₽ Без пересадок 01.07.2026 14.07.2026 Купить от 5809 ₽ Без пересадок 04.08.2026 20.08.2026 Купить от 3521 ₽ Без пересадок 07.09.2026 18.09.2026 Minimum prices for flights from Russia to Surat Thani:ЦЕНА МАРШРУТ ПЕРЕСАДКИ Купить от 52999 ₽ Москва ⇄ Сураттхани 2 Купить от 76199 ₽ Санкт-Петербург ⇄ Сураттхани 2 Купить от 94305 ₽ Хабаровск ⇄ Сураттхани 1 Купить от 72391 ₽ Минеральные Воды ⇄ Сураттхани 2 Купить от 85015 ₽ Екатеринбург ⇄ Сураттхани 3 How to get from Suratani Airport to the city and islands
From the airport to the city center can be reached by taxi or minivan for 100 baht. The minivan schedule is adjusted to the aircraft schedule, but you can check it on the carrier's website https://www.phantiptravel.com/. Minivan tickets are purchased at the airport counter or on the website by link. It also offers a comprehensive transfer to the islands of Koh Samui, Phangan, Tao, which is the easiest and most reliable way to get from the airport to the islands (Koh Samui - 350 baht, Phangan - 500, Tao Island - 900). We do not know about direct bus flights from Surat Thani Airport to Phuket, and according to our data, we will have to make a transfer in the city.
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By train to Surat Thani
Surat Thani is the railway station of the branch line going from Bangkok to the south through Hua Hin, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and then to Malaysia and Singapore. It is possible to get here by train even from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang (to Butterworth Station on the mainland). The schedule of trains Bangkok-Surat Thani and in general in Thailand can be found on the website https://www.railway.co.th. The train schedule for Malaysia is here - http://www.ktmb.com.my/. Unfortunately, electronic train tickets for Thailand are not sold, and they can only be purchased at railway stations, and it is better in advance. You can also do this through local travel sites like thailandtrainticket.com with a small commission, and get a paper ticket at a hotel in Bangkok or on Bangkok railway station Hua Lamhpong before the train departs. Learn more about traveling around Thailand by train here.
Surat Thani Train Stations is located in Phun Phin district (which is why it is sometimes called Phun Phin Train Stations) 15 kilometers from the city center (railway station on the map). Immediately upon leaving the train, you will be bombarded with offers to get by bus and ferry to any places in the south of Thailand or to the city center. If you need to go to the city, then do not rush to agree to these offers. It is enough to get out of the station, as you can take the orange bus for 16 baht, which will take you to the city center via the old bus station Bus Station 1 on Taladmai Rd (see below). If you need to go to the islands, then it's best to buy a comprehensive bus + ferry transfer right away.
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By bus to Surat Thani
You can get to Surat Thani by bus from Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phetchaburi and almost all major cities in the south, including Phuket. For the current flight schedule and cost, see the table below.
All long-distance intercity flights arrive at the new bus station, which is located 5 kilometers outside the city (new station on the map). An orange bus constantly runs from it to the city center for 16 baht to the old Bus Terminal 1 bus station.
There are also buses that arrive immediately at Don Sak Pier, where you can immediately take a ferry to Koh Samui or Phangan. Part of intercity flights for short distances in the south departs and arrives from the old station in the city center Bus Terminal 1 on Taladmai Rd (Bus Terminal 1 on the map).
Beware of the traditional local wiring upon arrival in Surat Thani by bus. Its essence lies in the fact that during the bus approach to the city of Surat Thani, a "well-wisher" gets on the bus to you, who advises you to get off before the final stop, since it is from here that you can transfer to the bus to Koh Samui, Phangan, etc. Another option is when a person behaves like a company representative. As a result, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere away from any transport, but then a taxi or tuk-tuk appears, ready to take the vaz where you need it for a round sum.
Remember! If you bought a ticket for a regular bus at a bus station (and not a tourist private bus), then you should get off at the final bus station of Surat Thani, or at least in the city center.
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Surat Thani Ferry
By ferry to Surat Thani arrive and depart for Koh Samui, Phangan, Tao. The most frequent ferries depart from the Don Sak marina, which is located far outside the city, an hour's drive from the center (Don Sak on the map). But it is most convenient to make a route through it not on your own, but by purchasing a comprehensive bus + ferry transfer from a travel agency on the streets of the city or a hotel, since, as far as we know, there is no regular bus service to this pier from Surat Thani. The same transfers are offered upon arrival at the Surat Thani Bus or train station, and at the airport.
There is also a Ban Don marina right in the center of Suratthani (Ban Don pier on the map), from where night ferries depart for Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao. These are very slow boats, they go all night. They have a minimum of amenities: only mattresses are issued, on which they sleep right on the deck. The cost is 100 baht to Koh Samui, departure 22:00, arrival on Koh Samui at Nathon Pier at 04:00. Koh Tao 500 baht, departure 23:00, arrival 07:00. Phangan 400 baht, 23:00, arrival 05:00.
Attention! Information about night ferries is outdated, find out the cost and schedule on the spot.
Hotels in Surat Thani
In the city you can find hotels of various levels: from budget to more expensive, but in general, hotels here are very inexpensive. There is no tourist zone here, and in order not to make a mistake with the choice of location, it is better to choose a hotel closer to the city center (city center on the map), and preferably not far from the main road Talad Mai Road, since the main landmark here is still the proximity to transport centers.
You can find and book accommodation in Surat Thani on these sites or through the search form. All sites have a Russian interface and Russian-language customer support, a lot of reviews from real guests.
- 🛌 Search for hotels in Surat Thani on Trip.com (💳 Mir cards work)
- 🛌 Search for hotels in Surat Thani on Yandex.travel
- 🛌 Search for hotels on Ostrovok.ru