Surat Thani Airport to Town: All Transport Options

Q: How can I get from Surat Thani Airport to town?

You can get to Surat Thani Airport to town by taxi or bus. Taking a taxi is the easiest and quickest way of getting to the city centre. It shouldn’t take longer than 35 minutes and costs around €15 (THB 600) for up to 4 people. If you’re on a budget and the bus times align with your schedule, Phantip Travel runs minivan coaches 6-8 times per day from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre. It costs €2.50 (THB 100) per person and the journey takes 45 minutes.

Surat Thani is a beautiful city located in the south of Thailand. It draws thousands of tourists every year to experience the incredible national parks such as Khao Sok.

If you’re planning to explore Surat Thani for yourself, thankfully the city has its own airport – Surat Thani International Airport. To get from Surat Thani Airport to town, you have two main options: taxi or minivan.

Taxis provide the most reliable and safe option. The journey takes around 35 minutes. Alternatively, minivans are similar to buses. They are shared vehicles that depart from the airport at set times throughout the day. The journey is longer than by taxi, clocking in at around 45 minutes, not including time spent waiting for departure.

If you’d prefer a private vehicle with a friendly English-speaking driver at a reasonable fixed price, consider booking a Surat Thani Airport private transfer from a professional company like Welcome Pickups.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Surat Thani at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€15	35min	24/7
Bus	€5	45min	08:00–20:00

How to get from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre by taxi

Taxis or private transfers are the easiest modes of transport for getting from Surat Thani Airport to town. Tais are available 24/7 from the airport so you shouldn’t have to wait too long. The journey itself takes around 35 minutes in normal traffic conditions.

Taxi fare from Surat Thani Airport to city centre

You can expect your taxi from Surat Thani Airport to town to cost around €15 (THB 600), but this is just an estimate. Surat Thani taxi drivers price their fares in two ways. They can either negotiate a fare with you before your journey begins or use the taximeter. The taximeter calculates your fare depending on the distance to your final destination. So taxi fares from the airport to town may vary depending on your driver or the distance to your hotel.

If you’d rather have a low fixed price agreed in advance, consider booking a private transfer instead.

Cost

€15 (THB 600)

Trip Duration

35 Min.

Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Surat Thani International Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Taxis are readily available from outside of Surat Thani Airport.

Convenience

Taking a taxi is the most convenient way of getting from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre. The journey is much faster than by minivan and you’ll have more space for your luggage. The one drawback is the highly variable rates due to taxi driver’s insistence on negotiating fares. If you’d rather avoid that hassle and guarantee a modern and safe vehicle, we suggest pre-booking a private transfer so you don’t need to worry.

Editor’s Note

If you require a wheelchair-accessible taxi, it’s best to arrange a private transfer in advance. Surat Thani taxis are not equipped to carry wheelchairs as standard.

Useful Tips

Insist that your taxi driver use the taximeter if you’re not familiar with the taxi rates in the area. This will prevent overcharging.

Don't accept rides from individuals who approach you in the Arrivals Hall as not all drivers are licenced. Pre-booking ensures you'll have a safe vehicle and won't be overcharged.

You can pay for your taxi in cash in the local currency – Thai Baht (THB).

It’s not customary to tip in Surat Thani.

How to get from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre by bus

There are no public buses from Surat Thani Airport to town, but there are minivans and coaches run by Phantip Travel. These air-conditioned coaches or minivans have relatively regular departures throughout the day. The journey takes 45 minutes and stops outside the Phantip head office in Surat Thani city centre.

How much is the bus from Surat Thani Airport to town?

The bus costs €2.50 (THB 100) per person. You can purchase tickets online or in person at the airport kiosk.

Cost

€2.50 (THB 100)

Trip Duration

45 Min.

Buses depart 6-8 times per day.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Buses run between 08:00 to 20:00 every day.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can meet your bus at the designated time outside of the terminal building at Surat Thani Airport. The bus stop is well signposted, but you can also speak to airport staff for further guidance.

Convenience

The bus is the economical way to get from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre but it’s not the most convenient. Not only is the journey 10 minutes longer than taking a taxi, but you also have to arrange additional transport to the door of your hotel once you get to town. The bus company’s designated departure times can be awkward to work around too. If you need to travel before 08:00 or after 20:00, we recommend pre-booking a private transfer instead. That way, you can begin your journey to Surat Thani city as soon as you reach the Arrivals Hall.

Timetables

Phantip Travel Bus Service

Editor’s Note

We suggest booking your bus tickets directly from the Phantip website or airport kiosk to ensure that you have a seat guaranteed on your chosen bus service. This is because third-party agencies don’t always receive the latest seating availability, so you might purchase a ticket for a bus that’s already full.

Useful Tips

If you have oversized baggage such as a surfboard, you’ll need to note this on your booking. You may be charged extra for each item.

You can change the date or time of your online ticket if you notify the company up to 2 days prior to departure.

It's advisable to always wear a seatbelt, especially in Surat Thani where driving is sometimes risky.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How can I get from Surat Thani Airport to town?

You can get to Surat Thani Airport to town by taxi or bus. Taking a taxi is the easiest and quickest way of getting to the city centre. It shouldn’t take longer than 35 minutes and costs around €15 (THB 600) for up to 4 people. If you’re on a budget and the bus times align with your schedule, Phantip Travel runs minivan coaches 6-8 times per day from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre. It costs €2.50 (THB 100) per person and the journey takes 45 minutes.

How far is Surat Thani City from Surat Thani Airport?

Surat Thani City is 28 km away from Surat Thani Airport. By taxi or private transfer, the journey takes around 35 minutes. The bus takes 45 minutes, not including waiting time.

What is the cost of a taxi from Surat Thani Airport to the city centre?

Surat Thani taxis do not operate with fixed fares. Instead, drivers negotiate with passengers or use a taximeter to calculate the final rate depending on the distance travelled. That said, you can expect your journey from Surat Thani Airport to the city to cost roughly €15 (THB 600).

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