Surat Thani Train Station
Transportation
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Surat Thani Train Station Information
Located in the town of Phun Phin. Surat Thani Train Station is a big transportation hub for every Surat Thani visitor. Getting to the station can be done by taking an Orange local bus that departs from Talad Kaset 1 Station, the bus will take you directly to the station and the cost is only 15 baht. Also, you can take the buses along the way as they move west on Talad Mai Road. The same buses also can be picked up from in front of the station. There are train rides coming in from various places in the beautiful land of Thailand, like Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Bangkok and Phetchaburi along with Trang. It is advised to check with the train station ahead of the desired time by one day, just to be up to date with the departure schedules and make sure to get the lowest fare or you can get ticket from a trusted travel agent. You can get to Surat Thani by train from Singapore and Malaysia as well, although an international connection like this could be difficult to book.
Popular Routes
Popular crossings to Surat Thani Train Station — pick a route to book.
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Surat Thani Train Station Information
Surat Thani Train Station: the South's main rail gateway
Surat Thani’s Train Station is the main central rail on the Southern line of Thai Railways and its exact location is on Tapi River’s East Bank at Phun Phin district in Thakham City. Trains usually pass every 20 minutes, the station’s name was changed from its original name since 1915 when it first opened which is Phun Phin Station to Surat Thani Railway Station.
Because the station sits in Phun Phin rather than in the middle of Surat Thani town, most arriving passengers still have one more leg to travel — into the city, out to the piers, or straight onward to the coast. That connection is what makes this stop matter to travellers.
Why travellers use Surat Thani train station
Surat Thani acts as a transportation hub or a middleman to get to many amazing islands that are nearby and that is due to the lack of tourist attractions on the Island. Here are some astounding surrounding islands!
Islands reached from here
- Koh Samui — the largest and best-known of the group, with beaches, resorts and its own onward connections.
- Koh Phangan — quieter bays in the north and east, and the island best known for its full moon gatherings.
- Koh Tao — a small island popular with divers and snorkellers.
- Ang Thong Marine Park — a protected archipelago of limestone islands visited on day trips.
Sailings to the islands leave from the mainland piers rather than from the station itself, so the rail arrival and the boat departure are two separate steps of the same journey.
How to get to and from the station
The station is served by the Southern line, which links Bangkok and the far south of Thailand. Trains arrive around the clock, and overnight services are a common choice for travellers who want to cover the distance while they sleep and start the island crossing in the morning.
From the platforms, onward travel to the town centre and to the piers is handled by road transport. On Surat Thani Train Station we list the connecting services that are currently bookable, with several routes routes and fares from our online fares, so you can see the real options for your date rather than guessing at the counter.
Connecting to the piers
Mainland departures for the islands use the Surat Thani area piers, including Donsak and the town piers closer to the river mouth. Which pier you use depends on the service you book, so check the departure point shown on your ticket before you set off — the piers are some distance apart and are not interchangeable.
Arrivals on the island side land at the ports serving each destination, where onward transfers to the main beaches are available.
Popular routes to and from Surat Thani
Typical journeys built around this station include:
- Surat Thani to Koh Samui, via the mainland pier.
- Surat Thani to Koh Phangan, either direct or with a change.
- Surat Thani to Koh Tao, the longest of the three island crossings.
- Surat Thani to and from Krabi, Phuket and other mainland points on the Andaman side.
- Return legs from the islands back to Surat Thani for onward rail travel north.
Combined tickets that cover the road leg and the boat crossing on one booking are common on this corridor. They are usually the simplest option if you are arriving by train, because the transfer is timed to meet a specific departure.
Practical travel information
- Allow buffer time. Rail arrivals can shift, and boat departures do not wait. Leave a margin between your scheduled arrival and your pier departure, especially for the last sailing of the day.
- Check your departure point. Your ticket names the pier or pick-up point; confirm it rather than assuming.
- Luggage. Allowances vary by our transport partners and vehicle, so review the conditions shown at checkout if you are carrying dive gear, surfboards or oversized bags.
- Book ahead in peak season. Seats and cabins fill quickly around Thai public holidays and the December–February high season.
- Have your passport handy. Names on tickets should match your travel document.
- Weather. Crossings on this coast can be affected during the monsoon months; operators may adjust departures for sea conditions.
What to see nearby
Most visitors treat Surat Thani as a staging post, but there are a few things worth the wait. The riverside night market in town is the easiest evening stop, and the Tapi River itself is the defining feature of the area. Further out, Khao Sok National Park — with its rainforest, limestone cliffs and lake — is the main inland draw in the province and is reached by road from the city.
If your connection is a long one, the town centre is a more comfortable place to wait than the platform, and it puts you closer to onward pick-up points.
Book your onward journey
Compare the services running from Surat Thani train station and the surrounding piers, check departure times for your date, and reserve your seat in one booking. Search availability to see live options and fares from our online fares.
Surat Thani Train Station Highlights
Koh Samui
Long ago in the 1970s, some travelers used to backpack to Southeast Asia when Koh Samui was first discovered, the epitome of luxury was an exotic hut with basic electricity and some running water but, now it all changed completely with nightclubs and fancy bars alongside some of the biggest luxurious resorts in Thailand. Koh Samui also has an international airport and coconut plantations that have superseded the island’s fishing industry. A fun fact about the island is that no building can be taller than the nearest coconut palm which is an enforceable law within the island.
Khao Sok National Park
Aside from the beaches and the exotic islands, Khao Sok National Park is a great way to mix it up with your itinerary, as it is one of Asia’s main natural wonders. It is over 646 km2 and it is a part of an area that has many national parks and sanctuaries, like Khlong Saen and Khlong Nakha wildlife sanctuaries, along with Phang Nga and Kaen Krung national parks. The park still remains untouched by people and has over 180 species of birds in addition to wildlife, such as monkeys, snakes, wild elephants, and leopards.
Koh Phangan
The land of the infamous Full Moon Party. Koh Phangan is the best place for party animals as it is the host of many parties such as the Full Moon Party which is a wild party thrown every month in celebration of the amazing full moon phenomena. Other parties include the Half Moon Party held twice a month and the Black Moon party held monthly. Aside from the parties, Koh Phangan has amazing beaches and delicious food along with many exotic and luxurious resorts plus some budget accommodation.
Koh Tao
A diving haven. Koh Tao is known to be the most popular island in Thailand for learning how to dive, for all the aspiring divers out there. The island has one of the most picturesque views and amazing activities like rock climbing for people trying to get in shape or even challenge themselves even further and live jam sessions where both tourists and locals show off their talents. The island also hosts beach barbecues complemented by trapeze flying classes and fire shows.
Frequently asked questions
What are the tourist seasons ?
Phuket
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.
Koh 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).
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