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How to get from Phuket Airport to Surat Thani?
It is possible to get from Phuket Airport to Surat Thani by bus, minivan, and plane. You can also rent a car without a driver. A trip by public transport will take you not less than 5 hours or more, when taking into account wait time. By taxi, you will spend 3 hours 20 minutes en route. The cost of a trip by bus or minivan, on average, makes 7 dollars, by plane - from $120, by taxi - from $246. It is 230 km between Phuket Airport and Surat Thani.
In Surat Thani, there are both the train station and the airport, but the only transport going from Phuket here directly is the bus. Moreover, buses depart mostly before afternoon. Minivans stop running a bit later and are not suitable for tourists with bulky luggage. In the end, the only option to get to Surat Thani after 17.00 is the taxi or transfer.
Order a transfer from Phuket Airport
Surat Thani — the gate to Samui resorts
Surat Thani, the center of the same name province, is not spoiled by the tourists’ attention. This town is mainly used as a transit point as there is a ferry crossing to Samui island. However, it is worth staying in a town a bit longer, because here the unique institution is located - the Monkey training school, where the animals are trained to collect coconuts. The town has its own beaches, too. They are not crowded with tourists, what lovers of a quiet and isolated pastime will definitely appreciate.
Bus to Surat Thani
€8
2h
5h
Ind. tourist
Phantip Travel buses run from Phuket to Surat Thani. They reach the destination in 4 hours 30 minutes. The cost of a ticket is around 8 dollars. These buses run via the train station of Surat Thani, which they reach a bit sooner, in 4 hours and 20 minutes, with a ticket costing 7 dollars.
If Surat Thani is not the final destination of your travel, beware of scammers. Stranger travel companions will advise you to get off a bit earlier than the terminal stop: according to their words, there, one can change to transport to Samui, for example. As a result, you will end up in a middle of nowhere, and a taxi will suddenly appear on the horizon like a miracle, offering to take you to your destination for a large check.
Buses to Surat Thani:
Phantip Travel
Timetable:
8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00
Route:
Phuket Airport — Phuket-2 bus station — Surat Thani bus station
Travel time:
5 h (including the way to the bus station)
Wait time:
2h
Comfort level:
average: a tourist bus with space for baggage; comfortable seats and air conditioning
Price:
$8
Clients:
savers
How to find the bus stop:
The bus departs from the new bus station, Phuket-2. By public transport, it is possible to get there only with changes, so it is better to take a taxi.
Minivan to Surat Thani
$6
1h
5h
Ind. tourist
It is also possible to get to Surat Thani by minivans. Travel time is the same as by bus - 4 hours 30 minutes. The cost of a trip is approximately 6 dollars. This is a popular route to get to Samui via Surat Thani, so, in high season, it will be crowded.
Minivan to Surat Thani:
share taxi
Timetable:
from 07:00 to 17:00
Route:
Phuket Airport — Phuket-2 bus station — Surat Thani bus station
Travel time:
5 h (including the way to the bus station)
Wait time:
1h
Comfort level:
low: no space for luggage; small vehicle
Price:
$6
Clients:
young people; those traveling light
How to find the minivan stop:
Minivans depart from the new bus station, Phuket-2. By public transport, it is possible to get there only with changes, so it is better to take a taxi.
Plane to Surat Thani
from €120
1-7 h
from 3,5 h
Couple
Strangely enough, but the plane is the least convenient way to get to Surat Thani. There are many flights on this route, but they all transit in Bangkok. As a result, the minimum flight time is 3 hours 30 minutes, a bit less than by bus, but a ticket costs 15 times more, around 120 dollars. There are less expensive flights, but twice as long.
Plane to Surat Thani:
Thai Lion Air, Thai Air Asia, Nok Air
Timetable:
it is better to get information on the official sites of carrier companies
Route:
Phuket Airport — Surat Thani
Travel time:
from 3,5 h
Wait time:
1-7 h
Comfort level:
low: small legroom; drinks and snacks, as well as luggage, are paid extra
Price:
from $120
Clients:
wealthy people and businessmen
How to get from Surat Thani Airport to the town center:
Minivans of the Phantip Travel company depart daily from the airport to the town. Their schedule agrees with the flights arrival time.
Transfer and taxi to Surat Thani
from €246
5min
3h 20min
Family
Taxi from Phuket will take you to Surat Thani without a single change. The cost of a trip starts from 246 dollars. Travel time is 3 hours 20 minutes. Although the transfer price is higher than of a plane, do not forget that this is a price for a car, not for one seat. Besides, you will anyway have to order a taxi to get from the airport to the desired address in Surat Thani. Also keep in mind that you will have to go through the exhausting security check procedure before every flight, which you will have to do twice when traveling to Surat Thani.
Timetable:
24h
Route:
to the address in Surat Thani
Travel time:
3h 20min
Wait time:
taxi: the search of a car takes at least 5 minutes
transfer: you specify the time of the car arrival in advance
Comfort level:
high
taxi: space for luggage; a trip without travel companions
transfer: guaranteed air conditioning; a clean vehicle; child seats available
Price:
from 246 dollars
Clients:
families with children and elderly people; tourists with bulky luggage; tourists arriving after 17.00
How to order a transfer or taxi to Surat Thani:
It is possible to book a transfer on the website, and a taxi can be ordered by phone or via the app.
Car rental in Phuket
from €23
from 1 day
from 1 year
To rent a car without a driver at Phuket Airport to get to Surat Thani, you have to provide a driving license, a passport, and a credit card. Give preference to international companies that have lots of positive reviews. Insurance covering carjacking and accidents is included in the price of car rental per day. A deposit of $160 is charged. It’s possible to rent a car at Phuket Airport, if you didn’t reserve a car in advance. Be careful if the price is too low or a deposit isn’t charged: such cars may be stolen.
How to get from Phuket Airport to Surat Thani?
If you do not want to spend so much time en route, it is better to choose the bus. A trip by minivan may help you save up. If you have arrived in Phuket after 16.00, the only options are the plane and taxi. The latter way is more beneficial when traveling in a group, and more convenient when you carry large baggage or have small children with you.