Plan your visit

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Via Surat Thani Airport

Surat Thani Airport is the gateway to the Gulf Islands for budget-conscious travelers. Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air fly here from Don Mueang in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, usually for a fraction of the price of a direct flight to Koh Samui. At the combination ticket counters in the arrivals hall, you can purchase a ticket for the bus or minivan to Donsak Pier and the ferry to Samui, including connecting tickets to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

The airport is located west of Surat Thani, and the drive to Donsak takes about an hour and a half. Raja Ferry, Phantip, Lomprayah, and Boonsiri offer ferry services from the airport, with the first departure around 9:00 AM and the last around 4:00 PM. Arrival on Koh Samui is around 8:30 PM. Taxis wait outside the arrivals area for pre-arranged fares, and minibuses run into town.

If your flight lands after around 4:00 PM, you'll usually have missed the last combined ticket to the islands. Therefore, plan an overnight stay in Surat Thani and take the first boats in the morning. For your return flight, you should leave Samui by boat in the morning to catch your onward flight before the afternoon.

Stay near Surat Thani Airport.

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73, Tambon Hua Toei, Phunphin District

Tips for visiting the transport sector

Book domestic flights early.

AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air regularly offer special deals with flights under 1,000 THB each way. Book 2–4 weeks in advance to get the best prices. Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Phuket take about 1–1.5 hours, compared to over 10 hours by bus.

Questions about Surat Thani Airport

Surat Thani Airport has a rating of 4.1★ based on 1,714 Google reviews.

Surat Thani Airport is open 24 hours a day. You can find the full daily schedule in the location information on this page. Opening hours may vary on Thai public holidays, so please check before your trip.

The best time to visit Koh Samui is from January to September, as the weather is most stable then. Peak season is from July to August and in December. Those who travel early in the day will generally encounter fewer visitors. From October to December (monsoon season on the Gulf coast), a trip should be carefully considered.

Surat Thani Airport is located at 73, Tambon Hua Toei, Amphoe Phunphin, on Koh Samui. On Koh Samui, people usually get around by songthaew (fixed routes along the ring road) or by rented motorbike or scooter.

Also popular in Koh Samui

Samui Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

THE KOKOON - VIEWPOINT OF SAMUI

Central Samui

Wat Plai Laem

Similar transport options throughout Thailand

Echo Travel, Baan Tai Pier

Mae Haad Pier

Kanchanaburi Bus Station

Trat Airport

Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan