Flights to Surat Thani (URT)

Surat Thani is a province and river city on Thailand's southern Gulf coast, and for most visitors it is the doorway to something else. Ferries from its piers reach Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, while the limestone peaks and lakes of Khao Sok National Park lie inland to the west. Booking flights to Surat Thani is often the most flexible way to reach the Gulf islands, especially when you want to combine beaches with rainforest in one trip.

About Surat Thani International Airport

Location

Surat Thani International Airport (URT) is in Phunphin district, to the west of Surat Thani town. It sits between the town and the main southern highway, so roads lead easily towards the ferry piers on the coast and towards Khao Sok inland.

Terminals

The airport has a single passenger terminal handling domestic and international flights. It is straightforward to use, with check-in, arrivals and transport counters close to each other. Desks selling combined bus and ferry tickets to the islands are usually found in the arrivals area.

Getting to and from the airport

Combined bus-and-boat tickets are the most popular way to continue to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, with coaches meeting flights and heading to the ferry pier at Donsak. Minivans run to Khao Sok and to nearby provinces, and taxis or private transfers can take you into Surat Thani town. Ride-hailing may be available, but pre-booking is wiser for late arrivals.

Direct and connecting flights to Surat Thani

From Singapore, most journeys to Surat Thani connect, usually through Bangkok, which has frequent domestic flights south, or through Kuala Lumpur. A non-stop option is not always on sale, so switch on the direct-flight filter for your dates and compare total journey times in the results.

If you are heading to Koh Samui, compare Surat Thani with flying straight to the island. Samui's own airport is closer to the beaches, but flights there are often limited, so Surat Thani plus a ferry can give more choice of times. For Khao Sok, Surat Thani is the natural airport to pick.

When to fly to Surat Thani

The Gulf coast follows a different weather pattern from Phuket and the Andaman side. Conditions are generally drier from around February to August, which is a good window for island hopping. Heavier rain usually arrives from October to December, when seas can be rough and some boat trips are cancelled.

Singapore travellers often head north during the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year. Songkran in mid-April is a busy, joyful time across Thailand, and the full moon parties on Koh Phangan draw crowds each month. Watch the price chart on this page and set a Price Alert to plan around these busier dates.

Popular places in Surat Thani

Koh Samui

One of Thailand's largest islands, Samui mixes palm-fringed beaches, hillside viewpoints and a relaxed village feel away from the main strips. It is reached by ferry from the Surat Thani coast and suits both families and couples.

Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon parties but also has quiet bays and jungle trails. Smaller Koh Tao, further north, is one of the region's best-known places to learn to dive.

Khao Sok National Park

Inland, Khao Sok protects a vast stretch of ancient evergreen rainforest. Its highlight is Cheow Lan Lake, where towering limestone cliffs rise from green water and floating rafthouses dot the shoreline.

Ang Thong National Marine Park

This archipelago of more than forty islands is a popular day trip from Koh Samui. Visitors kayak through lagoons, snorkel over coral and climb to a viewpoint above an emerald inland lake.

Chaiya

North of the town, Chaiya is an ancient settlement with temples linked to the old Srivijaya kingdom. Nearby Wat Suan Mokkh is a forest monastery known for meditation retreats.

Where to stay in Surat Thani

Surat Thani town, beside the Tapi River, is a practical stop if you arrive late or catch an early ferry. It has night markets, simple guesthouses and a local feel rarely seen on the islands.

On Koh Samui, Chaweng is the liveliest beach area, Lamai is a little calmer, and Bophut on the north coast has a charming fishermen's village. In Khao Sok, stays cluster near the park entrance, and a night on a lake rafthouse is a memorable choice. Koh Phangan's Haad Rin suits party-goers, while its northern coast is quieter.

Food to try in Surat Thani

Surat Thani oysters

The province is known across Thailand for its large, creamy oysters farmed in local estuaries. They are usually served fresh with crispy shallots, chilli sauce and leafy greens.

Khao yam

This southern rice salad mixes rice with toasted coconut, herbs, bean sprouts, lime and a salty fish sauce dressing. It is fresh, fragrant and a common breakfast.

Gaeng som

Southern sour curry is fiery and tangy, with fish and vegetables in a turmeric-rich broth. It is much hotter than the curries of central Thailand, so ask for a milder version if needed.

Rambutan

Surat Thani is famous for its rambutans, sweet, juicy fruit with a hairy red skin. They are at their best in the fruit season, when stalls pile them high along the roads.

Few places let you swap a jungle lake for a Gulf beach in a single day's travel. Map out your island and rainforest stops first, then reserve your flights to Surat Thani on Traveloka and keep the e-ticket on your phone for the ferry desk.