Surat Thani to Bangkok

Every northbound train starts farther south, in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Kantang, Hat Yai, Yala or Sungai Kolok, and calls at Surat Thani on its way to Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue Grand), not the old Hua Lamphong station. That's why they pass Phun Phin in the evening and reach Bangkok in the morning.

The one I'd book is Express No. 86, 19:31 to 06:10. It has first-class two-berth cabins and second-class air-conditioned sleepers, and it reaches Bangkok early enough for a morning flight or a full day in the city. Express No. 84 (20:23 to 07:05) carries the same classes an hour later, and Special Express No. 32 (22:24 to 08:10) has the newest carriages if you'd rather board late and arrive after the rush. Rapid No. 168 (18:32 to 05:10) and Rapid No. 174 (20:02 to 06:45) are the cheaper sleepers without first class. I'd skip No. 44 at 18:25, a seats-only railcar that drops you at Krung Thep Aphiwat at 03:45.

The 09:00 railcar, No. 40, is the only day train, ฿524 for an air-conditioned seat, arriving at 18:05. It suits you if you've spent the night in Surat Thani town. From the islands you'd need a very early boat to make it, so I'd take a night train instead.

The fares are the same as southbound. On Express No. 86 a second-class air-conditioned berth is about ฿755 for an upper and ฿825 for a lower, and a first-class berth in a two-berth cabin about ฿1,265–1,465, or ฿1,965 for the whole cabin. On Special Express No. 32 the same berths are about ฿910–1,010 in second class and ฿1,380–1,580 in first. Third-class seats are about ฿250–280.

Buy on the State Railway's D-Ticket site, at a station counter or on 12Go, which adds a fee but takes foreign cards easily. Sales open 90 days ahead, 30 days on the two Sungai Kolok trains, and most guides still say 180. Phun Phin's counter sells whatever is left on the day, and outside December to February and the Thai holidays there's often a berth. Every train north starts farther south, though, and in high season the berths can be gone before the train reaches Phun Phin, so I'd book ahead rather than turn up.

About ten flights a day leave Surat Thani for Bangkok, from about 07:45 until about 20:00, and they take about 1 hour 15. Most go to Don Mueang, with Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air. Thai Vietjet flies to Suvarnabhumi, with daily departures at about 13:10 and 18:50. Expect about ฿1,000–2,000, and the budget carriers charge for checked bags.

Pick the airport by what comes next. If you're flying home from Suvarnabhumi the same day, a Suvarnabhumi flight saves a trip across the city. If you land at Don Mueang, the free shuttle between the two airports is for passengers with a connecting ticket, so carry the booking. I'd leave at least four hours between landing and an international departure from the other airport.

Surat Thani airport is 28 km from the town. From the islands, the ferry-and-van tickets to the airport take 2.5 to 5.5 hours, so a flight before about 11:00 means a night in Surat Thani first.

Most buses leave Surat Thani's bus terminal between 19:00 and 20:00 and reach Bangkok between about 04:30 and 06:45. Sri Suthep, Bangkok Busline and Krung Siam run several each for about ฿500–780, and Sri Suthep and Bangkok Busline end at the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai). Thai Sriram's 19:00 bus costs about ฿1,200 and ends on Chakkapong Road, a short walk from Khao San Road. On 12Go, Jarinthon leaves at 18:25 and arrives at 05:55 for about ฿550, and Sapthaweephol leaves at 19:00. Krung Siam also runs a day bus at 07:40 that arrives at 17:40.

It's the cheapest way back, but not by much once you price a train berth, and you sit up all night. Check where your bus leaves from, because the private companies use their own offices as well as the terminal.

The trains end at Krung Thep Aphiwat, with the MRT Blue Line directly below the concourse and taxis to Sukhumvit for about ฿150–250. For Don Mueang airport, the SRT Red Line runs from the same station for ฿33. The Southern Bus Terminal is in Thonburi, 12 km west of the old city, with a taxi stand and local buses. Don Mueang has the Red Line and the A1 and A2 buses to Mo Chit, and Suvarnabhumi has the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai for ฿45. Our Bangkok airport to city guide has every option.