Bangkok to Surat Thani: Fly or Take the Sleeper Train? Our Honest Comparison

If you’re traveling through Thailand and heading to the islands or southern coast, chances are you’ll need to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

This route is especially popular for travelers heading to:

• Koh Samui
• Koh Phangan
• Koh Tao
• Or our favourite areas: Khao Lak & Khao Sok National Park

And one of the biggest questions people ask is:

Should you fly or take the overnight sleeper train?

We’ve done this route and here’s the honest, practical comparison especially useful if you’re traveling as a family or with backpacks.

Affiliate Disclosure: some links may mean we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you but it does help us keep our page up and running.

Option 1: Flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani

Flying is the fastest and simplest option.

What to expect:

• Flight time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
• Plus airport transfers and waiting time
• Several flights per day from Bangkok

Pros:

• Very quick
• Easy if you’re short on time
• Often affordable if booked in advance

Cons:

• Airport transfers add time and cost
• Less of an “experience”
• Luggage restrictions can be annoying when traveling long-term

👉 Useful travel items if flying:

• packing cubes to keep bags organised
• lightweight daypack for carry-on essentials
• luggage scales to avoid overweight baggage fees

Option 2: The Bangkok to Surat Thani Sleeper Train

The sleeper train is a classic Thailand travel experience and one many people are curious about.

What to expect:

• Journey time: ~8–10 hours
• Overnight travel
• You board in the evening and arrive in the morning

Types of berths:

• 1st class: private cabin (more expensive)
• 2nd class: open carriage with curtains (most popular)

Pros:

• Saves a night’s accommodation
• You wake up closer to your destination
• More relaxed and scenic
• A fun experience, especially for kids

Cons:

• Not everyone sleeps well
• Can be noisy or bright
• Less privacy in 2nd class

👉 Helpful for the sleeper train:

• eye mask
• ear plugs
• travel pillow
• light blanket or scarf (carriages can be cold)

These small items make a huge difference to sleep quality. With kids, I would definitely recommend getting your own cabin. We had a couple of bunks and it worked out fine for us. Be prepared – toilet situation is not always the best.

Cost Comparison: Train vs Flight

Prices change constantly, but in general:

• Flights can be cheap or expensive depending on season and luggage
• Sleeper trains are usually very good value, especially for families

When you factor in:

• one night of accommodation saved
• no airport transfers
  the train often works out surprisingly economical.

Which Is Better for Families?

This depends on your travel style.

Flying is better if:

• you’re short on time
• you or your kids struggle to sleep in new places
• you want the simplest, fastest route

The sleeper train is better if:

• you want the experience
• your kids enjoy novelty and adventure
• you’re travelling long-term and want to save on hotels
• you don’t mind slower travel

For us, the sleeper train felt like part of the adventure, not just transport. My eldest still remembers his first trip on one and he was only 4 at the time.

There is also the option of taking this trip on the train during the day which has the pro of being able to see more of the country but then it almost feels like a bit of a waste of a day.

Luggage, Comfort & Practicalities

No matter which option you choose, these items are genuinely useful on this route:

• compact backpack or cabin bag for essentials
• reusable water bottle
• snacks
• portable power bank
• offline maps or tickets saved on your phone

If taking the train, keep one small bag accessible rather than rummaging through big backpacks at night.

If you are taking the sleeper train, make sure you have plenty of snacks etc as a trolley only comes round with breakfast in the morning.

Final Verdict: Fly or Sleeper Train?

There’s no single right answer.

Choose flying if:

• speed matters most
• comfort and predictability are priorities

Choose the sleeper train if:

• you want the experience
• you enjoy slower travel
• you want to save a night’s accommodation
• you’re traveling Thailand as part of a longer journey

For us, the sleeper train is something we’d happily do again especially with kids. On the return back to Bangkok we did fly to save time when returning home.

Planning your Thailand route?

You might also find these useful:
👉 How to make the most of Thailand
👉 How to spend your time in Surat Thani – Thailand