Trains leave Hualumphong Bus Station in Bangkok heading south and stop at every station on the way, including Chaiya and Surat Thani.

The train leaving at 7:30pm arrives in Surat Thani at 6:30am, and the 10:50pm departure arrives at 8:11am.

It's better to arrive early in the morning rather than after dark.

The train timetable can be found here.

Prices range from 297 baht for 3rd class, to 868 baht for an air-conditioned sleeper berth.

Sleepers can be booked in advance, but other tickets cannot.

Surat Thani train station is 14km west of the city, and a shuttle bus leaves regularly for the centre. Taxis are also available.

(prices last checked Jan 2009)