Quick Answer
Best way: Take a direct taxi from Surin city centre to Buri Ram Airport (BFV). Total time: 50–60 minutes. Total cost: ฿600–900 ($17–26). This is the fastest, most convenient door-to-door option, especially with luggage or if you are short on time. For budget travellers, the train + taxi combination costs ฿180–320 ($5–9) and takes 1.5–2 hours. The bus + taxi option costs ฿200–350 ($6–10) and takes 1.5–2 hours. No direct public transport runs from Surin to the airport – all options require a final short taxi ride from Buri Ram city.
🚕 Taxi & Private Transfer – The Fastest & Most Convenient Option
A direct taxi or private car is the most straightforward way to get from Surin to Buri Ram Airport. The distance is approximately 65 km (40 miles) via Route 214 and Route 219, a well-paved road in good condition. The journey takes 50–60 minutes in normal traffic, making it the fastest door-to-door option.
💰 Price Overview
| Service Type | Price Range (THB) | Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local taxi (metered) | ฿600 – ฿800 | $17 – $23 | Negotiate price before departure |
| Grab car (app booking) | ฿700 – ฿900 | $20 – $26 | Real-time pricing, book via Grab app |
| Private transfer (pre-booked) | ฿800 – ฿1,200 | $23 – $34 | Hotel or tour agency, often includes meet & greet |
| Minivan (up to 6 pax) | ฿1,200 – ฿1,800 | $34 – $52 | Ideal for groups or large luggage |
🚦 When to Choose a Taxi
- Late-night or early-morning travel (trains/buses don't run 24/7)
- Heavy luggage – no need to carry bags through stations
- Families with young children – direct, private, comfortable
- Business travellers – time-efficient, reliable
- Groups of 3–6 – cost-effective when split
📌 Booking Tips
- Use Grab (available in Surin and Buri Ram) for transparent pricing. Download Grab app.
- Local taxis from Surin city centre: ask your hotel to call a trusted driver.
- Fix the price before getting in – typical fare is ฿700–800.
- For airport pick-up, pre-book via Buri Ram Airport taxi stand (official counter).
Source: Grab Thailand & Buri Ram Provincial Transport Office (local taxi regulations).
🚌 Bus + Taxi – The Budget-Friendly Combo
Taking a bus from Surin to Buri Ram and then a short taxi to the airport is the most popular economical option among local travellers. It balances cost and convenience well.
🚍 Bus Service: Surin → Buri Ram
| Route | Operator | Frequency | Duration | Fare (THB) | Fare (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surin Bus Station → Buri Ram Bus Station | Buri Ram Transport Co. / local green buses | Every 30–60 min, 05:30–18:30 | 1 – 1.5 hours | ฿80 – ฿150 | $2.30 – $4.30 |
📍 Step-by-Step
- Surin Bus Station (near the city centre) – buy ticket at counter.
- Bus to Buri Ram Bus Station – air-conditioned and non-AC options available. Air-conditioned buses cost ฿120–150.
- At Buri Ram Bus Station – take a local taxi (15–20 min) or songthaew (shared pickup truck, 20–30 min) to Buri Ram Airport.
🚖 Buri Ram Bus Station → Airport Transfer
- Taxi: 10–15 minutes, ฿150–200 ($4–6).
- Songthaew (shared): 20–30 minutes, ฿30–50 ($1–1.50) per person – less comfortable but cheapest last-mile option.
- Grab: ฿180–250 ($5–7), book via app.
⏱ Total Journey Summary
- Total time: 1.5 – 2 hours.
- Total cost: ฿200 – ฿350 ($6 – $10).
- Best for: Solo travellers, backpackers, budget-conscious visitors.
Source: Thailand Bus Transport Co. & Buri Ram Province Transport (bus schedules).
🚆 Train + Taxi – The Scenic & Most Affordable Option
The train from Surin to Buri Ram is a classic Thai railway experience. It's the cheapest way to get from Surin to Buri Ram city, and with a short taxi ride at the end, you'll reach the airport on a budget.
🚂 Train Service: Surin → Buri Ram
| Train Type | Train Numbers (examples) | Duration | Fare (THB) | Fare (USD) | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary (rapid) | #232, #236, #238 | 50–70 min | ฿30 – ฿50 | $0.90 – $1.40 | Hard seat, fan |
| Express / Rapid AC | #44, #46, #48 | 45–60 min | ฿80 – ฿120 | $2.30 – $3.40 | Soft seat, air-con |
📍 Step-by-Step
- Surin Railway Station – located on Thanon Nakhon Surin, 5 min from city centre. Buy ticket at counter (cash only).
- Train to Buri Ram Railway Station – check the departure board; most north–south trains stop at both stations.
- At Buri Ram Railway Station – the airport is 15 km away. Take a taxi or songthaew.
🚖 Buri Ram Railway Station → Airport Transfer
- Taxi: 15–20 minutes, ฿150–250 ($4–7).
- Songthaew (shared): 25–35 minutes, ฿40–60 ($1–2) per person.
- Grab: ฿200–300 ($6–9).
⏱ Total Journey Summary
- Total time: 1.5 – 2 hours.
- Total cost: ฿180 – ฿320 ($5 – $9).
- Best for: Budget travellers, train enthusiasts, those with flexible schedules.
🧳 Train Travel Tips
- Trains in Thailand are often 1–20 minutes late – plan buffer time if you have a flight.
- All trains have luggage racks above the seats; large suitcases can be stored at the end of the carriage.
- Some trains have a dining car selling snacks, drinks, and hot meals.
- Book tickets in advance via DTicket (Thai State Railway) for guaranteed seats.
Source: State Railway of Thailand (SRT) official timetable & DTicket booking.
✈️ Buri Ram Airport (BFV) – Domestic Flight Information
While there is no flight from Surin to Buri Ram (the distance is only 65 km), Buri Ram Airport (BFV) serves as an important domestic hub for travellers flying to/from the region. If you are heading to the airport to catch a flight, here is what you need to know.
🛩 Airlines & Destinations from Buri Ram Airport
| Airline | Destination | Flight Time | Frequency | Typical Fare (THB) | Typical Fare (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai AirAsia | Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) | 1 hr 05 min | 2–3 daily | ฿800 – ฿2,500 | $23 – $72 |
| Nok Air | Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) | 1 hr 05 min | 1–2 daily | ฿900 – ฿2,800 | $26 – $80 |
| Thai Lion Air | Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) | 1 hr 05 min | 1–2 daily | ฿850 – ฿2,600 | $24 – $75 |
⏰ Recommended Arrival Time at Airport
- Domestic flights: arrive at least 1.5 hours before departure.
- Check-in counter: opens 2 hours before, closes 40 minutes before departure.
- Security check: typically 5–15 minutes, but can be longer during peak hours.
📍 Buri Ram Airport Facilities
- Small, modern terminal with free Wi-Fi, a café, and a small shop.
- Taxi stand outside arrivals – official metered taxis to Buri Ram city (฿150–200).
- Car rental: Avis and Budget have desks at the airport. Book Avis Thailand.
Source: Airports of Thailand (AOT) & AirAsia Thailand flight schedules.
📊 Cost & Time Comparison – All Transport Options at a Glance
Use this table to quickly compare every way to get from Surin to Buri Ram Airport. Best overall: Taxi (fastest, most convenient). Cheapest: Train + taxi.
| Transport Mode | Total Time | Total Cost (THB) | Total Cost (USD) | Transfers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi / Private Transfer | 50–60 min | ฿600 – ฿900 | $17 – $26 | 0 (direct) | Speed, comfort, luggage |
| 🚌 Bus + Taxi | 1.5–2 hr | ฿200 – ฿350 | $6 – $10 | 1 (Buri Ram Bus Station) | Budget solo travellers |
| 🚆 Train + Taxi | 1.5–2 hr | ฿180 – ฿320 | $5 – $9 | 1 (Buri Ram Railway Station) | Cheapest option, train lovers |
| 🚐 Minivan (shared) | 1–1.5 hr | ฿350 – ฿600 | $10 – $17 | 0 (direct, shared) | Small groups, no booking |
| 🚗 Car Rental (self-drive) | 50–60 min | ฿800 – ฿1,500 (incl. fuel) | $23 – $43 | 0 (direct) | Independence, road trip |
🎟 Where to Book
- Taxi / Grab: Grab Thailand app – real-time pricing.
- Train: DTicket (Thai State Railway) – online booking.
- Bus: at Surin Bus Station counter – no online booking needed.
- Car rental: Avis Thailand or Budget Thailand.
Data verified as of April 2025. Prices may vary during peak season (December–February, Songkran).
💡 Traveler Tips & Local Experience – Surin to Buri Ram Airport
After traveling this route many times, here are insider tips that will save you time, money, and hassle.
🧳 Luggage & Baggage
- Takkyubin (luggage delivery) is not widely available in Surin. If you have heavy bags, take a taxi – it's worth the extra cost.
- On the train, keep your valuables with you. Luggage racks are safe but not lockable.
- On the bus, suitcases are stored in the underfloor hold – keep a small daypack with essentials.
🕐 Timing & Schedule Planning
- Morning flights (before 10 AM): take a taxi – buses and trains start around 5:30–6 AM, which may be too tight.
- Peak seasons (Songkran April, New Year, Chinese New Year): book your taxi or train ticket at least 3 days in advance.
- Train delays: SRT trains can be 10–30 min late. If you have a flight, add 1 hour buffer.
💵 Money & Payments
- Cash is king at Surin Bus Station and Railway Station – ATMs are available but carry enough baht.
- Grab accepts credit/debit cards and cash.
- Most taxis in Buri Ram accept cash only – have small bills ready.
📱 Useful Apps
- Grab – for taxi and private car booking.
- DTicket – for train schedules and tickets.
- Google Maps – real-time bus and train tracking (limited).
- 12Go.asia – for bus and train tickets (small booking fee). Visit 12Go.
🌡 Weather & Comfort
- Surin and Buri Ram are hot year-round (30–38°C). Air-conditioned buses and taxis are a relief.
- Train soft-seat (AC) is much more comfortable than hard-seat (fan) for the journey.
- Bring a water bottle – both stations have drinking water refills.
Tip from local drivers and frequent travellers on the Surin–Buri Ram route.
❓ FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Getting from Surin to Buri Ram Airport
Is there a direct bus from Surin to Buri Ram Airport?
No, there is no direct bus from Surin to Buri Ram Airport. You need to take a bus from Surin Bus Station to Buri Ram Bus Station (1–1.5 hours), then take a local taxi or songthaew to the airport (10–15 minutes). The combined journey takes about 1.5–2 hours and costs ฿200–350 ($6–10).
What is the cheapest way to get from Surin to Buri Ram Airport?
The cheapest way is by train from Surin Railway Station to Buri Ram Railway Station (฿30–120, 50–70 minutes), followed by a taxi or songthaew to the airport (฿150–200). Total cost: ฿180–320 ($5–9). The second cheapest is the bus combination at ฿200–350 ($6–10).
How long does it take from Surin to Buri Ram Airport by taxi?
A direct taxi from Surin city center to Buri Ram Airport takes approximately 50–60 minutes, covering 65 km. This is the fastest door-to-door option. Fares range from ฿600 to ฿900 ($17–26), depending on the taxi service and time of day.
How much does a taxi from Surin to Buri Ram Airport cost?
A standard local taxi costs ฿600–800 ($17–23). A Grab car (booked via app) costs ฿700–900 ($20–26). A private transfer with a hotel or tour company ranges ฿800–1,200 ($23–34). Prices may be higher during late-night hours or public holidays.
Can I take a train from Surin to Buri Ram Airport?
You can take a train from Surin Railway Station to Buri Ram Railway Station (50–70 minutes, ฿30–120). From Buri Ram station, the airport is 15 km away – you need a taxi (15–20 min, ฿150–200) or a songthaew. Total journey time: about 1.5–2 hours. No train goes directly to the airport.
Is it easy to get from Surin to Buri Ram Airport with luggage?
Yes, but with some considerations. A taxi or private transfer is the easiest with heavy luggage (direct, door-to-door). By bus or train, you'll need to handle your bags during transfers at Buri Ram Bus Station or Railway Station. All Thai trains have luggage racks, and buses store luggage in the hold. For bulky items, consider a taxi or a private minivan.
Are there night-time transport options from Surin to Buri Ram Airport?
Yes, but limited. Trains and buses generally operate from early morning until around 8–9 PM. For late-night or early-morning departures (before 6 AM), a taxi or pre-booked private transfer is your only reliable option. Grab is available 24/7 in Surin and Buri Ram. Always book in advance for peace of mind.
Which is better: train or bus from Surin to Buri Ram Airport?
It depends on your priority. The train is cheaper (฿180–320 vs ฿200–350) and more comfortable, with more legroom and a dining car on some services. The bus is slightly faster and more frequent, with departures every 30–60 minutes. Both require a taxi transfer at the Buri Ram end. If you value comfort and low cost, choose the train. If you value frequency and speed, choose the bus.