Your stay — Palio Hostel
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The Property — Palio Hostel
Palio Hostel occupies a converted shophouse on Surat Thani’s main drag, so you walk in off a busy street into a clean, budget-cool lobby with tiled floors and a communal table. The USP is location: it is a 10-minute walk from the night market and the bus terminal for ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. It suits backpackers and independent travellers who need a no-fuss overnight pitstop before heading to the islands.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani started as a small fishing settlement on the Tapi River and grew into a provincial capital after the railway arrived in the 1910s. The town’s architecture is a mix of old Chinese shophouses, 1960s concrete blocks and a few slender Buddhist temples. The nearby ancient city of Chaiya, with its Srivijayan ruins, reminds you this area was a key trading post a thousand years ago. Contemporary Surat Thani is primarily a transport hub: the gateway to the Gulf islands, with a working port and a busy local market culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February: the coolest and driest months, with daytime highs around 31°C and low humidity. February also has the lowest rainfall, so you get reliable ferry schedules and fewer mosquitoes.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: the summer holidays bring domestic and international travellers, though it is also the start of the southwest monsoon, so afternoon downpours are common. Hotel prices climb about 20-30% from the low season bottom. The main driver is the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party dates in July and August.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: both months still see rain but cheaper room rates (40-50% below peak), thin crowds and lush green scenery. May is before the peak, September after it, both with fewer ferry cancellations than October.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani’s climate quirk is that the southwest monsoon (June–October) brings short, heavy deluges that can flood streets for an hour. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that can get wet, and keep your electronics in a dry bag.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani City Bus Terminal (near the Big C shopping centre) has opened, moving long-distance buses away from the old downtown terminals — check your transfer details if arriving by bus from Bangkok.
- Night market vendors report that the city’s plastic bag ban (implemented early 2025) is now strictly enforced; bring your own tote for street food.
- Ferry operators to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have added a late-afternoon 16:00 departure for July 2026 as a response to increased demand.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Palio Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building, away from the street. These upper floors reduce street noise and foot traffic from common areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (1st floor) – they face the street directly and pick up traffic noise from Surat Thani's main road, plus any lingering bus or tuk-tuk activity. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as these are noisier with guest movement.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on upper floors offer a quieter outlook over the neighbourhood's rooftops and trees, rather than the busy street front. No significant scenic view at this urban location.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 – higher up, less ground-level noise, and fewer through-traffic disturbances.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani is a transit hub – expect early morning bus and tuk-tuk traffic from around 5am to 9pm on the main road. The hostel's own lobby and lift generate intermittent noise on lower floors. Also, possible bar/restaurant noise from adjacent street stalls until around 11pm.
Insider tips
1. If you value quiet, ask at check-in for a room at the rear of the building – staff can usually accommodate this. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; even on quieter floors, the city hum can seep in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Palio Hostel
Free, unlimited, no login password posted at reception; speed approx 10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload
No lift; stairs only to upper floors (4-storey building, no lift)
No newspaper or digital newsstand; lobby has a small bookshelf with second-hand travel books
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 08:00; late check-out fee THB 200 if available, until 12:00
Free luggage storage in locked room behind reception, available 07:00-22:00
No step-free access; entrance has 2 steps and no ramp; narrow stairs; no disabled toilet or grab bars
No on-site parking; free street parking along Na Muang Road, limited spaces, first-come; nearest public car park at Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine (THB 20 per night, 50m walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no local city tax applies; 7% VAT included in rates)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a refundable THB 500 cash deposit or card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Synagogue: The Israeli House (646 m · ~8 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 499 m · ~6 min walk
Kim Pharmacy 2 — 730 m · ~9 min walk
7-Eleven — 512 m · ~6 min walk
Thong Nai Pan Express — 681 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Exchange money at city-center banks or ATMs; avoid airport and tourist-area bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in chain hotels, supermarkets and larger shops; street stalls and local eateries are cash-only.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 THB at restaurants; hotel staff usually none.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local Thai iced coffee or instant coffee from street stalls: around 20-30 THB.
Rice or noodle bowl at a simple local eatery: 40-60 THB.
Stir-fried rice or curry dish at a family-run restaurant: 50-80 THB for a main.
Night bazaar at Talad Mai and the area around the bus station have grilled meats, som tam and fried snacks.
Big C or Tesco Lotus Express for basics; Macro for bulk dry goods.
Talad Mai market for cheap cotton shirts and swimwear, or the daytime market near the pier.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 10-20 THB per ride. From Surat Thani airport, take the airport bus to city centre (100 THB).
Eat at food stalls in the night market rather than sit-down restaurants. Use shared songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. Buy fruit and water from local grocery shops, not 7-Eleven.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surat Thani, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Palio Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 499 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Kim Pharmacy 2 — 730 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Samui Airport (USM) → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter just outside arrivals to avoid haggling. The resort is only 8km away, so it’s quick.
Chaweng Main Road → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Flag one down on the main road near the resort. Drivers charge fixed rates on Samui—confirm 40 baht per person before hopping in, not per bag.
N/A → N/A
💡 Samui has no rail or tram. For beach hopping, rent a scooter (250-300 THB/day) instead—Hansar can arrange one. Wear a helmet.
N/A → N/A
💡 A private car transfer from the resort to Chaweng’s nightlife costs about 200 THB with a local taxi. Book through Hansar’s front desk—they use fixed rates, no surge.
About Surat Thani
Wikipedia ↗
Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, pronounced [sù.râːt tʰāː.nīː]) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies 651 km (405 mi) south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 132,040 (2019), and an area of 68.97 km2 ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Palio Hostel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the back of the building, away from the street. These upper floors reduce street noise and foot traffic from common areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Palio Hostel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (1st floor) – they face the street directly and pick up traffic noise from Surat Thani's main road, plus any lingering bus or tuk-tuk activity. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on any floor, as these are noisier with guest movement.
Is Palio Hostel noisy?
Surat Thani is a transit hub – expect early morning bus and tuk-tuk traffic from around 5am to 9pm on the main road. The hostel's own lobby and lift generate intermittent noise on lower floors. Also, possible bar/restaurant noise from adjacent street stalls until around 11pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Palio Hostel?
Back-facing rooms on upper floors offer a quieter outlook over the neighbourhood's rooftops and trees, rather than the busy street front. No significant scenic view at this urban location.
What are insider tips for staying at Palio Hostel?
1. If you value quiet, ask at check-in for a room at the rear of the building – staff can usually accommodate this. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; even on quieter floors, the city hum can seep in.
What time is check-in at Palio Hostel?
Check-in at Palio Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Palio Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free, unlimited, no login password posted at reception; speed approx 10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload
Is there a city or tourist tax at Palio Hostel?
None (no local city tax applies; 7% VAT included in rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Palio Hostel?
Rice or noodle bowl at a simple local eatery: 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Palio Hostel?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 10-20 THB per ride. From Surat Thani airport, take the airport bus to city centre (100 THB).
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February: the coolest and driest months, with daytime highs around 31°C and low humidity. February also has the lowest rainfall, so you get reliable ferry schedules and fewer mosquitoes.
Top Attractions in Surat Thani
💡 Buy a bag of fresh rambutan or mangosteen for pocket change. Watch your step – floors get slippery from melted ice. Best visited before 10am.
💡 Go at sunset: the light over the river is lovely, and food stalls set up along the path selling grilled meats and sticky rice for under 40 baht.
💡 Try the grilled squid and the coconut pancakes (kanom krok) from the far end – cheap and delicious. Cash only, bring small notes.
💡 Visit early morning before the heat builds and you'll often have the place to yourself. Bring a small donation of incense if you want to make a wish.
💡 The museum is free but closes at 16:00 – get there earlier. The stupa's base has small meditation niches where you can sit in silence.