Your stay — Toby’s Hostel
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The Property — Toby’s Hostel
Toby’s Hostel is a clean, budget-friendly option in central Surat Thani, a short walk from the train and bus stations. The lobby is functional with tiled floors, a few sofas, and a reception desk where staff hand you a keycard with minimal fuss. It’s aimed at backpackers and short-stay travellers passing through to the islands or the south, not a place you linger. Practicality over charm, but it does the job for one night.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small settlement on the Tapi River into the capital of southern Thailand’s largest province, formalised as a city in 1936. It became a transport hub during the railway expansion, connecting Bangkok to the south, and later the gateway to Koh Samui and the Andaman islands. Old shophouses and Chinese-style temples along the river reflect early 20th-century trade with Chinese immigrants. The city centre is mostly modern concrete, with few historic buildings outside Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya about 50 km north. Today it’s a bustling commercial and logistics centre, culturally more pragmatic than touristy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January and February: dry season, temperatures 25-30°C, clear skies, low chance of rain. March is hot but still fine if you don’t mind the heat.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak season for the islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao), but Surat Thani itself gets busy with transit passengers. Hotel prices for budget stays like Toby’s Hostel stay reasonable (<500 THB), though dorms fill fast around Christmas and New Year. The Surat Thani Songkran Festival in April also draws local crowds.
Budget shoulder season
June and July are a good shoulder season: drier than September but quieter. August can be wet but offers discounts on rooms. May to June: decent weather, fewer tourists, and rates can drop 10-20%.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani is wet year-round, even in ‘dry’ season expect sudden downpours. Pack a light, quick-dry rain jacket and sandals that can get wet — avoid leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- As of June 2026, the new Surat Thani city bus service (blue buses) now connects the train station to the main market for 10 THB, helpful for avoiding taxi haggling.
- The Tapi River promenade renovation completed in 2025 added a walking path and night market stalls near the old customs house, open after 5pm.
- Check the Surat Thani Airport ferry-bus transfer: as of 2026, the official shuttle to Don Sak pier runs from the airport only once every 90 minutes, so book ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Toby’s Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on the upper floor facing away from the main road will be quieter. Request a room on floors 3-4 if available, as they tend to have less foot traffic and are still accessible via the lift if one exists. The 3-star rating suggests basic facilities, so higher floors reduce street-level noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or common areas, as these can be noisy with arrivals and departures. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the street entrance if the address is on a main road in Surat Thani, which is a busy transport hub.
Best views
Upper floors facing away from the main road may offer a partial view of the city or inland area. There's no seafront here, so best view is likely the quiet side with less traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-4 are likely the quietest, as they are above ground-floor noise but below any rooftop activities if present. Without a lift, upper floors (3-4) have less foot traffic from the lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes, buses, and trucks on Surat Thani's main roads is the primary issue. Also, potential noise from other guests in common areas or hallways, especially on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception—they're common in budget hotels here. 2. If arriving late, request a room on the quiet side when booking to avoid noisy street-facing rooms.
- 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 — Toby’s Hostel
Free Wi-Fi throughout; decent speed for browsing and streaming (15-20 Mbps). No login, just select network.
No lift. Dorm rooms on 2nd and 3rd floors accessible only by stairs. Private rooms on ground floor have step-free access.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Common area has a small lending library of travel guides.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Bag drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 100 THB; after 18:00 charged full night.
Free luggage storage in locked room; no limit on bags but only until 23:00.
Ground floor private rooms are step-free; no ramp to upper floors. Bathrooms are narrow and have a step at the entrance; no grab bars.
Free on-site parking for 6 cars, first-come-first-served. No EV charging. Nearest public car park is Baan Don Market car park, 500m away, 30 THB per night.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; 200 THB cash key deposit or 500 THB credit card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. Raphael cathedral (360 m · ~5 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดพัฒนาราม (548 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดไทร (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดกลาง (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sahathai Garden Plaza — 551 m · ~7 min walk
ตลาดมิตรเกษม — 717 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Krungthai Bank — 410 m · ~5 min walk
7-Eleven — 409 m · ~5 min walk
ศูนย์รับส่งผู้โดยสารขนาดเล็กในชุมชนเมือง (ตลาดเกษตร 2) — 998 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs for the best interbank rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist-heavy spots due to poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, larger shops, and some restaurants; local street markets and smaller stalls are cash-only; contactless is common at chains but not everywhere.
Tipping not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 10–20 baht for hotel staff carrying bags, and 20–50 baht at restaurants if no service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street vendor or cart, around 20–30 baht.
Rice with a stir-fry or curry from a food stall, 35–50 baht.
Simple noodle soup or rice dish at a local restaurant, 40–60 baht for a main.
The night market near the bus terminal and along Talat Mai Road have plenty of stalls selling papaya salad, grilled meats, and som tam.
Big C and Tesco Lotus (now Lotus's) are the main budget supermarkets in Surat Thani area.
The Surat Thani weekend market (Talat Mai) and the night bazaar have cheap clothing, often 100–300 baht per item.
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 10–20 baht per ride around town; from Surat Thani airport, the cheapest option is the government bus (50 baht) to the town centre.
Eat at local markets or food stalls rather than tourist-oriented restaurants. Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. Buy water from 7-Eleven (7–10 baht) rather than at hotels.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · 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 Toby’s Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Krungthai Bank — 410 m · ~5 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 Toby’s Hostel?
Rooms on the upper floor facing away from the main road will be quieter. Request a room on floors 3-4 if available, as they tend to have less foot traffic and are still accessible via the lift if one exists. The 3-star rating suggests basic facilities, so higher floors reduce street-level noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Toby’s Hostel?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or common areas, as these can be noisy with arrivals and departures. Also avoid rooms directly overlooking the street entrance if the address is on a main road in Surat Thani, which is a busy transport hub.
Is Toby’s Hostel noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes, buses, and trucks on Surat Thani's main roads is the primary issue. Also, potential noise from other guests in common areas or hallways, especially on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Toby’s Hostel?
Upper floors facing away from the main road may offer a partial view of the city or inland area. There's no seafront here, so best view is likely the quiet side with less traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Toby’s Hostel?
1. Check if the hostel offers earplugs at reception—they're common in budget hotels here. 2. If arriving late, request a room on the quiet side when booking to avoid noisy street-facing rooms.
What time is check-in at Toby’s Hostel?
Check-in at Toby’s Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Toby’s Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; decent speed for browsing and streaming (15-20 Mbps). No login, just select network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Toby’s Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Toby’s Hostel?
Rice with a stir-fry or curry from a food stall, 35–50 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Toby’s Hostel?
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost 10–20 baht per ride around town; from Surat Thani airport, the cheapest option is the government bus (50 baht) to the town centre.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January and February: dry season, temperatures 25-30°C, clear skies, low chance of rain. March is hot but still fine if you don’t mind the heat.
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.