Nakhon Si Thammarat's airport lies 14 km from the city, 20 to 25 minutes by road. A public airport bus costs ฿30 to ฿40 between about 07:20 and 20:00, and the arrivals taxi counter lists fares from about ฿300; several car rental desks also operate. The terminal has free Wi-Fi and closes overnight.
By the bookingMentor Travel Desk · Updated · How we research
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a straightforward domestic airport. This guide covers the airport bus and taxi counter, car rental, what is in the terminal and how to fit in Wat Phra Mahathat around a flight.
Please note: Flights, hotels near the airport and car hire with driver on this page can be booked directly on bookingMentor. We list places on merit, and bookings never affect what we say about them.
What to expect
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) is a domestic airport in Pak Phun subdistrict, about 10 to 14 km north of the old city of Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand. Every scheduled flight goes to Bangkok, with several airlines on the route. It suits visitors to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2026, and travellers bound for the Khanom and Sichon coast or the Gulf islands.
From an army airstrip to a million passengers
Before the present airport opened, the city used Cha-ian, an army airfield, from 1985, with Thai Airways Company flying Short 360 turboprops from Surat Thani. The new airport received its first landings on 1 December 1998, when Thai Airways International and PBair arrived from Bangkok. One-Two-Go served the city until Thai aviation authorities suspended its certificate in July 2008.
Traffic has grown steadily. The airport counted 30,079 passengers in 1995 at the old field, 146,435 in 2005, 406,792 in 2010 and 555,015 in 2011. In 2024 it handled 1,040,791 passengers on 8,037 aircraft movements, along with 414 tonnes of freight.
Is Nakhon Si Thammarat an international airport?
Not in practice. The airport was gazetted as a customs airport on 12 July 2013, which allows international flights and the import and export of goods, and some sources call it Nakhon Si Thammarat International Airport. No scheduled international service operates, and customs is available on request. Provincial officials want international routes and a runway extension to 2,600 m, but neither had happened by November 2026.
Terminal capacity, runway and published hours
The single terminal covers 7,985 m², with arrival and departure halls of 375 m² each. It is designed for about 2,500 passengers and 32 flights a day. The apron has stands for two Boeing 737s and two ATR 72s plus two helicopter spots. The runway, 01/19, is 2,100 m long and 45 m wide, enough for the narrow-body jets on the Bangkok route. The airfield lies just 4 m above sea level on the coastal plain and has Category 7 fire cover.
The aerodrome is open from 06:00 to 22:00 local time. Departures run from about 07:40 to 21:05, around 14 flights a day, and the terminal closes overnight. Inside you will find free WiFi, a few cafés and restaurants, souvenir shops, car rental desks and a taxi counter with listed prices in arrivals. There is no airline lounge, and nothing is open after the last flight.
Four airlines to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi
Thai AirAsia flies to both Bangkok Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to Don Mueang, and Thai Vietjet to Suvarnabhumi. If you are connecting to a long-haul flight, choose a Suvarnabhumi departure to avoid crossing Bangkok between airports.
Wat Phra Mahathat, the reason many people fly in
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, in the old city, is the province's principal temple and has been a centre of Buddhism in the region since the eighth century. Its bell-shaped Phra Borommathat Chedi, built in the early 13th century, stands about 78 m high with a gold-covered spire, and 22 stucco elephants line its base. The World Heritage Committee inscribed the temple at its session in Busan in July 2026, making it Thailand's ninth World Heritage property.
Each year at Makha Bucha the Hae Pha Khuen That ceremony carries a long cloth up to wrap the chedi. If your trip falls on that festival, book flights and a city hotel early.
Check-in times and holiday periods
Plan to reach the terminal an hour or more before departure, and longer during Thai holidays. Check-in closes on each airline's own schedule, and the last departures leave around 21:00, so a missed evening flight means a night in the city.
Landside and airside
NST has one two-storey terminal. Landside is the check-in hall and arrivals lobby with the taxi, bus and rental counters. Airside is the departure hall past security, where you wait for boarding.
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Good to know
IATA / ICAONST / VTSF
Terminals in useMain terminal
OpenAbout 07:00 – 21:30 (flight times)
To city centre~14 km
Fastest to the cityCar hire with driver
Free WiFiYes
CurrencyThai baht (฿ THB)
24-hour foodNone
About this guide
How we research this airport guide
This guide is written and maintained by the bookingMentor Travel Desk. We check transport, flights and terminal details against airline, operator and official sources, and update the page when schedules or fares change.
Last updated . Bus and taxi fares are typical figures and can change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk
Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change
Checked against trusted sources: Department of Airports informationAirline schedulesLomprayah ferry information
Lounge list coming soonLounges at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport are not listed yet. Your airline or lounge programme can confirm access.Ask the travel team
Water, showers & mobile charging
Drinking water
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is sold at the cafés and shops.
Showers
There are no public showers at the airport.
Mobile charging
There are some power points in the waiting areas; a power bank is still useful. Thailand uses types A, B, C, F and O sockets at 220 V.
Luggage storage & lockers
No luggage storage details yetLeft-luggage services and rates at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport are not listed yet. Check with the airport information desk on arrival.Ask the travel team
WiFi & connectivity
Free WiFi
Yes
Time limit
Not stated
Registration
Not stated
WiFi covers the terminal. For maps and ride apps on arrival, use mobile data or an eSIM.
Food & drinks
There are a few restaurants and cafés in the terminal, enough for a meal or coffee before a flight. Nothing is open overnight.
No outlets match that filter.
Food and drink list coming soonRestaurants and cafés at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport are not listed yet.Ask the travel team
More airport information
Search for what you need: try "bus", "taxi", "car" or "wifi".
Airport busTwo routes to the city: Bo Kho So area (฿40) and Na Luang (฿30), from about 07:20 to 20:00.
Car rentalRental counters in the arrivals lobby; an international driving permit is required.
ParkingCar park in front of the terminal.
Restaurants and cafésA few food outlets and coffee shops in the terminal.
ShopsSouvenir and local product shops.
Special assistanceRequest wheelchair help through your airline before travel.
Taxi counterIn the arrivals lobby, with listed fares by destination.
Waiting areasSeating in the check-in hall and departure hall.
WiFiWiFi throughout the terminal.
Nothing matches that search. Try "sim", "wifi", "bag" or "food".
Airport hours
Terminal
About 07:00 – 21:30 (flight times)
Check-in opens
2 hrs before
Check-in closes
By airline, typically 45–60 min before
Overnight access
Closed overnight
Departures run from about 07:40 to 21:05, around 14 flights a day. The terminal works to that schedule and is not open overnight. The airport bus leaves the airport between about 07:20 and 20:00, and the city between about 06:00 and 18:00.
Arriving and departing, step by step
All flights are domestic, so there is no immigration or customs in either direction.
Arriving
From the Bangkok flight to the old city
1
Baggage claim
Collect bags from the belt in the arrivals hall. There is no immigration on domestic flights.
2
Arrivals lobby
The taxi counter shows fares by destination. Car rental desks are alongside.
3
Airport bus
For the cheapest ride, take the airport bus: ฿40 to the Bo Kho So area or ฿30 to Na Luang, between about 07:20 and 20:00.
4
Onward to the coast or islands
For Khanom, Sichon or Lomprayah's island connections, use a pre-booked car, rental car or the Lomprayah coach if you hold a ticket.
Departing
From Pak Phun's kerb to the gate
1
Get to the airport
The airport bus runs from the city between about 06:00 and 18:00; after that, take a taxi or a car with driver.
2
Arrive 90 minutes ahead
Several Bangkok departures can be scheduled close together, and bag drop closes well before departure on low-cost airlines.
3
Check in
Check-in counters are in the ground-floor hall. Weigh bags beforehand.
4
Security and boarding
Clear security into the departure hall and wait for your flight to be called.
Getting to & from the airport
The airport is 14 km from the city, linked by an airport bus, a taxi counter with listed fares and several car rental desks. A public airport bus runs two routes into the city: to the Bo Kho So bus station area for ฿40 and to Na Luang for ฿30. It leaves the airport between about 07:20 and 20:00, and buses back to the airport run from about 06:00 to 18:00. It does not drop at hotels, but at those prices it is one of the cheapest airport links in provincial Thailand. The taxi counter in the arrivals lobby lists fares by destination, from about ฿300 to the city, 20 to 25 minutes away, up to around ฿2,800 for distant parts of the province. Pay the listed fare at the counter. Car rental desks are in the same lobby; bring an International Driving Permit and check the insurance. A car with a driver from bookingMentor suits a temple day in town or the drive to the Khanom and Sichon beaches, where buses are thin. Lomprayah sells joint coach and boat tickets between the airport and the Gulf islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The Koh Tao service leaves the island at 09:30 and reaches the airport at about 14:30. Book ahead and confirm the coach pickup point.
Pre-book a car with a driver on bookingMentor. It suits a temple day in the city or the drive to the Khanom and Sichon beaches, where public transport is thin.
A public bus runs two routes into the city: to the Bo Kho So bus station area for ฿40 and to Na Luang for ฿30. Buses back to the airport run from about 06:00 to 18:00. It does not drop at hotels.
Taxi
Best for: Couples and groups
Mid-range
To the cityfrom about ฿300
Journey20 – 25 min
BookingArrivals counter
The taxi counter in the arrivals lobby lists fares by destination, from about ฿300 for the city up to around ฿2,800 for distant parts of the province. Pay the listed price rather than negotiating outside.
Car rental
Best for: Self-drivers
Mid-range
LocationArrivals lobby
NeedsInternational permit
CheckInsurance and papers
Rental desks are in the arrivals lobby. Bring an international driving permit and check the insurance cover and vehicle documents before you leave.
Coach and boat to the islands
Best for: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Mid-range
OperatorLomprayah
Koh Tao to NSTabout 5 hrs
BookingIn advance
Lomprayah sells joint coach and boat tickets between the airport and the Gulf islands. The Koh Tao service leaves the island at 09:30 and reaches the airport at about 14:30. Book ahead and confirm the coach pickup point.
Security & safety
NST is a small, calm airport. Common sense covers most situations.
1Use the taxi counterFares are listed at the counter in arrivals. Avoid drivers who approach you outside with an unquoted price.
2Watch the bus timesThe airport bus stops running from the city at about 18:00. For evening flights, book a taxi or car in advance.
3Dress for temple visitsCover shoulders and knees for Wat Phra Mahathat and other temples, especially if you are visiting between flights.
4Expect heavy rain late in the yearThe east coast of the south gets its heaviest rain from about October to December. Allow extra time on the roads.
Pro tip: the airport bus to Na Luang is the cheapest ride in town at ฿30, but if your hotel is near Wat Phra Mahathat, a taxi saves a second leg.
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It is the closest airport to Khanom and Sichon; a car is the practical way to reach them.
Yes, with Thai Vietjet. Thai AirAsia and the other airlines fly from Don Mueang.
None is known. Plan on the cafés in the terminal.
The city's most important temple, with a chedi around 78 m tall, about 25 minutes from the airport.
The province is pushing for them and a longer runway, but no international route is scheduled.
Yes. Suchart Subsin's Nang Talung house in the city is about 25 minutes away.
The first city bus is around 06:00, so for flights before about 08:00 take a taxi.
Still looking?
Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown through Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport.
Sleeping at the airport
The terminal is not open overnight, so plan a hotel in the city if you arrive late or leave on the first flight.
Rest & relaxation zones
There are no rest zones; the terminal has standard waiting-area seating.
Cots for sleeping
Cots are not provided. Your airline handles rebooking and any accommodation if a flight is cancelled.
Sleep pods, day rooms & transit hotel
No sleep pods or day rooms listed yetHotels near the airport are listed below; pods, day rooms and transit hotels are not listed here yet.See hotels nearby
Hotels near the airport
No hotels near Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport are listed yetSearch hotels for your dates in the airport's area instead.Search hotels
Layover sightseeing
Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of southern Thailand's oldest cities, and its main sights are within half an hour of the airport.
No sights listed near Nakhon Si Thammarat yetBrowse attractions on bookingMentor to plan a long layover.Browse attractions
Layover planner
Tell us how long you have and whether you can leave the secure area.
How long is your layover?
Immigration, security and Nakhon Si Thammarat traffic are already factored in.
Everything travellers ask before flying through Nakhon Si Thammarat. Checked against Department of Airports, airline and travel sources, October 2026.
Getting there
About 14 km from the city centre. Allow around 20 to 25 minutes by road, or a little longer to Wat Phra Mahathat at the southern end of the old city.
Yes. A public airport bus runs on two routes, to the Bo Kho So bus station area for ฿40 and to Na Luang for ฿30. It leaves the airport between about 07:20 and 20:00.
Book at the taxi counter in the arrivals lobby, where prices are listed by destination. Fares start from about ฿300 for the city and rise to around ฿2,800 for distant parts of the province.
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai Vietjet, all to Bangkok. Don Mueang has the most flights; Thai Vietjet flies from Suvarnabhumi.
No. It is a designated customs airport and there are plans for international service, but all current scheduled flights are domestic.
No. Flights run from roughly 07:40 to 21:00 and the terminal is not open for overnight waiting.
Yes. Rental counters are in the arrivals lobby. You need an international driving permit with your licence; check insurance and the vehicle's documents before you drive off.
About 25 minutes by car. It is the city's most important temple, with a chedi around 78 m tall, and free to enter.
Yes. Lomprayah sells coach and boat tickets between the airport and the islands. From Koh Tao the coach-and-boat trip takes about five hours.
General
About 90 minutes before departure. The terminal is small, but several flights to Bangkok can leave close together.
There is no airline or pay-in lounge we could confirm. The departure hall has seating and a few food outlets.
The airport is the nearest to Khanom and Sichon beaches. A rental car or car with driver is the practical way there, as public transport is limited.
Yes. The World Heritage Committee inscribed Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in July 2026, making it Thailand's ninth World Heritage property. The temple is in the old city, about 20 to 25 minutes by taxi from the airport.
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