Surface wave (SW), as a kind of information or energy transportation platform, can find important applications in on-chip optical devices and systems. However, the efficient and free control from near-field SW to far-field propagation wave still suffers from fundamental challenges in the field of on-chip photonics. This paper starts with an introduction of the basic principles for far-field radiation. Then it reviews the approaches to control the multiple parameters (e.g., phase, amplitude, and polarization state) of the SW’s radiation field based on the metasurface, as well as the complex far-field wavefront manipulation of the surface wave, such as the directional radiation, far-field focusing, special beam excitation, and holographic imaging. Finally, the main challenges and future developments of far-field radiation control of SWs are summarized.