Transportation in Koh Samui
Koh Samui is located about 30 miles from Thailand's eastern coast, and about 430 miles to the south of Bangkok. The best way to reach Koh Samui is by catching a flight from Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket or Singapore. The other option is to take a ferry or catamaran from Don Sak on Surat Thani, located on the Thai mainland.
From Bangkok, the most convenient way to reach Koh Samui is to combine a ferry ride with a sleeper train or bus.
This Koh Samui transportation guide gives a breakdown of getting to and getting around Koh Samui. General travel information can be found in our Thailand transportation guide. There are also some intersting local Koh Samui tours to help you get the most out of your visit to the island.
Koh Samui Transportation Guide
By Plane
Built by Bangkok Airways and run privately, the Koh Samui Airport (USM) services several flights. There are two flights a week to and from Hong Kong, four flights a week from Chiang Mai, daily flights to and from U-Tapao, Singapore and Phuket, and almost hourly flights between Samui and Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways was the only airline serving Koh Samui for a long time and in fact still is the main operator. Other airlines serving USM today are Berjaya Air and Firefly, which connect USM to the Malaysian cities of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, respectively. From February 2008, Thai Airways has launched two flights a day from Bangkok.
The airport is well connected by buses and taxis. The 20-minute minibus ride to Chaweng costs 100 baht per person, while a taxi ride costs around 150 to 300 baht. Visitors are advised to negotiate the taxi fare before getting in, as it is quite common for taxi drivers not to use meters. A recent addition to the ground transport is a regular shuttle bus service; its prices are listed and seats can be booked over the Internet too.
By Bus
The most economical way to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok is of course by bus. Catch the VIP bus from the Southern Bus Terminal at Boromrat Chonnani Road or from the famous Khao San Road. The AC buses are not as comfortable as the VIP buses. Almost every Bangkok travel agency sells bus tickets and the price usually includes the cost of the ferry ride as well.
To avoid any problems during the long journey of close to 13 hours, it is best to buy a combined bus and ferry ticket. A VIP bus ticket costs around 800 baht and the ferry ride costs just a little more.
A combined bus and ferry service from Surat Thani train station costs around 200 to 300 baht. The journey may combine an hour-long bus ride with a 90-minute ferry ride, or a 30-minute bus ride with a longer ferry ride. Every train is met by agents who sell tickets for the bus and ferry ride.
By Train
A little expensive but more comfortable way to travel is to catch a train. A night train leaves Hualamphong, Bangkok's railway station, and reaches Surat Thani after 11 to 12 hours. The journey is long but the sleeping cars are very comfortable. The lower beds are more expensive than the upper ones. For some privacy and more comfort, travellers can also take a first class cabin that seats two people.
A suggested itinerary for a comfortable and convenient journey is to buy seats in the air-conditioned first or second-class sleeper of the overnight train that leaves at 7:15 pm.
By Boat
Express boats leave Surat Thani three times a day. The trip costs around 150 baht and takes about 3 hours. Slower night boats take 6 to 7 hours for the same journey.
Depending on the type of boat taken, ticket costs and travel times vary; prices can range from 150 to 350 baht while travel time can vary from 2.5 to 6 hours. Combined bus-boat or train-boat tickets can also be purchased. Travel agents usually ensure that travellers are met at the station in Surat Thani and directed to the shuttle leaving for the pier.
Travelling by boat requires some degree of patience since there is always a lot of waiting around to be done. Ferry times are known to change quite often too. Touts from various travel companies meet all trains and buses in an attempt to solicit business.
Getting around Koh Samui
Mountain bikes, motorcycles and jeeps are easily and cheaply available for hire. Roads, however, can be dangerous so it is essential that you drive carefully.
By paying around 50 baht per person, travellers can make use of the public taxi service to get from one beach to another. A private car used for the same trip costs around 200 baht. Taxis are quite easily available after dark too, especially around popular nightspots Lamai and Chaweng, but costs can be absurdly high since drivers do not like to use their meters. Rather unsafe, but using the much cheaper motorbike taxis is another way to get around.
Songthaews, which are converted pick-up trucks with bench seats, are another popular mode of public transport. These trucks have no fixed routes or stops, they can be hailed anywhere by waving or shouting. Fares have to be negotiated before getting in, and to get off the truck, travellers hit the roof of the truck loudly or ring the bell. Songthaew fares start from around 20 baht, and are to be paid at the end of the journey. These trucks drive around the island all day and are easily available.
The newest mode of transport seen in Koh Samui these days is the Quad Bike. These bikes are available for hire but since most of them are neither insured nor registered for road use, you are advised to exercise great care when riding one.
