HOW TO GET TO KOH SAMUI
Samui Island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, in the southeastern part of the country. It is Thailand’s second largest island and the largest of the three islands in the Gulf. The other two are Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Samui is the only Gulf island with an airport. Samui Airport is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful airports in the world!
How to get to Koh Samui: There are several options for different budgets and comfort needs. We will try to make the process as easy as possible by providing detailed information and recommendations.
Plan ahead: Always try to book your itinerary in advance. Book all airfares in advance to get the best prices. If you are flying from Bangkok to Samui, always check the first and last flight of the day – that way you will get the best price. You have the option to fly to Samui on a direct Bangkok Airways flight or fly to Surat Thani and then take a bus and ferry to Samui – the second option is the cheapest, but it involves more travel time. As for trains, you can buy tickets in advance at the station if you are comfortable with the time and class of travel; however, if you need a 1st class sleeper ticket for a specific time, try to book in advance as they sell out quickly.
Be on time: Thailand is known as a country where punctuality is not common. However, transportation is surprisingly punctual. Make sure you make it on time!
Travel at night: For long trips, it is better to travel at night. The 1st class sleeping cabins on trains are very comfortable. You will save time to rest and one or two nights in a hotel, but of course it all depends on your circumstances.
Bring food and water with you: unless you are flying by air, bring your own food and drinks.
Fly to Samui
Flying to Samui is convenient and fast. If you are planning to fly to Samui, please note that direct flights may be more expensive than to other destinations in Thailand as Samui International Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways. We recommend flying to Samui for families, seniors or those flying from outside Thailand. Of course, you also have the option of flying to Surat Thani and taking the bus and ferry to Samui. This option is cheaper and there are several airlines flying this route, so you can choose depending on your plans and budget.
Train and ferry to Samui
To get to Samui Island from Bangkok, you can take an overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and save a night in a hotel. Then take a ferry from Donsak Pier to Samui and get to one of the piers on the island: Nathon Pier, Lipa Noi Pier, Maenam Pier and Bangrak Pier. This trip is definitely an adventure and you will see more of mainland Thailand; also, the ferry ride is very enjoyable, especially if you are traveling in the evening and you can see the sunset on the water.
Driving in Thailand
Rules: An international driver’s license is required to drive in Thailand.
Be extremely cautious: Beware of motorcycles passing you from all directions and directions. Do not exceed the speed limit. Remain calm behind the wheel. Make sure you rent a car with full insurance.
Same thing, but in a different way: Thais have their own signals and rules of behavior on the road. An example we encountered: a Thai driver blinked at us: that didn’t mean we could go! He was warning us, „Be careful because I’m coming“. Driving in Thailand can be an adventure.
WARNING!!! Thailand is not the place to learn how to drive a motorcycle. If you have no driving experience, our advice is NOT to rent a motorcycle.
Car Rental: You can book your car or scooter hire on Samui HERE.
You can also rent a car from local car rentals, but be especially careful with insurance and car damage policies. Never leave your passport, driver’s license or any official documents with anyone.
