How to get to Koh Samui

Have you been planning a trip to Thailand? And, is Koh Samui one of those places you would like to explore? Koh Samui’s bohemian charm will delight you. As for getting to the island, there are a few ways to do so. In this article, we discuss all the ways to get to Koh Samui.

How to fly to Koh Samui?

Boarding a plane headed to Koh Samui is the fastest way to get to the sunny island. If you’re flying from Bangkok, expect the flight to last an hour or so. Thai Airways, Nok and Lion Air fly frequently to Koh Samui from Bangkok. You can also fly to Koh Samui from Hong Kong, Chongqing and Singapore. The good thing about flying to Koh Samui is that you get to avoid having to go on a ferry ride. If you’ve booked a Chaweng Hotel, look for a private transfer from the airport. Resorts like the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort organizes transport from the airport.

How to use a boat to get to Koh Samui?

Catch a ferry ride to Koh Samui from Phuket or Krabi to reach the Donsak Pier in Koh Samui. Two ferry companies run ferries along this route. And, ferries operate close to 14 times per week. A ferry ride generally lasts up to 1 hour and 30 minutes. But, you can board a high-speed boat to cut travel time shorter by 30 to 40 minutes. You can also find Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat piers along the border to Donsak.

How to get to Koh Samui by bus?

Catch a bus from either the Khaosan, Mochit or Southern bus terminals from Bangkok to get to Koh Samui. The bus takes you to Surat Thani, and from there you need to catch a ferry ride to the island. The first bus headed to Surat Thani leaves Bangkok as early as 5 pm. It reaches the pier around 9 pm. The buses are air-conditioned and there are sleeper seats for travellers to rest as they wait to reach the pier.                        

How to reach Koh Samui by train?

Train journeys to Koh Samui are comfortable and affordable. You’ll need to reach Surat Thani via train and catch a ferry to Samui. To reach the pier from the railway station, you’ll need to catch a bus first. But you won’t have to buy separate tickets. At the railway station, ask for a train ferry ticket to cover the entire journey. To catch a train headed towards Surat Thani, go to the Hua Lamphong train station. You can use the blue line on the MRT to get to the train station. There are sleeper train options for overnight travel. And, these sleepers are much more comfortable than the ones they offer in buses.

How to reach Koh Samui by taxi?

Hiring a private car or booking a taxi ride is the most comfortable way to get to Koh Samui. Taxi charges come up to around 360 USD. The taxi can take you all the way to Surat Thani pier, and from there you need to catch a ferry. Expect to spend about 11 hours in the car to get to Surat Thani. But, you can take frequent breaks and stop for a meal along the way.

How to prepare for a journey from Bangkok to Koh Samui?

If you’re not flying to Koh Samui, prepare for a long day’s travel. Put on something loose and comfortable woven with light, breathable material. Dressing in layers is a good idea. This way, you can layer up or down depending on the temperature. Sometimes, air-conditioned buses can get a bit too cold. Take a bottle of water, hand sanitiser and toilet paper.