General Transportation Tips, Ko Samui

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One can either use taxi's which are fairly reasonably priced but for the really cheaper alternative there are utilities with bench seats on the back and are covered to keep the sun off. They will stop and pick you up anywhere, just remember to haggle with the driver first (typical Asian style) so you all know the exact amount you'll be paying once you arrive at your destination.

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One can either use taxi's which are fairly reasonably priced but for the really cheaper alternative there are utilities with bench seats on the back and are covered to keep the sun off. They will stop and pick you up anywhere, just remember to haggle with the driver first (typical Asian style) so you all know the exact amount you'll be paying once you arrive at your destination.

We bought a coach bus ticket with boat transfer to the island for 650 baht from the tour company below in Kao San road, Bangkok:-

Pick Me Travel
183 – 185 Center Point Plaza Building, Khaosan Road Taladyod, Phranakohrn, Bangkok 10200
Tel: 02 280 1300

There are no complains about the ride because they were very comfortable and they were showing some movies on the way. Just beware when you buy coach bus tickets from Kao San road as there are growing reports that thieves will sneak into the luggage compartment and start going through bags to unload goodies before you reach Surrathani. Make sure you leave nothing valuable in your bags in the storage compartment.

The best way to go around Ko Samui is to rent a motorbike. However, death accidents by motorbike is also the highest.

When renting a motorbike, ask for the helmet which is a requirement by law. Many (both foreign and local) ignores this important fact - one of the major reason for death during an accident.

NEVER drive when you have been drinking. Not advisable to drive after sundown even though you are sober. The main reason is because you are not familar with the roads. The roads are also not properly paved - have many pot holes. Another thing to note - while it may seem fun to have three or four persons sitting in one motorbike, do not even try it. It is very dangerous.

Motorbike rentals are about 150 to 200 baht per day for a manual and 200 to 300 baht per day for an automatic. Price range depends on the season of the year.

Another alternative is to rent a jeep and the cost is between 600 to 900 baht a day.

You may also opt for the local Songteow if you are just going up and down Chaweng or Lamai or going from one major town to another. Travelling up and down Chaweng will cost you between 20 to 40 baht per person depending on the direction of travel. Travelling from Nathon to Chaweng is about 50 baht per person. If you have a big group, you can also hire the whole Songteow for your group. Typically it will cost around 1,800 baht to 2,000 baht for a day's hire.

Another public transport is motorbike taxi. This is normally used for short distances and to places where the Songteow does not go. Again it is advisable not to ask the motorbike taxi to take more than one of you on it.

'Metered' taxi is another public transport available. While the sign might say meter taxi, there is actually no such thing in Ko Samui. The minimum charge by the taxi is 300 baht (even for a distance of 500 meter). Be very careful with them and make sure you have agreed on the price upfront before you even board onto the taxi. NEVER argue with the price quoted after the ride.

Of course you can jump on the local bus - the Tuk Tuk.

This was one thing I would have loved to experience because hubby and I did similar in Tahiti. ......but, oh well....next time ;o)

By Air:

With an airport on the island,
you may have the option of
flying there direct from
one of the 6-7 flights from Bangkok
offered by Bangkok Airways.

The flight durations is 1 hour and 10 minutes.

By Train:

Another option is heading down
on the train which
then will be followed by the ferry

There are 6 southern trains daily
which stop are Suri Thani,
but the following are
most recommended:

For Bangkok to Sura Thani:

Train 15 Dept. 19:20 / Arr. 6:20 next morning
Train 41 Dept. 18:30 / Arr. 6:00 next morning

For Surat Thani to Bangkok:

Train 48 Dept. 17:32 / Arr. 5:10 next morning
Train 42 Dept. 17:50 / Arr 5:35 next morning
Train 16Dept. 19:05 / Arr.5:50 next morning

Note: There is no first class
on the above trains.
Only a/c carriages wit sleeper berths.

By Ferry:

I wasn’t able to find out about
all the ferries that go there,
but did collect the following information:

On Raja Ferries:

Every hour from 6-19:00
Donsak – Lipanoi vic a versa
Donsak-Koh Pha Ngan 7am/10am/14pm/17:30 pm
Koh Phangan 7am/10/13pm/17pm

Resrvation Office Raja Ferry

Donsak Office Tel. (077) 471151-3
Samui Office Tel. (077) 415230-3
Pha-Ngan Office Tel. (077) 377452-3
Bangkok Office Tel. (66-2) 277-8709 /277-4488

When on Koh Samui, many travelers like to rent the motorbikes for $1-$5 a day. A small jeep can also be rented for about $20. I have see several tourists fall from their bikes. It can be a very dangerous move, for you and other people on the road. The Thai have their own way of moving to and fro. It is called GO CRAZY!. They pass EVERYONE, they drive so fast, and they drive on the shoulder alot. If you don't know where you are going or really how to drive in this type of situation, please, take a cab or a motorcabbike guy. The guys with orange vests will let you hop on. And the pickup trucks are taxis, they will take you anywhere. It is pretty cheap. Or ride an elephant!

Can somebody tell me, what the price is from a pickup taxi at Koh samui? Like the open jeeps. ( tut tut )
We do know, in Pattaya they charges 10 baht at daytime, 20 baht at night time, these prices only when we hold up our hand, and jump in.

Respons by e-mail kinky-stel@planet.nl