How to explore Koh Samui: A guide to navigating the island and discovering its hidden gems

Getting around Koh Samui is a truly hassle-free experience. For starters, you can book a speedy airport transfer to get you to your hotel or resort, hop into a songthaew and move off the beaten path or rent a vehicle of your choice from Samui International Airport itself for the entire duration of your stay. Detailed down below are the ways and means by which you can cover Koh Samui. 

Reserve your airport transfer 

When it comes to airport transfers, you will have the flexibility to reserve one either through booking platforms such as Klook, local transport companies stationed near Samui International Airport or with your mode of accommodation. Understand that if you opt for the latter, then be prepared to allocate between THB 700 to THB 2,500 for a one-way transfer. In the event you have reserved your stay with NH Collection Samui Peace Resort which is among the finest hotels in Koh Samui to be at, then you could attempt to negotiate a fair rate. As a rule of thumb, such bookings must be done at least 24 hours in advance of your intended time of arrival. 

Rent a car

With the rent a car option, you can easily set about combing through Koh Samui as and when you please. With reference to the available facilities, rental agencies at the local airport will be your best bet but also know that beachfront rental shops are aplenty with choices such as SUVs and medium passenger cars to choose from. For the best experience, consider booking your vehicle a week before you arrive in Koh Samui. This is because last-minute reservations carry with it the risk of paying higher rates and having a limited pool of vehicles to work with. If you’re looking for a breakdown of costs for daily use, then a SUV will have you paying around THB 2,400 while a medium passenger car that can accommodate up to 5 guests will require an investment of nearly THB 1,250. Before settling payment, be sure to inspect every aspect of your vehicle such as the state of its air-conditioning and all other safety features in the likes of seatbelts and airbags. 

Ride the songthaew 

Well away from air-conditioned comfort and having your own personal space to unwind and rest up is a side to Koh Samui’s transportation where only a few would dare explore. Although not necessarily a bus, the songthaew is the cheapest way to travel around Koh Samui where you will be excellently placed to mingle with the locals and witness how life unravels in these parts. The songthaew can hold up to 10 passengers across its two back benches while luggage racks affixed to its roof mean that you can carry even the heaviest of bags with no fuss. What makes the songthaew a wonderful outing can be credited to the fact that its route is never the same, as it largely depends on passenger as well as driver preferences. Hailing one is not too difficult as songthaews cover the island’s main ring road and every other secondary road. No sooner you flag one, mention your destination to the driver, hop inside and when the time arrives for you to get off, simply ring the bell. In terms of payment, be mindful to carry the exact amount, preferably in coins.

anonymous, Songthaew 3, CC BY-SA 2.5

Other forms of transportation

Taxis are a convenient mode of getting about in Koh Samui but as a caveat, haggling your way towards securing a favourable price will in all probability be a futile exercise. Agreeing on a rate beforehand ought to be your mantra. On the flip side, ride sharing services like Grab will be far better as you will only be paying for the distance of your trip. This way, even if you encounter the odd traffic jam, your fee will not be impacted.