Koh Samui Transportation |
Samui is an island located about
80 kilometers from Suratthani, the nearest mainland
city. You can fly here with Bangkok Airways directly
from Bangkok. They also have direct flights from Phuket,
Krabi and Singapore. Pelangi Airlines now offers 2 charter
flights per week direct from Kuala Lumpur, with availability
subject to demand.
Those on a budget can take the trains from any of the
above cities for as little as 1/10 the cost of flying.
Many people book sleeping berths in the overnight trains
from Bangkok. You will disembark at Suratthani station
very early in the morning, from where you are taken
by bus to the ferry for the 1 to 2 hour crossing from
the mainland.
Buses are the least expensive option for those on
a tight budget. They also travel to Suratthani from
all major cities in the region. If you have a car
or motorcycle that you wish to bring to Samui, you
can drive to Donsak Ferry Terminal and put your vehicle
on board.
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Air |
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Bangkok Airways is the only airline that flies directly
to Koh Samui. They have approximately 10 flights per
day, depending on the season. The Bangkok Airways counter
at Don Muang Airport is on the arrivals level in the
domestic terminal. For further information regarding
flights to Koh Samui from Bangkok (and other locations)
click on the link for Bangkok
Airways
You can also fly by Thai Airways to the Surat Thani
airport and arrange for bus and ferry transportation
to Koh Samui. Click for more information from Thai
Airways. |
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Train |
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| There are many trains running throughout the day from
Bangkok to Surat Thani and return. The Surat Thani train
station is about an hour from the ferry pier where you
catch the boat to Koh Samui. You will need transportation
from the railway station to the pier. The most popular
trains are the sleeper trains where you travel at night
and arrive in either Bangkok or Surat Thani in the morning.
Any travel agent in Bangkok or Koh Samui can book a
ticket for you that will include train, bus and boat,
to or from Koh Samui. Prices vary depending on the class
of train travel 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
We recommend 2nd class air conditioned as the best
value at approximately 700 baht for the train, bus and
boat ticket combined.
The click here for additional information from the
State
Railway of Thailand |
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Bus |
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| All buses for Koh Samui leave from the Southern Bus
Terminal in Bangkok. There are different classes of buses
running between Bangkok and Koh Samui. There are buses
run by private companies and there are buses run by the
government.
If you are taking the bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui,
or vice versa, we recommend any of the VIP bus as there
are fewer seats on the bus, and the seats recline to
somewhat of a sleeping position. These buses tend to
leave late afternoon, early evening. A one way ticket
including the ferry boat will cost you approximately
600 Baht.
You can purchase a ticket that includes bus and ferry
at the Southern Bus Terminal, or through any travel
agent in Bangkok. The bus ride to Surat Thani is about
10 hours. Then you have another hour to the pier and
then about a 90 ferry trip to Nathon. (Hint, bring a
long sleeve shirt on the bus with you because they tend
to really crank up the air conditioning.)
You have the same options taking the bus back to Bangkok.
There are different class buses departing at different
times of the day. Again we recommend the VIP bus and
that you book a combination bus and ferry ticket with
one of the many reputable Koh Samui travel agents.
If you have your own transportation, or just finding
your own way, you can walk on, or drive on to the ferries.
There are two ferry piers to choose from. Both piers
are about one hour from Surat Thani and they are close
to each other. The only difference is that they are
run by different companies. Cost for car and driver
is about 250 baht. Cost for walk on is 60 baht. Ferries
leave the pier approximately every two hours starting
at 6:00 am. (Hint, if you go outside on the ferry, remember
your sun-screen. You don't want to arrive in Koh Samui
sun burned!)
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