The range of transport options on Koh Samui is huge and varied. Even though the tuk-tuks so popular with tourists are missing from the island, there are some great alternatives you can use as a visitor. This article covers everything from pricey to affordable options.
Of course, the choice depends on your preference - whether you want to take a taxi, songthaew, motorbike, or something else. To help you prepare properly for your trip, we've put together all the available modes of transport for you below.
TaxiGetting around Koh Samui
Using a taxi on Koh Samui is by far the most expensive way to explore the island. Of course, the taxis here have a meter too, but most drivers don't use it, and only in the rarest cases will you find someone who actually turns the meter on.
If you do find a taxi driver who turns the meter on, the fare starts at 50 Baht, and an additional island surcharge of 50 Baht is added at the end. Otherwise, taxi prices on Koh Samui are always negotiable. They often start at around 400 Baht, and depending on the distance, prices can go up to 1,000 Baht or more. Never get into a taxi without negotiating the price first.
Motorbike taxiGetting around Koh Samui
In addition to regular taxis, there are also a number of motorbike taxis on Koh Samui. You can usually spot the drivers by their orange or blue vest with a license number on it. You can simply wave your hand and the motorbike taxi will stop right away.
With this type of public transport, you'll need to negotiate the price with the driver in advance every time. Depending on your destination, the price for short distances can range between 50 and 100 Baht.
MinivanGetting around Koh Samui
Minivans are another way to get around Koh Samui comfortably. This option is a bit more limited, though, since minivans are mostly used when you book transport from the airport to your hotel or are picked up for an organized tour.
The only other way to use minivans is to book a private minivan with a driver. This could be a good option for your whole family to explore the island with a private driver. The more people who join the trip, the cheaper the price works out per person.
You can book licensed minivans and professional drivers here:kohsamui.toursSongthaewGetting around Koh Samui
A songthaew, also known as a shared taxi, is a converted pickup truck with two benches. Most songthaews also have a bell you can press when you want the taxi to stop (similar to buses in Europe).
There are no fixed times or stops along the route. Drivers honk at people walking by to see if they want a ride. Otherwise, you can just give a passing songthaew a quick hand signal, and the driver will stop and take you to your agreed destination.
The busiest route runs along both Chaweng Beach Road and the ring road that circles all the way around Koh Samui. For short distances, the price is 50 Baht per person. For longer distances along the ring road, for example from one town to another, prices of 100 to 150 Baht per person are common.
You can get a better price if you travel with a larger group and rent the whole shared taxi. The price for the entire songthaew should be around 400-500 Baht per ride. In the evenings, especially on the ring road, fewer shared taxis are on the road, so the price mentioned may rise a little.
Rental scooterGetting around Koh Samui
A great way to explore Koh Samui on your own is to rent a scooter or motorbike. This is the preferred option for many tourists and makes you completely independent of other means of transport. You can rent a scooter at countless shops or hotels across the island.
Always look out for signs saying "motorbike for rent". Prices vary between 150 and 200 Baht per day for a standard scooter. If you rent the scooter for a longer period, e.g. a month, you'll usually get a discount. In the low season it's also possible to find older scooters for as little as 100 Baht per day. With a standard 100cc or 125cc scooter, you as an individual can get almost anywhere on Koh Samui, since 95% of the roads are paved and in drivable condition - just watch out for potholes.
Of course, it's also important that you hold an international driving licence and always wear a helmet. There are many accidents on Koh Samui, and police checks happen from time to time. If you're not wearing a helmet or don't have a licence, you can expect fines starting at 500 THB, but really it's a matter of safety to have both. If you're in an accident without an international driving licence, it can end badly for you, since many insurers won't cover the costs in that case - so we always recommend carrying a valid licence.
At most rental shops your passport will be held as a deposit. If you'd rather not do that, the rental company will ask for a deposit of 5,000 to 10,000 Baht instead. Naturally, you'll get your deposit back when you return the scooter.
Note: When you rent a scooter, thoroughly check the vehicle for damage before you ride off and take a few photos from all sides..
Rental carGetting around Koh Samui
Just as you can rent a scooter on the island, it's also possible to rent a car. Either at well-known companies like Sixt or Thai Rent a Car, at the airport, or directly through your hotel. Many of these cars are pickups or SUVs, though smaller cars are also available. If you're planning to drive into the mountains, you should choose a pickup or a 4x4 and let the rental company know beforehand.
Some rental contracts exclude things like taking the car off the island, driving up into the mountains, and beach driving. The rental price for a car ranges between 800 and 1,200 Baht per day, depending on the vehicle type and condition. Also make sure you have an international driving licence and that the car is insured. The rental process is similar to that of a scooter.
Public busGetting around Koh Samui
The last option is a very new one on Koh Samui. The Transit Samui Public Bus, a daily bus service between Nathon Pier and the airport and back. A ticket costs 140 Baht per person and the bus runs hourly from 7:30am to 9:30pm.
The bus has two routes around Koh Samui, the pink route and the blue route, that run back and forth between the airport and Nathon. If you take the pink route from the airport to Nathon Pier, the journey takes about 1 hour, and if you take the blue route, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from one end to the other.
The Pink Route has the following stops: Airport, Bangrak Pier, Bangrak Temple, Bophut Fishing Village, Bophut PTT Gas Station, Maenam Mini Tesco Lotus, Baan Tai, Bang Por and Nathon Pier.
The Blue Route runs in the opposite direction around Koh Samui: Airport, Chaweng, Chaweng Rajabhat University, Chaweng Noi Bangkok Airways Office, Chaweng Noi Das Sarann Hotel, Lamai Tesco Lotus, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Hua Thanon, Namuang CPD Samui, Baan Saket, Baan Lipa Noi, Baan Lipa Yai and Nathon Pier.
The bus stops are marked with a sign showing the stop name and a route map. The bus is connected to a GPS tracking system and features a speed monitor and video surveillance from the Department of Land Transport. This ensures tourists can use this new mode of transport safely.
The best tours on Koh Samui Explore now
Using a taxi on Koh Samui is by far the most expensive way to explore the island. Of course, the taxis here have a meter too, but most drivers don't use it, and only in the rarest cases will you find someone who actually turns the meter on.
If you do find a taxi driver who turns the meter on, the fare starts at 50 Baht, and an additional island surcharge of 50 Baht is added at the end. Otherwise, taxi prices on Koh Samui are always negotiable. They often start at around 400 Baht, and depending on the distance, prices can go up to 1,000 Baht or more. Never get into a taxi without negotiating the price first.
In addition to regular taxis, there are also a number of motorbike taxis on Koh Samui. You can usually spot the drivers by their orange or blue vest with a license number on it. You can simply wave your hand and the motorbike taxi will stop right away.
With this type of public transport, you'll need to negotiate the price with the driver in advance every time. Depending on your destination, the price for short distances can range between 50 and 100 Baht.
Minivans are another way to get around Koh Samui comfortably. This option is a bit more limited, though, since minivans are mostly used when you book transport from the airport to your hotel or are picked up for an organized tour.
The only other way to use minivans is to book a private minivan with a driver. This could be a good option for your whole family to explore the island with a private driver. The more people who join the trip, the cheaper the price works out per person.
You can book licensed minivans and professional drivers here: kohsamui.tours
A songthaew, also known as a shared taxi, is a converted pickup truck with two benches. Most songthaews also have a bell you can press when you want the taxi to stop (similar to buses in Europe).
There are no fixed times or stops along the route. Drivers honk at people walking by to see if they want a ride. Otherwise, you can just give a passing songthaew a quick hand signal, and the driver will stop and take you to your agreed destination.
The busiest route runs along both Chaweng Beach Road and the ring road that circles all the way around Koh Samui. For short distances, the price is 50 Baht per person. For longer distances along the ring road, for example from one town to another, prices of 100 to 150 Baht per person are common.
You can get a better price if you travel with a larger group and rent the whole shared taxi. The price for the entire songthaew should be around 400-500 Baht per ride. In the evenings, especially on the ring road, fewer shared taxis are on the road, so the price mentioned may rise a little.
A great way to explore Koh Samui on your own is to rent a scooter or motorbike. This is the preferred option for many tourists and makes you completely independent of other means of transport. You can rent a scooter at countless shops or hotels across the island.
Always look out for signs saying "motorbike for rent". Prices vary between 150 and 200 Baht per day for a standard scooter. If you rent the scooter for a longer period, e.g. a month, you'll usually get a discount. In the low season it's also possible to find older scooters for as little as 100 Baht per day. With a standard 100cc or 125cc scooter, you as an individual can get almost anywhere on Koh Samui, since 95% of the roads are paved and in drivable condition - just watch out for potholes.
Of course, it's also important that you hold an international driving licence and always wear a helmet. There are many accidents on Koh Samui, and police checks happen from time to time. If you're not wearing a helmet or don't have a licence, you can expect fines starting at 500 THB, but really it's a matter of safety to have both. If you're in an accident without an international driving licence, it can end badly for you, since many insurers won't cover the costs in that case - so we always recommend carrying a valid licence.
At most rental shops your passport will be held as a deposit. If you'd rather not do that, the rental company will ask for a deposit of 5,000 to 10,000 Baht instead. Naturally, you'll get your deposit back when you return the scooter.
Note: When you rent a scooter, thoroughly check the vehicle for damage before you ride off and take a few photos from all sides..
Just as you can rent a scooter on the island, it's also possible to rent a car. Either at well-known companies like Sixt or Thai Rent a Car, at the airport, or directly through your hotel. Many of these cars are pickups or SUVs, though smaller cars are also available. If you're planning to drive into the mountains, you should choose a pickup or a 4x4 and let the rental company know beforehand.
Some rental contracts exclude things like taking the car off the island, driving up into the mountains, and beach driving. The rental price for a car ranges between 800 and 1,200 Baht per day, depending on the vehicle type and condition. Also make sure you have an international driving licence and that the car is insured. The rental process is similar to that of a scooter.
The last option is a very new one on Koh Samui. The Transit Samui Public Bus, a daily bus service between Nathon Pier and the airport and back. A ticket costs 140 Baht per person and the bus runs hourly from 7:30am to 9:30pm.
The bus has two routes around Koh Samui, the pink route and the blue route, that run back and forth between the airport and Nathon. If you take the pink route from the airport to Nathon Pier, the journey takes about 1 hour, and if you take the blue route, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from one end to the other.
The Pink Route has the following stops: Airport, Bangrak Pier, Bangrak Temple, Bophut Fishing Village, Bophut PTT Gas Station, Maenam Mini Tesco Lotus, Baan Tai, Bang Por and Nathon Pier.
The Blue Route runs in the opposite direction around Koh Samui: Airport, Chaweng, Chaweng Rajabhat University, Chaweng Noi Bangkok Airways Office, Chaweng Noi Das Sarann Hotel, Lamai Tesco Lotus, Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Hua Thanon, Namuang CPD Samui, Baan Saket, Baan Lipa Noi, Baan Lipa Yai and Nathon Pier.
The bus stops are marked with a sign showing the stop name and a route map. The bus is connected to a GPS tracking system and features a speed monitor and video surveillance from the Department of Land Transport. This ensures tourists can use this new mode of transport safely.
