Plan your trip

Getting there, costs, weather, transport, rules -- everything you decide before you book.

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Evening market on the Walking Street in Fisherman's Village, Bophut

Chaweng, Lamai or Bophut: Which Koh Samui Beach Town Fits You?

Nightlife, beaches, markets and family-friendliness: Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut on Koh Samui compared side by side, plus our recommendation.

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View over the turquoise islands of Ang Thong National Park near Koh Samui in April

Koh Samui in April: Weather, Songkran and Travel Tips

Koh Samui in April: temperature, rain days, sea temperature, the Songkran date, fruit in season and which boat trips work best.

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Participant cooking with a wok at a Thai cooking class on Koh Samui

Koh Samui in August: Weather, Sea and What's On

Koh Samui in August: temperatures, sea temperature, rain days, crowds and prices in the "Big Season", plus festivals, fruit season and tours.

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Junk boat with red sails at sunset off Koh Samui in December

Koh Samui in December: Weather, Holidays and What to Do

Rains ease off, Ang Thong closed until 15 Dec, and Christmas/New Year as the priciest week: the travel planner for Koh Samui in December.

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A pig swimming in the clear water off Koh Mudsum, Pig Island near Koh Samui in February

Koh Samui in February: Weather, Season and What to Do

Climate figures, driest month of the year, Chinese New Year, Makha Bucha and seasonal fruit: the travel planner for Koh Samui in February.

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Viewpoint in Ang Thong National Park overlooking the island chain, the best time to visit is January on Koh Samui

Koh Samui in January: Weather, Season and What to Do

Climate figures, sea temperature, Ang Thong open again, festivals and seasonal fruit: the travel planner for Koh Samui in January.

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Palm-lined beach on an island in Ang Thong Marine Park near Koh Samui

Koh Samui in July: Weather, Sea and What's On

Koh Samui in July: temperatures, sea temperature, rain days, crowds and prices, plus festivals, fruit season and the best tours for the month.

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Captain at the helm of a sailing boat in the sunshine near an island off Koh Samui in June

Koh Samui in June: Weather, the Half Marathon and Travel Tips

Koh Samui in June: temperature, rain days, sea temperature, the half marathon date, fruit in season and which boat trips still work.

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Boat tour to see the pink dolphins off Khanom near Koh Samui in March

Koh Samui in March: Weather, Season and What to Do

Climate figures, sea temperature, the last calm peak-season month, a beach volleyball tournament and seasonal fruit for Koh Samui in March.

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Traditional longtail boat on turquoise water off Koh Samui in May

Koh Samui in May: Weather, the Regatta and Travel Tips

Koh Samui in May: temperature, rain days, sea temperature, the Regatta dates, the Visakha Bucha alcohol ban and fruit in season.

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Pig wading in the shallows at Koh Madsum beach, one of the tours that still run in November despite the rainy season

Koh Samui in November: Weather, Rain and What to Do

Peak rainy season, Ang Thong closed from 1 Nov, Loy Krathong on 24 Nov, and what's still on: the travel planner for Koh Samui in November.

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Turquoise-green lagoon in Ang Thong National Park, still reachable by boat in October

Koh Samui in October: Weather, Season and What to Do

Climate figures, sea temperature, Ang Thong still open through October, festivals and seasonal fruit: the travel planner for Koh Samui in October.

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Beach with the viewpoint hill on Koh Nang Yuan on a day trip from Koh Samui in September

Koh Samui in September: Weather, Sea and What's On

Koh Samui in September: temperatures, sea temperature, rain days, crowds and prices before the rainy season, plus fruit season and the best tours.

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Wooden boat at sunset off the coast of Koh Samui

Koh Samui or Khao Lak: The Full Comparison for Your Thailand Trip

Gulf of Thailand or Andaman coast? Location, weather, the Similan Islands, travel times and nightlife compared, plus when to combine both.

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Traditional junk boat with red sails on turquoise water in the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui or Koh Phangan? The Honest Comparison

Ferries, prices, hospitals, nightlife and weather compared: Koh Samui or Koh Phangan — which island fits your trip better?

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White sandbar of Koh Nang Yuan near Koh Tao with turquoise sea

Koh Samui or Koh Tao? The Honest Comparison

Diving, ferries, prices, nightlife, healthcare and weather compared: Koh Samui or Koh Tao — which island suits your trip better?

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Granite boulders and turquoise water on the coast of Koh Samui

Koh Samui or Krabi: The Honest 2026 Comparison

Climbing, island hopping, weather and prices: Koh Samui vs Krabi and which one fits your 2026 trip.

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Coastal viewpoint on Koh Samui looking out over the blue sea

Koh Samui or Phuket: The Honest 2026 Comparison

Weather, flights, beaches and prices compared: whether Koh Samui or Phuket suits your 2026 trip better.

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Arrival area at Koh Samui airport with a transfer minibus

Thailand Visa 2026: What Tourists Need to Know

Since 15 Sept 2026 only 30 days visa-free: eligibility, extensions, land borders, proof of funds, TDAC and overstay fines for Thailand.

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a bunch of money hanging from a ceiling

How Expensive Is a Holiday on Koh Samui? Costs 2026

Koh Samui 2026 costs: accommodation, food, drinks, transport and flights, with sample daily budgets and a full two-week cost breakdown.

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Photo: YoNeKeN / Unsplash
A thai airlines plane on the runway at an airport

Koh Samui Airport (USM) in Thailand

Koh Samui Airport (USM) in 2026: open-air terminals, which airlines fly there, why fares run higher, transfer options and distances to the beaches.

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Photo: Bornil Amin / Unsplash
fishing boat near shore

Koh Samui Weather: The Truth About the Rainy Season

Climate table, the real rainy season from October to December with evidence, the monsoon explanation, and what to do on Koh Samui when it rains.

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Photo: Jopeel Quimpo / Unsplash
black DSLR camera near sunglasses and bag

Top 10 Things to Avoid When Preparing for Your Koh Samui Trip

10 common Koh Samui trip-prep mistakes updated for 2026: baggage, passport, cash, sockets, insurance, getting there and the weather forecast.

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Photo: Anete Lūsiņa / Unsplash
green boat on beach during sunset

How Do I Get to Koh Samui? Getting There in 2026

Every way to reach Koh Samui in 2026: direct flight, flight plus ferry via Surat Thani, night train or bus plus ferry, and routes from Phuket or Krabi.

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Photo: Jonny Clow / Unsplash
Person holding a smartphone with currency exchange app

Top 10 Phone Numbers for Your Trip to Koh Samui

Officially confirmed emergency numbers for Koh Samui in 2026: police, tourist police, ambulance, fire, hospitals and how to reach your embassy in Bangkok.

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Photo: Airalo / Unsplash
blue-and-yellow autorickshaws

Getting Around Koh Samui

Taxi, motorbike taxi, songthaew, scooter and car hire, or Grab: how to get around Koh Samui in 2026, with current prices and rules.

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Photo: Chris Arthur-Collins / Unsplash
road near tree during daytime

TOP 10 Scooter Rules on Koh Samui in Thailand

Top 10 scooter rules for Koh Samui: driving on the left, helmets, licences, fines and insurance - ride safely in Thailand in 2026.

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Photo: Il Vagabiondo / Unsplash
waves crashing on shore

The Best Time to Visit Koh Samui

Koh Samui month by month: weather, sea conditions and prices across the seasons, festival dates and when Ang Thong National Park is closed in 2026.

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Photo: Quick PS / Unsplash