Getting around · Koh Samui · Thailand
Getting around Koh Samui
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
A ring road of about 50 km circles the island, connecting all the beaches. There is no public transport beyond shared songthaews, so visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing apps, scooters or rental cars. Not essential, but a car or scooter makes it much easier to explore beyond your beach, as taxis are expensive.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Bus
- Airports
- USM, URT
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
Ways to get around
Bus
Shared songthaews run along the ring road by day, stopping on request; agree the fare before getting on, as prices for visitors vary.
Taxi
Taxis rarely use meters on Samui; fares are negotiated or fixed and are high compared with the mainland.
Ask your hotel for the usual price to your destination before negotiating.
Ride-hailing
Grab operates on the island and shows prices upfront, though availability can be limited in quieter areas.
Scooter
Scooter rental is popular and cheap, but the island's hilly roads and traffic cause many accidents; wear a helmet and check your insurance and licence.
Car
Rental cars and jeeps are widely available and safer than scooters for families; the ring road is easy to navigate.
Ferry
Ferries and catamarans to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao leave from Bophut, Bang Rak, Maenam and Nathon; car ferries to the mainland leave from Nathon and Lipa Noi.
From the airport
Samui International Airport, an open-air terminal owned by Bangkok Airways, is in the north-east of the island, about 10–15 minutes from Chaweng and Bophut. Flights are limited, so many travellers fly to Surat Thani and take a combined bus and ferry, about 3–4 hours in total.
Do you need a car?
Not essential, but a car or scooter makes it much easier to explore beyond your beach, as taxis are expensive.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Ang Thong National Marine Park | About 1–2 hours by boat | Organised boat or speedboat tour |
| Koh Phangan | About 20–40 minutes by boat | Ferry or speedboat from Bophut, Bang Rak or Maenam |
| Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan | About 1.5–2 hours by high-speed boat | High-speed catamaran or snorkelling tour |
| Koh Tan and Koh Madsum | About 20–30 minutes by longtail | Longtail or snorkelling tour from the south coast |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Koh Samui?
Not essential, but a car or scooter makes it much easier to explore beyond your beach, as taxis are expensive.
+How do you get from the airport to Koh Samui?
Samui International Airport, an open-air terminal owned by Bangkok Airways, is in the north-east of the island, about 10–15 minutes from Chaweng and Bophut. Flights are limited, so many travellers fly to Surat Thani and take a combined bus and ferry, about 3–4 hours in total.
+What is the best way to get around Koh Samui?
Bus: Shared songthaews run along the ring road by day, stopping on request; agree the fare before getting on, as prices for visitors vary.