🇹🇭Koh Samui
Thailand's second-biggest island, and its most polished — coconut groves giving way to resort strips, a golden Big Buddha watching over the northeast coast, and an easy, no-boat-required flight straight in.
In photos
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Quick facts
Money & what things cost
Samui is more built-up than Krabi or Koh Lanta — cards are widely accepted at resorts, restaurants, and dive shops. You'll still want cash for songthaews, beach vendors, and the Fisherman's Village and Lamai night markets.
What locals earn
| Average monthly salary (Koh Samui, tourism) | ≈ ฿14,000–18,500 ($400–530) | the island's economy is almost entirely resorts, dive tourism, and hospitality |
| Minimum wage | ≈ ฿370/day ($11) | provincial rate, similar to Phuket's |
Food & drink
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Street-food plate, away from the beach road | ฿50–90 | $1.40–2.60 |
| Casual Thai restaurant, per person | ฿150–300 | $4.30–8.60 |
| Beachfront seafood dinner, per person | ฿400–900 | $11–26 |
| Coffee at a Fisherman's Village café | ฿70–120 | $2.00–3.40 |
| Local beer at a beach bar | ฿100–180 | $2.90–5.10 |
| Fresh coconut from a roadside stand | ฿40–60 | $1.10–1.70 |
Transport
| Item | Local price | ≈ USD |
|---|---|---|
| Shared songthaew, short island hop | ฿30–60 | $0.85–1.70 |
| Songthaew, longer route around the ring road | ฿80–150 | $2.30–4.30 |
| Scooter rental, per day | ฿200–300 | $5.70–8.60 |
| Metered/app taxi across the island | ฿150–400 | $4.30–11 |
| Airport (USM) taxi transfer | ฿400–700 | $11–20 |
| Ferry to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao | ฿300–600 | $8.60–17 |
Where to sleep & what it costs
| Tier | Per night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | ฿350–600 ($10–17) | Concentrated in Chaweng and Lamai |
| Budget guesthouse | ฿700–1,400 ($20–40) | Simple a/c room, usually a short walk to the beach |
| Mid-range resort | ฿1,800–4,000 ($51–115) | Pool access is standard at this tier |
| Luxury beachfront | ฿7,000+ ($200+) | Choeng Mon and the northeast coast concentrate the top-end resorts |
Getting around
- From the airport
- Samui International (USM) is small, palm-thatched, and privately owned by Bangkok Airways — which is why flights and the fixed-rate taxi desk both run pricier than elsewhere in Thailand. Expect ฿400–700 for a taxi into Chaweng or Bophut.
- Songthaews
- Open-air shared trucks loop the ring road connecting all the main beaches — flag one down, confirm the fare (often ฿30–150 depending on distance), and hop off wherever.
- Scooter rental
- The best way to explore beyond your beach — viewpoints, waterfalls, and the Big Buddha are all spread around the island. Roads are decent but hilly in places; wear a helmet.
- Taxis & ride apps
- Metered taxis are rare — most quote a flat, often steep, fare. Grab has patchy but growing coverage in the main tourist zones and is usually cheaper and more transparent.
- Ferries
- Regular ferries link Samui to Koh Phangan (Full Moon Party island, about 30–45 minutes away) and Koh Tao, plus the mainland at Surat Thani for onward bus/train travel.
Neighborhoods to stay in
- Chaweng
- The island's main strip — longest beach, densest nightlife and restaurants, most convenient base.
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut)
- Boutique and low-key, with a atmospheric Friday walking street and a slower pace than Chaweng.
- Lamai
- Second-biggest beach town, cheaper than Chaweng, mellower but still lively at night.
- Maenam / Bang Rak
- Quiet, near the airport and the mainland ferry pier, popular with longer-stay visitors.
- Choeng Mon
- Small, upscale, and calm in the island's northeast — the luxury-resort corner.
Tipping & etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples like Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai Laem: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering.
- The head is sacred and feet are lowly: don't touch anyone's head, don't point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- Topless or nude sunbathing isn't culturally accepted, even on the more touristy beaches.
- Respect flag warnings and lifeguard advice, especially during the October–December monsoon swells.
- If you go to a Full Moon Party on nearby Koh Phangan, book your return ferry in advance — they sell out.
Safety & common scams
Generally very safe, with the everyday risks being practical rather than criminal: scooter accidents among inexperienced riders, rip currents in rougher months, and Samui's well-known unmetered-taxi overcharging. Petty theft is uncommon but not unheard of on busy beaches.
Scams to know
- Fixed 'taxi mafia' fares — Samui's taxis are famously unmetered and pricey; agree the price first or use Grab where it's available.
- Jet-ski damage claims — photograph every angle of the vehicle before riding, as with Phuket.
- Scooter rental damage disputes — video the bike on pickup, including small existing scratches.
- Overpriced 'VIP' ferry or Full Moon Party packages sold on the beach — compare a couple of operators before booking.
Emergency numbers: 1155 tourist police (English-speaking) · 191 police · 1669 ambulance
Phone & internet
Grab an AIS or TrueMove tourist SIM at the airport or a 7-Eleven (roughly ฿300–500 for 8–15 days), or set up an eSIM before flying. Coverage is strong across the developed east coast, with some dead spots inland and on outer islands.
First-timer FAQs
Do I need a visa?
Most Western passports currently get 60 days visa-exempt on arrival. Rules shift — check the official Thai immigration site before booking.
Chaweng, Lamai, or Bophut — where should I stay?
Chaweng for nightlife and convenience, Lamai for a calmer but still lively alternative, and Fisherman's Village in Bophut if you'd rather have boutique charm than a party scene.
Should I fly or take the ferry to Samui?
Flying direct into Samui Airport is fastest but pricier; flying into Surat Thani on the mainland and taking a ferry across is the budget route and adds about 2–3 hours.
Is the rainy season really different here than the rest of Thailand?
Yes — Samui's peak rain falls October–December, opposite the west-coast islands like Phuket and Krabi. Plan around that if you're combining destinations.
How many days do I need?
Four to five days covers the main beaches, Big Buddha, Fisherman's Village, and a day trip to Koh Phangan or Ang Thong Marine Park comfortably.