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Getting to Samui
Samui is about 430 miles south of Bangkok and about 30 miles from the eastern coast of Thailand. The flight time from Bangkok is just over an hour, but there are also rail and road options to the southeastern coast followed by a boat trip to Samui.
Samui transportation: by air
There are often special web fares available and the price range for a one-way ticket is from around 2000-4000 baht. They also link Samui to Hong Kong, Phuket, Pattaya (U Tapao) and Singapore. Berjaya Air currently flies twice daily from Kuala Lumpur to Samui and back. It is also possible to fly to Surat Thani with Thai Airways or Orient Thai Airways (One-Two-Go) and then connect to Samui by boat, but the saving is minimal. Koh Samui airport guide.
Bangkok Airways and Berjaya Air are currently the only two airlines that serve Samui directly. Although Bangkok Airways has a virtual monopoly on the route because they built and own the airport, flights are reasonably priced and run hourly from around 6am to 9pm to Samui from Bangkok with a similar schedule returning. Several flights arrive from Chiang Mai per week (every midday except Mondays and Wednesdays). There are often special web fares available and the price range for a one-way ticket is from around 2000-4000 baht. They also link Samui to Hong Kong, Phuket, Pattaya (U Tapao) and Singapore.
Berjaya Air currently flies twice daily from Kuala Lumpur to Samui and back. It is also possible to fly to Surat Thani with Thai Airways or Orient Thai Airways (One-Two-Go) and then connect to Samui by boat, but the saving is minimal.
Click here to go Bangkok Airways Website
Click here to go Koh Samui Airport Website
Samui transportation: by train
Travelling by train is a popular option with travellers to Samui and it is possible to buy combination tickets, which include a train to Surat Thani, transfer to the pier and a boat ticket to the island. It is well worth taking this hassle free option.
There are eleven trains daily from Bangkok's Hua Lampong train station to Surat Thani leaving at: 08.45, 13.00, 14,45, 15.15, 15.35, 17.05, 17.35, 18.20, 19.30 and 22.50. First class tickets are available on the 08.05, 14.45, 15.10, and 22.05. Second class air-conditioned tickets and above are recommended and prices start from 578 baht to 1279 baht for first class sleeper. The journey takes around 9-11 hours. Taking the overnight 22.50 train and travelling by first or second-class sleeper with air conditioning is recommended as the most comfortable and convenient option. The only extra comfort you get in first class is private cubicles. Trains in Thailand are fairly safe, but if you're a light sleeper 2nd class might not be suitable. These all actually stop in Phun Phin which is about 10kms west of Surat Thani, and taxis are always waiting.
Samui Transportation by Ferry
Ferries run to and from the mainland several times a dayThe boat situation is slightly more complicated as there are four ferry ports on the main land and three on Samui, but the important thing is there are frequent departures in both directions. The price and travel time can vary hugely depending on the boat taken, but the range is from two and a half to six hours and around 150-350 baht. If you opt for the combination train-boat or bus-boat ticket this will be included in your fare, with someone to meet you at the station in Surat Thani and arrange the shuttle transfer. There is invariable a couple of hours in total wasted from waiting around.
Don Sak is the busiest and closest to Samui but is a 30 minute drive away, whie there are also boats from Ao Ban Don and Tha Thong which is closer to Surat Thani town. Khanom is miles away and rarely used. In reality the travel agents in Surat Thani can arrange you transfer and ticket on the next available ferry, but enquire with more than one to ensure they have got it right. Ferries are all slow and take about 2.5 hours, but the night sailing takes six hours. Almost all ferries arrive at Nathon on the west of the island where you will find numerous forms of transport waiting to take you to the beach of your choice. Numerous ferries depart throughout the day for the one hour journey to Koh Phan Ngan's Had rin Ferries also depart from Na Thon to Tong Sala on Koh Phan Ngan and onwards to Koh Tao. Ferry timetable for Samui, Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao.
Samui transportation by bus
Click here to go to the website
The bus is the cheapest but least comfortable option to get to Samui. Buses leave from Bangkok's Southern bus terminal and take around 12-13 hours, again it is well worth avoiding any hassle by buying a combination ticket. Expect to pay around 800 baht for a VIP bus, and certainly spending a few baht more can help to make your journey a little more comfortable. It is possible to get private bus services fro m Khao San Road, but their reliability and quality tends to vary hugely. It is worth taking the overnight bus, as you may get more peace on board when the video gets switched off.
South Schedule Air Conditioned Bus Standard 1 A V.I.P.24 Seats, Tel: +66 (02) 435 1199, 435 1200, 435 5605.
Route Fare Distance Time From Bkk to Bkk
Bkk - Koh Samui 849 768 11.50 07.30,19.00,19.30, 20.20 07.00,15.30,16.30
South Schedule Air Conditioned Bus Standard 1 C 40 Seats
Route Fare Distance Time From Bkk to Bkk
Bkk - Koh Samui 551 768 11.30 19.30, 20.00 15.30, 16.30
South Schedule Air Conditioned Bus Standard 2 47 Seats
Route Fare Distance Time From Bkk to Bkk
Bkk- Donsak-Kor Samui 430 768 11.50 07.00, 19.30, 20.30 15.30, 16.30
Bkk- Suratthani 379 668 10.00 10.50 09.00
For a great selection of places to stay visit Koh Samui Hotels for more information
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