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Samui Travel Guide

his.jpg (13907 bytes)Samui is an island located about 80 kilometers from Suratthani, the nearest mainland city. You can fly here with Bangkok Airways directly from Bangkok. They also have direct flights from Phuket, Krabi and Singapore. Pelangi Airlines now offers 2 charter flights per week direct from Kuala Lumpur, with availability subject to demand.

Those on a budget can take the trains from any of the above cities for as little as 1/10 the cost of flying. Many people book sleeping berths in the overnight trains from Bangkok. You will disembark at Suratthani station very early in the morning, from where you are taken by bus to the ferry for the 1 to 2 hour crossing from the mainland.

Buses are the least expensive option for those on a tight budget. They also travel to Suratthani from all major cities in the region.

If you have a car or motorcycle that you wish to bring to Samui, you can drive to Donsak Ferry Terminal and put your vehicle on board.

Air Plane

Samui AirportThe direct flight from Don Muang airport in Bangkok to Samui is by far the most convenient way to come. Samui Airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways and the price of the ticket is high by comparison to other comparable destinations throughout the country, however the airport is a sight for sore eyes (and sore bodies.) This delightful little facility has won International awards for its environmentally friendly design and bucolic charm.

Note: Bear in mind you will be required to pay a 450 baht per person surcharge upon your departure from Samui airport, payable in baht.

An economical option to consider is a flight from Bangkok to Suratthani with Thai Airways. The cost of the ticket is substantially less than the Bangkok Airways direct flight to Samui. However from Suratthani you will still have to take a bus from the airport to the ferry for the 1 hour 20 minute boat ride across. Because of the ferry and flight schedules, this itinerary seems more practical going than coming.

Bangkok Airways
Bangkok - Samui
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 111 0620 0750 Daily
PG 151 0700 0830 Daily
PG 121 0720 0850 Daily
PG 113 0800 0930 Daily
PG 115 0830 1000 Daily
PG 421 0840 1040 Daily
PG 153 0900 1030 2, 4, 6
PG 117 0930 1100 Daily
PG 143 1100 1210 Daily
PG 119 1130 1240 Daily
PG 123 1230 1400 Daily
PG 125 1310 1440 Daily
PG 129 1340 1510 Daily
PG 131 1430 1600 Daily
PG 145 1450 1600 Daily
PG 147 1550 1720 Daily
PG 133 1630 1800 Daily
PG 135 1720 1850 Daily
PG 139 1820 1950 Daily
PG 141 1850 2020 Daily
PG 155 1920 2050 Daily
Samui - Bangkok
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 110 0710 0840 Daily
PG 112 0730 0900 Daily
PG 114 0850 1020 Daily
PG 116 0910 1040 Daily
PG 118 1000 1130 Daily
PG 150 1030 1200 Daily
PG 152 1110 1240 Daily
PG 120 1140 1310 Daily
PG 122 1240 1350 Daily
PG 126 1310 1420 Daily
PG 144 1430 1600 Daily
PG 128 1510 1640 Daily
PG 130 1630 1740 Daily
PG 146 1650 1820 Daily
PG 132 1750 1920 2, 4, 6
PG 422 1750 2000 Daily
PG 134 1830 2000 Daily
PG 136 1910 2040 Daily
PG 138 1930 2100 Daily
PG 140 2020 2150 Daily
PG 142 2050 2220 Daily
Phuket - Samui
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 252 0950 1040 Daily
PG 245 1540 1630 Daily
PG 256 1800 1850 Daily
Samui - Phuket
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 251 0820 0910 Daily
PG 253 1410 1500 Daily
PG 255 1620 1710 Daily
Singapore - Samui
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 504 2010 2140 Daily
Samui - Singapore
Flight Departure Arrival Days
PG 503 1550 1920 Daily
Days
1. Mon 2. Tues 3. Wed 4. Thurs 5. Fri 6. Sat 7. Sun

 

Thai Airways
Bangkok - Suratthani
Flight Departure Arrival Days
TG 253 10:30 11:45 Daily
TG 277 16:15 17:30 Daily
Suratthani - Bangkok
Flight Departure Arrival Days
TG254 12:30 13:40 Daily
TG278 18:15 19:25 Daily
BUS

While it has certain drawbacks, the bus is easily the most economical way to travel, and an adventure in itself. You can buy tickets and board at the major Bangkok public bus stations, or if you are stopping at Khao San Road, you can catch an overnight bus departing in the evening, to all southern destinations including Samui. You will stop very early in the morning at Suratthani, which is the mainland access city to Samui, where you will transfer to another bus for the trip to the ferry that crosses to the island.

Be aware that not all buses are the same. Spending a few baht more can make a significant difference in comfort. The most comfortable are probably the overnight "Super VIPs." These air-conditioned double decker vehicles have toilets, seats that lean back quite far with leg rests at the bottom, and they also supply blankets for the journey. All buses stop at least once for refreshment, but little or no food or drink is served on board. An evening video is almost always shown on an overhead TV, and played at volumes that may make sleep difficult. However once the film ends around 10:00 pm, if you're lucky, you may sleep through much of the night.

Khao San Road

Known to readers of every budget traveler's guide, this little corner of the city is the first stop for many first-time travelers to Thailand who wish to spend a little time in Bangkok before continuing their journey. Catering especially to "backpackers", most find Khao San Road a very hospitable place, and the easiest way to ease into the country with a minimum of culture shock. All the merchants and travel agents speak English, there are second-hand bookshops, coffee shops and inexpensive guesthouses, and many spend a few very comfortable days there chatting with travelers from all over the world before moving on to their next destination.
AIR-CONDITIONED COACH
Tour buses run directly from Bangkok to Samui, and Samui to Bangkok via the vehicle ferry from Donsak in Suratthani Province.

Southern Bus Terminal :
Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel: (662) 435-1200, 434-7192
Bangkok - Samui
Class Departure Arrival Days Price
**2nd 19:30 08:00 Daily 308 baht
**1st 20:00 10:00 Daily 390 baht
Samui - Bangkok
Class Departure Arrival Days Price
**2nd 13:30 04:30 Daily 308 baht
**1st 14:30 05:30 Daily 390 baht
*VIP 17:00 06:00 Daily 700 baht

Notes
**Price not including ferry ticket.
*Price including ferry ticket.

SONGSERM
Joint Ticket - Bus and Express Boat
Kaosan Road, Bangkok, Tel: (662) 629-0781

Price 450 baht
Bangkok- Suratthani - Samui
Departure Arrival Departure Arrival Days
17:00 06:00 08:00 10:30 Daily
19:00 06:00 08:00 10:30 Daily
Samui - Suratthani - Bangkok
Departure Arrival Departure Arrival Days
14:00 16:30 19:30 05:00 Daily
14:00 16:30 20:00 06:00 Daily


PANTHIP BUS CO LTD
All prices below include ferry ticket (vehicle ferry Donsak - Samui)
Suratthani - Samui price 100 baht
Departure Arrival Days
06:30 10:00 Daily
08:30 12:00 Daily
12:30 16:00 Daily
14:30 18:00 Daily
15:30 19:00 Daily
16:30 20:00 Daily
Samui - Suratthani
Departure Arrival Days
07:30 11:00 Daily
09:30 13:00 Daily
11:30 15:00 Daily
13:30 17:00 Daily
14:30 18:00 Daily
16:30 19:30 Daily
Had Yai - Samui price 320 baht
Departure Arrival Days
08:00 15:30 Daily
Samui - Had Yai
Departure Arrival Days
07:30 16:00 Daily
Samui - Krabi price 290 baht
Departure Arrival Days
07:30 14:00 Daily
Krabi - Samui price 290 baht
Departure Arrival Days
10:00 19:00 Daily
Samui - Phuket price 330 baht
Departure Arrival Days
07:30 14:30 Daily
Phuket - Samui price 330 baht
Departure Arrival Days
10:00 19:00 Daily
TRAIN

You can economize by making the trip from Bangkok (or elsewhere) to Samui by taking the train, and if you have the time, it can be good fun. Most people opt for a second-class berth in a fan-cooled or air-conditioned compartment, while a private first-class cabin for two can be very romantic! Either way, the cabin service is usually quite good

While the trip is long and the noise of the train may wake you up often, new friendships are sometimes made during the journey. Don't forget to take a bottle of water and tissue paper on board with you. The conductor will waken you prior to your early morning arrival in Suratthani, but you might want to take a small alarm clock with you in case.

NOTE: If no sleeping berths or (reclining) seats in second class carriages are available, think very carefully before buying a third class train ticket. The seats are straight backed and fairly rigid, and the carriages can get very full and warm. It might be the longest journey of your life.

When you disembark at Suratthani, employees of the bus company will be waiting to stow your bags in the correct bus that will take you to the ferry pier for the boat ride to Samui.

When you board the ferry, if you're still sleepy, you can buy a seat in the "VIP" aircon lounge for 40 baht. The seats recline and are very comfortable.

These Rail-Bus-Ferry tickets can be purchased at the train station in Bangkok. For the return trip from Samui, you can buy them on the island at Songserm and other travel agents.


STATE RAILWAY OF THAILAND
Thon Buri Station Southern Line

Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Advance Booking Office.
Tel.(662) 225-0300 ext 5200-3.

Bangkok - Suratthani
Train No: Class     Departure Arrival Days
Express 83 1,2,3 A/C SCA 17:05 04:42 Daily
Rapid 173 2,3     17:35 05:23 Daily
Rapid 167 2,3   SCA 18:20 06:25 Daily
Express 85 1,2,3   SCA 19:15 07:20 Daily
Express Diesel Railcar 39 2 A/C   22:30 07:35 Daily
Express Diesel Railcar 41 2 A/C   22:50 08:01 Daily

 

Suratthani - Bangkok
Train No: Class     Departure Arrival Days
Express Diesel Railcar 40 2 A/C   10:25 20:00 Daily
Rapid 174 2,3   SCA 16:20 05:05 Daily
Express 86 1,2,3 A/C SCA 17:37 06:05 Daily
Rapid 168 2,3   SCA 18:20 07:15 Daily
Rapid 172 2,3 A/C SCA 19:52 08:35 Daily
Express Diesel Railcar 42 2 A/C   20:30 06:35 Daily
Express 84 1,2,3   SCA 20:57 09:05 Daily
Rapid 170 2,3 A/C SCA 21:17 09:45 Daily
Express Diesel Railcar 38 1,2,3 SP SCA 22:38 10:35 Daily
Express Diesel Railcar 36 1,2 SP SCA 23:08 11:00 Daily

Notes

A/C- Air-conditioned second class day coach
SCA- Sleeping car accommodation
SP- Special Express

Fares (in baht)

Train

1st class
A/C
double cabin

2nd class

3rd class

Sleeping car

Day coach

A/C

Fan

A/C Fan
upper lower upper lower
Express 1099 588 628 438 508 428 308 167
Rapid - 508 558 388 438 - 288 147
Express Diesel Railcar - - - - - 448 -