This is a test Blog - Let's see if it works!
This blog is meant to see if everything is working or not
- Book flights at least three weeks out to avoid Bangkok Airways surge pricing
- The ferry from Surat Thani saves 60% but adds two hours to your journey
- Download Grab before you land — it’s the only rideshare app that works reliably here
- Avoid renting scooters without an international driving permit — insurance won’t cover you
- The south coast between Lamai and Hua Thanon has the best sunsets and fewest crowds
Getting to Koh Samui
After eight years of living here, I’ve tried every route imaginable. There are really only two ways onto this island that make sense, and which one you choose depends entirely on your budget and how much time you’re willing to spend in transit.
The airport is tiny, charming, and absurdly expensive to fly into. Bangkok Airways has a near-monopoly on the route, and they price accordingly. But if you book three weeks out, you can sometimes catch a fare that doesn’t make you wince.
The flight option
Bangkok Airways runs multiple daily flights from Suvarnabhumi. The planes are small, the views on descent are gorgeous, and the airport itself feels like a resort lobby — open-air walkways, tropical gardens, the works. You’ll be on the beach within 30 minutes of landing.
Ted’s Tip
Book your Bangkok Airways flight at least 3 weeks out. Prices jump 40–60% inside the two-week window. Set a fare alert on Google Flights and wait for the dip.
The ferry option
Fly to Surat Thani (much cheaper — AirAsia and Nok Air both run this route), then take a Lomprayah or Seatran ferry from Donsak Pier. Total journey is about 5–6 hours door to door, but you’ll save 60% compared to flying direct. The ferries are comfortable, air-conditioned, and the crossing takes roughly 90 minutes.
Getting around the island
Samui is bigger than most people expect. The ring road is 51 kilometers, and while that doesn’t sound like much, the hills and curves mean you’re not covering it quickly. You need some form of transport unless you plan to stay within walking distance of your hotel for the entire trip.
The options break down into five categories, each with distinct tradeoffs in cost, convenience, and risk.
Scooters
The most popular option among long-term visitors and the most dangerous for newcomers. I rent one every day, but I’ve also been riding for eight years and know every pothole on the ring road. If you don’t have genuine riding experience, skip it.
Ted’s Tip
Save your hotel or rental address in Thai script on your phone before you arrive. It makes taxi interactions ten times smoother. Sounds small. It’s not.
Grab and rideshare apps
Grab works on Samui, but coverage is patchy outside the main tourist areas. Bolt launched recently and sometimes has better availability in the south. Download both before you land. Neither works well without mobile data, so sort your eSIM situation at the airport.
What most guides get wrong
Every transport guide for Koh Samui tells you to rent a scooter. Most of them are written by people who visited for a week. The reality is more nuanced — the accident rate among tourists on scooters is genuinely alarming, and Thai hospitals, while competent, are expensive without insurance.
The smart play for a first visit is Grab plus the occasional songthaew. You’ll spend maybe 500–800 baht per day on transport, which is less than a scooter rental plus the international driving permit plus the insurance you should absolutely be carrying.
