Getting There and Away

В 

Planes
There is only one domestic airline that flies into Koh Samui - Bangkok Airways. They also own and run the only airport. Check out the flight times over the page. If your next destination is Malaysia, then fly from Samui to K.L with Pelangi Air Thurs/Sun only. Bangkok Airways also fly most days to Singapore direct from Samui. When you're travelling from Samui to Bangkok and you want to save some money fly with Thai Airways from Suratthani - you will save about 900B but add four hours to your journey.

Flights to Krabi are back on. When leaving Samui Airport, be prepared to pay the 400B Airport tax for domestic flights and 500B for international flights. Make sure you buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment and always reconfirm your flights at least 24 hours in advance. Travelers to Australia are now able to obtain electronic visas from Travel Solutions (see below). Most European citizens, Canadians and U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.

Trains
When travelling from Bangkok to Samui, it is highly recommended you get a night sleeper train. These trains are more comfortable and ensure smoother bus and ferry connections. All trains run from Hualamphong Station. We advise that you buy a combination ticket which will include all your transport right through to Samui. Train tickets can vary greatly in price depending on the carriage class and whether the carriage is air-conditioned or fan. Expect to pay around 690B + for a ticket. The last sleeper now leaves at 19.15.

Train fares have increased again and are higher at weekends. When you're travelling from Samui up to Bangkok the last ferries that connect to a bus to take you to Suratthani train station leave from Nathon at 13.30, 15.00 and 15.30. The prices differ for each as they are run by different companies. There are many trains leaving every evening going to Bangkok. We advise that you book the ticket early as the better the connection will be. Try to book the train at least 4 days in advance to ensure a seat and sooner during festival periods. From Suratthani you can catch trains to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Malaysia amongst others. For Singapore you must buy the last leg in Malaysia. Note services are often disrupted Oct-Dec.

Automobiles
There are bus services to most destinations in Thailand. Bangkok to Samui buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal. There are V.I.P, first and second-class buses available. These are all air-conditioned. For an easier and cheaper journey, buy a bus/boat combination ticket from Khao San Road. The price for a V.I.P bus from Samui to Bangkok is around 450B including the ferry from Nathon to Suratthani. The bus journey takes around 12 hours.

As a rule buses are not to be relied upon especially if you have a connecting flight. Prices increase during peak seasons and public holidays. For VIP buses from Samui to Bangkok, the ferry leaves Samui at 13.30. To get to Suratthani town from Samui, it will take approximately 3 hours. You will usually have a 2 hour wait either at the pier or in Suratthani town for the bus up to Bangkok depending on the company you are travelling with.

This bus will drop you off on the famous Khao San Road. There are daily early morning bus services to Phi-Phi, Khao Lak and Koh Lanta from Samui whilst Krabi, Phuket and Khao Sok have an additional afternoon service. The 8.00a.m. Seatran Express to Krabi is the fastest. Heading south buses also go to Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and even Singapore. Whether travelling from the Airport or from Nathon pier, the cheapest mode of public transport is a sorngthaew (the covered, red pick-up trucks). If you do get a private taxi (usually yellow), agree a price with the driver first! They do not run their meters and there are fixed prices for different destinations.

Extending Your Stay
Foreigners are allowed to stay 30 days in the kingdom without a visa. If you have a tourist visa, these generally last for 60 days, with the opportunity to extend another 30 days. A visa extension now costs 1,900B. Overstaying your visa costs 200B per day, with a maximum fine of 20,000B payable on exit from Thailand. To extend your visa, or for other immigration questions, go to Samui's Immigration Office. From Nathon, go south on the ring road 1km to the traffic lights. Turn right and you will see the office on the right hand side. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30 -16.30.

Ferries
Songserm Ferries run a regular service between Suratthani and Nathon. (The 13.30 Songserm express boat is the current scheduled service). Seatran Express currently run an 08.00am service from Samui that connects with the 12.35 flight and a 15.00 service from Samui that connects with the 19.15 flight, both to Bangkok, from Surat Thani airport.

Please note these services are often disrupted/cancelled on a daily basis in Oct-Dec subject to sea conditions. Check times with your tour operator or with the staff at Travel Solutions. These services also depart from Koh Phangan but an hour earlier.

The services to Suratthani have connecting transfers to the train station and the airport via Suratthani Town.

Tip of the Month
- Can’t sleep? Sleeping too much?
- Get up and get out and earn your dinner!
- Come back tired and sated from a fishing trip
- With dinner in hand to boot!

В