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You won't find a highway or expressway on Samui. Instead, there
is only one main road which follows the coast around the island
and one road crossing the southern part. These roads are paved,
so they are in more or less good condition. It's difficult to go
much faster than 60Km/h, so if you feel like enjoying the scenery
along the way just go at you own pace, as people won't horn much.
The main road is approximately 50 Km long and connects the main
beaches to the town center, airport and ferry. Side roads feed off
the main road to smaller towns and villages. Getting around is relatively
easy -- all roads seem to lead back to the same place, the beach!
It is recommended that you have an international driver's license
to rent a car, and always wear a helmet while riding a motorbike.
To avoid any silly accidents keep your eyes on the road and other
vehicles, as the rules of driving in foreign countries don't always
apply in Thailand. For example, it's not unusual for Thais to make
turns without signalling, and they sometimes don't even use headlights
at night! If riding a motorbike, also be very careful of dogs and
loose gravel or sand on the road, especially after dark.
A tour around the island will take you approximately 2-3 hours
depending on how many stops you make along the way. You usually
have to access the remote beaches through hotels, but this isn't
a problem as legally there are no private beaches in Samui.
Renting a Vehicle:
Travelers who have enough time will appreciate exploring the
many interesting sites Samui has to offer on their own. Renting
your own vehicle allows you the greatest freedom to do this. The
most common mode of transport, although somewhat dangerous, is
moped. Renting one is cheap (between 120 and 150 Baht/day) as
is fuel, which can be found almost everywhere (usually just a
gasoline tank with a pump and an umbrella on top of it...very
exotic). Some bigger gas stations can be found, with prices of
course cheaper than the smaller stands.
Renting a car will cost anywhere from 800 Baht/day (without insurance
and not including gas) up to 2000 Baht for a newer model with
insurance. The condition of vehicles can vary quite a bit and
the cheapest option is not always the best. Your hotel can usually
arrange the rental and delivery of a car for you. Before signing
the contract, it's always a good idea to check the vehicle over
for any dents etc., that someone may try to charge you for later.
Taxis and Songtaews:
If you visit the beach towns of Chaweng or Lamai at night, you
will quickly find out that the main street is narrow and crowded,
making both driving and parking a car difficult. If your hotel
is not too far, it is probably better to stop a songtaew (dark
red, pick-up buses) for 20 Baht within Chaweng or Lamai. There
are no official stops at which to wait for them, but they are
easy to catch as there is always one passing by horning at you.
Just wave to them when you see one. It is recommended that you
check the price of the fare before getting into the songtaew,
or if you know the real price, just hand the exact amount to the
driver after arriving at your destination.
Metered taxis (yellow limousine cars with air-conditioning) are
a more comfortable way to move around, but be aware that the meter
is often switched off after departure, which can lead to endless
debate about the fare.
Another way of getting around is by motorbike taxis, which usually
stand by near popular spots in town. The drivers wear colored
vests and their fares are a little cheaper (10 to 20 Baht) than
the songtaews. They're easy to flag down, even if travelling in
the opposite direction. A trip on the back of a motorbike taxi
can be a real thrill, so hold on tightly!
Speedboats and Nearby islands:
To reach nearby islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan or Koh
Phangan, many speedboats depart from Bophut Bay daily. You can
contact one of the hundred tour counters available throughout
the island. A comfy way to visit the islands around Samui is via
the Catamaran High Speed Boat "Lomphraya". Boarding
is at 7:30 am, departure at 8 am. You'll return to Koh Samui at
5 pm. The cost is 1,500 Baht/person.
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