Travel tales and tips for getting around in Samui, Thailand by asiahotels.com

Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Samui, Thailand

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E Rogers	22 May 2005
Stayed at Banana Fan Sea Samui - Samui, Thailand.
We went in the low season (May) but Chaweng Beach didn't seem crowded at all and it was kept really clean. Transport was easy along Chaweng road. There was lots of Taxis and Songthaew. Chaweng is ideal as a base to go on tours, see the island, buy things you forgot to bring or simply take a break from backpacking although you might look forward to something a bit more peacefull after a while. The food and accomodation can be expensive compared to what you pay on Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. Blue Stars kakaying tour to the marine park is well worth paying a bit more for.
A Douglas	14 January 2005
Stayed at Coral Cove Chalet - Samui, Thailand.
We hired a motorbike from hotel - normally 200B/day but for a week they let us have it for 170B/day. Could have got it cheaper in town but all private hirers require you to leave your passport with them and we were not keen on that so for the limited extra cost (once you convert back to own currency) we used hotel bikes. Cheap and fun transport!!
R Johnson	13 November 2004
Stayed at Chaba Samui Resort - Samui, Thailand.
We have been going to Koh Samui for years and seen its changes. The beach and the sea are still nice. There have been more working women on the island and a lot more mixed couples residing there. People used to get around the island by renting a motorbike,a jeep or get on a public pick-up truck. Now there are private taxis and I think they are very expensive, though comfortable. From Chaweng beach to Lotus shopping centre is Bt150 and to the airport is Bt300. Our recommended restaurant is Will Wait on Chawent beach. Great food with reasonable price and shows latest movies. The other one we like I don't remember the name, but it's at the end of Chawent beach. A small, normal looking resaurant across from the new Chedi spa. It's a place for authentic Thai food with a Thai-people price.
J Melnychuk	29 September 2004
Stayed at Coral Bay Resort - Samui, Thailand.
On your first day, rent a moped for the entire stay. You can get from place to place easily, since Ko Samui is basically one main strip with resorts scattered throughout. Take a day trip to see the island's attractions...although the alligator / monkey shows were a bit grim for my taste. But the people who take you make up for it with their "mai pen rai" attitude ("nevermind" in Thai) and open smiles. Eat as much food as you can...Thai, Italian, and I had the best steak and caesar salad I've ever tried in Asia. The vendors were less aggressive here than they were in Phuket. It's amazing what you can get for your dollar...we couldn't even spend all the money we brought! I had a few hours in an upscale spa...where I tipped the girl way more than needed, simply because she made me feel something beyond "relaxed". Take the time to venture into the alleyways that shoot off from the main strip..it's where the more interesting shopping (and personalities) are. There's also a Boots Pharmacy, where you can easily stock your bathroom for the next year for under $50...everything you ever saw in a Western pharmacy / drugstore. Bring extra luggage, because you will buy every gift you ever needed. Finally, don't forget to save $15 per person for the departure tax the day you leave. Lots of surprised people in that line-up!
P Smith	21 August 2004
Stayed at Coral Bay Resort - Samui, Thailand.
The best way for getting around the island is by motor scooter. The resort offers rentals, but if there are none available, there are plenty rental shops nearby.
J Lawrence	07 August 2004
Stayed at White House Hotel, The - Samui, Thailand.
We went on a tour - Anthong Marine Park - which was a group of unspoilt islands. We did snorkelling and sea kayaking. Lovely and relaxing. We went with a company called Sea Safari. The down side was it was a 2 hour trip to get over which wasn't told beforehand. Canopy adventures was another tour which could be booked in Chaweng where you swung on ropes in the jungle! The children loved it. We hired a car and toured the island - very interesting. We travelled mostly by taxis which were easy to get and inexpensive. The beach restaurants by the White House hotel were cheap and good.
D Keenan-bokr	03 February 2004
Stayed at Samui Peninsula Spa and Resort - Samui, Thailand.
Always bargain with the collective pickup taxis. You can usually cut the quoted fare in half. We enjoy the Drop Inn on the main chaweng road. Good seafood and nice cocktails. They have a very good selection of western foods too. Next door is Baskin Robbins. Starbucks have also arrived on the island. Great coffee and cheesecake served here. Would recommend that you rent a car/jeep and tour the island youself. Remember, drive on the left! Not difficult to get used to if you come from a country where its right hand driving. There are very little traffic lights or intersections on the island.
M Zerr	26 December 2003
Stayed at Beachcomber Hotel - Samui, Thailand.
The local truck taxi's are a deal at 20baht/head, and make it very easy for getting up and down the main shopping street. When negotiating for things in the market, go down to at least half and really stick to it. Don't be afraid to walk away, as they will either call you back, or you can find it elsewhere for a better price. If the item looks more of a special item, not found everywhere, you will pay a little more but it will be worth it.
P Gorbatchev	02 December 2003
Stayed at Lawana Resort - Samui, Thailand.
If you think about Koh Samui as a quiet and secluded place, just forget it (though this depends on one’s personal definition of “secluded place”). There are quite a lot of people on the beach, but not as much as on island’s east coast. Some merchants continuously stroll around and try to sell you everything form souvenirs to dress to fruits (fruits are excellent). There is a village nearby, so the water and consequently the beach are not too clean. Around the place there are a lot of small shops and restaurants, the price in all restaurant is generally the same, though “Thai No Name restaurant” may be bit more cheap. Over the road in front of the resort there is a small shop where it is possible to buy beer, coke etc, use Internet or make an overseas call (it’s cheaper than in the resort), organize a tour or rent a bike or small 4WD. There are some tourist attractiona scattered throughout the island, so renting a car for a couple of days may be reasonable.
D Freeman	17 July 2003
Stayed at Best Western Samui Bayview Resort - Samui, Thailand.
Sea Kayaking at Angthong Islands is great! If you like snorkeling... better take your own mask and snorkel... the beach resorts don't supply them and the ones you can buy in the store leak. Best tip: Rent a small motor bike. Very cheap and you can go everywhere on the island. Samui is much more than just beaches... go to the interior. Check out the temples and waterfalls... wonderful. Good food at Drop In in Chewang. I think Koh Samui has recently been colonized by Germany, although I didn't hear about any official treaties between the two countries. I think the population of the island in July is about 50% Thai, 35% German/Austrian, and 15% other. German sausage restaurants were almost as plentiful as Thai restaurants. And German was definitely the language of choice at the beach.

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