Koh Samui Guide: Getting There, Beaches & the Full Moon Party
Koh Samui is Thailand's third-largest island and the main entry point for the southern Gulf islands. It has its own airport with direct flights from Bangkok. Around 2 to 3 million tourists visit each year.
If you're going to the Full Moon Party: regular ferries to Koh Phangan stop at 5–6pm. You won't get back to Samui after the party on a regular ferry. See our Full Moon Party transport guide for speedboat options, or consider staying on Koh Phangan instead.
How to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok
4 options, from fastest to cheapest:
Direct flight: Bangkok Airways flies direct from Suvarnabhumi to Koh Samui Airport. Around 15 flights per day. Takes about 1 hour. Most expensive option.
Flight + ferry: Fly to Surat Thani (Nok Air or AirAsia from Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi), then take a bus and ferry to Koh Samui. Cheaper than a direct flight. Total journey around 3 hours.
Train + ferry: Overnight train from Hua Lamphong to Surat Thani, then bus and ferry to the island. Comfortable for the price. Buy a bus and ferry package at Surat Thani station.
Bus + ferry: Around 22 daily departures from Bangkok's bus stations. Cheapest option. Takes around 12 hours total.
Getting around Koh Samui
Songthaew (shared taxi truck): The cheapest option. Fixed routes have fixed prices from around 10 THB. For custom destinations, agree on a price before you get in.
Taxi: Comfortable but expensive. No meters used. Always agree on the price first. Starts at around 50 THB (~1.50 USD) for short trips.
Motorbike rental: The most common choice. Around 100–200 THB (~3–6 USD) per day. Leave cash as a deposit, not your passport. Take photos of the bike before you ride.
Grab: Available on the island but rides are expensive and hard to get compared to the mainland.
Beaches
Koh Samui has around 40 beaches. These are the most visited:
Chaweng Beach: The busiest beach on the island. Long white sand, clear water, and the main nightlife strip. Best if you want bars and restaurants nearby.
Lamai Beach: Quieter than Chaweng. Good for swimming and sunbathing. Restaurants and bars without the crowd.
Silver Beach: Small, secluded bay on the northeast coast. Calmer water, fewer people. Good for snorkeling from shore.
Maenam Beach: Long beach on the north coast. Quiet and local. Shaded spots and a night market on Fridays.
Bophut Beach: Home to Fisherman's Village. Small boutiques, restaurants, and a Friday night walking street. Quieter than Chaweng.
Things to do
Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai): A 12-metre gold Buddha on the north side of the island. Free entry. Good views of Koh Phangan from the steps.
Na Muang Waterfall: An 80-metre waterfall about 12 km from Nathon. 2 separate falls. The first is easy to reach. The second needs a short hike on slippery rocks. Best visited in December when flow is high.
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: A rescue sanctuary near Chaweng. You can feed, bathe, and walk with the elephants. No riding. Worth a half day.
Overlap Stone: A hilltop viewpoint west of Lamai. Entrance 50 THB (~1.50 USD). Steep dirt track. Good at sunrise or sunset.
Ang Thong Marine Park: A group of 42 limestone islands northeast of Koh Samui. Day trips by boat run from Nathon pier. Good for kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.
Nightlife
Chaweng Beach Road is the main nightlife area. Green Mango Club is the best-known venue. ARKbar on the beach has fire shows every night with cheap drinks.
For a full guide, see our Koh Samui nightlife page.
Getting to the Full Moon Party from Koh Samui
Koh Phangan is 30–60 minutes from Koh Samui by ferry. The Haad Rin Queen departs from Bangrak pier and lands directly at Haad Rin beach, the party venue. No taxi needed on arrival.
Regular ferries run until around 5–6pm. If you want to attend the party and return to Samui the same night, you need a night-crossing speedboat package. These depart late evening and return after the party ends at sunrise.
The simpler option is to stay on Koh Phangan. See our transport guide for all routes, operators, and booking links.