Travel

About Speed Boat Transfers   The Full Moon Party held on Haad Rin beach in Koh Phangan in Thailand is famous all over the world. It draws up to 30,000 people every full moon.   With such massive number of people heading to Koh Phangan for every full moon party, Koh Samui has various transfer services to transport people to the Haad Rin beach, but you might be wondering which of them is the best. The best one is, without a doubt, the speedboat; it only takes twenty-five minutes to get to the beach from Koh Samui.   The ferry services take you to Thong Sala, but the speedboats take you directly to the Haad Rin beach where the full moon party is held, which means that once you get there, you can start partying right away, instead of getting taxis from the pier in Koh Phangan and finding your way to the beach. The total cost of getting to the beach by either means is pretty much the same, but you save an hour approximately if you take the speedboat. Speedboats are also more convenient as they leave more frequently, about every hour, as compared to ferry services.   Travelling to the full moon party via a speedboat is very safe as well, as it is regulated by the Marine Police on both ends; they make sure that the boats follow all the safety protocols and do not overload with passengers.   Our team only includes sailors and staff who take the job seriously. They will ensure that you get to the Haad Rin beach for the party and back, safe and sound, so the only thing you will have to do is have a blast at the party. Please note that everyone will be required to wear a life jacket; seasickness medications will be available before departure (free of cost).   What you can expect at the Full Moon Party?   The Full Moon Party is a tradition that began in the mid 1980s, when a group of tourists arranged a get together with their friends to enjoy the beautiful spectacle. As the years passed, the number of people grew and now about 10,000 to 30,000 people visit the beach every full moon to celebrate.   The part actually starts at sunset, when revelers fill the one-kilometer beach, wearing swimsuits, full moon vests, as well as fluorescent body paint. The Haad Rin beach is also known as the Sunrise Beach, and it offers something to everyone. It is filled with open-air clubs and bars that play different types of music, alcohol bucket vendors, stalls of food, and a lot more. The party goes on until sunrise when you get to witness the beautiful spectacle that has become the beach’s namesake.   There is a lot to see in Koh Phangan as the locals entertain everyone with fire eating, juggling acts, and a permanent fixture that is the 30 feet tall, “Full Moon Party Haad Rin Koh Phangan” sign that is set alight during every full moon party. There will be a lot to eat and drink as the bars also serve barbecues, and there will be a lot of street food as well to keep you energized and fresh with party cocktails, buckets, and everything else.   The odds of your travel to Thailand are probably to be a part of the legendary Full Moon Party. Koh Samui is very busy during this time so it is better to plan ahead and make your that you, your friends, or your group, is able to get to Haad Rin beach quickly and safely.   You can do that by booking a speedboat with us so you can simply enjoy later. All you will then have to do is pick up an alcohol bucket, get body paint and glow sticks, and get the party started.   How Full Moon Party Speed Boat Transfers Work   Speedboats operate several times an hour, departing from 17:00 until 00:00.   - Hotel transfers are between 90 minutes prior to departure time. Please ensure you are waiting in your hotel lobby during this time. - Bookings are made for hourly departure intervals, e.g. booking 18:00 is an 18:00-19:00 departure time with a 17:00-17:30 hotel pick up time. - During peak times (19:00-22:00), due to passenger numbers and demands placed on hotel transfers, expect a waiting time of up to an hour at the pier before departure. - Return journeys back to Koh Samui operate between 01:00-07:00. Due to the nature of the evening, there is no booking return times due to the unreliability of passengers, and is operated on a queue basis. - During peak times (03:00-06:00) there can be waits of up to two hours for the return boat due to heavy demand placed on a limited number of speed boats – Please respect the boat staff during this time.

Landing at an airport in a new place, heading out to find a taxi and negotiating the fare can be quite taxing. But you can avoid all that helter-skelter and the waiting with our private transfer service from Koh Samui airport to your hotel. Your private taxi will be waiting for you at the airport so you can head straight to your hotel.   A friendly and helpful driver will be waiting for you, as you exit the arrival area, and will greet you and take your luggage. The driver will take you directly to your private taxi that will be parked a short distance away.   The drivers we employ are one of the best and highly reputed among the drivers in Koh Samui. They provide an excellent service and will carefully stow your luggage into the taxi before taking you to your destination.   The vacations fly by in the blink of an eye and then it is time to leave. It can be quite hectic to checkout of the hotel, take your luggage, and find a taxi to get to the airport in a timely manner. But Samuidaytours can relieve you of that stress and make going back home a breeze. We will take care of everything, including checking with your hotel staff, your flight details, etc., and will arrive early to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.   Our airport transfer vehicles are very well maintained, are air-conditioned, and have comfortable seats; all our vehicles are spacious. We provided both taxis and mini-buses, depending on the size of your group. A taxi is suitable for three adults, or two adults and two children, plus the luggage; mini-buses are best suited for a group size of up to eight people.   You can make your hotel transfer reservations with Samuidaytours, both from the airport to your hotel and back if you want the best price along with excellent service.   You can contact us for a quoted price if you want to find the prices for transfers in Koh Samui to locations for which the price is not listed.

When going from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai, people who want a taste of Thailand usually go by buses and trains; but we also have flights available if you want to save your precious time.   Koh Samui to Chiang Mai by Bus and Ferry   The buses for Chiang Mai leave daily from Koh Samui, travelling through Bangkok. The journey takes around twenty-two hours in total, and the buses have both standard and VIP seats.   You will be picked up from your hotel in Koh Samui and taken to the Nathon bus station. The journey begins from Nathon with a short ferry ride, after which you take the bus to Bangkok. The bus will board the ferry separately. It will take ninety minutes to get to the mainland from where you will take your bus to Bangkok.   The ferries are spacious and sturdy enough to withstand strong waves, and are spacious with ample seating. They are air-conditioned, and also have facilities including restroom and a shop for buying snacks, drinks, and food. The ferry journey is very comfortable.   From the Mo Chit bus station in Bangkok, you will change your bus and begin the ten-hour journey to Chiang Mai. There will be signs, as well as bus attendants, that will guide you along.   VIP Bus   The VIP buses have fewer seats compared to the standard buses, therefore they have more room in them, are spacious, and the seats can recline more. The buses are also air-conditioned. On the VIP bus, you will get refreshments and snacks, the price of which is already included in your ticket. There will also be a bathroom on board the bus. You will also be served a hot meal when the bus stops for rest. The VIP buses travel overnight to Bangkok, from where you will switch to the bus for Chiang Mai. The services on the bus to Chiang Mai will be similar, and the journey will take eight hours.   Standard Bus   The standard buses also leave from Koh Samui at night, travelling overnight. The seats are comfortable with a reasonable space and a comfortable recline.   Koh Samui to Chiang Mai by Train   The train takes thirty hours to get to Chiang Mai; although this takes more time compared to buses, the trains are more comfortable, have a bed you can rest and sleep on, and also move around and stretch your legs.   Many tourists consider the train ride a must experience for people visiting Thailand. The train provides a good platform for seeing the beautiful scenery of Thailand, meeting like-minded fellows, having drinks and meeting other travellers to share experiences with.   The train leaves from Surat Thani, so the first leg of your journey is from Koh Samui to the train station. This takes between three to four hours, and the journey begins when you are picked from your hotel. The initial journey is the same as mentioned above, including a bus and a ferry ride. The train will head to Bangkok first, which will take fourteen hours, and then you will change the train and begin a thirteen-hour journey to Chiang Mai.   First Class Sleepers   The most comfortable ones among the aforementioned are the first class sleepers. They are secure, lockable, have air conditioning, sleeping compartments with two berths, and have clean beddings for both berths. Bathrooms are also available, situated at the end of each carriage: the bathrooms include fresh water shower as well. The passengers who are travelling alone will have to share the compartment with another passenger; if they want full occupancy, they will have to pay 500 Bahts extra. Both berths can be converted into sofas to recline and relax during mornings and evenings. If you are after comfort, luxury, and privacy, first class sleepers are for you.   Second Class Sleepers   Popular amongst youngsters and backpackers due to their affordability are the second-class sleepers; they also save cost on hotels. The berths are comfortable and structured in a dorm-style manner against the walls of the carriage, on the central aisle. The berth on the top is slightly narrow but it also costs 100 Thai Bahts less in price. There is ample room for the luggage as well. They are available in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned carriages. The latter costs 200 Thai Bahts less. Your bags are safe on the train, but to be extra safe, keep your bags locked. When the journey begins, there are two seats facing each other, but they can be pulled together to form a bunk later on. The upper bunk folds out from the wall. The train staff will hook up curtains for privacy and also lay down fresh sheets on your berth.   Second Class Seats   The cheapest among all of them are the second-class seats; they are recommended for people who are on a budget. The carriages are modern and have air-conditioning and comfortable seats that can recline enough for you to sleep on. Light meals are also served on board.   Koh Samui to Chiang Mai by Air   There is one flight from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai per day, and the ticket costs between 6000 to 8000 Thai Bahts. The travel time is only two hours.   Another way to fly to Chiang Mai is to catch the flight through Bangkok. The first part of the journey takes an hour to an hour and a half, depending the type of airplane. You can find more details about this on our website, on the Koh Samui to Bangkok page. You have to reach the airport forty-five minutes before departure.   Once you arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, you can catch your connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Depending on the connecting flight you have booked, you may or may not have to go through security clearance again. In the former case, you will have to pick up your luggage and take a shuttle to the Don Muang Airport, situated on the other side of Bangkok; most domestic flights leave from there.   The flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is of about an hour and a half. Travelling from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai by air, though two flights, will cost you between 4000 to 8000 Thai Bahts, depending upon the airports and flights.

Koh Samui to Hua Hin by Bus   It takes about nine hours to reach Hua Hin from Koh Samui via bus; the buses have both VIP and economy seats available. All the buses for Hua Hin leave from the Nathon Bus Station.   The journey to Hua Hin will begin with a hotel transfer to Nathon Bus Terminal; you will be picked up from your hotel an hour before departure, on a mini-bus. This journey includes a ninety-minute ferry ride to the mainland in Donsak. You and the bus both board the ferry separately, and then continue the journey from Donsak.   The bus will stop midway in the journey at a Thai service station, where you will find shops, restaurants, and toilet facilities. Movies are also played in the buses but they are normally in Thai language.   Koh Samui to Hua Hin by Ferry   The journey to Hua Hin from Koh Samui totals nine hours; these services are operated by local ferry companies that arrange transfers between Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan. There is one extra stop at the port town of Chumphon in this journey, toward the north west of Koh Tao. From the mainland there, a bus will take you to Hua Hin, which will be a five-hour journey.   Since you will be on the ferry for a significant part of the journey, you won’t have to worry about staying seated all the way. You can walk around and stretch your legs and bask in the sun on the ferry, or you can just rest inside in the air-conditioned cabin. The ferry has bathroom facilities, a shop for food and snacks, and movies are played for entertainment both on the ferry and on the bus from Chumphon. Once you reach Chumphon, you will have a break of half an hour to rest and grab a bite from the restaurant. This package includes transfer from your hotel in Koh Samui to the ferry pier, one hour before departure.   In Hua Hin, you will be dropped at the Hua Hin Marker Village, a place where you will easily find tuk-tuks, taxis, and songthaews to proceed with your travels.   Koh Samui to Hua Hin by Train   Trains are one of the best ways to sightsee quickly, no matter where in the world you are. It takes twelve hours to get to Hua Hin from Koh Samui. Although this journey is longer compared to the bus ride to Hua Hin, it is the experience that makes it worth it. During the train journey, you can interact with people more comfortable, meet like-minded people, and can share stories and learn from fellow travelers. Moreover, the trains have the comfort of berths so you can sleep comfortably and reach your destination with full energy.   Our train ride package includes a transfer from your hotel to Nathon Bus Station, from where you will take the bus to Surat Thani train station. Getting from Koh Samui to the mainland involves a ninety-minute ferry ride. Once you reach Surat Thani, a mini-bus will transport you to the train station.   For the train ride, you can choose to travel in first class sleeper, second-class sleeper, or second-class seating. The train is very popular among tourists, especially during festivals, like Full Moon, Xmas, New Year, Songkran (Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong, so make sure to book your ticket in advance.   The most comfortable ones among the aforementioned are the first class sleepers. They are secure, lockable, have air conditioning, sleeping compartments with two berths, and have clean beddings for both berths. Bathrooms are also available, situated at the end of each carriage: the bathrooms include fresh water shower as well. The passengers who are travelling alone will have to share the compartment with another passenger; if they want full occupancy, they will have to pay 500 Bahts extra. Both berths can be converted into sofas to recline and relax during mornings and evenings. If you are after comfort, luxury, and privacy, first class sleepers are for you.   Popular amongst youngsters and backpackers due to their affordability are the second-class sleepers; they also save cost on hotels. The berths are comfortable and structured in a dorm-style manner against the walls of the carriage, on the central aisle. The berth on the top is slightly narrow but it also costs 100 Thai Bahts less in price. There is ample room for the luggage as well. They are available in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned carriages. The latter costs 200 Thai Bahts less. Your bags are safe on the train, but to be extra safe, keep your bags locked. When the journey begins, there are two seats facing each other, but they can be pulled together to form a bunk later on. The upper bunk folds out from the wall. The train staff will hook up curtains for privacy and also lay down fresh sheets on your berth.   The cheapest among all of them are the second-class seats; they are recommended for people who are on a budget. The carriages are modern and have air-conditioning and comfortable seats that can recline enough for you to sleep on. Light meals are also served on board.   Koh Samui to Hua Hin by Air   There are no direct flights from Koh Samui to Hua Hin. And, it is neither feasible nor affordable to try and get connecting flights for Hua Hin from Koh Samui, because the modes of transport that are available get you there just as fast but in the fraction of the cost.   Private Transfers to Hua Hin   We also offer private transfers to Hua Hin, just like we do for most of our destinations. A private transfer service includes a car or a mini-bus, depending on the number of people, and a chauffeur who will pick you up from your hotel and drive you all the way to your destination. This is often faster than other public transports. Please do note that a ferry transfer is involved when going from Koh Samui to Hua Hin, and the ferry tickets for the passengers are not included in our price. (120 Thai Baht.)

Koh Samui to Koh Chang by Bus   The journey from Koh Samui to Koh Chang takes around twenty hours if you take the bus. The trip includes a pick-up from your hotel to the Nathon Bus Station from where you will head to the ferry port and take the ninety-minute ride to Donsak. From Donsak, you will take the bus to Bangkok, which will take ten hours, and then head to Koh Chang through connecting services, a seven-hour ride.   The buses will be air-conditioned and will have both Economic and VIP seats available. The chief difference between the two classes is reclining space, legroom, and the food and snacks that are served to the VIP guests. The buses stops frequently at the Thai service stations so the guests can relax, use the toilets, freshen up, eat, and get snacks for the journey.   This trip requires two ferry rides. Both rides will be aboard car ferries, which are spacious, large, sturdy, can withstand tough weather, and include bathroom facilities, sundeck, air-conditioned cabin, plenty of seating, as well as a ship for food and snacks. For people suffering from seasickness, we recommend taking the seasickness pill twenty minutes before the departure.   Koh Samui to Koh Chang by Ferry   To travel to Koh Chang by ferry, you start your journey by taking the ferry from Koh Samui to Chumphon—from Chumphon, which is halfway between Bangkok and Koh Samui, you will take the bus and travel overnight to the capital. Once you reach Bangkok, you will take the ferry again and begin your journey to Koh Chang; the ferry journey is slower when compared to bus, but it is specifically designed for foreigners and tourists. The ferries have air-conditioned cabins, plenty of seats, toilets, shops for food and snacks, etc. English movies are played on board for your entertainment and to help you pass the time. This journey takes around twenty-three hours. You can socialize easily with others onboard, head out to the sundeck for a smoke, and enjoy the beautiful nature all around.   Instead of arriving at the bus station, like you would on a bus ride, you will arrive at a well-known tourist favorite area in Bangkok; when you arrive, you will get the transfer to Ekamai Station from where you can get the bus to Koh Chang.   Koh Samui to Koh Chang by Train   There are no trains to Koh Chang or Trat.   Koh Samui to Koh Chang by Plane   Although Koh Samui has no direct flights to Koh Chang, you can easily find connecting flights via Bangkok to Trat—it is on the mainland, close to Koh Chang. The travel to for both destinations (with Bangkok Airways) is three and a half hours to five hours, and the tickets cost between 5900 Thai Bahts to 8500 Thai Bahts. This is the easiest and simplest way to get to Koh Chang; a mini bus service that charges 300 Thai Baht and includes a ferry ticket can take you to Koh Chang from the airport.   Please remember that you have to reach the airport forty-five minutes before your flight time. Although the transfer from hotel to airport is not included, you can arrange it with us separately.   The flights to Trat are only available from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport; these flights take only one hour and cost between 2500 Thai Bahts to 3800 Thai Bahts. You can also get to Bangkok via ferry, bus, or train, or flights from Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Tammarat airport.   If you fly from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Tammarat, you will add another five or six hours to your trip, as it involves taking a ferry from Koh Samui and a then bus to the said airport. Hotel transfer is included in Koh Samui and the rate is around 1300 to 2500 Thai Bahts, which saves significantly on the Bangkok Airways service.   Private Transfer to Koh Samui to Koh Chang   We also offer private transfers from Koh Samui to Koh Chang. A private transfer service includes a car or a mini-bus, depending on the number of people, and a chauffeur who will pick you up from your hotel and drive you all the way to your destination. This is often faster than other public transports. It also allows you to travel directly to Koh Chang without any bus, ferry, or plane changes.

With our competitively priced transfers, going to Koh Lanta from Koh Samui via bus or plane can’t possibly get any easier.   To go from Koh Samui to Koh Lanta, you will have to take a ferry from the Ao Nang. But for the larger leg of the journey, you can either go by land or by air; you can choose your mode of transport depending upon your budget.   Koh Samui to Koh Lanta by Bus   The cheapest way to get to Koh Lanta from Koh Samui is by bus. There is a daily bus service from Koh for Koh Lanta, but only one bus leaves per day, at 8 AM in the morning. First, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Nathon Bus Station. Then you will board the bus and head to Surat Thani City, which also includes a ninety-minute ferry ride to the mainland in Donsak. Both the buses and ferries are comfortable and air-conditioned, and the ferry has ample seating, sundeck, toilet facilities, shop for snacks, and even a massage service at times.   From Donsak, there will be an eighty-minute journey to Surat Thani, and then you will switch your bus and head to Koh Lanta. The time for changing the bus is thirty minutes, which gives you enough time to freshen up, use the toilet, and buy any food and drinks you need. The bus will then head to Ao Nang, from where you have to take a ferry to get to the island.   Koh Samui to Koh Lanta by Air   From Koh Samui, there is one daily flight to Krabi International Airport. This is the quickest way to get to Koh Lanta, and the flight only takes fifty-five minutes. The price of the ticket changes depending on the seat availability, and typically ranges between 3000 to 4500 Thai Bahts. Samuidaytours can get you the best rates for the tickets given our contacts at the airport.   From Krabi, you will take the mini-bus service to Koh Lanta, which will only take an hour, and then take the ferry to the island; the ferry ride is only a half hour long.   You can get in touch with us to get the best prices, updates, and ticket prices for flights from Koh Samui to Krabi, as well as for the connecting services to Koh Lanta.