Koh Samui Travel Guide & Money-Saving Tips

Plan a Koh Samui travel guide around Ang Thong, local food and smart savings, with the seasonal details that help your baht go further.

Ang Thong boat days and golden temple evenings

Koh Samui is a brilliant choice when the sea is the main event. Boats head out to Ang Thong National Marine Park, where limestone islands rise around green water, hidden lagoons and kayak-friendly coves. It is the sort of day that earns its place in your suitcase memories.

Back on the island, the evenings are easy to like. We would make time for the lantern-lit shophouses and Friday market at Fisherman's Village, then follow the smell of grilled seafood or southern curry rather than settling for a resort buffet.

This hub brings together what to know before going to Koh Samui and how to save money while still getting the most out of the trip.

Good to know

Chaweng is the busy, nightlife-heavy strip, while Lamai, Bophut and Maenam are quieter. Flights into Samui's private airport are pricey, so flying to Surat Thani and taking the ferry is often cheaper.

Top tips

Currency: THB (฿)
Daily spend: 700–1000+ THB per person
Hotels: 300–1000+ THB per night
Plug: American 2-prong / Europlug / Thai
Tipping: Welcomed
Timezone: GMT+7
Taxis: Grab / Bolt / inDrive
Food: foodpanda / Grab

Best time to visit

Weather, prices, crowds and the events worth travelling for.

Festive season

Good

Dec – Jan

Rains ease through December, with warm mostly sunny days, peak Christmas and New Year prices, and the island's busiest crowds.

Dry season

Great

Feb – Apr

Dry, warm weather and calm seas suit boat trips; prices soften after February, while April brings Songkran and rising heat.

Green season

Good

May – Sep

Humid weather brings short showers and lush hills; hotel rates drop, beaches feel quieter, and the sea is usually suitable for trips.

Monsoon season

Off-season

Oct – Nov

Heavy rain and rough seas bring the lowest prices and fewest visitors; November can cancel ferries and closes Ang Thong.

Cost saving tips

Fly to Surat Thani and take a joint bus-and-ferry ticket, usually cheaper than flying directly into Koh Samui.
Walk beyond the airport grounds before booking a Grab, avoiding the airport counter's higher zone fares.
Choose the big boat to Ang Thong instead of a speedboat when the slower crossing suits you.

Top tips

Agree the taxi fare before getting in because Samui taxis rarely use their meters, and night journeys can cost more.
Use red songthaews along the ring road during the day, then switch to Grab or a taxi after they stop running around 9–10 pm.
Keep small baht notes handy because some drivers, market stalls and songthaews cannot make change for large notes.
Visit Big Buddha before 9 am, and cover your shoulders and knees; sarongs are available at the entrance.
Eat boat noodles and gaeng at lunchtime because some of the best roadside kitchens sell out by early afternoon.

Packing tips

Reef shoes for rocky entries at Ang Thong snorkel stops and granite coves.
A light sarong for temple visits and covered shoulders or knees.
A packable rain jacket for short showers during the green season or monsoon months.
Seasickness tablets for speedboat crossings to Ang Thong.