Koh Samui FAQ: Getting Around

How do I get around Koh Samui?

Songthaews (shared red pickup trucks with bench seats) are the only public transport: flag one down on the ring road, pay cash when you get off, roughly 50-100 THB per daytime hop - agree the price first. After dark they work as pricey private charters. Taxis exist but never use meters; agree a fixed price before the car moves (roughly 200-500 THB between main areas). Grab works but with a small driver pool. Many visitors rent a scooter (140-350 THB/day) or car; driving is on the left.

What is a songthaew and how do I use one?

A songthaew is a shared red pickup truck with two benches in the back - Koh Samui's version of a public bus, and its only public transport. They run along the ring road in daytime. Flag one down anywhere, tell the driver your stop, and pay cash when you get off. Locals pay roughly 20-50 THB for short hops; tourists are commonly quoted 50-150 THB, so confirm the price before boarding. After dark the same trucks switch to negotiated private-charter prices.

Do taxis in Koh Samui use the meter?

No. The yellow-and-red cars are marked 'taxi meter', but drivers almost never switch the meter on. Every trip is a negotiated fixed price, and prices are high by Thai standards: roughly 200-500 THB between the main beach areas, almost never under 200 THB. Always agree the fare before the car moves. Grab or Bolt often costs less for the same route and the app fixes the price in advance, but driver numbers are limited, especially outside tourist areas and late at night.

Is there Grab or Uber in Koh Samui?

Uber does not operate in Thailand. Grab works on Koh Samui and often beats negotiated taxi prices, but the driver pool is small: expect longer waits, surge pricing at busy times, and little or no availability in quiet areas or late at night. Bolt and inDrive are also reported with limited drivers. Important: app-based cars cannot pick up inside Samui Airport - use the official taxi counter or shared minivan on arrival.

Do I need a licence to rent a scooter in Koh Samui?

Yes. Legally you need a motorcycle licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit (IDP, 1949 or 1968 convention) with the motorcycle category. A car licence does not cover any scooter in Thailand. Rental shops may not check, but riding unlicensed is illegal and can void your insurance. Helmet fines increased in June 2025 (up to 2,000 THB). Typical rental is 140-350 THB per day for a 125cc scooter; photograph the bike's condition before riding away.

Should I rent a car in Koh Samui?

A rental car is the comfortable, weather-proof way to explore, and the practical choice for families. International brands have counters at the airport and local companies operate island-wide. You need your home driving licence plus an International Driving Permit covering cars; Thailand drives on the left. Indicative prices are about 900-1,500 THB per day for a small car (2026 sources). The ring road (Route 4169, about 51 km) links all main beach towns; take care on the steep southwest 4170 hills, especially when wet.