Getting There
FERRY AND BUS
There are plenty of companies that carry out transfers from Phuket to Samui. The trip consists of terrestrial and marine transfers and ranges from six to seven hours. Buses depart from the central bus station in Phuket and bring travellers to Koh Phangan pier where passengers make a transfer for the modern and fast catamaran, which brings visitors to Nathon Pier located on the north-western coast of Koh Samui. Usually, there are two daily transfers for Koh Samui, but the timing can range due to the travel operator.
PLANE
Although it is possible to get to Laem Sor, Koh Samui over land or water, the best way is to fly.
AIRPORT AND PIER TRANSFERS
It takes around 1 hour to reach Laem Sor from Samui Airport depending on traffic. If you are travelling by ferry from Phuket, the trip from Nathon Pier will take around 30 minutes. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa.
AIRPORT TAXI
Alternatively, there is a taxi desk at the arrival level which arranges one-way fares at a fixed-price. If you opt not to use the taxi desk, there are numerous taxi drivers waiting outside the arrival terminal so you can negotiate the price with them. Even though there is a big sign “Meter-Taxi” on the roof of taxis, local drivers rarely use them, so it is recommended to discuss the price beforehand. You can opt one of the transfer options – a shared mini van with other travellers or a private taxi. A shared taxi is essentially cheaper but usually requires at least five passengers to depart.
Getting Around
There are several options, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers:
PRIVATE CAR
Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. Depending on which villa you are staying in, the cost for the private car and chauffeur can vary, so it’s recommended to contact our Ministry of Villas team to get the complete information about the private transfers.
RENTAL CAR
Car travel is a convenient way to move around the area, although not necessary if you are not going to explore the rest of the island. If you decided to travel further afield select a 4×4 wheel drive car, as Samui’s landscape is rather hilly, and it can be challenging to ride up the cliff on a small economy-type vehicle. Also, take into account, that the lower rental price implies the absence of insurance and a poor condition of the vehicle so opt the international brands, if possible, when renting a car, such as Hertz, Avis and Budget Car Rentals, which are more trustworthy than the local rental shops.
RENTAL SCOOTER
Laem Sor is a tiny area, and if you are not planning to explore further afield, the scooter is not necessary as everything can be reached within a short walk from your villa property. Though, if you decided to rent a motorbike take into account that you must always have an international drivers license on your person, otherwise, the local police can issue you a ticket with a summons to appear in court. Always opt bikes with insurance, and, of course, make sure you wear a helmet.
TAXI
It might be challenging to find a taxi at Laem Sor as the village is rather secluded and remote. However, you can always request a pick-up by phone or ask your villa manager to arrange a taxi for you.