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 Lamai, Koh Samui over land or water, the best way is to fly.
AIRPORT AND PIER TRANSFERS
It takes around 30 minutes to reach Lamai from Samui Airport depending on traffic. If you are travelling by ferry, the trip from Nathon Pier can take between 35 minutes to 50 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 SCOOTER
Hundreds of scooter rental shops are dotting Lamai village. Travelling on two wheels is the fastest and most convenient way to move around Lamai as you can zig-zag the traffic and park just about anywhere, however, a certain level of experience is required. 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. And, of course, make sure you wear a helmet.
RENTAL CAR
Car travel in Lamai is an easy and comfortable way to move about the city and explore other areas. It is recommended, though, to select a 4×4 wheel drive car as the Samui is featured with steep hills and cliffs, which can be only reached by a power 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 when renting a car such as Hertz, Avis and Budget Car Rentals.
SONGTHAEWS OR PICK-UP TAXIS
Songthaews or “two-benches” are simple pick-up tracks that follow their set routes and pick up or drop off passengers at any site along the route. The trip usually costs THB20, and anyone can simply jump into the truck or require the stop ringing a bell. Though the route is described in English, it can be tricky to puzzle out how to get to the destination point for the first-time traveller so always double check where the vehicle is going.
TAXI
There are a plethora of taxis cruising along the streets of Lamai, making it easy to get around the town. Though, it is also an expensive way to move about as there is only one taxi company that operates on Samui island with the bright red and yellow sedan-style taxis with the “Meter-Taxi” sign on top. Even though cars are equipped with meters, local drivers rarely use them, so before getting to the car make sure you agreed on a price.