How To Reach Koh Samui

How to Reach Koh Samui, Thailand

By Flight: The most convenient way to reach Koh Samui is by flight. There is an airport on the island itself called Samui International Airport (USM), which serves as the nearest airport to the destination. Most international tourists take connecting flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport, BKK) or other regional hubs to Koh Samui.

By Train: There is no direct train to Koh Samui as it is an island. However, visitors can take a train ride to Surat Thani from various parts of Thailand and then transfer to a bus and ferry service to reach the island. The train journey is scenic and includes a combination of rail, bus, and ferry transit.

By Road: To reach Koh Samui by road, you will need to drive to the Donsak Pier in Surat Thani province and then take a ferry to the island. This mode of transportation can include personal vehicle travel, bus journeys, and finally, the ferry transfer. Please note that the whole road journey includes several sections and a ferry transfer, as Koh Samui is an island and not accessible by driving the entire way.

How to Reach Koh Samui from India's Top 10 Cities

Considering that India's top 10 cities by population are Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Jaipur, here is a general guide for traveling from these cities to Koh Samui:

By Flight (Nearest Airport: Samui International Airport - USM):

• Direct flights from India to Thailand are primarily available to Bangkok. From Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, one may find direct flights to Bangkok.
• From cities like Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Jaipur, connecting flights via Indian metro cities or Middle Eastern hubs may be needed.
• After reaching Bangkok, travellers can take one of the several daily flights to Koh Samui.

By Road (stopping over at Surat Thani to catch a ferry):

• Overland international travel by road from India to Thailand is an adventure and not commonly taken due to the distance, varying road conditions, and border crossing requirements.
• It may involve traveling through multiple countries, including Nepal, China or Myanmar, and then entering Thailand, with Bangkok being approximately 4,500 km away from India's nearest point.
• If attempted, the journey would require multiple stopovers, and it is usually recommended only for experienced overland travellers.
• Upon reaching Thailand, travelers need to head towards Donsak Pier in Surat Thani province to take a ferry to Koh Samui.

By Train:

• There are no direct trains from India to Thailand due to geographically separated locations with international borders.
• The overland travelers, once in Thailand, can use the country's extensive railway network to reach Surat Thani, the closest train station to Koh Samui, and then continue to Donsak Pier to ferry over to the island.

Air travel remains the most practical and popular option among international travelers visiting Koh Samui from India.