Private transfers from Samui International Airport
Samui International Airport, built and run by Bangkok Airways, is in the north-east of Koh Samui, about 2 km north of Chaweng. Its terminals have an unusual open-air design, and most flights connect the island with Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore and other regional hubs.
Because the airport is so close to the main beaches, most transfers are short: Chaweng takes about 10 minutes, Choeng Mon and Big Buddha less, and Lamai around half an hour. We also drive to the quieter resorts of the west and south coasts, and to the piers for boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Your driver waits at the Meeting area in the arrivals hall with your name, and the price is fixed for the whole vehicle, agreed before you fly. Travelling on elsewhere? See all our transfers in Thailand.
Arriving at Samui Airport: where to meet your driver
A tram takes you from the aircraft to the arrivals building. International passengers go through immigration and collect their bags at Gate 5; domestic arrivals, including flights from Bangkok, collect bags at Gate 4. Then walk into the arrivals hall, where the transport and hotel counters are, and find your driver at the Meeting area holding a sign with your name. We send the driver's name and phone number before you fly.
Transfer times from Samui Airport
- Big Buddha and Bang Rak: 5–10 minutes
- Choeng Mon: 5–10 minutes
- Chaweng: 10–20 minutes
- Bophut and Fisherman’s Village: 10–20 minutes
- Chaweng Noi: 15–20 minutes
- Maenam: 20–30 minutes
- Lamai: 25–35 minutes
- Nathon pier: 35–45 minutes
- Lipa Noi: 40–50 minutes
- Taling Ngam: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Chaweng Beach Road is slowest from late afternoon into the evening.
Boats to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the mainland
Big Buddha pier, a few minutes from the airport, has ferries to Koh Phangan, and high-speed boats to Koh Tao and Chumphon leave from Maenam, about 6 km north-west of the airport. Car ferries to Donsak on the mainland use the piers at Nathon and Lipa Noi on the west coast.
Going straight from the plane to a boat? Give us both times. We track your flight, so the pickup moves with any delay, and we drive you to the right pier.