Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Get around
AsonmanyislandsinThailand,smallmotorbikesareavailableforrental.Comparedtooth-
ernearbyislands,Samui'sroadsystemsisverydevelopedandthereareplentyoftaxiscruis-
ing about, although it's a challenge to get them to use their meters.
Taxi
TheKoSamuiTaxiServiceisapublictaxiservice.Thedrivers,however,areveryreluctant
tousetheirmeters(unlikeinBangkok),and,especiallyonpopularbeachesorentrypointsto
theisland,tendtoaskforeignersmuchmorethannormalfare.Some,sayonNaThonpier,
willevenshowyouofficial-lookingpaperswith"fixed"priceslike600-800bahtfora25-30
kmtriptoChawengorLamaibeach-thisisnottrue,andoncetheyknowyou'reawareof
that,it'susuallypossibletobargain(forthisdistance,youshouldbargaintoatleast400,or
evenbetter300bahtforallcar,whichisstillhigherthanBangkokmeteredtaxiprice).On
the popular beaches it may be impossible at all to get a reasonable fare sometimes - if so,
just walk around to the some area which is quieter and far away from luxurious hotels.
By bus
Pickuptrucks/publicpassengerpick-upvehicles(songthaew)alsoserveasgrouptaxis.Hail
oneonanymajorroadwithawaveoryell,negotiateafare,andsitdownonthebenchinthe
back.Faresarearound10-20Bahtperpersonforlocaltrips,moreforthelongerones(the
pricenotonlydependsonthedistance).Driversexpectmore(sometimesafewtimesmore)
from a foreigner than from a local.
In November 2011, the price across the island (25-30 km) from Nathon pier to Chaweng
(circling north) or Lamai (circling south, 21 km) is posted near the pier as 60 baht, which
isthegoingrate.Donotaskforthepricetothebeaches,simplyhavecorrectchangeready
and hand the driver his 60 Baht when you get off. Although the samlors (departing every
10minsduringdaytimefollowingasetroute)areregulated,driversmeetingtouristsoften
attempt to charge 100 baht/person for a fully packed songthaew.
Intheeventyouwishtohireasamlorforyourpersonaluseyououghttonegotiatethecost
first, which is then comparable to a taxi cost.
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