TIPS - How Expensive Is a Holiday on SAMUI

Planning a holiday in Thailand on Samui, but how expensive will it actually be and what should you budget for? On Thailand's third-largest tourist island, Koh Samui, you'll find everything a tourist could need for their holiday. From simple and affordable to luxurious and pricey, no wish is left unfulfilled here. It all depends on your requirements, expectations and budget. Of course, every trip is different and everyone has different ideas, so it's impossible to give one flat price that suits everyone. But you'll find more information and detailed prices further down!

Costs on Koh Samui at a Glance

If you've never been to Samui before, here are a few quick examples of what you should budget for on Koh Samui. Don't forget that your visa plays an important role: depending on your nationality, many travellers (including most passport holders from Europe, North America and Australia) can stay in Thailand for 30 days without a visa. For anything beyond 30 days, or if your nationality isn't visa-exempt, you'll need to apply for a visa at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country. For your own safety, please check the entry stamp you receive at passport control on Thai soil. There is a stamp that permits a stay of 30 days. Keep in mind that your passport must still be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date and have at least 3 blank pages. These tips will save you a lot of money, nerves and time on your day of departure. You'll also receive an Arrival Card on the plane, which you must fill in correctly and present at passport control. Keep the stamped part of the returned Arrival Card safely in your passport, as you'll need it again when you leave Thailand.

The Flight to Thailand

Many travellers from Europe prefer the direct long-haul flight to Bangkok. Others, on the other hand, like to have a stopover a bit past the halfway point of the route, to have a smoke, stretch their legs, or grab a bargain at the duty-free shop. Visitors from North America, Australia or elsewhere will usually connect through a major Asian hub. Whichever option you choose, you'll need to change planes at least once to reach Koh Samui, since the island's airport is too small for the big long-haul aircraft. Depending on the season and how far in advance you book, a round-trip flight from Europe to Thailand typically costs between roughly €350 and €900 per person (prices from North America or Australia will differ). As a rule of thumb, plan for around 20 to 24 hours of total travel time from your front door until you arrive at your accommodation on Koh Samui. (Thailand is in the GMT+7 time zone year-round, with no daylight saving, so check the time difference from your own time zone before you travel.)

Transport Costs on Koh Samui at a Glance

There are many ways to get around Samui independently and flexibly. The available modes of transport are almost as varied as the country itself. We've listed the approximate costs for each mode of transport below: as of 2020

• 125cc automatic scooter: approx. €4.30 per day (the longer you rent, the cheaper the daily rate)
• 300cc - 1000cc motorbike: €25 to €75 per day (varies depending on rental period and model)
• Car from €23 to €200 per day (fully insured, varies depending on rental period and model)
• Petrol (91 octane) approx. €0.60 per litre
• Taxi or scooter taxi prices vary depending on the time of day (night surcharge) and distance. A scooter taxi is usually at least half the price. (The price is often negotiable) Open red shared taxis (Songthaew) €0.50 to €3 (depending on route and time of day, with a night surcharge)
• Shuttle bus from €30 from Samui to Bangkok (12-hour journey)
• Boat from €10 from Samui to Koh Phangan (30-minute crossing)
• Ferry from €5 from Samui to the mainland Donsak Pier (90-minute crossing)
• Domestic flight from €100 from Samui to Bangkok (60-minute flight)
• Alternatively, the 60-minute domestic flight from €20, reachable via ferry (90 minutes) and bus shuttle (120 minutes) from Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat to Bangkok.

The best prices for airport-island transfers, scooter rentals or a private VIP shuttle can be found here: All Transfers Koh Samui If you decide to rent a scooter for your time on Koh Samui, we recommend being an experienced rider and always wearing a helmet and sturdy footwear. For your own safety, you should bring an international driving licence (under the 1926 convention), overseas health insurance and some experience driving on the left. Traffic in Thailand doesn't flow the way it does in orderly Europe, and rules like right-of-way or traffic lights are often ignored. Here you'll find our Top 10 Scooter Rules on Koh Samui. You can flag down local taxis directly at the roadside, or order one via an app like NaviGo or GrabTaxi on your smartphone. By the way, WiFi is usually free if you just ask nicely, in almost every restaurant, hotel, massage studio, bar, pub, coffee shop, etc. Otherwise, there are of course the so-called "traveller SIM cards" with various data packages, available in almost every supermarket, phone shop, airport or ferry terminal. These can only be bought and registered together with a valid ID. Reliable providers with almost nationwide LTE/5G coverage are AIS, Dtac and True Move. The internet in Thailand generally works considerably better than many visitors expect, and you'll be surprised to still get good reception far out on a boat or up in the mountains.

Finding and Booking Accommodation on Koh Samui

Booking accommodation is a tricky, very individual topic, since everyone has a different idea of what a dream holiday stay on Samui should look like. Some prefer living right on the beach in a classic bamboo bungalow under shady palm trees, equipped with just a fan, while others much prefer a modern villa with air conditioning, a great view and a private pool. Which category do you fall into? In between, there's of course also a huge range of hostels, hotels, resorts, bungalows and luxurious high-end properties. The prices listed below are given in euros for easy comparison, based on the exchange rate at the time of writing, and on an accommodation standard that we personally consider good. Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the current EUR/THB rate before you travel - remember that in Thailand you'll actually be paying in Thai Baht.

Accommodation Cost Examples

• Hostel bed in a dorm with air conditioning and shared bathroom from €7 per person per night
• Beach bungalow from €20 per night (for 2 people)
• Apartment in a condo with shared pool from €15 per night (for 2 people)
• Hotel double room with private bathroom and air conditioning from €25 per night (for 2 people)
• Villa with private pool from €40 per night (for 2 people)
• Luxurious room in a more exquisite resort, €100 per night (for 2 people)

We usually book our own accommodation on Koh Samui through Airbnb. We've had very good experiences with it so far and haven't been disappointed by misleading photos or information. Koh Samui has over 1,200 registered properties, and the choice of private villas, bungalows and other accommodation is huge. So it's up to you whether you research reviews of a property online beforehand, or get an overview directly on the spot.

Food & Drink Cost Examples

• Pad Thai or Khao Pad (fried noodles or fried rice), €2 to €3.50 per portion
• Som Tam (papaya salad) €1.50 per portion, sticky rice €0.30 per portion
• Tom Yum Goong (spicy soup with prawns) €3.50 per portion
• Meat skewers (satay skewers from an open-air food stall) approx. €0.30 to €0.50 each
• Fruit shakes in restaurants €2.30, soft drinks €1.50, beer €2.30
• Burger €5.20, pizza €5 to €10 (depending on toppings and size)
• Meal at McDonald's, KFC or Burger King €4 to €7 including a drink
• Breakfast (2 fried eggs with toast, butter, jam and a small juice) €6 per portion

In our opinion, it's generally not worth grocery shopping and cooking at home, since you can eat cheaply at the many food stalls and local restaurants. That said, you should bring a bit of patience, as it can sometimes take a little longer. If you want to eat well and save money at the same time, choose restaurants whose ambience doesn't look too polished and that aren't in a prime spot with a fantastic sea view or right on the beach. You can spot those by their decorative, nicely laid tables - there, for example, a Western dish like pizza, lasagne or a burger with fries and a drink can easily set you back €10 or more.

Costs for Activities and Excursions

The cost of day trips for excursions, activities or sightseeing varies quite a bit depending on the itinerary, guided tours and duration. Above all, many of the touristy activities have by now become aligned with Western price levels. Below, we've listed a few example excursion prices.

• Temple visit: free admission at small temples (donations are gladly accepted)
• Temple visit (admission to touristy temples), in some places €0.60 per person
• Entrance fee for Angthong National Park €8.60, although the fee is often already included in the tour price, so there's no extra cost
• Admission to most waterfalls is free; sometimes there's a small fee (€0.60) for parking or similar
• Admission to a Muay Thai event with international fighters from €43
• Thai massage from €7 for 1 hour, either on the beach or in a salon
• ATV jungle safari with sightseeing, €90 per person
• Trip to an elephant sanctuary, €86 per person (excursion including hotel transfer, preparing a meal, feeding and a vegan lunch)
• Full-day jungle safari, €43 per person
• Snorkelling trip by boat, €55 per person including equipment
• Sightseeing in an air-conditioned minibus, €29 per person

Many short activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, footgolf, paintball, or bungee jumping can be done on Samui on your own. For many other activities or excursions, however, it makes sense to book in advance and have a local guide with you. That way you often learn much more about the country and its people, there's no risk of running into language problems, and you don't have to deal with unpredictable price negotiations. On the boat trips we've booked around the Koh Samui archipelago, we've experienced good safety standards. We were helped when boarding and disembarking, every passenger received a life jacket, and there was plenty of room and seating. The swell can sometimes pick up during the trip, so we recommend taking a travel sickness tablet before departure. There are pharmacies on almost every street corner.

Other Expenses, Partying & Shopping

We've now briefly covered the main expenses that add up during your stay on Samui. On top of that, of course, there are also all the other little expenses that quickly make you take a second look in your wallet and wonder where today's money has gone already - a coffee here, an ice cream there, a quick fruit shake before your massage, and a new charging cable. So here's a short list of a few more example prices.

• Clothing: approximate prices for shirts €5, shorts €12, handbags €30, belts €6, flip-flops €4, sunglasses €5 (no brand-name goods)
• Laundry service (washing, drying and ironing) approx. €1.20 per kg of laundry
• Mobile SIM card for your smartphone, e.g. €10 for 14 days with 3 GB of high-speed data
• Mosquito repellent 100 ml €3, and Tiger Balm for insect bites, muscle tension, etc. approx. €2
• Electronics (TVs, smartphones) are priced similarly to Europe, North America or Australia, although chargers and headsets are often cheaper.
• Alcohol in clubs or bars is relatively expensive. A 0.33L beer (Chang 5%, Singha 5%, Leo 5%) costs about €2.90, cocktails about €7.20. Thailand has an import tax on spirits of any kind, so an original 0.5L bottle of Jack Daniels can cost as much as €32 here. Cocktails from mobile stands are often good and cheap at around €2.90. Entry into clubs, however, is usually free, unless it's a special night with well-known DJs. The regular sale of alcoholic drinks throughout Thailand is only permitted in shops and supermarkets from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to midnight. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, if you visit a small kiosk or restaurant during these restricted hours - although this is officially not allowed.
• Cigarettes €1.50 to €3.50 per pack (like LM or Marlboro). Souvenirs from €1 (e.g. incense sticks, fruit-scented soap €3, decorated coconut shells €4). In shops that don't have a "fixed price" sign, you're welcome to haggle politely, such as for wooden goods, religious amulets, cosmetics, paintings, etc.
• Sunscreen is relatively expensive on Samui compared to prices in Europe, North America or Australia. We therefore recommend bringing your own sunscreen from home.

Currency and Exchange Rate in Thailand

As soon as you set foot on Thai soil, you'll pay for everything in Baht. Other currencies are generally not accepted here. The Thai Baht (THB) is the official currency, valid throughout the country, and should be treated with respect, since the King is pictured on the banknotes. To get Baht, you can either use one of the many roadside exchange booths, change money at one of the local banks, or withdraw Baht directly from an ATM. Withdrawing with your card usually costs a fee of around €6.30. It's a good idea to call your bank before your trip to have your card enabled for Thailand if necessary, and to check or adjust your daily withdrawal limit. The fluctuating daily exchange rate is clearly displayed in your own currency, on paper or a monitor, at every official exchange booth.