A really important topic when planning your trip is preparing what to pack. Many of the items people bring along turn out to be unnecessary, or it's simply smarter and easier to buy them locally once you arrive. Today we're going to look at which items you really need — and which ones you should simply avoid.
Excess baggageAvoid when planning your trip
Excess baggage is one of those annoying topics that doesn't just make checking in harder, but in the worst case can also get very expensive. It's also worth noting that some airlines from Europe often allow more weight (around 30kg) than is permitted on the onward flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. The baggage limits with local carriers here are around 20kg, plus your normal hand luggage. You'll find more information on the topic here: Koh Samui Airport
A small trick that helps if you're a bit over the limit is to shift as much as possible of what you're carrying into your hand luggage, since hand luggage often isn't weighed as precisely. That said, you should always weigh your luggage in advance so you don't end up in a tight spot. Generally speaking, it's an advantage to travel light, since there are countless great things you can find once you're in Thailand!
Worth noting: With a combination ticket on a particular airline, that airline's weight limits also apply to the onward flight to Koh Samui.
Valid travel documentsAvoid when planning your trip
Valid travel documents are a really important topic. Please always check, a few weeks before departure, that your travel documents — and those of your family — are still valid for at least 6 months. If your passport has even just 1 day less validity than that, you could be denied entry at the border by immigration. That would truly be a tragedy if your hard-earned holiday ended that quickly.
In Thailand, all foreigners are required to carry an ID document with them! Since practically no one actually does this, and carrying the documents around, for example on a trip to the beach, is impractical anyway, you should at least always carry a copy of your passport.
If you lose your passport, please notify your embassy in Bangkok immediately so you can be issued a temporary passport without delay. You'll find all the important phone numbers here: Top 10 Phone Numbers.Tip: A brilliant trick that lets you identify yourself at any time is to save a scan of every important document (passport, driving licence, insurance, emergency numbers, etc) online. This could be a saved message with your email provider, or a file stored with one of the well-known cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, or similar. That way you can access your most important documents online from anywhere, in an emergency.
Socks (unnecessary stuff)Avoid when planning your trip
Our number 8 is one of the funnier main points you should avoid when travelling to Thailand. Socks are really 99% unnecessary! Thailand is in the tropics and has great weather all year round, with an average temperature of almost 30 degrees. Daily life happens outdoors, and the best choice is open shoes or flip-flops. Warm socks simply aren't necessary! And if you do need socks at some point — say, for hiking, jogging, or because you've caught a cold — you can buy them anywhere. If you're still not convinced, read our article: Best Time to Travel to Koh Samui.
Other things you probably won't need: thick jackets and jumpers, jeans, and much more. As for a travel adapter, that depends on your home country's plug type, so check before you travel.
Changing money at homeAvoid when planning your trip
A hot topic that really occupies everyone's mind before departure. Should I exchange my money back in Europe already, or is it better to do it once I'm there? The answer is clearly that exchanging money abroad is always preferable, since you're guaranteed to get a better exchange rate locally. However, keep in mind that on entry you may need to show a certain amount of cash at the border — happily also in your own currency. Depending on the number of people travelling, we'd recommend bringing cash equivalent to around 500-1000 euros, in whatever currency you carry.
Our tip for you: Don't exchange your money at a counter directly inside the airport - the exchange rates there are usually worse than at one of the counters outside. A real insider tip for savers and Thailand experts is the exchange office "Super Rich" in Bangkok, where you're guaranteed to get the best rate.
Wrong mosquito sprayAvoid when planning your trip
Mosquitoes and the malaria-like fever known as "dengue" are always a hot topic when it comes to travelling in Thailand. What really protects you, and where do you get an effective mosquito spray? We recommend buying a spray locally or conveniently ordering one online. The spray should contain a high dose of the ingredient "DEET". A well-known brand is Soffell, sold in a pink plastic bottle with a 12% DEET content. If you still notice mosquitoes biting you more after applying it, try a different spray with a higher DEET dose (50-90%).
The main mosquito hours in Thailand are in the morning from 5-7am and in the evening between 5-7pm. You should apply spray several times a day, and especially after physical activity or a trip to the beach, the mosquitoes will love you. Please make sure to spray yourself again right afterwards, so you can enjoy your holiday without annoying bites or illness.
Time managementAvoid when planning your trip
A common mistake when preparing your trip is poor and overly tight time management. How much time do I need to see everything in one holiday destination? Unfortunately, that question can't be answered across the board, since every tourist destination offers many different sights and excursion options.
Thailand has so many facets, so there's really only one right answer: fewer places means more time to enjoy each one! Plan enough time and spend several days in one place, so you really get to see and discover everything.
InsuranceAvoid when planning your trip
A really important point on our list is travel health insurance, which covers all hospital costs in an emergency and makes sure that, in the worst case, you get the best possible treatment or, if necessary, are even flown back home free of charge. Thailand has hospitals with a high standard in every tourist destination, and with well-known providers like Pacific Cross, April Group, and many other established travel insurers, all costs are covered without prior consultation and accepted nationwide.
With other providers, it can definitely happen that you have to cover the costs yourself first and only get reimbursed afterwards, once you've submitted the bill.
Travel health insurance is a MUST! and we strongly recommend that everyone takes it out, since otherwise your holiday could end in a real dilemma.
Wrong way to get thereAvoid when planning your trip
A real classic mistake you should really avoid is choosing the wrong way to get to Koh Samui. There are many options, and which one makes the most sense depends on your budget and the length of your trip. You can travel to Koh Samui by bus, train, boat, car, or straight away by plane.
How quickly and comfortably you get to the island depends on which option you choose. Here you'll find an overview of all the ways to get there: How Do I Get to Koh Samui?
If your holiday time is limited, though, we recommend the direct flight to Koh Samui. It's a bit more expensive than travelling overland, but your limited holiday time is precious, and it's much more worthwhile spending that time on the beautiful island instead. The flight time from Bangkok to Koh Samui is 1 hour 45 minutes, and you land at one of the most beautiful airports in the world! The approach offers an unforgettable view over the whole island, which makes up for the slightly higher cost.
Choice of accommodationAvoid when planning your trip
When choosing your accommodation, you should strictly avoid falling for one of the overpriced offers. Prices range from affordable to outrageously expensive. Doing some research online helps you compare prices in advance and gives you a rough idea of the seasonal rates.
Hotels, resorts, and bungalows that aren't directly on the beach are considerably cheaper than the big-name hotel complexes. Anyone who books smart and really wants to save money can look for a suitable place to stay directly on site, or get in touch with one of the local holiday rental agencies.
You'll be surprised what kind of location and top-quality facilities you can get in houses and villas — for a fraction of the normal hotel cost.
A tip: Share your travel dates and wishes with a local booking agency in good time, and let yourself be surprised by the wide range on offer.
Weather forecastsAvoid when planning your trip
Our number 1 thing to avoid when preparing for your trip is completely ignoring the weather forecast. Koh Samui has its own distinct microclimate, and its seasons differ hugely from other spots on Thailand's west coast, like Phuket or Krabi.
Fundamentally, Koh Samui is always a great destination that you can visit all year round. The period from late December to late April is the most popular time to visit, even though April is considered the hottest month of the year! This period is known as high season (peak and high season) and, statistically, has only around 5 rainy days per month.
From May to mid-October is the dry season; island life is usually quieter during this time, and temperatures are also very warm. Rain is rare, and you'll be treated to plenty of sunshine most of the time.
From mid-October to mid-December is the rainy season, when most of the annual rainfall occurs. Rain showers can last longer than the showers typically seen elsewhere in Southeast Asia. But don't worry! Rainy season doesn't mean it rains the whole time, just a bit more than in the other seasons. Even during the rainy season, a trip to Koh Samui is always worthwhile, and prices for accommodation and services are much lower during this period too, so you can get some great one-off discounts!
The best tours on Koh Samui Explore now
Excess baggage is one of those annoying topics that doesn't just make checking in harder, but in the worst case can also get very expensive. It's also worth noting that some airlines from Europe often allow more weight (around 30kg) than is permitted on the onward flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui. The baggage limits with local carriers here are around 20kg, plus your normal hand luggage. You'll find more information on the topic here: Koh Samui Airport
A small trick that helps if you're a bit over the limit is to shift as much as possible of what you're carrying into your hand luggage, since hand luggage often isn't weighed as precisely. That said, you should always weigh your luggage in advance so you don't end up in a tight spot. Generally speaking, it's an advantage to travel light, since there are countless great things you can find once you're in Thailand!
Worth noting: With a combination ticket on a particular airline, that airline's weight limits also apply to the onward flight to Koh Samui.
Valid travel documents are a really important topic. Please always check, a few weeks before departure, that your travel documents — and those of your family — are still valid for at least 6 months. If your passport has even just 1 day less validity than that, you could be denied entry at the border by immigration. That would truly be a tragedy if your hard-earned holiday ended that quickly.
In Thailand, all foreigners are required to carry an ID document with them! Since practically no one actually does this, and carrying the documents around, for example on a trip to the beach, is impractical anyway, you should at least always carry a copy of your passport.
If you lose your passport, please notify your embassy in Bangkok immediately so you can be issued a temporary passport without delay. You'll find all the important phone numbers here: Top 10 Phone Numbers.
Tip: A brilliant trick that lets you identify yourself at any time is to save a scan of every important document (passport, driving licence, insurance, emergency numbers, etc) online. This could be a saved message with your email provider, or a file stored with one of the well-known cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, or similar. That way you can access your most important documents online from anywhere, in an emergency.
Our number 8 is one of the funnier main points you should avoid when travelling to Thailand. Socks are really 99% unnecessary! Thailand is in the tropics and has great weather all year round, with an average temperature of almost 30 degrees. Daily life happens outdoors, and the best choice is open shoes or flip-flops. Warm socks simply aren't necessary! And if you do need socks at some point — say, for hiking, jogging, or because you've caught a cold — you can buy them anywhere. If you're still not convinced, read our article: Best Time to Travel to Koh Samui.
Other things you probably won't need: thick jackets and jumpers, jeans, and much more. As for a travel adapter, that depends on your home country's plug type, so check before you travel.
A hot topic that really occupies everyone's mind before departure. Should I exchange my money back in Europe already, or is it better to do it once I'm there? The answer is clearly that exchanging money abroad is always preferable, since you're guaranteed to get a better exchange rate locally. However, keep in mind that on entry you may need to show a certain amount of cash at the border — happily also in your own currency. Depending on the number of people travelling, we'd recommend bringing cash equivalent to around 500-1000 euros, in whatever currency you carry.
Our tip for you: Don't exchange your money at a counter directly inside the airport - the exchange rates there are usually worse than at one of the counters outside. A real insider tip for savers and Thailand experts is the exchange office "Super Rich" in Bangkok, where you're guaranteed to get the best rate.
Mosquitoes and the malaria-like fever known as "dengue" are always a hot topic when it comes to travelling in Thailand. What really protects you, and where do you get an effective mosquito spray? We recommend buying a spray locally or conveniently ordering one online. The spray should contain a high dose of the ingredient "DEET". A well-known brand is Soffell, sold in a pink plastic bottle with a 12% DEET content. If you still notice mosquitoes biting you more after applying it, try a different spray with a higher DEET dose (50-90%).
The main mosquito hours in Thailand are in the morning from 5-7am and in the evening between 5-7pm. You should apply spray several times a day, and especially after physical activity or a trip to the beach, the mosquitoes will love you. Please make sure to spray yourself again right afterwards, so you can enjoy your holiday without annoying bites or illness.
A common mistake when preparing your trip is poor and overly tight time management. How much time do I need to see everything in one holiday destination? Unfortunately, that question can't be answered across the board, since every tourist destination offers many different sights and excursion options.
Thailand has so many facets, so there's really only one right answer: fewer places means more time to enjoy each one! Plan enough time and spend several days in one place, so you really get to see and discover everything.
A really important point on our list is travel health insurance, which covers all hospital costs in an emergency and makes sure that, in the worst case, you get the best possible treatment or, if necessary, are even flown back home free of charge. Thailand has hospitals with a high standard in every tourist destination, and with well-known providers like Pacific Cross, April Group, and many other established travel insurers, all costs are covered without prior consultation and accepted nationwide.
With other providers, it can definitely happen that you have to cover the costs yourself first and only get reimbursed afterwards, once you've submitted the bill.
Travel health insurance is a MUST! and we strongly recommend that everyone takes it out, since otherwise your holiday could end in a real dilemma.
A real classic mistake you should really avoid is choosing the wrong way to get to Koh Samui. There are many options, and which one makes the most sense depends on your budget and the length of your trip. You can travel to Koh Samui by bus, train, boat, car, or straight away by plane.
How quickly and comfortably you get to the island depends on which option you choose. Here you'll find an overview of all the ways to get there: How Do I Get to Koh Samui?
If your holiday time is limited, though, we recommend the direct flight to Koh Samui. It's a bit more expensive than travelling overland, but your limited holiday time is precious, and it's much more worthwhile spending that time on the beautiful island instead. The flight time from Bangkok to Koh Samui is 1 hour 45 minutes, and you land at one of the most beautiful airports in the world! The approach offers an unforgettable view over the whole island, which makes up for the slightly higher cost.
When choosing your accommodation, you should strictly avoid falling for one of the overpriced offers. Prices range from affordable to outrageously expensive. Doing some research online helps you compare prices in advance and gives you a rough idea of the seasonal rates.
Hotels, resorts, and bungalows that aren't directly on the beach are considerably cheaper than the big-name hotel complexes. Anyone who books smart and really wants to save money can look for a suitable place to stay directly on site, or get in touch with one of the local holiday rental agencies.
You'll be surprised what kind of location and top-quality facilities you can get in houses and villas — for a fraction of the normal hotel cost.
A tip: Share your travel dates and wishes with a local booking agency in good time, and let yourself be surprised by the wide range on offer.
Our number 1 thing to avoid when preparing for your trip is completely ignoring the weather forecast. Koh Samui has its own distinct microclimate, and its seasons differ hugely from other spots on Thailand's west coast, like Phuket or Krabi.
Fundamentally, Koh Samui is always a great destination that you can visit all year round. The period from late December to late April is the most popular time to visit, even though April is considered the hottest month of the year! This period is known as high season (peak and high season) and, statistically, has only around 5 rainy days per month.
From May to mid-October is the dry season; island life is usually quieter during this time, and temperatures are also very warm. Rain is rare, and you'll be treated to plenty of sunshine most of the time.
From mid-October to mid-December is the rainy season, when most of the annual rainfall occurs. Rain showers can last longer than the showers typically seen elsewhere in Southeast Asia. But don't worry! Rainy season doesn't mean it rains the whole time, just a bit more than in the other seasons. Even during the rainy season, a trip to Koh Samui is always worthwhile, and prices for accommodation and services are much lower during this period too, so you can get some great one-off discounts!
