Coming To Samui In June, Some Questions

[zink]

I'm planning to travel to Samui for a holiday and I have a few questions:

- how much a taxi between airport and Chaweng beach costs?

- what about songthaew between villages, I heard it shouldn't cost more than 50B?

- Any experiences on "Samui paradise Chaweng", "Ever Green" and "Samui Island Beach Resort and Hotel (Bungalow)" hotels?

- Going from Samui to Bangkok by a night train seems an interesting idea. Any experiences? How much a trip from Chaweng to Nathon would cost with luggage?

I heard that you can buy complete ferry+train tickets at railway station in Bangkok. Does that mean that when I arrive by ferry from Samui, the bus will be waiting at the port and will take me to the railway station?

How safe is Surat Thani railway station in the night?

How much time I should reserve for a trip from Chaweng to Surat Thani railway station? For example if I take 10.26pm train, would it be ok to leave at 5pm to Nathon and 6pm from Nathon by Ferry (I heard that ferry ride takes three hours)?

- And about those cheap AirAsia flights: Is there any way to get reliably to Surat Thani airport from Chaweng in time for the flight (flight leaves at 10.45am)?

Thanks for any assistance!

[MichaelShort]

Hi Zink,

Going with train shouldnt be any problem. It is quite alright from Suratthani and the only people there in the night are the Taxis. (year 2000 it was private cars today I dont know). It's not like someone will robb you. But still never let your guard down.

You also have buses from Suratthani to busstation but what time they stop runnin I dont know.

Regarding the Ferry ride, anything can happen there. Problem with engine, breakdown etc. I had problem once and the ferry was 45 min late.

Regarding Samui it's better if someone there answerer prices 2001- the TAXI meter 300 bath from Airpot to Chaweng (the meter never work and I mean never.)

cheers

Michael

[drummer]

I'm planning to travel to Samui for a holiday and I have a few questions:

- how much a taxi between airport and Chaweng beach costs?

How much do you have?

- Going from Samui to Bangkok by a night train seems an interesting idea. Any experiences? How much a trip from Chaweng to Nathon would cost with luggage?

I haven't taken it yet, but the wife frequently does - she likes it (presuming you get the sleeper car, of course!) I've taken the train to Malaysia from BKK before - not bad at all. There is also the Catamaran to BKK as well. (high speed catamaran to Chumpon, bus to BKK = 1,000 THB) It stops in Phagngan + Koh Tao as well. Less time travelling that way, but with the extra stops its about the same.

[zink]

Thanks for the information!

Where I can find timetables and prices for this Samui - Chumpon catamaran?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

100 baht. Buy ticket from desk next to baggage collection.

30 to 50 baht.

Dunno.

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

You can buy the combined ticket from Samui. Yes, there will be co-ordination.

?????

The combined ticket would take this into account. Bus/Ferry ticket to Phun Phin(Surat Thani) station will cost no more than 300 baht.

Yes, take the 5 am or 6am ferry from Samui.

The alternative Samui to Bangkok Ferry/Bus combination is run by Lomprayah. Do a search.

Edited April 12, 2006 by Jiu-Jitsu

[kdvsn]

Where I can find timetables and prices for this Samui - Chumpon catamaran?

http://www.lomprayah.com

[Samuian]

by train:

for Ferry:

this company also runs a bus service from the Suratthani Train Station (Pun Pin) to the Ferry Port.

reliable, professional, clean...no rip off!

by Coach:

by Air:

Transport on the Island

The Taxi prices are a bit out of date - it's generally now 50 Baht for the average trip - with the Limousine "Taxi Meters" you'll have to negotiate the price BEFORE you get in! they will charge you NOT by the Meter - but some Fantasy Price around 500.- ThB for any Trip - any Distance!

Edited April 15, 2006 by Samuian

[luckyboy]

by train:

for Ferry:

this company also runs a bus service from the Suratthani Train Station (Pun Pin) to the Ferry Port.

reliable, professional, clean...no rip off!

by Coach:

by Air:

Transport on the Island

The Taxi prices are a bit out of date - it's generally now 50 Baht for the average trip - with the Limousine "Taxi Meters" you'll have to negotiate the price BEFORE you get in! they will charge you NOT by the Meter - but some Fantasy Price around 500.- ThB for any Trip - any Distance!

Anyone arriving by train very early in the morning at Suratthani station can just go to OUM's restaurant.Look-up for Mr. Hai,speaks good english and ready to provide honest straightforward travel information to guest that sat for a cup of coffee.

OUM's restaurant can be easily spotted from the train exit,the shopfront had a yellow sunshade with a big OUM painted on it.

Mr.Hai's phone number 0810861204

[PoorSucker]

There is a shuttle bus operated by Bangkok airways that will take you to your hotel.

Never, never take a yellow taxi.

[samui04]

There is a shuttle bus operated by Bangkok airways that will take you to your hotel.

Never, never take a yellow taxi.

Yes, 200b lamai or chaweng.

Unfortunately no cheap service for going back, the hotel will call a taxi/private minivan for 500b.

[koheesti]

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

I think he's asking about prices on SAMUI. It's 400 baht just from the airport 2-3 km away to Chaweng. You can sometimes push a hard bargain and get one between Bangrak and Chaweng for 300 baht but no way you can get a taxi all the way from Nathon to Chaweng for only 400 baht. The songthaews aren't 50 baht either between Chaweng-Nathon. You'd have to pay that just to go from the stoplight in Bophut to Tesco. Granted, if your Thai is good enough you can probably explain to the songthaew driver that you know how much they are supposed to charge but if you don't they'll try to rip you off. But IMO, songthaew drivers are just taxi drivers in training.

[dwoon]

Can anyone advise whether I can get 95RON petrol in Samui?

I've heard conflicting reports that 95RON petrol is no longer being sold in Thailand. (Only 95 Gasohol is available)

Appreciate if someone can confirm.

If its available, is it by any chance called "Alpha-X 95" rather than "Gasohol 95"?

Thanks for the assistance.

BTW, what the price of it? (I saw in PTT webby it was 21.39 bahts/ltr) Is this accurate?

[susquosh]

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

I think he's asking about prices on SAMUI. It's 400 baht just from the airport 2-3 km away to Chaweng. You can sometimes push a hard bargain and get one between Bangrak and Chaweng for 300 baht but no way you can get a taxi all the way from Nathon to Chaweng for only 400 baht. The songthaews aren't 50 baht either between Chaweng-Nathon. You'd have to pay that just to go from the stoplight in Bophut to Tesco. Granted, if your Thai is good enough you can probably explain to the songthaew driver that you know how much they are supposed to charge but if you don't they'll try to rip you off. But IMO, songthaew drivers are just taxi drivers in training.

Songthaew between Nathon and Chaweng costs Bht.60 as per the published price in the vehicle.The trick is to have the right change.

[goldfish]

Can anyone advise whether I can get 95RON petrol in Samui?

I've heard conflicting reports that 95RON petrol is no longer being sold in Thailand. (Only 95 Gasohol is available)

Appreciate if someone can confirm.

If its available, is it by any chance called "Alpha-X 95" rather than "Gasohol 95"?

Thanks for the assistance.

BTW, what the price of it? (I saw in PTT webby it was 21.39 bahts/ltr) Is this accurate?

This is a general no. There was a place between Nathon and Maenam that was still selling it (the station with a ? for a sign) but none of the other stations sell it. Unless someone knows better, then I'd say it's not available

P.s. this thread is two and a half years old. The op has since settled down, had kids and is looking forward to his retirement

[koheesti]

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

I think he's asking about prices on SAMUI. It's 400 baht just from the airport 2-3 km away to Chaweng. You can sometimes push a hard bargain and get one between Bangrak and Chaweng for 300 baht but no way you can get a taxi all the way from Nathon to Chaweng for only 400 baht. The songthaews aren't 50 baht either between Chaweng-Nathon. You'd have to pay that just to go from the stoplight in Bophut to Tesco. Granted, if your Thai is good enough you can probably explain to the songthaew driver that you know how much they are supposed to charge but if you don't they'll try to rip you off. But IMO, songthaew drivers are just taxi drivers in training.

Songthaew between Nathon and Chaweng costs Bht.60 as per the published price in the vehicle.The trick is to have the right change.

Is that published price in English? There are so many tourists and expats around that you'd think they would have it in English.

I was having a debate with someone about the price. He told me "just hop on without talking to the driver and press the button when you want to get off and pay him 50 baht". I said "BS" because they always ask me where I'm going and tell me 100 baht or something like that. But tried it yesterday (on the Ring Road) and it worked. Of course, I didn't get to where I was going and had to get a taxi bike to take me the rest of the way for 100 baht.

[susquosh]

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

I think he's asking about prices on SAMUI. It's 400 baht just from the airport 2-3 km away to Chaweng. You can sometimes push a hard bargain and get one between Bangrak and Chaweng for 300 baht but no way you can get a taxi all the way from Nathon to Chaweng for only 400 baht. The songthaews aren't 50 baht either between Chaweng-Nathon. You'd have to pay that just to go from the stoplight in Bophut to Tesco. Granted, if your Thai is good enough you can probably explain to the songthaew driver that you know how much they are supposed to charge but if you don't they'll try to rip you off. But IMO, songthaew drivers are just taxi drivers in training.

Songthaew between Nathon and Chaweng costs Bht.60 as per the published price in the vehicle.The trick is to have the right change.

Is that published price in English? There are so many tourists and expats around that you'd think they would have it in English.

I was having a debate with someone about the price. He told me "just hop on without talking to the driver and press the button when you want to get off and pay him 50 baht". I said "BS" because they always ask me where I'm going and tell me 100 baht or something like that. But tried it yesterday (on the Ring Road) and it worked. Of course, I didn't get to where I was going and had to get a taxi bike to take me the rest of the way for 100 baht.

I'm not a Thai reader but was able to work it out.The minimum fare is Bht.20.Nathon to Maenam Bht.30 and Nathon to Chaweng Bht.60.

Anywhere in between I work out pro rata.

Like your friend I just get on,ring to get off and give them the correct money.On the rare occasion that I need change I adopt the old Thai lady approach i.e leave your hand sticking through the window and stare until the correct change is forthcoming.

[dominator]

The Taxi prices are a bit out of date - it's generally now 50 Baht for the average trip - with the Limousine "Taxi Meters" you'll have to negotiate the price BEFORE you get in! they will charge you NOT by the Meter - but some Fantasy Price around 500.- ThB for any Trip - any Distance!

NEVER EVER seen a 50 baht taxi on Samui!!

[mattias33]

Chaweng to Nathon? 50 baht in a Songthaew, 400 baht in 'meter' Taxi.

I think he's asking about prices on SAMUI. It's 400 baht just from the airport 2-3 km away to Chaweng. You can sometimes push a hard bargain and get one between Bangrak and Chaweng for 300 baht but no way you can get a taxi all the way from Nathon to Chaweng for only 400 baht. The songthaews aren't 50 baht either between Chaweng-Nathon. You'd have to pay that just to go from the stoplight in Bophut to Tesco. Granted, if your Thai is good enough you can probably explain to the songthaew driver that you know how much they are supposed to charge but if you don't they'll try to rip you off. But IMO, songthaew drivers are just taxi drivers in training.

Songthaew between Nathon and Chaweng costs Bht.60 as per the published price in the vehicle.The trick is to have the right change.

Is that published price in English? There are so many tourists and expats around that you'd think they would have it in English.

I was having a debate with someone about the price. He told me "just hop on without talking to the driver and press the button when you want to get off and pay him 50 baht". I said "BS" because they always ask me where I'm going and tell me 100 baht or something like that. But tried it yesterday (on the Ring Road) and it worked. Of course, I didn't get to where I was going and had to get a taxi bike to take me the rest of the way for 100 baht.

I'm not a Thai reader but was able to work it out.The minimum fare is Bht.20.Nathon to Maenam Bht.30 and Nathon to Chaweng Bht.60.

Anywhere in between I work out pro rata.

Like your friend I just get on,ring to get off and give them the correct money.On the rare occasion that I need change I adopt the old Thai lady approach i.e leave your hand sticking through the window and stare until the correct change is forthcoming.

Never knew about that price-list. I always paid 50 baht / "leg" i ride on the ringroad songthaews. I gone nathon-chaweng, chaweng lamai, many times, just "pling" and jump off and give a 50 true the window. I guess i most of the time gone a route that would have been less than 50 then?

I always make sure i have 50 baht before jumping on. I dont trust them with change, hahaha.