How to Budget Travel to Koh Samui Island, Thailand.
With the world opening up again I am sure there are lots of people out there that would love to escape overseas to some beautiful paradise island but with the hardship of finance we have all experienced in one way or another we don't have a lot to travel little loan go five star but at this point it's not about five star it's about a relaxed holiday at a budget price just to give us some sanity back in all we have gone through, I am going to show you how you can have that long awaited holiday on a tropical island at a budget price just like I did.
Koh Samui is a island in the in the Gulf of Thailand, northeast of Surat Thani town and is the second biggest island in Thailand with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and there are several ways to get there there but, I found the most affordable way to get there for someone who is on a low budget and doesn't mind getting there in a hurry it's a fun, adventurous and convenient way doing this trip at a low cost and you will see a lot more of Thailand's country side along the way.
If you are in Bangkok already or your flying into Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport and are wanting to go to Koh Samui Island then I would be looking to book tickets with VietJet Air.com in advance they fly direct out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, they are a budget airline that will fly you to Surat Thani Airport, I booked a two way ticket with them costing me $58 US (1,900 Baht) compared to Thai Smile or Bangkok Airways who will fly you direct to Koh Samui Island but will cost you up to $450 US. So you see there is a big saving right there with VietJet.com admittedly it's not flying you direct to the island you will be going through a bit more adventure, taking most of the day traveling but hey way not enjoy the sights along the way.
From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Surat Thani Airport is just over a one hour flight once you have landed at Surat Thani Airport you go to the Seatran Ferry counter which is on the left hand side as you come out of luggage pick up area you purchase a ticket for $10 US (350 Baht) this ticket will include your shuttle bus which will take you to the Seatran Ferry, taking you across the beautiful Gulf of Thailand on this day that I was cruising across the Gulf of Thailand it was just gorgeous blue skies.
The Seatran Ferries are quite big, spacious and safe, they not only carry passengers across but also all the goods that the island needs from the mainland, cars and motorbikes can be loaded on the ferry also the ferry has a small shop were you can buy some snack, food or coffee and has all connections for phone charging and power points for internet service. The ferry will take just under two hours to reach Koh Samui Island from the mainland of Surat Thani.
It was a beautiful refreshing journey across the Gulf of Thailand, once departed from the Seatran Ferry, I was met by the Covid control checkpoint, I had my clearance certificate from the doctors showing negative Covid, I then proceeded to walk out where you will find taxis, motorbikes and shuttle buses to your service it will cost you minimum $3 US (100 Baht) to any destination around the island. I had booked into the Kamalaya Hotel so I had the free shuttle bus service waiting to pick me up even better.
I was safely through the covid inspection onto the shuttle bus and on my way to my resort on the other side of the island less then a hour away and soon I was to be on my own private beach soaking up that vitamin D and away from all that hustle and bustle of the big city. The pier where the ferries dock, is in Nathon town where there are many markets that all the local people will come and pick up there needs for there restaurants or personal use.
The Kamalaya in Koh Samui is no ordinary resort, it is a wellness sanctuary and holistic spa retreat, I got it at a special rate and felt that I needed to relax and rejuvenate my body after the unexpected Omicron experience I had, it left my body very weak and strange so I just needed to do this after all the pills and medications I needed to detox and this beautiful retreat, the very helpful caring staff bought me back alive and feeling great again.
The Kamalaya retreat was definitely the right choice for me only a handful of people there very peaceful, tranquil and had everything you needed, set in the mountains with lush green jungle around you listening to the birds singing, a relaxing private beach, swimming pools with spas built in them the gym, sauna, library room and meditation room were all available to you the whole place just felt so calm.
It's just what I needed I spent five days in this awesome retreat took a few nature walks through the jungles which led me to other beaches, this part of the island wasn't a tourist area so I was really enjoying the whole peacefulness walking along the beaches with no one in sight it gave me the time to reinstate myself and it was precisely what I needed and wanted.
My five days staying at the Kamalaya retreat had sadly come to a end but I will say it had been the best five days of my life just a amazing feeling it was like going through a makeover never had I experienced anything like this my body was screaming out for it and I will go back and do this again, truly your body will love you for it and why not spoil yourself at times we all deserve it, life is to short and a treatment like this will put a few more years on you. It was time to make the journey back to Bangkok not that I really wanted to but I was leaving in a much happier and fitter way till when I had arrived and was ready to take on the world again.
It was good-bye to Koh Samui Island for now heading back to Surat Thani Airport in the exact reverse way arriving at the Seatran Ferry pier on the mainland I was feeling a little hungry so I ordered a chicken Pad Thai till the airport shuttle bus was ready to leave, just as I finished my lunch the call came that the shuttle bus was ready to leave for the airport good timing.
Checking in at Surat Thain Airport with VietJet.com no covid certificate was needed heading back to Bangkok just your boarding pass the flight back was very smooth and fast, landed back in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport safely was a great flight back.
Once back in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport you can take the Express TrainLink back into Bangkok city, fast efficient and cheap costing you $1.50 US (50 Baht) you go to the first floor to purchase your ticket then ground floor to board the Express TrainLink into the city of Bangkok.
To sum it up if you do your research and plan ahead there are big saving and at times like this it is worthwhile money saved from traveling expenses, it can be spent in a more enjoyable way I did the Koh Samui return trip at the cost of less then $100 US actually cost me $84 US to be precise compared to $450 US with a direct flight via Thai Smile or Bangkok Airways and I saw more country side and ocean then flying direct yes it takes longer but if your in no hurry what the heck.
Koh Samui is a island in the in the Gulf of Thailand, northeast of Surat Thani town and is the second biggest island in Thailand with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and there are several ways to get there there but, I found the most affordable way to get there for someone who is on a low budget and doesn't mind getting there in a hurry it's a fun, adventurous and convenient way doing this trip at a low cost and you will see a lot more of Thailand's country side along the way.
If you are in Bangkok already or your flying into Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport and are wanting to go to Koh Samui Island then I would be looking to book tickets with VietJet Air.com in advance they fly direct out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, they are a budget airline that will fly you to Surat Thani Airport, I booked a two way ticket with them costing me $58 US (1,900 Baht) compared to Thai Smile or Bangkok Airways who will fly you direct to Koh Samui Island but will cost you up to $450 US. So you see there is a big saving right there with VietJet.com admittedly it's not flying you direct to the island you will be going through a bit more adventure, taking most of the day traveling but hey way not enjoy the sights along the way.
From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Surat Thani Airport is just over a one hour flight once you have landed at Surat Thani Airport you go to the Seatran Ferry counter which is on the left hand side as you come out of luggage pick up area you purchase a ticket for $10 US (350 Baht) this ticket will include your shuttle bus which will take you to the Seatran Ferry, taking you across the beautiful Gulf of Thailand on this day that I was cruising across the Gulf of Thailand it was just gorgeous blue skies.
The Seatran Ferries are quite big, spacious and safe, they not only carry passengers across but also all the goods that the island needs from the mainland, cars and motorbikes can be loaded on the ferry also the ferry has a small shop were you can buy some snack, food or coffee and has all connections for phone charging and power points for internet service. The ferry will take just under two hours to reach Koh Samui Island from the mainland of Surat Thani.
It was a beautiful refreshing journey across the Gulf of Thailand, once departed from the Seatran Ferry, I was met by the Covid control checkpoint, I had my clearance certificate from the doctors showing negative Covid, I then proceeded to walk out where you will find taxis, motorbikes and shuttle buses to your service it will cost you minimum $3 US (100 Baht) to any destination around the island. I had booked into the Kamalaya Hotel so I had the free shuttle bus service waiting to pick me up even better.
I was safely through the covid inspection onto the shuttle bus and on my way to my resort on the other side of the island less then a hour away and soon I was to be on my own private beach soaking up that vitamin D and away from all that hustle and bustle of the big city. The pier where the ferries dock, is in Nathon town where there are many markets that all the local people will come and pick up there needs for there restaurants or personal use.
The Kamalaya in Koh Samui is no ordinary resort, it is a wellness sanctuary and holistic spa retreat, I got it at a special rate and felt that I needed to relax and rejuvenate my body after the unexpected Omicron experience I had, it left my body very weak and strange so I just needed to do this after all the pills and medications I needed to detox and this beautiful retreat, the very helpful caring staff bought me back alive and feeling great again.
The Kamalaya retreat was definitely the right choice for me only a handful of people there very peaceful, tranquil and had everything you needed, set in the mountains with lush green jungle around you listening to the birds singing, a relaxing private beach, swimming pools with spas built in them the gym, sauna, library room and meditation room were all available to you the whole place just felt so calm.
It's just what I needed I spent five days in this awesome retreat took a few nature walks through the jungles which led me to other beaches, this part of the island wasn't a tourist area so I was really enjoying the whole peacefulness walking along the beaches with no one in sight it gave me the time to reinstate myself and it was precisely what I needed and wanted.
My five days staying at the Kamalaya retreat had sadly come to a end but I will say it had been the best five days of my life just a amazing feeling it was like going through a makeover never had I experienced anything like this my body was screaming out for it and I will go back and do this again, truly your body will love you for it and why not spoil yourself at times we all deserve it, life is to short and a treatment like this will put a few more years on you. It was time to make the journey back to Bangkok not that I really wanted to but I was leaving in a much happier and fitter way till when I had arrived and was ready to take on the world again.
It was good-bye to Koh Samui Island for now heading back to Surat Thani Airport in the exact reverse way arriving at the Seatran Ferry pier on the mainland I was feeling a little hungry so I ordered a chicken Pad Thai till the airport shuttle bus was ready to leave, just as I finished my lunch the call came that the shuttle bus was ready to leave for the airport good timing.
Checking in at Surat Thain Airport with VietJet.com no covid certificate was needed heading back to Bangkok just your boarding pass the flight back was very smooth and fast, landed back in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport safely was a great flight back.
Once back in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport you can take the Express TrainLink back into Bangkok city, fast efficient and cheap costing you $1.50 US (50 Baht) you go to the first floor to purchase your ticket then ground floor to board the Express TrainLink into the city of Bangkok.
To sum it up if you do your research and plan ahead there are big saving and at times like this it is worthwhile money saved from traveling expenses, it can be spent in a more enjoyable way I did the Koh Samui return trip at the cost of less then $100 US actually cost me $84 US to be precise compared to $450 US with a direct flight via Thai Smile or Bangkok Airways and I saw more country side and ocean then flying direct yes it takes longer but if your in no hurry what the heck.
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That is quite affordable the way you did it and after being I’ll spending time resting and recovering in such a beautiful place is just what you needed
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :), I truly enjoy exploring the world virtually each Wednesday seeing walks from all around the globe and feeling I am there and experiencing it all myself, such as I did in your post just now :)
Thanks @tattoodjay it was worth every cent and I feel so much better doing that trip 👍
thats great :)
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That direct flight from Bangkok is no joke. My wife and I booked a trip for Chinese New Year and had to change our destination because of how expensive the flights were.
It's absolutely ridiculous. We can get a locals card from Bangkok Airways which gives a discount but it's still extortionate.
They really do have outrageous prices I can fly back to my country Australia in low season for that money. That's why iI use Air Asia or VietJet.
The only way to do it mate, I'm back down there again on Monday but I fly Air Asia from Don Mueang as the airport is only 3km from my home in Bangkok.
Samui is an Island, you just have to arrive by boat to start the Island vibe!
The roundabout on one of your pics is only 2km from my place down there.
Great post :-)
This is true and Don Mueang and Air Asia is a great option also especially if your living near the airport even better the boat as you say is just amazing great views and refreshing seeing all that ocean water the best way to do it without feeding those other greedy airline companies. You live on a nice island I love Koh Samui