What you should know before hiring a car in Koh Samui
| Koh Samui city centre | ||
| Samui Airport (USM): 5 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Koh Samui: practical information
Where to rent a car in Koh Samui
Planning a trip to southern Thailand? The island of Koh Samui is a lovely spot with plenty more to see and do than just the beaches. You’ll find the usual international car hire brands at the airport, Budget and Avis for example, when you disembark on your flights to Koh Samui. You’re not restricted to the airport for drop-off or pick-up, the rental companies will let you leave the car at any of their other branches on the island.
Driving in Koh Samui: parking and other tips
Driving in Koh Samui is easy peasy. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery! It’s well worth getting a rent car that has air conditioning for during the hot days. A car hire means you can access just about any place on the island, so take advantage of it while on holidays in Koh Samui!
As for parking, it’s best to make sure your Koh Samui hotel has overnight parking available. If you leave your car parked on the street in a town centre, be sure to not leave any valuables in sight.
Road trips from Koh Samui: what to do, what to see
Chaweng Beach
This is the most popular beach in Koh Samui and is surrounded by resort hotels, Italian eateries, Irish pubs and bars. You can be sure to find a good party here, wit ha real international crowd.
Old House
For a culture stop, visit the island’s Old House. It’s a Chinese-style house that is around 200 years old and represents Samui’s cultural identity. The present owners have opened the house to the public and it's a real treat to visit.
Diving in Koh Samui
There are two really great diving places in Koh Samui: Ang Thong National Marine Park and Ko Tao. Visibility around the beaches tends to be quite poor so it’s worth going out in the boats for a good experience. The best time of the year to dive is June-August.