Decided on a Car Rental in Samui? Here’s All You Need to Know:
Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest in the Champon archipelago, which includes more than 80 islands, mostly uninhabited. Due to the fact that until the 20th century it was cut off from the mainland, the nature of the island was preserved in almost its original form. Koh Samui official website - kohsamuicity.go.th.
In the early 90s, boats full of tourists began arrive on Koh Samui, making it the second most visited destination in Thailand after Phuket. White sandy beaches, colorful corals, gentle lagoons, magnificent waterfalls, delicious coconuts and crystal clear waves are the reasons why Koh Samui is popular among vacationers.
The most popular the beaches are located in the east of the island, and the east coast has a developed infrastructure with hotels and restaurants for every taste and budget, a fun nightlife.
Koh Samui International Airport (samuiairportonline.com) is called one of the most beautiful and unusual in the world. It is one-story, located almost in the forest, it has no internal premises, and its appearance resembles a small pavilion.
There are no scheduled buses familiar to Europeans on Koh Samui, so tourists have a choice - taxi, tuk-tuk or take Rent a car at Bookingautos and roam freely around the island enjoying its beauty.
What to see on Koh Samui
No one will be bored on Koh Samui, there are many different pastime options for tourists here. Starting with a visit to the local national park and ending with a rum brewery where a family from France produces a drink from cane. Koh Samui has many natural and man-made attractions.
Buddha Statue is a huge gilded statue of the deity, which is called differently "Big Buddha". It is located between the north and east coasts, the heightof the Buddha reaches as much as 12 m, so this attraction is visible from almost all points of the island. The posture of the huge statue is traditional: the Buddha sits in the lotus position. Local residents revere this place sacredly and treat it with love and awe. The Big Buddha is a symbol of Koh Samui, and for many travelers it is one of the important sights that you should definitely visit.
Laem Sor Pagoda at Koh Samui is an architectural landmark of Koh Samui that draws attention with its contrasting color combination. The entrance to the building is guarded by two figures with gigantic swords, which are designed to repel any inappropriate behavior. Behind the mighty warriors in the doorway you can see the imposing Buddha statue.
Hin Lad Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls, which is located just 2 km from Nathon. The path that goes to the waterfall is well maintained and runs through the amazing beauty and variegation of thickets of wild fragrant flowers, shrubs and trees. Hin Lad Waterfall glistens over several levels, forming a naturally occurring pool of clear and transparent water below.
Magic Buddha Garden is a magnificent park that is located on the highest mountain of Koh Samui. Local resident Nim Thongsuk, who was one of the first to grow the delicious durian fruit here, created this beauty with his own hands due to religious motives. Nim Thongsuk devoted his whole life to creating a garden, until his death he worked on sculptures, it was in the Magic Buddha Garden that Nim and his wife found their last refuge.
Hin Ta Hin Yai or "Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks" is a favorite tourist attraction, cheerful Thais named the rocks that way only because of their striking resemblance to human sexual organs.
Koh Samui Aquarium and Zoo is an attraction located in the south of the island. The aquarium presents unique and rare representatives of the sea. In the zoo, various representatives of the cat family are considered the main inhabitants - tigers, lions, leopards and cheetahs. The highlight of the park is the performances with animals that are held once a day.
Popular beaches of Koh Samui
There are a lot of beaches on Koh Samui, they differ in location, arrangement, landscaping, to get acquainted with the best beaches of the island, you can rent a car and go on your own to choose the most favorite one.
The most excellent beaches are located on the east coast of the island, but from October to January, during low tides, a severe drought sets in on the beaches. Chaweng (Chaweng beach) is the best beach on Koh Samui with picturesque bays, fine sand, and very clear water. The beautiful 6 km long beach has a wide range of hotels, from five-star resorts to simple bamboo bungalows. During the day, Chaweng is a competition venue for various water sports, windsurfing and jet skiing, at night it turns into a large dance floor.
Lamai Beach is south of Chaweng. The sand on it is larger and not so white, and the coast is rocky in places. Swimming is more comfortable on the southern part of the beach: there is a wide sandy strip and a large selection of places to eat. In the north, it is shallow, and the further you go, the more rocky and uncomfortable.
Bophut is a beach village, located on the northern coast of the island, as well as a major administrative center of the island. This is one of the few places on Koh Samui that has preserved an authentic Thai-Chinese atmosphere.
Food on Koh Samui
On Koh Samui you can find food for every taste and budget — from expensive restaurants with European cuisine to tiny Thai cafes. Among the local delicacies, spicy soups with pork and shrimp stand out - the broth based on coconut milk makes their taste unforgettable. For more conservative eaters, Khao Tom Mu plain rice soup and Khao Pat fried rice will do. It is worth paying attention to the hallmark of Thai cuisine - spicy and sour Tom Yum soup.
The Fish Restaurant - this is a Thai restaurant, a wide variety of dishes, there is a summer terrace immersed in greenery. Address: Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, phone +66874724097.
Som Restaurant is a Thai and European restaurant, a wide selection of dishes, reasonable prices. Address: 44 Moo 6, Bang Po Beach, Maenam Subdistrict, Koh Samui Surat Thani 84330, phone +66814774305.
Parking on Koh Samui
Renting a car The easiest way is to rent a car directly at the airport or by booking online in advance.
The roads on the island are in good condition, Koh Samui is a small island, there are few major roads, the main road circles the entire island along the coastline. Almost the entire length of the road is two-lane, one lane in each direction, not separated by fences. The narrow roads of the island are the reason why it is often quite difficult to find parking on Koh Samui without disturbing anyone. The most important rule is not to park at the colored red-white and yellow-white curbs, as well as keep an eye on the presence of prohibition signs.
Wharf parking is a free car park nearby with the city market. Address: Thailand, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani.
Parking is paid car parking. Address: H25J+FGW, Tambon Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320.
Parking arrival zone is a paid car park near Koh Samui Airport. Address: Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
33 € / Day
Best price
24 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€197
February
€152
March
€142
April
€186
May
€250
June
€179
July
€205
August
€196
September
€216
October
€147
November
€139
December
€232
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Samui rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Samui is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €17 for a Compact car.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting BMW 2 Series Cabrio during Summer period can costs €178 per day.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €13 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €45-€53, for a business class car - €100 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for BMW 2 Series Cabrio, a very popular in Samui, would be around €75 per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Renault Zoe when ordering in Samui will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Samui is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Samui. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Samui. It can be Audi A1 or VW Polo. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - BMW 5 Series Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €32 per day;
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Samui, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Samui are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Samui is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Samui
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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