Useful Tip :

The cost of living tends to be higher on Samui than on the mainland, but it is still possible to have a great holiday at prices not that much higher than those that attracted so many backpackers years ago.

Arriving

If you fly into Bangkok, you may want to splurge just this once on the trip from the airport into town. You're likely to be worn out from the flight and maybe in a little culture shock, and trying to figure out the public transport system will be asking much of yourself at this stage. Share a taxi or a minibus to
Khao San Road, the bus or train station, or wherever it is you're headed.

Once on Samui

For accommodations and dining, Chaweng is priciest, followed by Lamai. Look for family-run bungalow resorts, many of which are very pleasant and comfortable. Most have a little restaurant. Once your digestive system has begun to adjust to the environment, try eating some of your meals at the roadside and market stalls that the locals frequent. This is authentic Thai food, and the options are many! The surroundings may be crude, but a quick examination of the "kitchen" will reveal the standards of hygiene that its proprietor maintains.

As you explore this site, look for the piggy bank icon. It marks many money-saving options, including interesting free activities. Following are sample itineraries, presented mainly to give you an idea of how much things cost.

Samui on 800 baht (US $22) per person, per day

• Beach bungalow w/ fan - (towels not provided) 400 baht (double occupancy)
• Breakfast of toast, fruit & coffee at bungalow restaurant - 70 baht per person
• Motorbike rental (shared) for morning exploring - 180 baht per day.
• Fuel for the motorbike (cheapest at the big pumps!) - 50 baht.
• Lunch: roadside fried rice & fresh fruit shakes - 55 baht per person.
• Afternoon sunbathing on the beach - free.
• One hour of Thai massage on the beach - 100 baht each.
• Dinner: 3 Thai dishes & steamed rice at beachside - 280 baht (for two.)
• Two Singha beers each (@ 60 baht) at a local disco - 120 baht per person.

Samui on 1200 baht (US $32) per person, per day

• Beach bungalow w/fan (towels provided) - 500 baht (double occupancy)
• Breakfast: banana pancakes and coffee 70 baht per person.
• Morning of local snorkeling - 150 baht each for equipment rental
• Individual motorbikes for full day - 180 baht per person.
• Fuel for motorbike - 50 baht per person
• Lunch: papaya salad, sticky rice & grilled chicken - 150 baht (for two.)
• Shopping in Nathon Town - 2 souvenir tee-shirts - 300 baht
• Dinner: steamed crabs and spicy shrimp soup for two - 550 baht

Samui on 1800 baht (US $48) per person, per day

• Comfortable seaside air-con bungalow - 800 baht (double occupancy)
• Breakfast of "Muesli", fruit, yoghurt and coffee or tea - 120 baht per person
• Jeep rental for whole day - 800 baht
• Fuel for jeep - 200 baht
• Visits to natural attractions & temples (donations welcome but not required)
• 1 hour "Hobie Cat" (sailing) lesson - 500 baht
• Noodle soup & iced teas for lunch, from a roadside restaurant - 40 baht each
• Walk in the forest and visit to a waterfall - free
• Grilled fish dinner for two at family-run restaurant - 500 baht
• 2 cocktails each at an upscale Chaweng nightclub - 480 baht

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