KOH SAMUI CAR RENTAL
Car hire in Koh Samui
Moving Around The Island
There is no public transport in Koh Samui. And please DO NOT walk on the sides of the road as it can be dangerous.
So what are the options to move around the island?
Taxis in Koh Samui: Hiring a cheap car is a preferable option to expensive taxis, as it gives you the independence to explore Koh Samui at your own pace. Taxi prices are very high in Samui. If you are planning to visit the island at length, choosing a car hire deal can be more economical. As in many other locations in Southeast Asia, the service is run by mafias. Taxi meters are for decoration. Expect heavy and frustrating haggling with taxi drivers, where you will always end up overpaying.
Songthaews: These are the tuk tuks equivalents on the islands and locations outside the larger cities. They are pickup trucks converted with two rows of seating in the back; hence the name “songthaews” which in Thai means “two rows”. They operate as large tuk tuks if the carry you only or like a type of communal transport as they can carry several customers at the same time. You stop them as you spot them like a taxi, discuss destination and price. These are lower priced than taxis, but you might have to share the ride and can be slower.
Renting a scooter: This is a very dangerous option if you are not an experienced driver and not the best option in case of rain. Scooters are an inexpensive and enjoyable option to move around the island, but extremely dangerous. Koh Samui roads have one of the highest motorbike accident rates in the world. This is not an option for beginner drivers or families. We have seen tourist families of 3 or even 4 on a single scooter which is a disaster waiting to happen.
Koh Samui car hire: Safer, comfortable, and versatile. For any visit lasting more than 7 days, highly recommended. Driving in Koh Samui is easier than on the mainland. There is a convenient “ring road” that goes around the island to get you anywhere without complications. Just keep an eye on the motorbikes passing on both sides and make sure the sides are clear before turning, overtaking or changing lanes. Book in advance to get a better price and when available, try to rent with a well – known rental company such as Avis, Sixt, National or Europcar most available for pickups from Samui Airport. If you decide to rent from a local supplier, make sure to check the rental agreement and the conditions carefully and walk away if anything looks dubious. NEVER leave your passport or any ID as a deposit.
RISK FREE KOH SAMUI CAR RENTAL BOOKING
HIRE A CAR IN KOH SAMUI FROM LEADING RENT-A-CAR COMPANIES
AVIS – HERTZ – NATIONAL – KEDDY BY EUROPCAR – THRIFTY – BUDGET – SIXT
There are advantages to using a well known global car hire in Ko Samui. It’s less likely for something to go wrong using popular car hire companies. When using our search engine (powered by DiscoverCars) to complete your car rental reservation, there are no risks of ending up with an argument at delivery and no hassle. You will find available cars from the biggest brands, offering great deals with the best conditions. Vehicles from established brands also benefit from premium locations across Samui island for pick-up and returns, including Samui International Airport, Chaweng Beach, Bophut, or delivery to your resort. We highly recommend getting comprehensive insurance, but check first if your credit card provider provides full cover.
Our partner DiscoverCars is one of the most popular car rental services, with a selection of the best deals available and ranked 4.6 stars out of 5 with over 190,000 reviews. For contrast, RentalCars the most widely known car rental aggregator scores 2.5 stars out of 5 with more than 150,000 reviews. We study and test regularly 12 different aggregators we can partner with for the best prices, conditions and services. You can book instantly with credit card or debit card for your convenience and get their independent insurance packages for peace of mind. We used to work with local suppliers, but we decided to work only with aggregators because prices, services and extras are better and the risk for our users is lower. Find the cheapest car hire in Ko Samui for your needs, ranging from economy to 4×4 at the best prices. Reserve online in advance for the best prices, with optional insurance cover and free cancellations.
A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE
Thailand is safe, but be smart and take precautions. “Too good to be true” deals, or unreasonable deposits or guarantees, are a big NO.
* Plan and reserve online to have access to more and better choices. Waiting to be on-site will narrow your options to whatever is available, including car rentals and other services and activities.
* Remember you need a valid International Driving Permit to drive in Thailand. You can rent a car without an International Driving License with most car rentals, but we just make you aware of the rule…
* NEVER leave your original passport as a deposit to ANYONE. It is acceptable to leave 5,000 to 10,000 Baht insurance excess as a deposit. We have seen many local companies requesting tourists original documents. If something goes wrong, or if you are accused of damaging the vehicle, retaining your passport may put you in a difficult situation. You will have to accept anything to get your documents back. They will tell you everyone does it… just don’t.
* Make sure your vehicle has an adequate level of insurance before completing a reservation. Ensure your dealer is registered as a Koh Samui car hire company in Thailand. Again, if you want to avoid the hustle and any risks, book your car instantly through our reservation partners. We work with DiscoverCars with over 190,000 reviews on Trustpilot and a 4.6 score out of 5. They will find you the best prices from renowned car suppliers and will provide their own optional comprehensive insurance. Compare with Rentalcars to make sure you get the best deal but be aware, they score poorly compared to DiscoverCars.
* If you choose to rent a scooter, please think twice if you are not an experienced driver. Drivers in Thailand can be reckless. Thailand is not the place to learn how to ride a motorbike.
* Feel free to ask us any questions, we are here to help! *
Renting your car safely
Finding a car hire in Koh Samui can be challenging. It involves taking risks and sometimes painful negotiations. If you try to find a private car rental on your own, you never know for sure if the vehicle has the right insurance, the terms & conditions, if the dealer has a car rental permit or if the vehicle’s history is “clean”. Horror stories about renting cars and motorbikes in Thailand can happen…
We work with large car rental companies like Avis, National, Budget, Keddy by Europcar and Hertz through one of the largest, most respected online car rental aggregators. With well-known car rental companies, you can go ahead and reserve your ride online. You may find a slightly cheaper vehicle if you look for a local company, but in our opinion, a slightly cheaper car rental is not worth the risk.
We used to endorse a number of local car rental companies we know and trust; however, the price was frequently higher because most of their reservations are made on the spot, frequently with limited local supply during the higher seasons. With big car rentals you can book instantly and in advance. We operate with DiscoverCars, one of the top car rentals aggregators, to provide the best deals with a seamless rental process and top of the range insurance.
*Note: KohPlanner is not directly involved in the quotation process or car rental operations. We simply vetted the options available to recommend what we believe are the best services for our followers. KohPlanner may receive a small referral fee from certain partners, but this will not result in any price increase for you.
POPULAR CAR RENTAL TYPES
COMPACT
The economy rental vehicle option that works for light use on well-maintained roads. Easy to park and cheap to run. If your plans involve exploring Koh Samui hills, or if you are expecting to drive in heavy rain, renting an SUV or truck might be better suited for your needs.
POPULAR MODELS
Mitsubishi Mirage
Suzuki Swift
Toyota Yaris
SEDAN
Good value car rentals with comfort and responsiveness. Ideal for family use for up to 4 people. Great vehicles to use on well maintained roads. If you are driving in Koh Samui during the rainy season, you may want to consider renting an SUV or pickup truck.
POPULAR MODELS
Toyota Vios
Suzuki Ciaz
Nissan Almera
SUV and 4x4s
An all-rounded type of car rental perfect for all conditions. Comfortable, spacious, and suitable for off-road and monsoon season. SUVs are a Thai favourite type of vehicle. Driving a new Fortuner can make your holiday in Koh Samui even more delightful.
POPULAR MODELS
Toyota Fortuner
Mitsubishi Pajero
Honda CRV
PICKUP TRUCK
An all-terrain winner and Koh Samui rental favourite for versatility in all driving conditions. Pickup trucks will get you in the island mood and are more economical than SUVs. The new Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a beast of a truck. Consider the double cabs are a bit short of space at the back.
POPULAR MODELS
Toyota Vigo
Ford Ranger
Isuzu D-Max
SPECIAL CAR
This category may include luxury manufacturers or special vehicles like big-foots, boogies or adventure off roads.
There is limited availability of this type of car but if you are looking for something extra special our local suppliers may help.
BRANDS & MODELS
BMW
Porche
Hummer
BOAT RENTALS
Coming soon!
We are working on a section for boat rentals and private bespoke tours in Koh Samui and the surrounding islands.
Give us some time to get this ready!
