Koh Samui Airport (USM) has a designed capacity of approximately six million passengers annually on domestic and international routes, and it’s one of Thailand’s busiest island airports. It’s also my favorite airport in the world and a beautiful one at that, with plenty of awards to prove as much. Short of some barely-there dirt runways and shacks on the remotest of South Pacific islands, it’s hard to imagine a more picturesque, placid and relaxed place to fly in and out of.
Bangkok Airways owns and operates the airport and is the primary airline serving USM, which comes as no surprise. I’ve traveled through it many times and have consistently found it to be one of the best run, easiest to navigate and most welcoming airports I’ve ever used.
As a lifelong believer in spending as little time as possible in airports, I’ve spent years refining my process to get through them quickly. Koh Samui Airport (USM) is one of a small handful where I encourage everyone to go against that advice. Get there early, enjoy the beautiful gardens and great cafes, and imagine what travel could be like if all airports were this way.
Getting to and from Koh Samui airport
Koh Samui is not an urban metropolis (thankfully), but the airport is located in its most developed district, Bo Phut, in the island’s northeast, just a mile or so from Chaweng, the main resort area. There is no public transport, so you can either arrange a private or shared transfer or taxi, or rent your own car.
The easiest option is asking your accommodation to organize pickup and drop-off, which is what I always do. After long international flights, I’m always willing to pay a little extra for the convenience. If you don’t want to pay the (usually minimal) surcharge your accommodation will add, you can arrange your own transport online in advance if you prefer.
You can also book either a private taxi or shared minivan after you land at the transport counter in the arrival hall. SmackONE is listed by the airport as an on-site taxi and transfer provider, which even promises their drivers can speak English. In my experience that’s been mostly true.
There are car rental options too, as long as you’re happy driving to island rules. You can choose from international agencies like Sixt, Budget, Europcar and Avis, as well as the Thai-based Drive Car. I prefer to let a driver take care of the commute and then rent a moped when I need to get around. It’s cheaper and much less hassle than hiring a car.
Arriving at Koh Samui airport (USM)
Koh Samui Airport doesn’t look like other airports. You’ll find no stadium sized multi-story terminals surrounded by acres of car parks. No miles of badly patterned carpets and remote, endless corridors. Instead, a series of beautifully designed, eco-conscious buildings, most without walls, are surrounded by wide green park spaces dotted with water features, shaded seating areas and groups of tourists lazing in the sun.
Getting around isn’t really a question of navigating. You just follow the flow of people along the main indoor-outdoor walkway, called Samui Park Avenue. This path takes you past check-in, shopping, and on to the gates that peel away down separate walkways. It’s impossible to get lost and getting to any gate is a quick walk.
Check in and security
If you choose to ignore my advice to arrive early and revel in the loveliness of Koh Samui airport, 90 minutes is more than enough time for check-in and security - the airport guide recommends arriving 90 minutes before departure, and Bangkok Airways requires 90 minutes for international bag drop. Bangkok Airways is the primary operator of USM, with Scoot operating flights to Singapore. This makes checking in and dropping bags a largely hassle-free affair, I’ve never had long waits.
Check whether there are full moon parties on neighboring Koh Phangan island around your time of travel, as these popular events can potentially affect passenger traffic.
Next, there’s a strange quirk that I haven’t encountered at any other airport. Pass through the doorway from the check-in hall and you’ll see a TV screen showing random checked luggage bags. You must wait here for ten minutes and monitor the screen for your checked bags. If they appear on the screen or your name is called, you need to go to the baggage inspection office for a spot search.
It’s a slightly confusing, poorly signposted setup that usually results in fellow travelers lingering with no amount of uncertainty if they’re clear to carry on. My bag has never appeared and my name never called, but be sure to wait the full ten minutes just in case yours is.
Once you’ve navigated check-in, security is a breeze. Follow the main walkway past the lovely shops and eateries and look for directions to the domestic or international security checkpoints. There are few security scanners at either but lines are fast-moving and the security staff are friendly.
Orientate yourself and find your gate
The airport has two terminals (loosely speaking) with Gates 1–3 for domestic departures and Gates 6–7 for international departures, plus Gate 4 used for domestic arrivals. The domestic and international terminals are located within approximately 164 feet (50 meters) walking distance of each other. Security is a short walk from check-in, or a leisurely stroll if you get distracted. Once through security, you’re just steps away from any gate.
Waiting areas at the gates are stylish and comfortable, continuing the inside-outside aesthetic that creates cooling breezes in the often stifling heat. That does open them up to nature, so don’t forget your mosquito spray.
Impressive wood-built halls are dotted with wicker furniture and padded benches, although there usually aren’t enough seats for everyone when it’s busy. There are Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Club Lounges in both the domestic and international areas, although I’ve never visited them. Why would you when the rest of the airport is already this nice?
There are shops and cafes airside (past security) in both terminals. Bangkok Airways owns the airport, so domestic passengers get free drinks and snacks at the Courtesy Corner in the gate waiting area. The pastries in particular are worth seeking out.
Shopping, eating and relaxing
Samui Park Avenue is a crowning success at the airport. A lovely wide street, it’s fringed by manicured lawns, swaying palms and plants everywhere. The architecture is just as rich, open-air with shops and cafes built in wood and bamboo, some with glass roofs.
The shops, cafes and bars reflect the growing status of the island as a place for wellness. You’ll find none of the stalwarts so familiar in major airports, no McDonalds or Prada, no Starbucks or Swarovski. Instead, mostly Thai businesses like fun eco-friendly souvenir sellers PooPooPaper and high-end jewelry shop, Oh La La. Daymoon Bar and Eatery on Samui Park Avenue is worth stopping for, then take your pick of the coffee and beverage outlets like Here Coffee, Islan drink, Coco Café and Coconut Bar for drinks and treats.
The last essential stop on your mini airport vacation should be the botanical garden. A spectacularly chilled out area, it bursts with colors and fragrances. Orchids and frangipani vie for your attention but the star of the show is the cannonball tree. In bloom, it can hold a thousand flowers and more than 100 of the woody, spherical fruits that give it its name. As pungent as it is beautiful, I always go to see it as my last taste of the tropics before the long flight home.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
