Ranked among the most popular beach holiday hotspots in Thailand, Koh Samui is a party island that's on everyone's travel bucket list. Whether you are visiting this breathtaking part of the country on a business trip, honeymoon or holiday with family, it's important to know how to explore the island using public and private transport methods. Here's a rundown of the most convenient means of travel available in Koh Samui.

Image via Wikimedia Commons - Ilya Plekhanov, Songthaew on Sukhumvit Pattaya 02, CC BY-SA 3.0

While it may not apply to those who are not based in strategic areas of the island, walking is a great way to explore Koh Samui for travellers with a convenient Koh Samui holiday hotel. Whether it's the Santiburi Koh Samui or any other well-situated rest, tourists will find that the island is quite easy to navigate on foot. Make sure you have a solid pair of sneakers or walking shoes if you intend to walk around instead of relying on taxis and songthaews as sandals may not last the duration of the getaway due to the heat and humidity. Walking is a budget-friendly way to reach local restaurants, bars and other attractions; therefore, those who intend to rely on their feet should also make sure to have a bottle of water on hand because walking will make you quite thirsty.

Considered the most affordable way to travel in Koh Samui, songthaews are pickup trucks that have been converted into commuter vehicles by installing two benches in the back of the truck. With the ability to accommodate up to ten visitors, these vehicles are found all across Koh Samui. A ride on a songthaew is the best way to travel short distances and enjoy sightseeing or beach hopping activities. Songthaews are fast and efficient, and they have overhead racks where one can store shopping bags and other belongings. Although songthaews are not ideal for tackling longer distances, it is a great alternative to hopping on a taxi as songthaews are far more affordable. Beach areas and key shopping hotspots around Koh Samui are places where one can hail a songthaew off the street.

Although cabs are arguably the most expensive means of transport accessible on the island, they are also ideal for first-time visitors and tourists who are travelling in groups. Local resorts will also boast their own fleet of taxis but hailing a cab off the street is a more affordable option than relying on resort-based taxi services. It is important to keep in mind that most taxis in Koh Samui are not metered and this means that there's a risk of some drivers swindling tourists into paying more. This is why it is crucial to haggle down the price of the trip before getting in the vehicle.

Those with an international driving pass can also rent a car for their holiday in Koh Samui and while this is a great option for long-stay visitors, short-term travellers may find the rental fees are not worth their while. The benefit of having your own set of wheels is that you can quite literally drive to any beach in the dead of night for a midnight swim. Additionally, having a rental car in Koh Samui provides the flexibility to explore the island's hidden gems at your own pace, from secluded viewpoints to charming local markets.

Perhaps the least expensive mode of transport available in Koh Samui is motorbike taxis although the daredevil drivers who take passengers hither and thither have made it a far less enticing alternative to those who are faint of heart. Fast and highly affordable, motorbike taxis wind their way around the streets of Koh Samui ignoring most traffic rules and codes of conduct all the same.