Showing posts with label Car Rental Koh Samui. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Car Rental Koh Samui. Show all posts

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Renting A Car in Koh Samui




Renting a car will make your stay in Koh Samui a whole lot better (photo courtesy flickr.com)
Renting a car is a great idea if you plan on touring the Koh Samui.  While there may be several tourist spots that are within the vicinity of the beach, there are also several other tourist spots you can visit and other Koh Samui activities you can do if you rent a car.  With a car, you won’t have a hard time enjoying the various things to do in Koh Samui. 

You have two choices if you plan on renting a car.  The first is through the Budget Counter at the Koh Samui Airport.  This is convenient and you can even choose a larger vehicle since large rental agencies offer their customers a wide selection of cars.  The downside however is they can be somewhat expensive than the usual.  Then there are the independent local shops offering rent-a-car services.  They are cheaper and do not require lengthy terms of agreement.  These shops can provide Toyota/Honda automatics or Suzuki 4x4s.  However you have to be careful since a lot of these so-called car rental shops offer bogus services. 

If it’s your first time traveling to Koh Samui then you have to familiarize yourself on the process of renting a car before you start thinking about the other things to do in Koh Samui.  First you choose the type of car you want.  Make sure it has its license number and airbag and seatbelts for safe driving.  Next is to confirm the rent amount and the car’s insurance.  Then you sign an agreement.  As standard procedure you need to leave your passport as collateral.  Do not forget the car shop’s contact details, have them always with you in case you might encounter a problem and need their assistance. 

Before you get too excited on the Koh Samui activities you’ve wanted to do, there are some reminders that you need to consider first when driving in Koh Samui.  Similar to UK, driving in Koh Samui Thailand is on the left side.  Stalls on the roadsides sell gas/petrol in a 1-litre bottle but this is expensive.  For a cheaper price, you can opt for petrol stations along the way.  When it comes to parking your car, it is mostly free to do so.  Fishermen’s Village however is an exception.  A parking fee is charged within the area.  In some instances, you may encounter wild animals such as water buffalos along the road so you have to be careful.  Some roads narrow down to a single lane and some do not have pavements so it is important to pay attention all the time. 

Motorbikes and scooters are common in Koh Samui so using a mirror is a good option.  Some roads are in poor condition and some even have large potholes.  During the rainy season, roads in Koh Samui can be flooded however if you’re willing to try and enjoy the various things to do in Koh Samui then these won’t be a problem; you only need a little creativity in navigating these roads.  Be mindful also of the lorries and big trucks you might come across along the roads. 

Excited to experience some Koh Samui activities and adventures?  Then start planning your trip now.