Koh Samui 4 Days Itinerary: Things to do + Where to Stay

Part of the Chumphon Archipelago, Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, other than being one of the most famous ones. It has a total area of 228km squared and is a melting pot of local cultures and practices.

Deciding what to do in Koh Samui can be difficult because the island offers a lot, but if you are wondering how many days in Koh Samui, know that the best sights can be condensed into a four-day trip.

I personally loved my time in Koh Samui, and I wish I had scheduled even more days on the island. There really is so much to see and do!

In this article, you’ll find all the information and travel tips to help you plan the perfect vacation on the island. From how to get there to activities you should try, and where to stay, this 4-day itinerary for Koh Samui is the only one you need. Read on, and happy travels!

How to get to Koh Samui

▶️ The easiest way to get to Koh Samui is to fly from Bangkok. There are about 19 flights a day directly to the island. Tickets can be cheaper if booked in advance, but they are usually around $100 one way.

Flying to Koh Samui is definitely the quickest way and recommended if you have limited time, but it’s also more expensive than the other options.

If you decide to fly, you can also pre-book a private transfer to your hotel from the airport for a hassle-free journey.

▶️ A cheaper alternative is taking a low-cost flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani, and then getting a ferry over to Koh Samui. This will take you longer than flying directly, but it’s a good intermediate option for budget travelers.

The bus from the Surat Thani airport to the ferry terminal, and the ferry ride to Koh Samui add around 3-4 hours to the journey. I went for this option and bought a combined ticket with Nok Air which included the plane, bus, and ferry, so it was all very straightforward.

▶️ There’s also the possibility of taking the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, followed by a ferry ride to Koh Samui. The overnight train is the safest option, and it means you don’t have to sacrifice a day of your holiday, or pay for overnight accommodation. As with flights, it’s best to book your tickets in advance. ➥ BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKETS HERE

When booking the ferry ride from Surat Thani, make sure to choose the train station as your departure point so the journey to the ferry port is included.

▶️ The last option is taking a bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani, followed by a ferry. This is the cheapest way to make the journey, but also the longest. If you can, I recommend you to book your ticket in advance to make sure you get a seat. Especially in the high season, buses can get full! 

Once you arrive in Surat Thani, just jump on the ferry. The best option is to to buy a combined bus and ferry ticket to help you save money and time. ➥ GET YOUR COMBO TICKET HERE

▶️ Travelling from elsewhere in the country? There are flights to Koh Samui from Phuket, and quite a few daily ferries from Koh Phangan and from Koh Tao. Make sure you look for your hotel in the map first, because there are many different docks both for departure and arrival.

▶️ If you are coming from Chiang Mai there is one direct flight a day with Bangkok Airways from/to Koh Samui.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Book your accommodation by using the map below ⬇

Luxury & Design Hotels

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – You don’t get more luxury than this. Luxurious villas with each their private infinity pool, 5-star service, and a beautiful private beach at Laem Yai Bay. 

Conrad Koh Samui – Luxury villas with a private infinity pool and breathtaking views of the gulf of Thailand. Marble bathrooms, jacuzzis, and stunning interiors. Do I need to say more? 

Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort – Located in Chaweng Noi Beach, each suite and villa features a private pool and a terrace. Here you get luxury and a private beach, yet you are not far away from the nightlife and entertainment options of Chaweng. 

Luxury for Less: <$100 a night

The Privilege Hotel Ezra Beach Club – A 5 star hotel for less than $70 a night? This is ones of the best places to stay in Koh Samui for less than $100 a night thanks to the beautiful pools and the design room. In Bangrak Beach. 

Samui Paradise Chaweng Beach Resort & Spa –  Beautiful villas only steps from the beach, some with a Jacuzzi on the terrace. The hotel is located in the quietest area of Chaweng, yet close to the restaurants and shops. 

The Passage Samui Villas & Resort – Located in Laem Yai, far from the hustle and bustle of Chaweng, this is a great place to relax. Luxury rooms, 3 pools, and a great spa. 

On a Budget

Samui Green Hotel – I stayed at this hotel for a couple of nights and found it great value for the price. It’s clean, in a very convenient position in Chaweng, and comfortable. 

Blackjack Bar & Hostel – The best rated hostel in Koh Samui, this is the ideal option if you are traveling solo and want to mingle. A boutique hostel with a modern design 3 minutes walk from Chaweng beach.

Crystal Lamai Hotel – If you prefer to stay away from Chaweng, this 3-star hotel in Lamai offers a pool, a gym, and big, comfortable rooms. 500 m from Lamai beach. 

Koh Samui 4 Days Itinerary

You could spend a week in Koh Samui or more, but most people only have a few days before exploring some other islands. This guide is designed to offer you a Koh Samui 4 days 3 nights itinerary that covers all the best things to do in Koh Samui.

If you even have less time and you are looking for a Koh Samui 3 days itinerary, disregard day 4.

Day 1 | Temple Hopping and Bophut

The first day of your trip should be spent taking in the incredible local sights of Koh Samui. You can also keep this option for a rainy day if you prefer, the weather on the island can be pretty unpredictable!

Rent a scooter from one of the many local companies. You can also take a shared taxi if you don’t drive but it will be a little more complicated to move from place to place.

▶️ If you’re in a group, a great alternative is to hire a Private Car or Minibus Rental with Driver for the day, to explore the island beyond the beach at your own pace. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The main thing to see is the Big Buddha Temple. Known locally as Wat Phra Yai, it is a temple that sits on a small island just off the north-eastern coast. The temple gets its English name from the 12-meter tall golden Buddha statue that dominates the temple.

The Buddha can be seen from 5 miles away, and will likely be one of the first things you see if arriving on Koh Samui by plane. There are plenty of local vendors selling souvenirs around the temple, and a mango smoothie is never a bad idea when it’s hot – I don’t know about you, but I looove mango!

Wat Plai Laem is another Buddhist temple not too far away from the Big Buddha. This temple features a massive statue of Guanyin, who is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, and one of a fat laughing Chinese Buddha that represents wealth.

▶️ Prefer to go on a guided tour? The Koh Samui: Half-Day Island Highlights Tour with Hotel Pickup will bring you to the major temples, breathtaking viewpoints, and other natural highlights of Koh Samui, such as the Na Muang Waterfalls, the Grandmother Rocks, and the mummified monk. Plus, it’s super affordable! ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Take a look at the Private – 6 Hours Best of Samui City Tour including Lunch. Catered to groups of up to 9 people, the tour takes you to the most important landmarks of the island. You’ll visit the Big Buddha Temple and the Wat Plai Laem temple, check out viewpoints, rock formations, and the Namuang waterfall. A Thai lunch is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

READ ALSO: 8 Best Day Trips From Koh Samui

Once you’ve enjoyed the temples, take a trip to Bophut Beach. This beach is located near the Big Buddha, so you might actually want to start from Wat Plai Laem and then head to Big Buddha Temple and Bophut.

Bophut Beach stretches for miles and offers crystal clear waters and way less people than Chaweng Beach.

While you’re there, check out the historic Fisherman’s village. It’s a fusion of traditional wooden shops and modern buildings, and also features tons of upscale, hipstery restaurants and cafès, so it can be a nice place to stop for lunch or a drink.

If you happen to go there on a Friday, make sure you check out the local market too where you can find all kinds of cheap souvenirs.

Day 2 | Relax at Chaweng Beach or Go on a Day Trip

After all that sightseeing, you’ll need a more relaxed day. So why not spend it at Chaweng? This is the busiest and most international town on the island, and is located on one of the nicest beaches. Spend the day getting tanned on the beach and taking a dip in the lovely warm sea.

There are also plenty of beach clubs offering food and drink all day long, and most of the night too!

If you think you can stretch to some activity, take a trip round the town. There are plenty of bustling local markets to see, and lots of shops for souvenirs. You’ll never run out of things to do in Chaweng, even when it rains.

In the afternoon, you could immerse yourself in Thai cuisine with a delicious and instructive cooking class! Prepare traditional dishes as you learn about the ingredients used, cooking methods, and flavors that make up the beloved curries and stir fries of Thailand.

▶️ This Koh Samui: Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour is a solid choice, as it includes a visit to a local market, led by a foodie expert, and guides you every step of the way as you whip up three delicious dishes of your choice. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

You’ll be very full after the cooking class, so you might be tempted to skip dinner! If you’re still up for a bite, though, take a trip to Chaweng Walking Street or Chaweng night market in the evening.

There are tens of different street food vendors selling Thai food but also international food, crepes, seafood, and plenty more options.

Otherwise, if you prefer something a bit more fancy, you can find al types of international restaurants and chains. My favorite restaurants in Chaweng are Baan Ya Jai (classic Thai cuisine), Baci Italian Bar & Grill (very good pizza), and Basilica (Israeli restaurant).

Keeping in with the relaxation theme, make sure you get a massage at one of the many local spas. There are both small, family run spas, and bigger commercial ones, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your price range.

Every spa offers a massive range of treatments that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Every time I got to Thailand, I can’t help but have a few massages – it’s so much cheaper than Europe and North America!

An alternative to spending the day in Chaweng is going on a day trip around the small islands near Koh Samui. You can hop on a boat and sail on the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Thailand to Koh Madsum, an island known for the cute wild pigs that wander along the beach, and to the pristine Tean Island.

You can also snorkel in the coral reefs that teem with marine life and vibrant corals.

▶️This Koh Samui: Longtail Boat Island Hopping Eco-Friendly Tour takes you to various snorkeling spots, where you can swim with colorful marine life and kayak. You’ll also visit the adorable pigs of Pig Island Koh Madsum, and check out Koh Tean, an island ringed by coral reefs. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ You could also go for this Snorkeling & Island Hopping, a 4-hour excursion that will take you to various snorkeling spots, as well as deserted beaches, on a luxury speedboat equipped with drinks and snacks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Day 3 | Take a day trip to Ang Thong National Park

Ang Thong Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s home to an incredibly diverse landscape with limestone cliffs as high as 400 meters, and is a must-visit if you’re in the area. This is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand, and you’ll agree with me!

The islands of Ang Thong appeared in the novel ‘The Beach’ by Alex Garland, and even if the movie with DiCaprio was actually filmed in Phi Phi Leh, these islands became more known thanks to the novel.

There are many operators offering Koh Samui boat trips, but I decided to visit the park with Boutique Yachting, a tour operator that offer luxury day trips from Koh Samui to Ang Thong Park on a beautiful, wooden motor-operated sailing yacht.

The boat leaves from Petcherat Pier on Koh Samui, and it’s about two hours of sailing to get to Ang Thong National Park. The yacht is very comfortable though, and you can lay down on a day bed on the sundeck, take a nap, read a book or enjoy the view.

As the boat departs quite early in the morning, you’re provided with breakfast on board while travelling to Ang Thong, and it’s a very good one. Eggs, fruit, cereals, coffee, juice…

One thing I loved about this Koh Samui island hopping tour is that the quality of the food is exceptional. Lunch is buffet style with a big variety of dishes, and soft drinks are unlimited all day long. You can also have cocktails for a surcharge.

Once you arrive at Ang Thong, the boat takes you to a variety of locations that you can explore. First on the itinerary is Koh Wua Talap. A long tail boat transfers you to the island, where you can relax on the beach or hike up to the viewpoint.

This walk is not for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely worth it. There is a path that can take you as high as 500 meters above sea level with incredible views. I mean, look at this view!

The hike is broken up by viewpoints every 100 meters. My friend Veronica and I only reached the viewpoint at 200 meters and decided we were too out of shape to continue up (we were drenched in sweat!), but as you can see the view was already spectacular.

Remember to bring sneakers on the trip, you’ll need them for this little hike.

After lunch, the second stop is Mae Koh Island, where you can find an inland saltwater lagoon called Emerald Lake (Thale Nai). Again you have the option to hike up to see it, or you can relax at the beach. I recommend doing this little effort (the hike is easier than the first one) and take a picture up here.

The tour then ends with the trip back to Koh Samui, usually at sunset. There are few things more stunning than a sunset at sea, so this makes the perfect end to a perfect day.

Boutique Yachting trips often sell out, so make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment! If you only have 3 days in Koh Samui, you can skip Bophut on the first day, but make sure you include this day trip.

▶️ Check out availability and book the Ang Thong Full-Day Discovery Cruise from Koh Samui directly online. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

You can find cheaper Koh Samui day tours to Ang Thong National Marine Park, but the quality of this tour, the wonderful service and food, make the higher price tag extremely worth it in my opinion.

▶️ If you’re looking for a more budget experience, though, check out this Ang Thong Marine Park: Full-Day Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour. It might not be as luxurious, but you’ll still get to go snorkeling and kayaking through this natural paradise and spend a wonderful day at sea. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Day 4 | Sightsee and Beach Time

If you have some time before your flight or ferry, you can go and visit Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks, famous for their amusing shapes reminding of genitals. The rocks are located near Hua Thanon, in the souteast of the island, at the end of Lamai Beach.

Anoteher option is hiking to the Na Mueang Waterfalls. I didn’t visit the waterfalls as when I was there I’ve been told the area was very muddy due to the rain, so ask around. Many island tours include the waterfalls if you prefer to go on a tour.

▶️ Looking for some adrenaline? Check out the 7-Hour 4WD Wild Jungle Safari Tour with Lunch that will bring you to waterfalls and incredible landscapes. There will be driving in ex-army jeeps, zip lining, swimming at the waterfall and jungle slides. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Otherwise, it’s never a bad idea to spend some more time at the beach. Some other beautiful beaches in Koh Samui include Lamai beach (so you could combine it with the rock formations), Lipa Noi beach (very kid-friendly), and Taling Ngam Beach (with a great view of Ang Thong).

You could even try snorkeling in the clear waters. May tour operators offer full-day and half-day snorkeling Koh Samui trips.

Koh Samui is a fun island with plenty of activities to keep you occupied. It makes a great choice for those interested in both the religious and cultural history of Thailand (as it has become something of a fusion of local cultures) and in beautiful beaches.

Cap off your time in Koh Samui by setting sail to see the sun set in the water one last time.

▶️ This spectacular Sunset Dinner Cruise allows you to do that from an elegant vessel, and with a cocktail in hand. As the night takes over, you’ll be treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner of Thai specialties, paired with soft drinks and water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

This 4-day Koh Samui itinerary isn’t designed to be exhaustive, and it certainly doesn’t cover everything there is to do. However, it will show you all the best things to do in Koh Samui if you’re short on time.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary tour with Boutique Yachting. Nonetheless, my experience was phenomenal and all opinions in this article are exclusively my own.