Compare Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui
Hoping to take a holiday to paradise? Booking return flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui could be the perfect option for you. Koh Samui is a small Thai island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is full of activity, but it’s also peaceful and relaxing at the same time. The island is lined with gorgeous beaches, and lush jungles make up the island’s interior. Just off the coast of Koh Samui are beautiful reefs with some of the best snorkelling and diving you’ll ever experience. Along with its natural beauty, Koh Samui is full of history and culture. Throughout the island, you can visit traditional temples that will give you an insight into the spiritual side of Thailand. With a short wet season, Koh Samui is hot and sunny for most of the year, making it the perfect place to book a tropical getaway from Melbourne.
Each week, there are about 350 cheap flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui. That gives you lots of opportunity to get out and visit the islands of Thailand. Virgin Australia, Qantas, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific are some of the many airlines that offer cheap airfares from Melbourne to Koh Samui. While there are currently no direct flights, you can arrive to Koh Samui Airport (USM) in just over 12 hours with a short stopover in Bangkok. While the majority of flights depart from Melbourne Airport, Qantas, British Airways, and Malaysia Airlines also offer some cheap flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui that depart from Avalon Airport.
Are you eager to spend some time out of the city and visit the beautiful islands of Thailand? Webjet compares cheap airfares from Melbourne to Koh Samui to get you the best deals on your dream holidays. Book your return flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui with Webjet, and start planning for your MEL to USM adventure using Webjet’s guide to Koh Samui. Pack your bathers and sunglasses, and get excited to explore the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand.
Things to do in Koh Samui
Go to the Beach
Since Koh Samui is an island, you can’t visit without spending some time at the beach. Koh Samui has so many incredible beaches to choose from. Chaweng Beach is located in the largest town of Koh Samui. It’s the busiest beach on the island and is lined with lots of restaurants and bars. Chaweng Beach is one of the top nightlife areas on the island. If you prefer quiet and relaxing beaches, there are plenty of them as well. Lamai Beach is located in a smaller town. It’s peaceful, but still within walking distance to many restaurants. Maenum Beach is one of the most affordable areas to stay on Koh Samui. The area isn’t as developed as some other towns around the island, giving it a very relaxing and natural feel. The beach is quiet, lined with palm trees, and within walking distance of a few cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
Visit the Temples
Thailand is a very spiritual country, and Koh Samui is no exception to that. All throughout the island, there are amazing temples for you to visit. Two of the most popular to visit are Wat Phra Yai and Wat Plai Laem. Wat Phra Yai is located right next to the ocean and has a golden Buddha statue. This statue is known as the Big Buddha of Koh Samui. Wat Plai Laem is a temple with statues honouring both Buddha and Guanyin—the goddess of mercy and compassion. Both of these temples were built in traditional styles and are beautiful to visit.
Ang Thong Marine Park
Off the coast of Koh Samui, this marine park is made up of 42 small islands. The area is full of things to do and makes for a great day trip from Koh Samui. The Ang Thong Marine Park is particularly known for its great snorkelling and diving. It offers so many other things to do as well, including beaches, jungles, hiking trails, and plenty of water sports. Mae Koh is one of the islands within the marine park and has a hike with amazing views of a natural pool called the Emerald Lagoon.
Laem Sor Pagoda
Located in the very south of Koh Samui, this tiered pagoda is located right on the beach. The pagoda is golden and shines as the sun reflects off the ocean onto its tiles. The pagoda is a temple honouring Buddha, and at the bottom of it are two colourful statues of yaks who are there to guard it. The pagoda makes for some great photo opportunities, and the beaches around Laem Sor are some of the best in Koh Samui. This is the area to go for a quiet experience without too many tourists around.
Na Muang Waterfall
This waterfall is located in the jungle and is actually made up of two separate falls. The first waterfall flows into a pool where you can swim. Hike about a half hour uphill, and you’ll find the second part of the waterfall. Visiting the waterfall is a great way to experience the jungle of Koh Samui and see that the inland part of the island can be just as amazing as its beaches!
Nathon Town
Located near the ferry port, this town is the capital of Koh Samui. Nathon Town is full of great restaurants and shopping. The main attraction in town is the row of old Chinese shophouses. You can buy a range of souvenirs, and the shophouses specialise in gold products.
When should you book return flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui?
Koh Samui has both a wet and dry season due to its tropical location. However, the wet season only lasts from October to December, and the rest of the year is hot and sunny.
During wet season, rain storms are common and ocean waves get stronger. Weather is unpredictable at this time of year, and bad storms can happen at any time. With all the rain, roads often become flooded during this season.
But if you book cheap airfares from Melbourne to Koh Samui during any other month, you’ll experience almost perfect tropical weather. Temperatures are hot, and it’s almost always sunny. Since Koh Samui is in the tropics, tropical storms can happen any time of the year. But outside of rainy season, these storms don’t last long. If it starts to rain, pop into a cafe, and it will most likely be sunny again when you’re ready to leave.
For the smallest chance of rain, and the most sun, book return flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui in February or March. Weather is the most perfect during these months.
Departing from Melbourne
Melbourne Airport (also known to locals as Melbourne Tullamarine) is located north of the city and is the departure point for most international flights leaving Melbourne. Each day, there are about 45-50 cheap flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui on many of the top airlines, including Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Thai Airways. Avalon Airport is Melbourne’s second airport. It’s a small airport with flights within Australia, but some international flights depart from Avalon if they are connecting through Sydney. Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, and British Airways offer a few cheap flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui that depart from Avalon Airport.
Getting to Melbourne Airport (MEL)
The Skybus offers five different express services departing from all over Melbourne. It’s the most stress-free way to get to Melbourne Airport. Each Skybus route runs every day and offers free Wifi on board.
If you’re travelling from the CBD, the Melbourne City Express gets you from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport in under 45 minutes. Buses run every 10 minutes between 4:30AM-midnight every day, getting you to the airport and on your way from Melbourne to Koh Samui Airport (USM) in no time. The Skybus City Express runs 24 hours, so even in the early hours of the morning, you can get a ride to the airport every 15-30 minutes. Tickets for the City Express are $18 online or $19.50 at the station.
Travelling from the Southbank or the Docklands, the Southbank Docklands Express has 6 different pick-up points to choose from. This Skybus runs between 7AM-7PM and departs regularly for the airport. Buses leave every half hour during the week and every hour during the weekend. Tickets for this service can be purchased for $18 online.
The St Kilda Express picks up passengers from 4 different locations. During the week, it runs every half hour between 6:15AM-8PM, and during the weekend it runs between 6AM-7PM. The St Kilda Express is $19 to Melbourne Airport and will get you to your terminal in about an hour.
If you’re coming from a bit further south of the city, the Peninsula Express has 16 pick-up points along the Mornington Peninsula and southeastern beaches, including Brighton and Frankston. Fares vary between $22-$55 based on pick-up point, and there are regular departures throughout the day. Check the Skybus website for your stop’s daily timetable.
Coming from the western suburbs? The Western Express has pick-up points in both Werribee and Tarneit and will get you to Melbourne Airport in about 45 minutes to an hour. Tickets for the Western Express are $21, and buses leave hourly between 6:15AM-6:30PM.
If you prefer to take a taxi or an Uber to the airport, a ride from the CBD will have you to Melbourne Airport in under thirty minutes. Taxi fare from the CBD to Melbourne Airport comes out to about $55-$75 depending on traffic.
Parking at Melbourne Airport
If you plan on driving to the airport, Melbourne Airport has plenty of parking options to choose from. The Long Term car park is the best option for the budget-conscious traveller. You can park your car for less than $10 a day, and the sooner you reserve your spot, the lower your rate will be. A free shuttle bus is available to take you from the car park to the terminals in less than 5 minutes, so you can be on your way from MEL to USM in no time!
Getting to Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport is located about 50 km southwest of Melbourne’s CBD, just outside of Geelong. The Skybus has an Avalon City Express route, which picks up passengers in Southern Cross station and on Synnot Street in Werribee. Tickets from the CBD cost $22, and tickets from Werribee are $19. The Skybus Avalon timetable changes a little bit each day, but has buses scheduled to meet all departing and arriving flights. The Skybus will get you to Avalon Airport in 50 minutes from the CBD and 30 minutes from Werribee.
Parking at Avalon Airport
Avalon Airport has a “tap and go” system for its car park. When you arrive, you can either take a ticket or tap your credit card. If you choose to get a ticket, you can pay via a pay machine at the end of your trip when you’re leaving the airport. With the tap and go system, you simply tap off with the same credit card you used when you arrived, and you will be charged the corresponding amount. The cost of parking varies and the price per day goes down for each day you are parked. If you book return flights from Melbourne to Koh Samui for 4 days, it would cost $77 to park. However, if you book cheap airfares from Melbourne to Koh Samui for 2 weeks, it would only cost $132 to park. The car park is under 24-hour surveillance and is located just outside the airport, so you can be inside the terminal within a few minutes.
Arriving in Koh Samui
Koh Samui Airport is located in the northeast of the island. It’s located just north of Chaweng, which is the largest town on Koh Samui.
Getting to your hotel from Samui Airport (USM)
Koh Samui offers a few methods of transportation. Some of the most popular ways to get around are by songthaews (small public buses), motorbikes, and taxis. While you can take songthaews and motorbikes regularly throughout your holiday, a taxi is the most practical way to get from Koh Samui Airport (USM) to your hotel with your luggage.
Taxis are available outside of the Arrivals area of Koh Samui Airport (USM). Some of the most popular areas to stay on Koh Samui are Chaweng, Fisherman’s Village, and Bangrak. A taxi will get you to each of these destinations in 10 minutes or less. If you are catching a taxi to the capital Nathon Town, you’ll arrive in about 40 minutes.
There are several types of taxis available to meet your needs. A regular taxi will take you to the towns near the airport for 500 Thai baht and to Nathon Town for 1,000 baht. If you are travelling with a small group, you can take a minivan taxi, which can fit up to 6 passengers. Minivan taxis cost 800 baht to the towns close to the airport and 1,800 baht to Nathon Town.
If you are travelling alone or with a small group, the most budget-friendly option is to take a shared minivan taxi. The taxi needs a minimum of five passengers to depart, so you may need to wait about 15-30 minutes for other passengers to join the van. If you are staying in one of the towns close to the airport, the shared minivan only costs 100-130 baht per person. Shared taxi fare out to Nathon Town is also an affordable 200 baht per person.
