Car Rental in Koh Samui - Prices and Rental Conditions

The car rental business in Thailand is a modest part of the huge tourist industry. The country is not a small one, there is a lot to see and go to. There is no public transport in most areas.

There are tuk-tuks everywhere, but they are expensive if you use them all the time. For longer distances there are buses and trains, which, again, are not available to all places. In these circumstances, the car remains the most convenient option.

Rental features

It is not difficult to rent a car on the island. This is a standard service, which is provided by network rental companies already at the airport itself. They are reliable, reputable, their work is time-tested. But their prices are higher. Declared value of the network and small and medium-sized companies may be the same. But there is always a possibility of bargaining with the latter, while the former do not deviate from the price list. Small rental companies sometimes even ask how much you are willing to take the car from them.

If the lease will be a week or a month, they without further ado give a discount up to 50%.

The chain rentals and even medium-sized rentals do not "like" cash, and some refuse even debit cards (for example, the Thai Rent A Car discussed below). Small offices are more loyal to customers: they take cash, sometimes do not require leaving a deposit. However, you may be faced with the fact that the car will not be insured. But if you drive carefully, it probably will not be an obstacle to rent a car that will cost half as much.

Often you can rent a car without the help of a company. For example, from the owner of the hotel or bungalow where you are staying. Or from his friend. Anyway, it makes sense to ask the locals about renting a car. A private owner does not pay tax, so the rent is always cheaper.

Fraudulent properties of Thais are largely exaggerated, but in order not to run into trouble in the future, deal only with people you trust.

It is clear that the owner of the bungalow, as a person who is engaged in his own business, does not mind making an extra 10 thousand baht. There is no need for him to cheat. What can not be said, for example, about the person you met at the market or in a bar.

Car Haulers

Even on the smallest street you can find a car rental company on Koh Samui. There are many of them and it is impossible to list them all. Let's take a look at a few mid-range rentals that give an idea of the cost of services.

Thai Rent A Car

Under this name is a chain company with a strong presence all over Thailand. In Samui its office is located at the airport, which makes this company convenient for those who come to the island by plane, want to get to the hotel by car and have not taken care of reservations in advance. An additional advantage of having an office at the airport is that the car can be dropped off at the same parking lot next to the office on departure without any problems.

The price includes VAT 7% and insurance: the car - against damage, against theft, the driver - against accident. The insurance covers non-repairable damage up to 4,280 baht.

The company practices free delivery of the car (outside the airport), if the rental is for more than 5 days. The same applies to the possibility of not returning the car directly to the parking lot. The warranty deposit is 5,000 baht for any model.

Office: Samui Airport, Arrivals Hall, Gate 4.

It works: 8.30-18.30.

Samui TA Car Rent

A small rental office is located near Chong Mon Beach. In addition to rentals, the company provides cab services: can take or pick up to/from anywhere on the island.

Minimum rental amount is 2,000 baht. Insurance (covers damage of 10,000 baht) and tax are included in the price. Delayed car return less than 5 hours counts as a half day, more than 5 hours counts as a full day rental.

Office: 59-8 Moo 5, T. Bophut, tel. 077 248 219

Samui For You Co.

The company has a representative office at Samui Airport and offers tourists more than 100 rental cars. The cost of renting here is one of the lowest in Thailand. As a general rule, the price includes all charges. In addition, the office allows you to cancel a reservation at any time without penalty.

Office: 42/15 Moo.4 Bophut, tel. +66 (0) 86 476 8031.

Hours of operation: 8.30-19.00.

Samui Expert Co.

The rental office offers cars at one of the highest prices in Samui. A prepayment of 20% of the rental price is made at the time of booking. Prices are for rentals of 7 days or more and do not include 7% VAT. For stays shorter than 7 days the daily rental rate will increase.

Delayed return of the car leads to a fee of 200 baht for each additional hour.

The company prohibits the use of the car outside the island.

The refundable deposit is 10,000 baht.

Office: 164/3 Moo 1, Baan Nasai, tel. +66 894 711171.

Hours of operation: 9.00-19.00