Behind every successful flight is a stressful airport experience. Did you pack an extra pair of pants? Do you have your passport? Are you sure you didn’t cram all your skincare products into your carry-on? Now, add a chaotic airport to that mix, and you’re already exhausted before even getting to your destination. While people will give you all sorts of tips for finding quiet areas in an airport or trying to avoid flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as it’s the busiest in the U.S., some airports simply take that pressure off of you. When you’ve chosen the island of Koh Samui in Thailand as your tropical retreat, the airport will greet you in the best way possible. We’re talking luggage in one hand and a coconut in another — you might do a double take to make sure you’re in the right place. No anxiety, no hassle; just laid-back vibes — in an airport, of all places.
Koh Samui Airport, also referred to as Samui International Airport, is unlike any other place you’ve ever landed. Not only is it Thailand’s first private airport, but it’s also the first in the country to obtain Carbon Footprint Mark certification from the Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. The al fresco airport truly embodies the island it serves — no need for noise-canceling headphones here to stay calm. Since it was originally a coconut plantation, the airport features coconut tree wood and other natural materials to match the island’s aesthetic. You won’t even notice when you leave the airport and start vacationing in Koh Samui.
To fly into Koh Samui Airport, you must book your tickets from either Bangkok Airways or the low-cost Singapore airline, Scoot. With Bangkok Airways, you can get to the island from cities like Chiang Mai, Phuket, and, of course, Bangkok.
Koh Samui Airport brings you a first-class island experience
Unlike Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport — the world’s largest — Samui International is rather small. For starters, it boasts six passenger terminals — two being international — which makes it much easier to navigate the area. Passenger traffic can be as high as 16,000 people a day or 6 million annually (for reference, the 100% carbon-free Chicago O’Hare International Airport had nearly 74 million passengers in 2023). And, what Koh Samui Airport lacks in size, it makes up for in tropical amenities and stress-free interactions.
The airport is divided into six open-air pavilions. Zone 1 is the check-in area, where you can relax in the garden, unwind on beanbags, or watch the airplanes take off from your lounge chair. This section is perhaps the most scenic in the entire airport — you don’t usually get to watch planes land with such stunning backdrops. Zone 2 is where you’ll find Samui Park Avenue, dotted with shops, cafes, more beanbags and lounge chairs, and smoking areas — the cherry on top are the swings at the end of the pathway. This is also where the domestic flight security checkpoint is located. From here, you’ll get to Zone 3, where you can choose a variety of coconut-flavored treats, get an oriental massage, and indulge in retail therapy before your flight.
The international departure gates are over in Zone 5, where quaint huts, palm trees, and grassy lawns provide you with much-needed clarity before boarding the plane. As for those landing in the airport, Zone 4 welcomes visitors with an uncomplicated arrival process, with designated desks for hotel transfers, car rentals, and more. Zone 6 is when you finally exit the airport and meet your driver.
The airport amenities prepare you for the vacation ahead
