Major city · Thailand
Nathon
Skip Nathon as a base unless you need the ferry port; 1–2 hours at sunset is enough. Stay in Chaweng or Lamai for beaches and nightlife.
Nathon is Ko Samui's main ferry port on the west coast, not a resort town. Most visitors pass through on arrival or departure. The Saturday Walking Street and sunset views from the pier are the main draws, but the island's better beaches, restaurants and accommodation are on the east and north coasts. A half-hour stop or one evening is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Feb–Sep (dry season on the Gulf coast)
- avoid Oct–Jan (monsoon, rough seas, some ferry cancellations)
- Airport
- USM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Nathon191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nathon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyNathon is safe during the day and during the Walking Street market.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUSM Samui Airport (About 25 min by taxi or songthaew to Nathon pier).
- Getting aroundSongthaews (shared pick-up trucks) run the ring road from the pier to Bophut and Chaweng for about 50 baht (≈ US$2) for a 5 km (3.1 mi) ride.Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) run the ring road from the pier to Bophut and Chaweng for about 50 baht (≈ US$2) for a 3.1 mi (5 km) ride.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (iced)฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealPad Thai from a Walking Street stall฿50–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (local) at a restaurant฿60–100 (≈ US$2–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Songthaew ride (5 km (3.1 mi))Songthaew ride (3.1 mi (5 km))฿50 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedGuesthouse fan room, a night, per room฿550 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse fan room, a night, per room฿800 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedGuesthouse fan room, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿1,500 (≈ US$50) · High ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- USM Samui Airport (About 25 min by taxi or songthaew to Nathon pier)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Feb–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nathon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) run the ring road from the pier to Bophut and Chaweng for about 50 baht for a 5 km ride. Taxis are unmetered: negotiate the fare before getting in. Scooter rental is common on the island but requires caution on the ring road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Songthaew from the pier, about 20 min
Main beach and nightlife; best for a full day.
Door to door: 35 min
Songthaew from the pier, about 25 min
Quieter than Chaweng, with the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks.
Door to door: 25 min
Songthaew from the pier, about 15 min
Fisherman's Village and Friday Walking Street.
Door to door: 20 min
Songthaew from the pier, about 10 min
Longer, quieter beach; good for a half-day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Nathon town centre
Near the pier and Walking Street; limited budget options, mostly guesthouses.
North or east coast
Better beaches and more choices; 10–20 min drive to the pier.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,200–2,500 (≈ US$40–80) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,500 (≈ US$80)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse fan room1 × 1 night × ฿800 | ฿800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿1,500 | ฿3,000 |
| Songthaew from pier to Chaweng2 × ฿50 | ฿100 |
| Scooter rental per day2 × ฿250 · check | ฿500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿500 |
| Trip total≈ ฿2,750 per person per day, bed included | ฿5,500≈ US$170 |
Chytalai Palace Hotel quoted 550 baht for a fan room (check)
2026 estimate in baht; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pad Thai from a Walking Street stall | ฿50–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer (local) at a restaurant | ฿60–100 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Coffee (iced) | ฿40–70 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Songthaew ride (5 km) | ฿50 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi from pier to ChawengNegotiate before boarding. | ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules change with weather: check the operator's page before heading to the pier.
- Taxis from the pier may quote inflated fares; agree on the price first.
- The ring road has no footpath in many sections; walking between villages is not recommended after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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NathonNathon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับ/ค่ะTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
Most embassies are in Bangkok; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Surat Thani or Phuket.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Songthaew pier → Chaweng: about ฿50 (≈ US$2), 20 min
- Taxi pier → Chaweng: ฿300–500 (≈ US$10–16), 20 min (negotiate)
- Ferry Nathon → Surat Thani mainland: about ฿200–400 (≈ US$7–13), 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawasdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khob khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much? (thao rai)
- แพงเกินไป — Too expensive (phaeng koen pai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu thi nai)
- ไม่เข้าใจ — I don't understand (mai khao jai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nathon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Sep (dry season on the Gulf coast) · avoid Oct–Jan (monsoon, rough seas, some ferry cancellations) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Nathon
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