Bangkok Airways has at least a dozen flights daily between Ko Samui and Bangkok (1.25hours). There is a Bangkok Airways Office in Chaweng and another at the airport.

Other daily destinations from Samui include Phuket (50min) and Pattaya (1hr). During the high season, flights may be completely booked out as much as six weeks in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly. If Samui flights are full, you might try flying to Surat Thani first, then taking a boat.

The ferry situation is complicated: there are four ferry piers on the Surat Thani coast (Ao Ban Don, Tha Thong, Don Sak and Khanom) and three on Ko Samui (Na Thon, Mae Nam and Big Buddha). When going to Ko Samui, the boat (and pier) you use will probably depend on what's available next when you arrive in Surat Thani.

Schedules and prices are always in flux. Expect more departures during the busy season and fewer during the rainy times. Tickets from a travel agency cost more but include a transfer to the pier.

There are frequent daily boat departures between Samui and Surat Thani (1½ to 3hr), depending on the boat and almost 10 daily departures between Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan. Boats to Ko Pha-Ngan (20min to 1hr) leave either from the Na Thong, Mae Nam or Big Buddha piers on Samui.

It can be cheaper and less stressful to get bus/ferry combination tickets that take you all the way to (and from) Ko Samui. Both government buses from Bangkok's Southern bus terminal and private buses include the cost of the ferry. Private buses charge a flat fare and are slightly cheaper, while government buses offer various classes up to VIP. It's possible to get cheaper bus/ferry combination tickets on Th Khao San in Bangkok, but service is substandard.

From Na Thon on Ko Samui, air-con buses fan out over Thailand and there are at least three daily departures for any given destination.

The railway network in Thailand is run by the government-subsidised State Railway of Thailand (SRT; www.railway.co.th). The standard of service is excellent and this is certainly one of the most pleasant ways to get around the kingdom.

The line that most island-bound travellers use is the southern route with stops at Hua Hin, Surat Thani (the transfer point to Ko Samui), Trang and the border with Malaysia. Currently, trains are slightly slower than buses.

You can buy train/ferry tickets straight through to Samui from Bangkok. Buying these combination tickets saves you some hassle.

If you plan on doing a lot of rail travel, the SRT offers a rail pass that allows unlimited 2nd- and 3rd-class travel on Thai trains. If you're just travelling in southern Thailand, the rail pass probably won't save you much money, but it can be a good deal if you are also planning to visit the north.

Whatever you do: Do not forget your baggage! This is very important if you intend to go on to a domestic airport. Your baggage will not be redirected automatically at Bangkok Airport, so you'll have to pick it up, move to the domestic terminal and check-in your baggage again.