The Open-Air Design Of This Asian Island's Airport Makes It One Of The World's Most Unique

Koh Samui is a stunning Thai island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It attracts millions of travelers each year with its picturesque sandy beaches, lush jungles, traditional temples and shrines, and rich nightlife. The Southeast Asian destination should be on any island lover's bucket list, and surprisingly, so should its airport.

Samui International Airport isn't your typical airport with a drab design and generic-looking terminals. Instead, this Thai hub perfectly captures the spirit and nature of Koh Samui. The island's airport looks more like a resort where you'd book a massage and sip an umbrella-topped cocktail than a place you'd catch a flight from. It features tropical gardens, palm trees, wooden ceilings, and rattan details. Even more unique, Samui International Airport has a refreshing open-air layout, effectively eliminating that trapped-in-an-airport feeling. To reach the gates or browse the shops, you might find yourself walking outside, surrounded by greenery and fresh ocean air. And when it's time to leave Koh Samui and board your flight home, you'll be put on a charming trolley for a relaxing, scenic ride before being dropped off at your plane. Bye-bye, airport anxiety!

The beautiful interiors (or, on second thought, are they exteriors?) at Samui International Airport are reason enough to stay late after a flight or arrive early before a scheduled departure. But that's not all this travel hub offers. The airport, owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, comes with some special amenities provided by the airline. First, stop by the Courtesy Corner to get free refreshments, including coffee, tea, juice, water, and small snacks. The feature is sort of like an airport lounge, except the food and drink bar is open to all Bangkok Airways passengers.

If you still want to buy food or other goodies, such as souvenirs, you can do so at the airport's shops. In the outdoor shopping mall, you'll find a bookstore, a Thai silk shop, and a handful of other retailers. There are also restaurants and cafés available if you're feeling famished. Expect Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisines.

Traveling with small children? Make sure to stop by the playroom, kept in the shade under a roofed structure. You'll also find swings and plenty of space to run around outside. If you're feeling playful but are too big for the kiddie slides, head to the Airport Gaming Zone, a PlayStation game room stocked with some of the most popular titles.

A plane ride isn't the only way to reach Koh Samui. If you're visiting Bangkok or another Thai city, you may be able to travel to Koh Samui via train and ferry instead. However, booking a flight is the best way to ensure you don't miss out on the island's breathtaking, breezy airport. Considering Samui International Airport is owned by Bangkok Airways, it's no surprise that many of the flights in and out of the hub are run by the Thai airline. With that said, Samui International is expanding and gradually making room for additional carriers and destinations. You may spot flights operated by Scoot, Thai Airways, or another airline when booking your journey.

The majority of Samui's airport caters to domestic flights, and if you're coming from outside of Asia, you'll likely need to stop at another Thai airport to board a connecting flight to Koh Samui. Travelers coming from a few lucky Asian cities can reach Koh Samui directly. These include Singapore, Hong Kong, Chengdu, and Xi'an.