Scooter rental in Koh Tao (Thailand): address & prices

Disclaimer: be careful!

You’ll have no trouble renting a scooter in Koh Tao (or anywhere else in Thailand). If you don’t have a motorbike license, it’s still illegal. It can expose you to fines (very unlikely on Koh Tao), but above all: you won’t be covered by your insurance in case of an accident.

Moreover, it’s easy to get overconfident on Koh Tao. It’s a little paradise; you see foreigners riding without helmets, bare-chested and barefoot… It’s quite exhilarating, that feeling of freedom.

It’s still dangerous: you drive on the left, there are steep ups and downs, there can be sandy areas, and during monsoon season, you can find yourself under torrential rain within two minutes.

In short, be cautious!

That said, as on the neighboring islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, you’ll have no trouble finding a scooter to rent. They’re offered on every street corner. Your hotel might even be able to arrange it.

Generally, I prefer to choose a rental shop myself that has good reviews on Google to avoid any nasty surprises. The idea is to get a scooter in good condition, at a fair price, and not to run into a scammer who wants to keep part of my deposit.

I chose “DUDU’S MOTORBIKE RENTALS & TRAVEL”, which was 5 minutes from my accommodation.

I contacted them via WhatsApp (+66 89 032 2596) while I was on the boat to Koh Tao. By the time I arrived and dropped my stuff at the hotel, I picked up the scooter two hours later. That’s something very appreciated in general in Southeast Asia: no need to plan!

Generally, I always ask for the daily rate. Then, once I have the rate, I ask for a better price for the desired duration. In this example, I got a rate of 150 THB / day for a 7-day rental, versus a starting rate of 200 THB / day. For a Honda Click 125cc.

Picking up the scooter took 10 minutes:

• Video tour of the scooter to keep a record of its initial condition
• Contract signing
• Security deposit (4,000 THB or a passport)
• Payment for the rental
• Choosing helmets

It was really hot, and the renter offered me a nice cold bottle of water; the gesture was much appreciated.

The scooter was in good condition. During the stay, I let the renter know I wanted to extend for two extra days and could pay the difference upon return.

I recommend it!