How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Chang: 4 Ways
Are you trying to find out how to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang? This complete transportation guide covers all four ways to do just that!
Koh Chang is one of the most beautiful and picturesque islands in Thailand. Best of all, it’s not one of the most popular islands in the country, meaning it’s less touristy and very laid back.
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Chang is home to a mountainous landscape featuring national parks, waterfalls, and dense jungles. The island is also known for its pristine beaches, marine life, and clear waters.
Fun Fact: Koh Chang’s nickname is “Elephant Island”
While Koh Chang is mostly covered in natural beauty, small pockets of civilization are scattered throughout the island. These areas are home to many accommodations, restaurants, shops, and entertainment for visitors.
Koh Chang tends to be known only by those who frequently visit Thailand or are recommended by someone about it. For me, Koh Chang is the most underrated island in Thailand, and I hope it stays that way for a while. Now, let’s discuss how to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok!
| TRANSPORT | TIME | COST |
| MiniBus + Ferry | 6 Hours | $20 – $27 US |
| Coach Bus + Ferry | 6 Hours | $20 – $27 US |
| Flight + Ferry | 2 Hours | $58+ US |
| Car Rental + Ferry | 5.5 Hours | Varies |
MiniBus Van + Ferry
The cheapest and easiest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang is to take one of the minibus vans that take you directly to Thammachat Pier from Bangkok, and then from the pier, you must take the ferry to Koh Chang.
Using this transport method includes both a ticket for the minibus and ferry ticket. Bus departure times are as early as 7:00 AM and as late as 11:00 AM.
Arrive at the pickup location on your ticket in Bangkok at least 30 minutes early to check in with your MiniBus driver.
The operator guarantees your connection at the pier onto the ferry, so you won’t have to worry about anything. As you arrive at the Thammachat Pier, your minibus van driver will get your ferry tickets, hand them to you, and tell you where to go.
There are many options for minibus van and ferry combination tickets from Bangkok to Koh Chang. The primary difference between tickets is the pick-up location and departure times.
Another important factor is knowing whether your ticket includes a hotel transfer from the Koh Chang Pier. Most transport options will only take you to Koh Chang. Tickets providing hotel transfers from the pier in Koh Chang will clearly state that when purchasing your ticket.
Each passenger is only permitted one carry-on luggage to take with them on the minibus. If you have any other questions once you’ve booked your tickets, reach out to the ticket operator.
TIP: Pack some snacks from 711. It’s not a short ride from Bangkok to the Thammachat Pier, and you might get hungry. However, the driver will stop for a washroom break for 15 minutes along the way.
Book MiniBus + Ferry — Cost: $20 – $27 US
Coach Bus + Ferry
Another cheap and convenient way to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok is by taking the combination of one of the coach buses operating from Bangkok to Thammachat Pier; once there, you’ll take the ferry to Koh Chang.
This transportation option includes both the coach bus ticket as well as your ferry ticket. Bus departure times are as early as 7:00 AM and as late as 11:00 AM.
Arrive at the pickup location on your ticket in Bangkok at least 30-40 minutes early to check in with your coach bus driver.
The operator guarantees a smooth connection from the pier to the ferry, eliminating any worries on your part. Upon reaching Thammachat Pier, your minibus van driver will secure your ferry tickets and personally hand them to you, providing clear instructions on where to get on the ferry.
Many services offer coach buses and ferry transfers to Koh Chang from Bangkok; buses are all similar in comfort, so it’s the same no matter what you choose. The only difference is pick-up locations and departure times. Another factor is that some services include a hotel transfer from Koh Chang Pier, while others don’t, so make sure to check your ticket before purchasing.
Please note that each passenger is allowed to bring only one carry-on luggage on the coach bus. If you have any additional inquiries after booking your tickets, kindly contact the ticket operator for further assistance.
TIP: Pack some snacks from 711. It’s not a short ride from Bangkok to the Thammachat Pier, and you might get hungry. However, the driver will make a washroom break stop for 15 minutes along the way.
Book Coach Bus + Ferry — Cost: $20 – $27 US
Flight + Ferry
The fastest way to get to Koh Chang is by taking a flight to the nearest airport to the island, transferring from the airport to the ferry dock in Trat, and then taking the ferry to Koh Chang.
While this way is the fastest, taking only around 2 hours, it’s also the most expensive transport option of the four. The flight takes only 1 hour from Bangkok to Trat Airport; the other hour includes airport transfer and ferry time.
Trat Airport, which began operations in April 2003, offers daily flights from Bangkok for those seeking an alternative way to Koh Chang instead of the long 5-6 hour bus journey.
With the convenience of four daily flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, traveling to Koh Chang has become incredibly easy. The flights, operated by Bangkok Airways, depart at 08:30, 11:40, 14:40, and 17:05, with a flight duration of exactly 1 hour. Book your flights with SkyScanner.
Once you’ve arrived at Trat Airport, you must take a taxi to reach Thammachat Ferry Pier or prebook an advance airport transfer and ferry ticket.
The distance between Trat Airport and Thammachat Ferry Pier is approximately 17 kilometers and usually takes 25 minutes. A taxi from Trat Airport to Thammachat ferry will cost you around 1,400 THB/$39 US; it’s cheaper to pre-book an airport transfer.
At last, it’s time to take the ferry from Thammachat Pier to Koh Chang. It only takes around 30 minutes to get to Koh Chang from Thammachat Pier, and ferries operate daily from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM every 45 minutes.
The cost for the ferry from the Thammachat Pier to Koh Chang is 80 THB/$2.25 US.
Once you arrive in Koh Chang, if you haven’t pre-booked a hotel transfer, then you must take a taxi from the pier in Koh Chang to your hotel.
Flight: Sky Scanner Bangkok to Trat Airport (TDX)
Book Airport Transfer + Ferry/Hotel Transfer — Cost: $20 – $27 US
Car Rental + Ferry
Last but not least, renting a car and driving from Bangkok to Trat, then taking the ferry from there to Koh Chang, is another way to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
This is the perfect way for those who prefer a road trip adventure through Thailand’s charming highway roads among nature. From Bangkok to the ferry in Trat that takes you to Koh Chang, it’s a 5-hour trip.
Along the way to Trat from Bangkok is Chanthaburi, a small charming town known for its many temples, waterfalls, laidback atmosphere, beautiful town landscape, and delicious local cuisine. If you decide to take a road trip, you can visit Chanthaburi and add it to the places you’ve visited!
Once you arrive at the Aow Thammachat Pier, approach the ticket office and purchase a ticker to get to Koh Chang. The ferry from the pier to Koh Chang takes around 30 minutes, costing 80 THB/$2.25 US.
Ferries from Thammachat Pier to Koh Chang operate every 45 minutes from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
No matter the time you plan on leaving Bangkok to go to Trat, try to leave slightly, considering any traffic when leaving Bangkok.
TIP: Don’t plan on catching the last ferry from Trat to Koh Chang without a reserved ferry ticket; this can be risky as it may be sold out. Get here early enough to catch at least the second last ferry.
Rent a Car – Ferry Ticket at Pier
Where to Stay in Koh Chang
KC Grande Resort – 5 Stars / A luxurious modern resort right on the beach with plenty of amenities and conveniently located just a short walk from cafes and the town night market
GajaPuri Resort – 4 Stars / Located right in the heart of town, this resort provides guests with private bungalows, and some even come with a pool
Santhiya Tree – 4 Stars / Beachfront property with an exceptional pool and an authentic resort-like convenience and located only minutes away from several restaurants
Oasis Koh Chang – 3 Stars / Located slightly south of the main town area on the west, this wooden jungle vibe resort is ideal for those looking to relax within the authentic surroundings of Koh Chang
Pajamas Koh Chang – Hostel / Ranked #1 hostel on the island, Pajamas offers both dorm rooms and private room accommodations. They’ve got a nice pool, bar, and spacious communal area, and it’s located near many restaurants
Things to Do in Koh Chang
Beach Day: Koh Chang is famous for its beaches, and the island is home to countless pristine, calm, picturesque shorelines. A few of the most-known beaches are Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach, and Kai Bae Beach
Go Snorkeling/Diving: Koh Chang is a remarkable destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. It’s home to stunning and healthy coral reefs, coupled with its clear turquoise waters and gentle tides, making it one of the best places in Thailand for snorkeling
Bang Bao Fishing Village: Located south of the island is Bang Bao, a small village with shops, seafood restaurants, an extended pier, and beautiful coastline views
Visit the Waterfalls: On a hot island day, nothing beats taking a swim in cool spring water at any of the waterfalls in Koh Chang. Some of the best waterfalls in Koh Chang are Khlong Plue Waterfalls, Than Mayom Waterfalls, and Khlong Nonsi Waterfalls.
Hike to Viewpoints: The best views of Koh Chang are from the island’s many viewpoints, so grab your shoes and head up to see the views; the best viewpoints in Koh Chang are Kai Bae Viewpoint, Rasta Viewpoint, and White Buddha Viewpoint.
Bangkok to Koh Chang — Final Thoughts
There you have it, and those are all the ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang. Decide which of these transportation options would best work for you.
As mentioned before, Koh Chang is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and peaceful islands. While you will run into tourists on the island, Koh Chang isn’t nearly as touristy as many of the famous islands in Thailand, like Phuket and Koh Samui.
You can experience all the things you can on other popular islands in Thailand in Koh Chang with the added bonus of fewer crowds!
Despite not being a tourist-filled island, you’ll find cuisine from all over the world in Koh Chang. So picky eaters, don’t worry.
Lastly, I must mention Koh Chang is one of the cheapest islands in Thailand to visit, so not only is Koh Chang beautiful, but it’s also cheap to visit!
Where after Koh Chang? Consider Krabi, Chiang Mai, or perhaps visiting another island, this time Koh Samui or Koh Phi Phi.
How long does it take to fly from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
It takes 1 hour to fly from Bangkok to Trat Airport, the closest airport to Koh Chang.
Once there, you must take a taxi to the Thammachat Pier, which takes 25 minutes. Then, take a ferry from Thammatchat Pier to Koh Chang, which takes 30 minutes.
Is Koh Chang expensive to visit?
No, not at all. At an average daily spend of only $50 US a day, Koh Chang is one of the cheapest places in Thailand to visit!
How long should I stay in Koh Chang?
Plan to spend at least 3-4 days in Koh Chang. The island offers plenty of things to do, and it’s an ideal place to relax, so you’ll want to spend a day or two doing that!
Is Koh Chang a party island?
No, it’s not at all. Koh Chang is a laidback island offering only beach bars and restaurants with evening entertainment.
You won’t find nightclubs or bars here until the very early hours.
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