Figuring out how to get to Koh Chang is honestly one of the most common questions among first-time visitors to Thailand’s eastern gulf islands. And it’s a fair one, because Koh Chang isn’t connected to the mainland by road. You have to take a ferry at some point, no matter what. Understanding how to get to Koh Chang before you book anything saves you a lot of stress, missed connections, and unnecessarily expensive taxis.
The good news? The journey is very doable. Whether you’re coming from Bangkok, Pattaya, or flying into Trat, there are clear options for every budget and schedule. Let’s break it all down.
Where Is Koh Chang Located?
Koh Chang sits in the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodian border, in Trat Province. It’s about 310 km from Bangkok, roughly a 4.5 to 5-hour journey by road and ferry combined. The island is Thailand’s second-largest island after Phuket, which surprises a lot of people who expect something tiny.
The two main ferry piers on the mainland are at Laem Ngop, near Trat town. From there, boats cross to the island’s northwest and centre points. It takes about 30–45 minutes by ferry, depending on which crossing you pick.
Your Guide to Koh Chang’s Location in Thailand: Read more in White Sand Beach Koh Chang: Don’t Book Your Trip Until You Read This.
How to Get to Koh Chang: Your Route Options
There’s no single “best” route; it really depends on where you’re starting. Here are the main travel routes explained simply.
How to Get to Koh Chang from Bangkok
Bangkok to Koh Chang is the most popular route, and it’s well-established. You have three main options: bus + ferry, private taxi + ferry, or fly to Trat and take a short transfer.
The cheapest and most common is the bus. Several companies, including Burapha Bus and Bell Travel, run direct buses from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) or Mo Chit to Trat, where you connect to the ferry. The total journey takes around 5 to 6 hours and costs roughly ฿250–฿400 per person for the bus alone. Some combined bus-ferry tickets are available online for around ฿600–฿700 total, which is a solid deal.
A private taxi from Bangkok is faster (door-to-door, no connection stress) but costs around ฿3,500–฿5,000 depending on the operator and time of day. Worth it if you’re traveling in a group.
How to Get to Koh Chang from Pattaya
Pattaya to Koh Chang is surprisingly easy. It’s about 180 km and takes roughly 3–3.5 hours by road to the ferry pier. Minivans operate this route regularly, companies like Goodmorning Travel run shared vans from Pattaya for around ฿350–฿500 per person. You’ll connect to the ferry at Laem Ngop.
Private taxis from Pattaya typically cost ฿2,000–฿3,000 for the whole car to the pier, making them reasonable for small groups.
How to Get to Koh Chang from Trat
Trat is the closest mainland point to Koh Chang, just 17 km from the ferry pier. If you’re already in Trat (whether arriving by bus, flight, or crossing from Cambodia), you simply take a songthaew (shared truck taxi) or tuk-tuk to the Laem Ngop or Centre Point pier for about ฿50–฿100. Then hop on the ferry. This whole leg takes under an hour.
Travel Options to Reach Koh Chang
By Flight + Ferry
Bangkok Airways operates flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Trat Airport (TDX). The flight is only 50 minutes. From Trat Airport, the pier is about 20–25 minutes by taxi (roughly ฿300–฿500). Then it’s the ferry crossing.
Flight prices vary, but budget around ฿2,500–฿5,000 one way. It’s the fastest option if time matters more than money. According to
Bangkok Airways’ official route information, this route operates daily and is the most time-efficient way for international travelers connecting through Bangkok.
By Bus + Ferry
This is the most budget-friendly route and very reliable. Buses leave Bangkok Ekkamai terminal daily from around 6:00 AM through to 11:30 PM. Some services are air-conditioned VIP buses with reclining seats, surprisingly comfortable. The bus drops you in Trat, where you transfer to a songthaew or minivan for the final leg to the pier.
Pro tip: book your bus ticket in advance during Thai long weekends (Songkran, New Year), seats sell out fast.
By Private Taxi
Private taxis give you full flexibility. No timetable, no transfers, and you can stop wherever you want. Many travelers prefer this for airport arrivals with heavy luggage or families with young kids. Prices are negotiable, but expect to pay ฿3,500–฿5,500 from Bangkok to the ferry pier.
By Self-Drive Car
Driving yourself is a real option and actually quite enjoyable. The road from Bangkok follows Highway 3 through Chonburi, Rayong, and Chanthaburi before reaching Trat. Google Maps puts it at about 4 hours without traffic, but Bangkok traffic can add 45–90 minutes. You can park your car at the ferry pier (paid parking available at both major crossings).
Here’s exactly which ferry to take, where to board, and how long each crossing takes; save this.
Ferry Information for Koh Chang
Main Ferry Departure Points
Two ferry routes connect the mainland to Koh Chang. Both operate from the Laem Ngop area, but from slightly different piers.
| Ferry Route | Pier Name | Destination on Koh Chang | Operating Hours |
| Ao Sapparot Ferry | Tha Dan Kao Pier | Ao Sapparot (north) | 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Centre Point Ferry | Centre Point Pier | Bang Bao / central | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Khlong Son Ferry | Khlong Son Pier | Khlong Son (northwest) | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Ferry Travel Time
The crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the route. Ferry prices are standardized and very affordable; passenger tickets typically cost ฿80–฿120 per person. If you’re bringing a car, expect to pay ฿300–฿600 depending on vehicle size. Ferries run roughly every 30–60 minutes throughout the day.
Compare all routes at a glance, journey time, cost, and effort side by side.
| Route | Approx. Time | Approx. Cost (Per Person) | Best For |
| Bangkok → Bus → Ferry | 5.5–6.5 hrs | ฿350–฿700 | Budget travelers |
| Bangkok → Flight → Ferry | 2–2.5 hrs total | ฿2,800–฿5,500 | Time-pressed travelers |
| Bangkok → Private Taxi → Ferry | 4.5–5.5 hrs | ฿3,500–฿5,500 (car) | Groups, families |
| Pattaya → Minivan → Ferry | 3–3.5 hrs | ฿400–฿600 | Eastern coast visitors |
| Trat → Songthaew → Ferry | Under 1 hr | ฿150–฿250 total | Travelers already in Trat |
Best Time to Travel to Koh Chang
Koh Chang has a proper rainy season from May to October, when monsoon conditions hit the west coast hard. If you’re visiting purely for beach time, the dry season from November to April is your window. The peak months are December and January, popular, pricier, but genuinely beautiful.
That said, travel to the island is possible year-round. Ferries run in all weather conditions except during actual storms. The journey itself is unaffected by the rainy season; it’s just what you do once you arrive that’s impacted.
According to the
The Thai Meteorological Department’s seasonal data, Trat Province (where Koh Chang falls), receives the highest rainfall in Thailand between August and October. If you’re traveling, then just pack light rain gear and embrace it.
Quick seasonal overview to help you plan your trip to Koh Chang at the right time.
| Month | Weather | Ferry Conditions | Crowd Level |
| Nov – Feb | Dry, sunny, 28–32°C | Smooth | High (peak season) |
| Mar – Apr | Hot & dry, 33–36°C | Smooth | Moderate |
| May – Jul | Rainy starts, humid | Generally fine | Low |
| Aug – Oct | Heavy rain, storms possible | Occasional delays | Very low |
What Is the Fastest Way to Get to Koh Chang?
The fastest way to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok is by flying to Trat Airport (50 minutes), then taking a taxi to the ferry pier (25 minutes), then crossing by ferry (30–40 minutes). Total door-to-pier time is around 2 to 2.5 hours. Flying with Bangkok Airways is the only direct option; no other airline currently serves Trat.
How Much Does It Cost to Get to Koh Chang from Bangkok?
Traveling by bus and ferry typically costs ฿400–฿700 per person. A private taxi with the ferry usually ranges from ฿3,700–฿5,700 per vehicle. If you choose to fly, then take a taxi and ferry, expect to spend approximately ฿3,000–฿6,000 per person, depending on your booking time. The bus route is comfortably the most affordable for solo travelers and backpackers.
Do Ferries to Koh Chang Run Every Day?
Yes, ferries to Koh Chang operate daily, including public holidays. Services run from approximately 6:00 AM to 7:00–9:00 PM, depending on the crossing. During peak season (December–February), frequency increases. Ferries do not require booking for foot passengers; just show up and buy a ticket at the pier.
Travel Tips Before You Go
- Book bus tickets online in advance during Thai public holidays and long weekends, as seats genuinely sell out.
- Download Google Maps offline for the Trat area before you leave Bangkok. Mobile signal gets patchy near the pier.
- If you’re arriving late, plan to reach the mainland pier before 7:00 PM; most ferries stop running after that.
- Bring cash. Many transport connections (songthaews, pier taxis) don’t accept cards.
- If you’re traveling with a motorbike, confirm with the ferry operator in advance about vehicle space. It’s usually fine, but good to check during peak periods.
- The Centre Point Ferry is slightly more central for reaching popular areas like White Sand Beach and Klong Prao. The Ao Sapparot crossing is good if you’re heading to the north of the island.
One thing I’d add from experience: don’t rush the last ferry. Missing it means an unplanned night in Trat town, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not what you planned either. Build 30 minutes of buffer into your travel timeline, especially if you’re connecting from Bangkok by bus.
Ready for Your Koh Chang Trip?
Getting to Koh Chang really isn’t complicated once you understand the layout. You’re looking at a road journey plus a short ferry, and that’s it. Whether you take the budget bus from Bangkok or fly into Trat and jump straight on a ferry, the journey itself is part of the experience.
The ferry crossing, especially that 30 or 40 minutes on the water with Koh Chang’s forested hills coming into view, is genuinely one of those moments that makes you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special. Worth every hour of travel to get there.
FAQs: How to Get to Koh Chang
Q: Is there a direct bus from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
A: There is no single bus that drives onto the island (since a ferry is always required), but combined bus + ferry tickets are available from the Bangkok Ekkamai terminal. Companies like Burapha Bus offer through-tickets that include the connection to the pier and the ferry crossing.
Q: Can you take a car to Koh Chang?
A: Yes. You drive to the mainland ferry pier and load your car onto the vehicle ferry. Car ferry tickets cost around ฿300–฿600 depending on vehicle size. Both major crossings (Ao Sapparot and Centre Point) accommodate cars.
Q: How long is the ferry ride to Koh Chang?
A: The ferry crossing takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Both the Ao Sapparot and Centre Point routes are similar in duration.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Koh Chang by bus at night?
A: Yes. Night buses from Bangkok are air-conditioned and operate on well-maintained highways. Many travelers take the late evening bus to arrive in Trat in the early morning, then wait briefly for the first ferry. It’s a common and safe option for budget travelers.
Q: Do I need to book the ferry in advance?
A: For foot passengers, no booking is needed, just pay at the pier. If you’re bringing a car or motorbike, it’s worth arriving early during peak season to secure space on the vehicle deck.
