How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang

Why visit Koh Chang?

Koh Chang is a haven for travellers who enjoy both the jungle and the beach. The “sabai sabai” (relaxing) atmosphere of the island will allow you to kick back and take in all the stunning scenery.

Unlike Thailand’s bigger islands — Koh Samui and Phuket — Koh Chang is a lot less developed. It’s more rustic and authentic, but there’s still so much to do in Koh Chang: parties and fire shows on Lonely Beach, high-end resorts for sunbed lovers, an incredible underwater world for water babies and a rich jungle that is yet to be fully explored.

There are 4 ways to travel the 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Bangkok to Koh Chang. You can choose between the bus + ferry, minivan + ferry, taxi and flight via Trat. The journey takes 2 to 10 hours and the quickest way is by flight via Trat. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus + ferry with tickets starting at 654 THB ($19.60).

We recommend travelling by bus and ferry from Bangkok to Koh Chang. The bus will go from Bangkok To Trat and from there you have to transfer to a 45-minute ferry from Trat to Koh Chang.

You can book combined bus + ferry tickets online for 900 THB ($27) from Bangkok city centre or 800 THB ($24) when departing from Bangkok Airport (BKK).

When you book your tickets separately, you might be able to save some money, but it also comes with more hassle. With a combined ticket, you don’t need to worry about the transfer and also don’t need to buy separate tickets.

Below we will start with the combined options from Bangkok to Koh Chang. After the table, you will find the info on how to make the journey with two separate bookings.

Departure in Bangkok

The buses heading from Bangkok to Koh Chang depart from either Khao San Boonsiri or Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Khao San Boonsiri is conveniently located in Bangkok city centre. Suvarnabhumi Burapha Bus is more convenient if you come from the airport. However, as there is only one departure in the early morning, this usually doesn’t match any flight schedule.

Therefore we would recommend travelling with Boonsiri. Not only do they leave from Bangkok city centre, but they also drop you off at your hotel in Koh Chang.

The easiest way to travel this route from Bangkok to Koh Chang by bus is to book it together with a ferry ticket. Several companies are offering this combined bus and ferry service.

The price for combined tickets starts at 654 THB ($19.60). Travel time takes around 6-10h.

Bus + Ferry options from Bangkok to Koh Chang

Another option when travelling via bus and ferry is to book your tickets separately. You can save on costs when you buy your tickets onsite instead of online, but it’s worth noting that this option won’t give you the same level of comfort and ease when booking combined tickets online.

The total cost of booking tickets separately starts at 1,314 THB ($39.50).

See the step-by-step guide below.

The first step requires a bus from Bangkok to Trat.

Triple T is the most popular (mini) bus company on this route and offers 8 departures each from two different stations in Bangkok a day.

Departure stations in Bangkok

The buses either depart from Eastern Bus Terminal in Ekkamai or from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak – Mochit).

If you want to travel by taxi from your hotel to the bus terminal, it’s best to depart from Mochit which is closest to Bangkok centre. The taxi drive to Mochit takes about 20-30 minutes while the drive to Ekkamai will take double the amount of time.

On the other hand, if you want to travel by public transport, go to the Eastern Bus Terminal. Ekkamai is conveniently connected with the Bangkok BTS metro line. Mochit bus terminal is only accessible by bus.

The ferry company operating on this route is Boonsiri High Speed Ferries.

Boonsiri High Speed Ferries leaves from Hat Lek Pier and arrives at Bang Bao Pier.

While there also used to go a different speedboat ferry to Koh Chang, this ferry company is the only choice for now.

A minivan ride from Bangkok to Koh Chang costs around 874 THB ($26). The minivan journey takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on traffic.

Koh Chang Transport operates on this route.

Minivan + Ferry options from Bangkok to Koh Chang

Taking a plane from Bangkok to Trat and then continuing with the ferry is the fastest way.

Bangkok Airways is the only airline operating along this route, with two flights daily. These flights depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and arrive at Trat Airport (TDX) after 1 hour.

One-way airfare starts from 1,300 THB ($39) excl. ferry. Book early for the best fares.

Once you arrive at the airport, you will need to take a transfer to the pier to catch the ferry to Koh Chang.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

If you are with a group, it’s worth it to consider taking private transportation from Bangkok to Koh Chang. The taxi will drive to Trat, then board the car ferry and from there continue to any hotel in Koh Chang.

When splitting the costs, it’s still a cheap option for a trip that will take 5 hours to 6 hours 30 minutes. Rates start from 4,537 THB ($135) when you book online. If you book a taxi via your hotel, it’s likely more expensive.

Included pick-up areas in Bangkok

Online booked taxis will bring you to any hotel in Koh Chang and pick you up from any location in Bangkok including:

• Khao San Boonsiri in Bangkok
• Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Don Mueang Airport