How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang

Bangkok to Koh Chang is a classic Bangkok–Gulf of Thailand hop: go overland to Trat province and board a short car ferry to the island. Your main choices are bus/minivan + ferry, a quick flight to Trat (TDX) plus transfer, a private car/van straight to the pier, or self-drive onto the car ferry. Pick based on time, budget, and luggage.

At A Glance (Bangkok to Koh Chang)

Mode	Duration	Best For
🚌⛴️ Bus/Minivan (Ekkamai/Mo Chit) + Ferry	~6–8h total (road + 25–35m ferry)	Good value, simple connections
🏷️ Cost: ~THB 400–900 one-way (service/class) » compare departures | bundled tickets
✈️ Flight (BKK/DMK → TDX) + Transfer + Ferry	~1h flight + ~1–1.5h road + ferry	Fastest overall, minimal bus time
🏷️ Cost: ~THB 1,800–4,500 flight + transfer » search flights | fares
🚐 Private Car/Van (Bangkok → Pier) + Ferry	~5–6.5h door-to-door incl. ferry	Families, lots of luggage, comfort
🏷️ Cost: ~THB 3,500–7,500 per vehicle (size/season) » get quotes | meet & greet options
🚘⛴️ Self-Drive (Car Ferry)	~5–7h (traffic-dependent)	Flexibility, on-island mobility
🏷️ Cost: Car rental ~THB 900–1,800/day + fuel + ferry vehicle fare » compare rentals

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest overall: Fly to Trat (TDX), then short transfer to the pier and ferry.
• Best value & easy: Bus/minivan + ferry from Ekkamai or Mo Chit with a through-ticket.
• Most comfortable door-to-door: Private car/van direct to the pier (and often onto the ferry).
• Most flexible/with kids or gear: Self-drive and take the car ferry so you can roam the island freely.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Through-tickets help: Bundled Bangkok→pier→ferry→island drop-offs reduce hassles; compare on 12Go or Klook.
• Ride-hailing: In Bangkok, Grab/Bolt work well to reach bus stations; for fixed intercity quotes, try GetTransfer.
• Pack for the ferry: Keep a small bag ready (water, sunscreen, hat). Ferries are frequent in the daytime; night crossings are limited.
• Stay near the pier if late: If arriving after last ferry, overnight in Trat; find last-minute rooms on Booking.com (Trat).
• On-island mobility: Rent a scooter (experienced riders only; hilly roads) via BikesBooking or use songthaews (shared pickups) along the west coast.
• Luggage storage: Sightseeing before departure? Stash bags in Bangkok via Radical Storage.

🚌⛴️ Option #1 — Bus/Minivan + Ferry (Most Popular, Good Value)

Budget Through-tickets Fixed timetable

• Overview: Depart Bangkok (Ekkamai or Mo Chit) by coach/minivan to Trat’s mainland piers (Ao Thammachat or Centrepoint). Board the 25–35 minute ferry to Koh Chang (Ao Sapparot pier), then continue by shared pickup/taxi to your beach.
• How to book (with price): ~THB 400–900 one-way depending on operator and whether the ferry/island drop-off is included. Compare schedules and book e-tickets on 12Go or Klook.
• Pros: Cheapest simple route; frequent daytime services. Cons: Peak-season buses sell out; some minivans are tight with luggage.

Step-by-step: Bus/Minivan + Ferry

1. Get to your Bangkok terminal: Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Sukhumvit/Eastern) or Mo Chit (Northern). Use BTS/MRT + Grab for last mile.
2. Buy/confirm your through-ticket on 12Go or Klook; arrive 30 minutes early to check in and tag bags.
3. Ride ~5–6 hours to Trat province; you’ll be dropped at Ao Thammachat Pier or Centrepoint Pier.
4. Board the ferry (25–35 minutes) to Ao Sapparot Pier (Koh Chang). On arrival, take a songthaew or prearranged hotel pickup to your beach (White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach).

Getting to the main embarking points (Ekkamai / Mo Chit / Trat Piers)

• Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Bangkok Eastern): Next to BTS Ekkamai (Exit 2).
• Mo Chit Bus Terminal: Reach via BTS/MRT + short taxi/Grab.
• Mainland piers: Ao Thammachat (fastest ferries) and Centrepoint (also frequent).
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

✈️ Option #2 — Flight to Trat (TDX) + Transfer + Ferry (Fastest)

Time-saving Light luggage Higher cost

• Overview: Fly Bangkok → Trat (TDX). At TDX, hop into a minibus/private car to Ao Thammachat or Centrepoint, then ferry to Koh Chang. Many transfers coordinate with the flight schedule.
• How to book (with price): Flights from ~THB 1,800–4,500 one-way seasonally. Compare on Booking.com Flights or Trip.com. Prebook airport transfer/ferry bundles via GetYourGuide or Klook.
• Pros: Shortest travel day; good if you’re tight on time. Cons: Fewer daily flights; check last-ferry times if you arrive late.

Step-by-step: Flight → Transfer → Ferry

1. Depart Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang). Use Airport Rail Link/BTS/MRT + Grab to reach your airport smoothly.
2. Book your flight on Booking.com Flights or Trip.com and check in online.
3. Land at Trat Airport (TDX); meet your prebooked minibus/private car (many include ferry coupon).
4. Ride 30–60 minutes to Ao Thammachat or Centrepoint, board the ferry (25–35 minutes), then continue by songthaew or hotel pickup on Koh Chang.

Getting to the main embarking points (Bangkok Airports / TDX / Piers)

• Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi (ARL link) and Don Mueang (SRT Red Line + A1/A2 buses/Grab).
• Trat Airport: Small & quick; ground transfers meet flights.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #3 — Private Car/Van + Ferry (Door-to-Door, Comfortable)

Hassle-free Great with kids/gear Higher cost

• Overview: A driver collects you at your Bangkok hotel/airport, drives to Trat, and either drops you at the pier or takes the vehicle onto the car ferry and delivers you to your Koh Chang hotel.
• How to book (with price): ~THB 3,500–7,500 per vehicle (sedan → van, season/time). Get instant quotes on GetTransfer or browse meet-and-greet options on GetYourGuide. As a cheaper alternative for the Bangkok pickup only, use Grab/Bolt to reach bus stations.
• Pros: Fastest door-to-door; no bag hauling. Cons: Price; holiday traffic can slow the highway.

Step-by-step: Private Car/Van

1. Request quotes with pickup address/time and group size on GetTransfer; confirm if drop is pier-side or hotel-door on Koh Chang.
2. Meet your driver in Bangkok; plan 1–2 rest stops en route (fuel/food).
3. Arrive at Ao Thammachat or Centrepoint; board the ferry. If vehicle boards, ride across and continue to your hotel.

Getting to the main embarking points (Your Hotel / Piers / Island)

• Bangkok pickup: Any hotel/airport/home address.
• On Koh Chang: Hotels clustered along the west coast (White Sand → Lonely Beach); roads are steep—drivers know the route.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚘⛴️ Option #4 — Self-Drive + Car Ferry (Most Flexible)

Total flexibility Easy with families Mountainous roads

• Overview: Rent a car in Bangkok, drive the highway to Trat, and take the vehicle ferry (Ao Thammachat or Centrepoint) to Koh Chang. Having a car simplifies beach-to-beach exploring and rainy-day plans.
• How to book (with price): ~THB 900–1,800/day for a compact car, plus fuel and ferry vehicle fare. Compare agencies/insurance on Booking.com Car Rental or Trip.com Car Hire.
• Pros: Door-to-door, easy grocery runs. Cons: Koh Chang has steep, winding roads—drive carefully in rain and after dark.

Step-by-step: Self-Drive + Car Ferry

1. Pick up your car in Bangkok (city or airport). Check tires/spare and that you have a mobile toll/credit card and maps offline.
2. Set your route to Ao Thammachat Pier (fast turnarounds) or Centrepoint Pier.
3. Buy a car/driver ticket at the pier and drive onto the ferry (25–35 minutes crossing).
4. Disembark at Ao Sapparot Pier and drive to your beach; most resorts have parking.

Getting to the main embarking points (Bangkok Rentals / Trat Piers)

• Pick-up/return: Airport counters (BKK/DMK) have long hours; city branches may close early Sundays.
• Piers: Follow signage for Ao Thammachat (north of Laem Ngop) or Centrepoint (east of town).
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Bangkok to Koh Chang)

Which pier should I use?
Ao Thammachat tends to have faster turnarounds and frequent vehicle ferries; Centrepoint also runs regular crossings—use whichever your ticket includes.

Do ferries run late?
Most crossings operate frequently during daytime; late-evening options are limited. If you land late, overnight in Trat and cross early.

Can I buy a through-ticket?
Yes—many operators sell Bangkok→pier→ferry→island drop-off bundles. Compare on 12Go or Klook.

Is there an airport on Koh Chang?
No. The nearest is Trat (TDX) on the mainland. You’ll still take a short road transfer and the ferry to reach the island.

Do I need a scooter?
Not required—songthaews connect the west-coast beaches—but a scooter adds flexibility if you’re experienced. Compare rentals on BikesBooking.

Where to stay?
White Sand (convenient), Klong Prao/Kai Bae (family friendly), Lonely Beach (backpacker vibe). Browse options on Booking.com (Koh Chang).