Getting to Koh Chang is relatively easy and Koh Chang has lots to offer for every king of traveler, there are many things to do, and some gorgeous hotels and resorts right on the beach-front. Read this guide and you will find it easy to get to Koh Chang, no matter where you are in Thailand.
If you’re travelling to Koh Chang by bus, mini van or plane from south west, north, and some areas of north east Thailand you will most likely be directed to Bangkok first.
Once in Bangkok there are several transport options and departure points to get you to Koh Chang cheaply and easily. Going from Pattaya to Koh Chang there is no bus direct to the Koh Chang ferry piers, but you can take a shared mini van either to the ferry, or direct to your hotel on Koh Chang.
If you don’t mind travelling several hours on a bus you can get from Bangkok to Koh Chang for less than 300 baht.
Koh Chang Ferries
The 2 ferry services from Laem Ngop on the mainland to Koh Chang are ‘Ferry Koh Chang’ and Centrepoint. Both take vehicles and foot passengers. When you arrive at Koh Chang there will be songthaew taxis waiting to take you to your destination. These are shared “truck type” taxis which like to squeeze on as many passengers as they can. Fares may vary depending on your destination, but expect to pay between 50 and 200 baht.
Ferry Koh Chang Arrival and Departure Times
Departing approximately every 45 minutes every day. Crossing time is 30 minutes.
Prices are around 80 baht per adult, 30 baht per child, and 120 baht for a car.
Mainland pier (Ao Thammachart) to Koh Chang between 06:30 – 19:00
Koh Chang Pier (Ao Sapparot) to mainland between 06:30 – 19:00.
Centrepoint Ferry Koh Chang
Ferries depart every hour, on the hour. Crossing time is approximately 1 hour.
Prices are 80 baht per adult (9 years and above), children under 9 years are free, cars 100 baht.
Centrepoint mainland terminal to Koh Chang between 06:00 – 19:30
Koh Chang to Mainland between 06:00 – 19:30.
Travel time by bus from Bangkok to Koh Chang is a minimum of 5 hours, to improve your chances of catching the last ferry you should be departing no later than mid day. Also try to avoid 2nd class buses (the ones with an orange stripe) because they make more stops which increases the journey time.
Getting from Bangkok to Koh Chang
If you are going to Koh Chang by bus or mini van, unless you are going from the airport I recommend you choose Ekamai (eastern) bus terminal. It’s smaller and much easier to navigate than Morchit (Mo Chit), and the travel time to Koh Chang is less. If you do choose Mo Chit I can tell you it’s a big hot, very busy terminal, but don’t worry there are some helpful information counters inside if you’re having difficulty finding your bus.
Book Bankgok to Koh Chang Tickets Online
The services offered do change, but it’s well worth taking a look at 12Go options for travelling from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
Klook have a bus and ferry ticket service from Bangkok to Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak, and the return journey to Bangkok. Tickets cost around 450 baht, and the good news is you are allowed 30 kilograms of luggage
To make a booking, go to the Bangkok to Koh Chang bus and ferry tickets page, select Koh Chang, Koh Kood, or Koh Mak as your destination. Enter your dates and quantity of people, click on “Book Now”, in the “extra details” section select your direction.
Bangkok Ekamai Bus Terminal to Koh Chang
The Transport Co 1st Class
Express Bus, Bangkok to Laem Ngop ferry piers 07:45, 09:45.
Express Bus, Laem Ngop ferry piers to Bangkok 14:00. 16:00.
Fare is 263 baht, travel time is approximately 5 and a half hours.
Bangkok to Trat every hour between 5:00 to 23:30.
Trat to Bangkok every hour between 7:00 to 23:00.
Cherdchai Tour
Bangkok to Trat 06:00, 07:00, 09:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 20:30, 22:00, 23:30.
Trat to Bangkok 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 21:30, 23:00, 23:30.
Tanakawee Bus, Ekamai
Bangkok to Laem Ngop 08:30.
Laem Ngop to Khao San Rd, Bangkok 11:30.
Bangkok to Trat 10:30, 12:00, 16:30, 18:30, 22:30.
Trat to Bangkok 08:30, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 20:00.
Mini Van to Trat from Ekamai
Vans depart at 05:00, 06:00, 09:30, 12:00, 12:30, 14:30 & 16:30.
These vans may stop before Trat, then passengers will be tranferred to a shuttle and onward to the Koh Chang ferry.
Bangkok Morchit Bus Terminal to Koh Chang
Cherdchai Tour
Bangkok to Trat 08:30, 17:30.
Trat to Bangkok 08:30, 14:30.
Tanakawee
Bangkok to Trat 06:00, 09:30, 12:30, 15:30, 23:00.
Trat to Bangkok 07:30, 09:30, 14:30, 16:00.
Suparat Tour
Bangkok to Laem Ngob Center Point ferry terminal 06:00, 09:30, 12:30 15:30, 23:00.
Laem Ngob Center Point to Bangkok 07:30, 09:30, 12:30 16:00, 23:30.
PLEASE NOTE: some buses may stop at Suvarnabhumi airport before going on to Koh Chang.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Burapha Bus
Tickets at the service counter of BorKhorSor (Passenger Terminal, Public Transport Center)
No. 392 from Suvarnabhuni airport to Koh Chang 07:50.
Koh Chang to Suvarnabhumi airport 13:00.
May not be available in low season.
Suvarnabhumi Burapha Mini Van to Koh Chang
Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Chang 09:30, 11:00, 14:00.
Koh Chang to Suvarnabhumi Airport 07:00, 09:00, 17:00, 19:00.
Website: https://www.bussuvarnabhumikohchang.com/index.html
Trat to Koh Chang Ferry Terminal
If you take the bus from Bangkok to Trat bus terminal you can travel the remaining 20 kilometers to the ferry terminal by songthaew for around 50 baht, note if you wish to charter the songthaew it will cost you considerably more.
In some cases the bus may stop before reaching Trat to let passengers heading to Koh Chang off, from that point there will be a shuttle or songthaew service to take you to the ferry terminal.
How to Get to Koh Chang From Pattaya
If you want to go direct to the ferry terminals or to a hotel on Koh Chang from Pattaya you will need to use a shared mini van or private taxi or mini bus, unless you are driving your own vehicle of course.
Suvarnabhumi Burapha Pattaya Mini Van
More commonly known as the ‘Burapha’ mini van service, this service departs Pattaya 2 times a day from Pattaya to Koh Chang. The current price (2018) is 500 baht per person one way from Pattaya to your hotel on Koh Chang. The price includes ferry ticket and in-meal snack.
Departure times are 08:00 and 12:00. Tickets can be purchased at the office which is located opposite Tesco mini mart, behind Numchai electrical store, between Soi Siam Country Club and Soi Nernplubwan, East Pattaya.
Telephone: Pattaya office 092-267-8435, Trat 092-267-8423, Koh Chang 098-268-5227.
Get directions to the Suvarnabhumi Burapha Pattaya office with this Google map.
35 Group Mini Van Pattaya
The 35 Tour Group minibus departs Pattaya 3 times every day, you can book 1 way or a return journey in advance. Please call them for departure/arrival schedule and fare costs.
Address: 313/39 Moo 10, Pattaya 3rd Road, (close to the junction of South Pattaya Road)
Website: http://www.35grouptour.com/
Telephone: 038-423-447.
Mobile: 080-070-3341, 086-366-3894.
Coco Dee Bo Mini Bus Pattaya to Koh Chang
Minibus departs your hotel in Pattaya at approximately 07:30 and arrives in Koh Chang at 13:30. Price is 800 baht per person.
Departure times from Koh Chang to Pattaya are 09:45, 11:30, 13:00, and 15:30. return price is 700 baht.
Website: http://cocodeebokohchang.com/
Email: cocodeebokohchang@gmail.com
Telephone: +66 (0) 87 711 3390 (English) +66 (0) 86 328 4684 (Thai).
Safe Private Taxi and Mini Bus Pattaya to Koh Chang
There’s lots of taxi services in Pattaya, which will take you to Koh Chang but if you’re safety conscious, like me, your number one priority will be choosing a safe driver. So here’s a couple of Pattaya taxi services which will get you to Koh Chang worry free and without incident.
Pattaya Central
Why Pattaya Central?. I spoke about safety concerns with Paul at Pattaya Central, and he assured me when it comes to driving safety, all their drivers are closely vetted. And any drivers which provoke negative feedback will not be used again.
Website: https://pattayacentral.com/index.php
Email: info@pattayacentral.com.
Telephone: +66.86.347.9162.
Nam’s Taxi Service
Why Nam’s?. Quite simply because Nam’s use lady drivers, and it’s a service I have used myself. Note: by email only.
Website: http://www.namstaxipattaya.com/
Email: namnamthailand@gmail.com
Bus from Pattaya to Trat
Buses depart from Pattaya to Trat from Phet Prasert bus terminal at 05:15 and 07:15. The Phet Prasert terminal is located on the southbound side of Sukhumvit highway, opposite Boonthavorn, approximately 900 meters north of the Pattaya (central) Klang junction. They run a regular schedule but by all accounts do not always run to time. The cost of a ticket is around 280 baht.
Taking the bus from Pattaya to Trat is a convenient, cheap and relatively easy way to get to Koh Chang or to the islands of Koh Kood and Koh Mak. From Trat you can travel to the Koh Chang ferry terminals, or to Laem Sok ferry terminals if want to go from there to the islands. Note: you can also take a boat to the islands from Koh Chang.
Use a Travel Agent to Book a Mini Van to Koh Chang
Most Pattaya tour and travel agents will book a shared mini van for a small fee. Expect to pay between 500 and 700 baht per person.
Book Pattaya to Koh Chang Tickets Online
You might get lucky, you might not, but 12Go is a superb service and they offer just about every form of transport, depending on the route. Check to see what 12Go (below) offer from Pattaya to Koh Chang.
Speed Boat Transfers From Koh Chang
It’s on my bucket list but as yet I’ve never been beyond Koh Chang to Koh Kood, Koh Mak or Koh Wai. I’m sure the front desk staff at your hotel or resort can arrange, or at least point you in the right direction. If you previously took a look at the bus and Koh Chang ferry ticket deal from Klook you may have also noticed this speed boat transfer from Koh Chang booking services.
How to Find the Best Hotel Deals on Koh Chang
I’ve made several visits to Koh Chang, I just adore the place, but I’ve always regretted not booking in advance. It’s easy enough to find a room that’s for sure but if you don’t book in advance you may encounter the same problems finding a room on Koh Chang as I did.
The obvious place to start your search for hotels on Koh Chang is through Agoda, they have over 300 places to stay on Koh Chang, compared to 170 on Booking.com. To get the best deals on Agoda you must sign up or sign in, it’s only then they will show you all the coupons, gifts and insider deals.
Just Koh Chang Beach Resorts
There’s a few good reasons to stay on the beachfront, for me the best is simply convenience. If you’re not on the beachfront you end up packing like you’re going on a day out, it becomes a bit of a chore. Whereas if you stay at a hotel on the beachfront the beach is a focal point, or perhaps even an extension of your room, much the same as your garden at home.
If you’re a single guy visiting Koh Chang you might want to consider booking a guest friendly hotel so you avoid paying joiner fees.