If you’re tempted by the allure of turquoise waters and soft white sands and want to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, it might be time to head to Koh Chang. This beautiful island is the second largest in Thailand and is located at the eastern end of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s full of lush forests and small towns, and it’s not as developed as Koh Samui or Phuket, so it’s the perfect place if you want to experience the serenity of Thailand’s beaches.
One of the reasons why Koh Chang has not developed so much is the transportation to get there as being an island comes with some challenges. As there is no airport, it is only accessible by boat, although there are several options to get from Bangkok to the port. Read on to find out how you can travel from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
Flights from Bangkok to Koh Chang
Plane in Bangkok © Beer Pintusan / Shutterstock.com
As we said, the island of Koh Chang does not have an airport, but you can fly from Bangkok to Trat on the mainland. At the moment, there is only one airline that serves this route, namely Bangkok Airways. There are three flights a day, one in the morning, one at noon and another in the afternoon. Flights depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and take an hour. Since Bangkok Airways is one of the best airlines in Thailand, the prices may seem exorbitant if you are traveling on a budget. Without question, this is the quickest option to get to your destination, and the convenience of flying most of the way from Bangkok to Koh Chang makes the trip more expensive than other transport options.
Upon arrival at the small airport of Trat, you will have several options to get to Koh Chang. You can opt for a shared minibus which includes a ferry ticket in the price (around 500bt per person). The best thing about these minibuses is that they go all over the island and can drop you off at your hotel door. This is a practical option, but don’t forget that you will be sharing a minibus with other passengers and it may take some time to get to your hotel when the minibus is on the island.
You can also arrange a private transfer, which can be practical and affordable if you are traveling in a group. Hotels on Koh Chang also offer this private service and pick you up from Trat Airport. This is most practical if you have already booked a hotel as you will have door to door service although you will pay a higher price if you choose this option.
After all, Trat’s ferry port is self-driving from the airport, although there are usually no waiting taxis and you’ll probably have to walk to the main road to see if there are any. It’s a 30 minute drive to the port so we don’t recommend this option.
Private transfer from Bangkok to Koh Chang
A private transfer may seem like an expensive option, but the truth is that it is quite affordable. The great advantage of private transfers is that they will take you door-to-door, i.e. they can pick you up from your hotel in central Bangkok or from the airport and take you to your hotel in Koh Chang. Another advantage of traveling with a private transfer from Bangkok to Koh Chang is that you only pay for one trip and you won’t have to think about using other means of transport to reach your destination. You will only have to leave your bags in the trunk and the driver will take care of everything. The downside is the duration of the trip. The drive from Bangkok airport to Trat (to catch the ferry) can take 4-4.5 hours. If you start at your hotel in Bangkok, the trip will take approximately 45 minutes longer. Then you will need to take the ferry (approximately 40 minutes) and then get to your hotel.
Minibus and public bus from Bangkok to Koh Chang
Minibus or minivan as they are often called in Thailand. © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
The last two options we are going to recommend are minibus and public bus. They have the advantage of being the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang, but this low price means you won’t get much comfort. Besides, it’s generally the slowest way to get to the island.
Public buses cost half as much as a shared minibus and the price includes a ferry ticket. You can leave Khao San Road if it’s more convenient for you or take the bus from one of the bus terminals or from the Victory Monument.
A shared minibus may cost twice as much, but it’s much more practical as you can travel door-to-door like a private transfer and don’t have to worry about changing vehicles. Another advantage of shared minibuses is that they give you the opportunity to socialize easily. You will spend a few hours in the minibus, but you will meet other travelers who are going to the same place as you.
As you can see, whichever route you take from Bangkok to Koh Chang will always involve a ferry crossing of around 40 minutes, so all you need to decide is how long you want to get there and how much money you want to spend to get there get there.