How to Get from Bangkok to Ko Chang: Van, Bus, Ferry, Flight or Car

The easiest way to get from Bangkok to Ko Chang is a combined van and ferry ticket with drop-off at your hotel: about 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes, from THB 962 on 12Go, with morning pickups at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Rama 9 and Khao San Road.

Bus and ferry combos to Ao Sapparot Pier start at THB 918, and the public bus from Ekkamai costs just THB 356 to the ferry pier.

A private car from your Bangkok hotel starts at about THB 3,725 for the whole vehicle.

The detail everyone misses: only one car ferry route to Ko Chang is running right now.

Every bus, van and car ends up at Ao Thammachat Pier near Trat, and the Centrepoint ferry has been suspended since July 2024, so ignore older guides that send you there.

Bangkok to Ko Chang timetable

These are the regular services 12Go lists from Bangkok to Ko Chang, with the lowest fares in baht. Tap a route to see live seats and book.

1. Van and ferry to your hotel, the one I would book

Koh Chang Transport and Mama Tour run the combined van and ferry tickets that most travelers end up on.

On 12Go they cost THB 962, and the price includes the van to the pier, the ferry ticket and a drop-off at your Ko Chang hotel.

Bookaway lists Koh Chang Transport from US$27 and Mama Tour from US$26.

Koh Chang Club vans cost US$31 there and finish at Ao Sapparot Pier, with several drop-off points on the island.

Where to catch it

Pick the pickup point closest to your Bangkok hotel.

The Rama 9 stop sits in front of The Nine Center, a few minutes by taxi from MRT Phra Ram 9, and the airport pickup is on the departures floor near Gate 3.

Vans have little room for big suitcases. One medium bag per person is the comfortable limit, so pack light or choose a bus.

My verdict: the least hassle for most people. You never deal with the ferry ticket or a songthaew, and you reach your room in the afternoon.

2. Bus and ferry combo, cheapest with one ticket

Boonsiri High Speed Ferries sells bus and ferry combos to Ao Sapparot Pier from THB 918 on 12Go, about US$23 on Bookaway.

The early run leaves the Bangchak gas station on Rama 9 at 05:20 and reaches the pier at 11:00, and Bookaway also lists a 07:00 departure from the Boonsiri office near Khao San Road.

Boonsiri also runs to Bang Bao Pier in the south of the island, from Suvarnabhumi at 05:30 and 09:00, for about US$24.

That suits you if you are staying at Bang Bao or Lonely Beach.

From Ekkamai, Tara Tour and Travel runs a bus and ferry ticket from THB 973 on 12Go, with 4 departures from 05:00.

Bookaway lists it from US$25, arriving at the Ko Chang ferry pier after about 6 hours 50 minutes.

Seudamgo Catamaran adds a bus, ferry and bus ticket from Suvarnabhumi Airport Gate 3 at 09:30. It takes about 5 hours and ends at your hotel, from THB 1,134 on 12Go.

My verdict: a good deal if you do not mind finishing at the pier. Budget about THB 50 to 150 for the songthaew to your beach.

3. Public bus from Ekkamai, the budget route

Transport Co, the government bus company, runs an express bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai straight to Ao Thammachat Pier.

On 12Go it costs THB 356, leaves at 07:45 and arrives at 15:19.

More buses go only as far as Trat town.

Cherdchai Tour East has 7 departures from Ekkamai from 05:00, at THB 404 and about 5 hours 40 minutes to Trat Bus Terminal, plus 2 a day from Mochit and 2 from the Suvarnabhumi transport center.

From Trat town, shared songthaews run to the pier.

You then pay the ferry yourself: THB 90 per adult, cash only, and you cannot book it in advance.

Where to catch it

The Eastern Bus Terminal is right next to BTS Ekkamai on Sukhumvit Road.

Buy or collect your ticket at the counter, and arrive 30 minutes early, since the Trat buses can sell out on Fridays.

My verdict: the cheapest way to the island by far. It takes most of the day, so it only makes sense if you start early.

4. Express bus from Khao San, straight to the beach

Montanatip runs a bus from its own office in the Khao San area that drops you at White Sand Beach or Bang Bao.

The express departure leaves at 06:45 and arrives at 14:00, and a standard bus leaves at 07:45 and arrives at 15:30.

Both cost THB 1,400 on 12Go, and Bookaway lists the express from US$36. The price is higher than a combo, but you skip the pier songthaew entirely.

My verdict: handy if you are staying in Banglamphu and want a beach drop-off without a hotel transfer.

5. Flight to Trat, fastest but pricey

Bangkok Airways flies to Trat from Suvarnabhumi.

For our Monday date, 12Go showed flight PG307 at 16:15, landing at 17:15, from THB 4,653, and Bookaway listed it from US$131.

The airline usually adds morning and midday flights in the high season, so check the schedule for your date.

Trat Airport is about 20 km from Ao Thammachat Pier.

At arrivals, a shared minibus to Ko Chang costs about THB 800 per person including the ferry. A private transfer for two costs about THB 1,900, also with the ferry included.

My verdict: worth it if your time is short or you are connecting from an international flight. With the late afternoon flight, you will reach the island around dark.

6. Private transfer, best for families and groups

A private car picks you up at your Bangkok hotel or the airport and takes you to your hotel on Ko Chang, crossing on the car ferry from Ao Thammachat.

Expect about 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and the ferry queue.

From Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang the lowest timetable fares are similar, from THB 3,650 and THB 3,550. Check each listing to confirm what it includes for the ferry crossing.

My verdict: for four people it works out at about THB 960 each, the same as four van seats, and you leave when you want.

7. Rental car, if you want to explore Trat province

Driving yourself is simple: head east out of Bangkok toward Chonburi and follow the signs to Trat and Laem Ngop.

Thailand drives on the left, and you need your license plus an International Driving Permit.

The car ferry from Ao Thammachat costs THB 200 for the car plus THB 90 per adult. A car is useful on Ko Chang, though the hilly coast road needs care.

To compare prices, see rental cars in Bangkok.

My verdict: only worth it if you plan to explore beyond the island. On Ko Chang itself, songthaews and scooters cover the west coast.

Leave Bangkok early. The ferries run from 06:30 to 18:30, and every mid-day sailing waits until it is full, so arriving at the pier in the late afternoon in low season can mean a long wait.

Step by step: the van and ferry to your hotel

1. Book your seat on 12Go a day or two ahead, more for weekends and Thai holidays.
2. Get to your pickup point 20 minutes early: Suvarnabhumi Gate 3, The Nine on Rama 9, or the Khao San stop.
3. Show your e-ticket to the driver and load your bag.
4. Board the ferry at Ao Thammachat; the crossing is part of your ticket.
5. Cross to Ao Sapparot, a ride of about 25 to 35 minutes.
6. Ride the transfer on the island to your hotel on the west coast.

What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people

The public bus total covers the bus and the THB 90 ferry, but not the songthaew to your beach.

For four people, a private MPV costs about the same as four van seats and goes door to door.

Which option should you choose?

• First trip, any budget: the van and ferry with a hotel drop-off.
• Landing at Suvarnabhumi in the morning: a van from Gate 3 at 09:30 or 11:00.
• Tight budget: the Transport Co bus from Ekkamai and the THB 90 ferry.
• Staying near Khao San Road: the Montanatip express bus to White Sand Beach.
• Family or group of 4: a private MPV or SUV.
• Only a few days: the Bangkok Airways flight to Trat plus the airport shuttle.

Arriving in Ko Chang

Almost everyone arrives at Ao Sapparot Pier on the north coast. Songthaews wait for each ferry, and you simply tell the driver where to stop.

• White Sand Beach: the closest beach town, about THB 50 to 60 per person by shared songthaew.
• Klong Prao: about THB 70 per person.
• Kai Bae: about THB 80 per person.
• Lonely Beach: about THB 100 per person.
• Bang Bao: about THB 150 per person, at the southern end of the west coast road.

These fares come from local guides and can change, so confirm with the driver before you get in. After 22:00 drivers add about THB 50 per ride.

Songthaews are the main public transport and run along the west coast road. Scooter rentals are easy to find, but the island roads are hilly, so ride carefully.

Ko Chang: things to do and where to stay

Ko Chang is one of the largest islands in Thailand and much of it is national park.

The interior is covered in jungle and waterfalls, and almost all the beaches and villages line the west coast.

Most visitors split their days between the beach, the Klong Plu waterfall and the stilted fishing village at Bang Bao.

Snorkeling trips to the small islands south of Ko Chang are the classic day out, so see the tours section below.

Which area to stay in

• White Sand Beach: the busiest strip, with bars, restaurants and the most hotels, closest to the ferry.
• Klong Prao: a wide, calm beach with upscale resorts, good for families.
• Kai Bae: a small village between hills with resorts and views of the offshore islands.
• Lonely Beach and Bang Bao: backpacker bars further south, and the pier for island hopping.

Best luxury hotels in and around Ko Chang

• Dinso Resort & Villas, Vignette Collection: IHG’s resort on Klong Prao Beach, with around 160 rooms and villas and a long beachfront pool.
• KC Grande Resort: at the northern end of White Sand Beach, with a rooftop infinity pool above the hillside rooms.
• The Chill Resort & Spa: a beachfront resort in Kai Bae, built around a long pool that runs down to the sea.
• SYLVAN Koh Chang: the former Sea View Resort at Kai Bae, where a small cable-car tram links the hilltop rooms with the beach.

All four sit on the west coast, well away from the pier, so a van or car transfer to your hotel is the easiest way to arrive.

Practical tips before you go

Carry cash. The ferry, songthaews and many small restaurants take baht only, so take out enough before you leave the beach villages.

Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Bus terminals, cafes and resort networks are open to everyone. A VPN such as ExpressVPN keeps your bookings and banking private.

Book ahead for weekends and holidays. Friday buses from Ekkamai, the vans and the Trat flight fill up first, especially around New Year and Songkran.

Going back? The same vans, buses and Boonsiri combos run from Ko Chang to Bangkok, and most resorts book them at the front desk.

Want a beach closer to the capital? Read our Bangkok to Koh Samet guide or Bangkok to Pattaya.

Our Bangkok public transport guide explains the BTS ride to Ekkamai, and the Suvarnabhumi Airport guide covers the terminal.

Tours from Ko Chang

Island-hopping and snorkeling trips to the small islands in the south, kayaking in the mangroves at Salak Phet, and jungle hikes to the waterfalls are the highlights.

Frequently asked questions

Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: bus, van, flight and private car fares from 12Go’s and Bookaway’s live listings and the 12Go timetable; ferry fares and hours, songthaew fares and flight schedules from Ko Chang travel guides; hotel details from the hotels’ published information and local guides.

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Tim Kroeger( Expert in Luxury Hotel Reviews & Tourism in Bangkok )

Tim Kroeger is a luxury wellness travel specialist, founder of Universal Traveller, and creator of The Restorative Index, a performance-based framework for evaluating wellness hotels. After 15+ years across 110+ countries, he shifted from destination-chasing to travel recovery. Based in Bangkok, he reviews luxury wellness hotels and spas on tim-kroeger.com through a performance lens, combining firsthand testing with expert insights.

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