How to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang - collected all the options in one article

After another trip, by tradition, I write about transport, in this case, how to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang, and here's another article, how can you get from Koh Chang to Bangkok. In fact, there are a lot of ways, and they partially duplicate each other, so sometimes you don't even know how best to go. I'll try to tell you about all the options that I know. By the way, in the subject of the article, it makes sense to know about Bangkok metro and bus stations.

Transport to Koh Chang is different: buses, minibuses (also called minivans), transfers, taxis, airplanes. First of all, you need to understand that Koh Chang is an island, which means that any type of travel includes a ferry (even an airplane, since the airport is located on the mainland). Also keep in mind that the minibus can just take you to the pier, or it can cross with you to the island and take you to the required beach. In the latter case, this is called a transfer from the hotel to the hotel and the ferry ticket will already be included in the price of the trip. The distance between Bangkok and Chang is about 300 km, keep in mind that it takes half a day to go there.

The content of the article

Bus, minibuses, transfers from Bangkok to Koh Chang

There are at least 5 points from where transport goes in the direction of Koh Chang from Bangkok:

  • East Bus Station Ekkamai
  • North Bus Station MoChit
  • Suvarnabhumi airport
  • Khao San Road District
  • Victory Monument Metro Station

Posted in «side of Koh Chang», because many buses go to the city of Trat (the capital of the province of Trat, which includes the island of Koh Chang), and then from the Tratov bus station you will need to change to the songteo (local pickup bus) to the pier on Chang. Sometimes buses stop on the highway before reaching Trat and all travelers are put into a specially fitted pickup truck and sent to the pier. In any case, the city of Trat is not very far from the pier on Chang, and getting from it is already quite simple and not long..

How to buy a ticket online

There is a website 12Go.asia where you can buy bus / train tickets online. Now it is the only service of this kind. It covers many destinations in Thailand, including Koh Chang, (there are combined tickets, bus, minibus, ferry).

Tickets Bangkok-Koh Chang>

Payment by credit card or PayPal, electronic ticket, very convenient!

From Ekkamai Bus Station to Trat

It is easiest to get from the Ekkamai Bus Terminal (aka Eastern Bus Terminal, Eastern Bus Terminal), because buses run to Trat almost every half hour, and from 6 am to 11 pm. They go back to Bangkok with the same frequency. The advantage is that this bus station is located within a 5-minute walk from the metro station of the same name, and the metro is not far from the city center. Therefore, if suddenly there is an ambush everywhere, there are no tickets, or you don’t want to wait, then immediately blow on Ekkamai, in any way you will leave.

The cost of a bus ticket to Trat is about 250 baht. The price includes a bottle of water and snacks. Travel time is about 5-6 hours. The bus is comfortable, air-conditioned, makes stops along the way, arrives at the Trat Bus Terminal or goes directly to the pier.

Bus Companies End Point Departure Time The Transport Co., Ltd.
(«Bor khor sor» or «Government Bus 999») Koh Chang Ferry Pier (Ao Thammachart) 6:45, 7:45, 9:45 Reverse: 0:30, 14:00, 16:00 Center Point Ferry Pier 6:45, 7:45, 9:45 Return: 0:30, 14:00, 16:00 Laem Ngob Pier 6:45, 7:45, 9:45 Reverse: 0:30, 14:00, 16:00 Trat Bus Terminal 0:00 , 6:00, 9:00, 11:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30 Returning: 11:30, 13:30, 17:30 Cherdchai Tour Koh Chang Ferry Pier ( Ao Thammachart) 5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 23:30 Center Point Ferry Pier 5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 23:30 Laem Ngob Pier 5:30, 8:30, 10: 30, 23:30 Trat Bus Terminal 6:00, 7:00, 9:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 20: 30, 22:00, 23:30 Reverse: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:45, 15 : 00, 16:00, 18:00, 21:30, 23:00, 23:30 Thanakawee Tour
(Formally»Suparat Tour») Trat Bus Terminal 8:30, 10:30, 12:00, 16:40, 18:30, 23:00 Returning: 10:30, 12:00, 14:30, 17:00, 23:00

(!!!) There is information that not all buses from this table follow to the pier, but I know for sure that there are night buses at 24:00 and 23:30. If anyone has the data, please share.

Ekkamai Bus Station

Ekkamai Bus Station
Eastern bus station. From here, buses travel mainly to the east of Thailand. Located right next to BTS Ekkamai metro station of the same name.
More details.

Eastern bus station. From here, buses travel mainly to the east of Thailand. Located right next to the BTS Ekkamai metro station of the same name. More details.

From Mo chit bus station to Trat

From the bus station Mo Chit Bus Terminal (aka Northern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Terminal) there is a bus to Trat, at least 3 times a day. I saw the schedule of only one bus company (Transport Government Bus 999), but they say there are other companies, and there are more than three flights in total. This option is most convenient for those who arrived in Don Muang airport, since he is very close to Mochita, or who has just arrived from the north of Thailand, for example, from Chiang Mai. I, in fact, somehow left after a night bus from Chiang Mai.

The cost of a bus ticket to Trat is about 270 baht. The price includes a bottle of water and snacks. Travel time is about 5-6 hours. The bus is comfortable, air-conditioned, arrives at Trat Bus Terminal.

Bus companies Departure times The Transport Co., Ltd.
(«Bor khor sor» or «Government Bus 999») 7:30, 11:00, 22:00 In the opposite direction:
11:30, 13:30, 17:30 Cherdchai Tour 8:30, 17:30 Return: 8:30, 14:30 Thanakawee Tour
(Formally «Suparat Tour») 6:00, 9:30, 12:30, 15:30, 23:00 Reverse: 7:30, 9:30, 12:30, 16:00, 23:30

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

From Suvarnabumi airport bus number 392 runs directly to the island (from the bus they change to minibuses after the ferry). The truth is only in the high season. The ticket price is 400 baht, including the ferry (the total travel time is about 6-8 hours with the ferry), or 240 baht if you go to Trat. Departure time is 7.30 am. Here is the site of this company.

Since the bus runs only once a day, it can be difficult to get away with it. But this company also has minibuses going all the way to Lonely Beach (a nice beach on the island). The counter where tickets are sold is located on the 1st floor of the airport (it is the second in the account, since there is also the ground floor B) next to exit 8. Minibus costs 600 baht per person one way, or 800 baht both. Runs three times a day (departure time - arrival time):
7.50 - 14.00
11.00 - 16.00
14.00 - last ferry

There is also a bus station near the airport, from where you can try to leave. Free shuttle buses run to this station.

Minibuses and buses to Koh Chang from Bangkok airport

Transfers from Khaosan Road tourist area

If you are staying for a few days in Bangkok and staying in the area Khaosan Road, then right there, in numerous travel agencies (or at the reception of your hotel), you can buy a transfer to Koh Chang by minibus, they are also sometimes called tours. The transfer can be as simple to the pier, including a ferry ticket, but you get to the beach yourself, or all the way to the hotel or to the beach. The price will differ slightly. You can go to different offices and ask around. You will start from Khaosan Road, which is convenient, since you do not need to go anywhere.

The cost of a transfer from Bangkok to Koh Chang fluctuates, but is usually something in the region of 400-900 baht per person, depending on whether they take you to the beach or only to the pier. It is better to buy a day before departure, since there are enough travelers on Khaosan, and many leave for Chang in this way. Travel time 5-6 hours (to the pier).

Transfer Bangkok - Koh Chang from Khaosan

From Victory Monument Metro Station

Since October 2016, minivans no longer run from here to other cities in Thailand. The military junta fought the traffic congestion in the square caused by the 4,000 minibuses that created what was essentially an illegal bus station in the middle of the city. Minivans have been distributed among the three main bass terminals in Bangkok and free shuttles are now available from Victory Monument to these three bus stations. If you are closer to the monument than to the train stations - come here. Shuttles run from 4:30 am to 8:30 pm every 20 minutes.

Victory Monument unofficial bus station

Victory Monument unofficial bus station
Minivans start from here in different directions: Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, etc. It is located right next to the metro, you go down from BTS and there are minibuses with barkers down there..

Minivans start from here in different directions: Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, etc. It is located right next to the metro, you go down from BTS and there are minibuses with barkers down there..

From Trat Bus Station to Koh Chang Pier

Buses from Bangkok bus stations arrive at Trat Bus Terminal, where you transfer to a songteo (local pickup bus) and take you to the pier. If you need a specific pier (there are two of them), then call its name to the driver in advance. Although, if you just need to go to Chang Island, then the pier does not matter, and you can simply say, Ferry to Koh Chang (ferry to Chang). Songteo cost - 50-100 baht, travel time 30 minutes.

I have not found out until the end, but some buses from Bangkok to Trat now stop on the highway, before reaching Trat, and drop off those who go to Chang Island, as I was on my way. At the bus station, they ask where you are going to Trat or Chang, so that things can be put in the luggage compartment of the bus in a certain order. Leaving the bus, he immediately picks up a minibus and takes it to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier. This happens faster than through the Tratov bus station. Songteo costs 130 baht including ferry ticket.

Individual transportation

Transfer via the Internet

Those who want a minimum of body movements can order a transfer to Kiwitaxi online in advance (ferry included). You will be met in the arrivals hall, picked up your luggage, put you in the car and taken to the right place. The method is good because there are no problems at all, but it costs like a regular taxi that you will look for at the airport. I recommend to those who want to save time and nerves!

It costs about 4000-6000 baht per car. Naturally, for 6000 baht there will already be a minibus for 7 people. Travel time is about 5 hours to the pier, and then by ferry. Although you can take a transfer directly to the hotel on Koh Chang. The transfer can be from the airport, from a hotel in Bangkok, and, in principle, from any place in the city.

Transfer to Koh Chang>

I have already traveled on a transfer from this company and was completely satisfied with it. We were met with a sign, put in the car and taken to the hotel. Here my review about Kiwitaxi.

Taxi to Koh Chang

A taxi costs somewhere around 3,500-5,000 baht per car, and you can take it directly from the airport, there are counters where you can order. A large minibus-type car will be more expensive. You can also go outside and try to catch a taxi, bargain, but not every taxi driver is lucky, it's still far.

This section also includes private transfers, which are carried out by small companies (or unofficially private traders). The cost depends on which car you will be served with. In principle, if you take a car for 5-10 people, then the cost will differ little from public transport, and the comfort is higher. You need to look for offices in Google or already in place.

Car rental

Most likely, this option can be useful for active travelers who are going to travel around the neighborhood, and not lie like a seal on Koh Chang. Although even just with a family it is much more convenient to drive in your car, and not in minibuses. IMHO driving around Tay by car is a pleasure, good roads, everywhere there are gas stations with cafes and 7/11. It is very convenient, you arrive and immediately take a car at the airport. All the nuances rent a car in Tae, I have already detailed.

The car must be taken through Economybookings, this is a good intermediary. It will display on its website offers from all international distributors in the country. The price will be lower than directly, plus they can also give full insurance free of charge.

Rent a car with a discount>

I usually take to Hertz, because if you take a car from them for a period of 5 days or more, you can return it elsewhere for free (other companies charge a commission for this). And just on this site it is convenient to compare what will be cheaper, pay this commission, or not pay, since the price per day for all companies is different.

Plane to Koh Chang from Bangkok

This is one of the most expensive ways, but also the fastest and most convenient. There is an airport in the province of Trat, and only one airline, Bangkok Air, flies to it. The air ticket price is 3200 and 3800 baht, travel time is 1 hour. You can see the schedule on their website, and book tickets there. There are only three flights a day - 8:40, 10:30, 17:05. At one time, AirAsia still flew at reasonable prices, but at the time of this writing, they do not have such a direction.

Next, at the airport, catch a taxi, pickup songteo (minibus) or minibus, and go to the pier. The cost of a pickup to the pier is 100 baht, the cost of a minibus is about 400 baht (to White Sand Beach), a taxi to the hotel is 2,000 baht. If you go by pickup, then take the ferry along with the rest of the mortals and get there just like them, that is, on Chang itself, get into another pickup songteo that takes you to a specific beach.

Ferry to Koh Chang

There are 2 piers on the mainland side, from where ferries go to Koh Chang, with different travel times. Ferries from Koh Chang Ferry Pier sail for 30 minutes and run every half hour, and from Center Point Ferry Pier ferries sail for about an hour every hour. They run from 6 am to 7 pm. Read more in the article - Ferry Trat - Koh Chang.

On the island itself, the piers are also called. Cost, 80 baht per passenger one way, or 160 for a round trip ticket (return ticket with an open date). In fact, it does not matter which ferry to sail, since the piers are not very far from each other, where they brought from there and will sail.

The only thing I noticed is that minibuses that run around Chang itself are mainly concentrated near Ko Chang Pier, that is, at the pier where the half-hour ferry arrives..

Ferry to Koh Chang

Koh Chang Marina Map

How to get to your beach on Koh Chang

If you did not buy a transfer to the beach (or hotel) of your choice, then leaving the ferry (no matter what pier) you will see pickups, on which the word Taxi proudly flaunts. I specially photographed the prices and you can see them below. The cost depends on the distance of the beach, as well as on the number of people. If you come up in splendid isolation, then, most likely, either you will not be lucky, as they usually try to assemble the whole car (12 people), or they will simply break a higher price. It may also be a problem to leave in the evening at standard rates..

By the way, if you have not chosen the beach, then I would recommend staying at White Sand Beach, it is the closest one, there are most of all inexpensive and normal housing, developed infrastructure. Just look around, and then move on if you want to change the place.

Taxi rates on Koh Chang

Minibuses called Taxi

P.S. I do not pretend to be absolutely accurate, since I have not tested all the methods of how to get to Chang, but whenever possible, I tried to check the information on different sites.

P.P.S. If you go to Koh Chang from Pattaya, then I described this option here - Transfer Pattaya - Koh Chang.

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