Bangkok to Koh Chang — Bus, Minivan and Ferry, and Which Combination Suits You
Koh Chang has no airport, so getting there always has two legs: Bangkok to the piers at Laem Ngop in Trat province, then a car ferry to the island. This…
Koh Chang has no airport, so getting there always has two legs: Bangkok to the piers at Laem Ngop in Trat province, then a car ferry to the island. This chapter lays out the options for each leg and summarises which travelers should choose which.
Route overview
| Leg | Distance / time | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Laem Ngop piers (Trat) | 300+ km, about 5–6 hours by road | Bus, minivan, combined ticket, self-drive, or fly to Trat |
| Pier → Koh Chang | Crossing of about 30–45 minutes | Car ferries from two main piers: Ao Thammachat and Centre Point |
| Island pier → your beach | 15–60 minutes depending on the beach | Shared trucks, or your resort's transfer |
- Bus + ferry tickets Bangkok–Koh Chang: open 12Go
The classic mistake: the last ferry leaves in the early evening. Leave Bangkok too late and you arrive after the last boat and sleep in Trat. Check the ferry schedule for your travel day before booking the road leg.
Option 1: Combined ticket, Bangkok → Koh Chang (road + ferry + island transfer)
Best for anyone who does not want to change vehicles, and for groups with luggage. The operator collects you in Bangkok (often around Khao San Road or a set meeting point), drives to the pier, puts you on the ferry, and a vehicle takes you to the main beaches on the island.
- Pros: one booking, no worrying about ferry times because the operator matches them.
- Cons: limited departure times (mostly morning) and slightly more expensive than doing it yourself.
Option 2: Bus or minivan to Trat, then the ferry yourself
Best for budget travelers and anyone who wants to pick their own times.
- Bangkok → Trat. Buses run from Ekkamai (Eastern) and Mo Chit terminals, plus minivans from several operators, about five hours. Some services continue to the Laem Ngop pier — check the destination when buying.
- Trat town → pier. If the bus ends in town, a shared truck to the pier takes another 20–30 minutes.
- Pier → Koh Chang. Buy a ferry ticket at the pier. Departures are frequent in the middle of the day and sparser early morning and evening.
- Pros: cheapest, and you choose the timing.
- Cons: two or three changes, and the ferry-timing risk is yours.
Option 3: Self-drive
Take the Bang Na–Trat road (Route 3) and the motorway for the first stretch; timing is similar to the bus. Cars can go on the ferry, charged per vehicle plus per person.
- Good for families, or if you want to explore the island by car (the island road has steep hills; take care in the rain).
- During holidays the queue of cars for the ferry can be long — reach the pier early.
Option 4: Fly to Trat
Trat airport is 20–30 minutes from the piers, with a few flights a day from Bangkok. Choose this when time matters more than money: fares are several times the bus fare and you still need a transfer to the pier.
Which one for you
| You are… | Choose |
|---|---|
| First time, want it simple | Combined ticket (Option 1) |
| Low budget, time to spare | Bus/minivan + ferry (Option 2) |
| A family with lots of gear | Self-drive (Option 3) |
| Very short on time | Fly to Trat (Option 4) |
Prepare
- Book accommodation before transport. The island's beaches are far apart; knowing your beach tells you which pier and transfer to use.
- Keep one ferry departure in reserve.
- Monsoon season (roughly May to October) brings rough seas; ferries may change schedule and some beaches are unsafe for swimming.