How to get to Ko Chang on your own. How to get to Koh Chang

It is necessary to immediately make a reservation that Chang does not have its own airport. How is it possible, tourists are surprised, this is an island, how can you get to it? Moreover, the place is famous and popular among Europeans.

Not scary: the lack of an airport makes the island less accessible and prevents it from turning into another Phuket.

Why is there no airport on Chang?

• Reason #1. Ecological.

Koh Chang Island is a protected area. Any activity that pollutes the environment is prohibited here. For example, at sea you cannot use watercraft with internal combustion engines: only rowing with an oar is allowed. The exception is ferries, but their routes are clearly defined. The second exception is road transport.

• Reason #2. Economic.

Koh Chang, despite a number of advantages, is still not a top tourist destination. It is aimed mainly at a young audience who wants to relax in a budget style. There are also expensive high-end accommodation options, but they are few. In general, no one wants to build an airport so that a couple of hundred ravers can hang out on the island.

In general, the island's tourist capacity is small. In terms of its tourism potential, Chang is inferior to Phuket and Samui, which have airports.

What is the closest airport to Changu?

Administratively, the island is part of the province of Trat. This is a border region of Thailand that until recently was not of great tourist interest. The relative proximity to Bangkok (about 300 km or 5 hours by road) made it possible for local residents to do without air travel.

Although Chang rose to prominence among young foreigners in the 1970s, it was not until the late 1990s. it remains an underground place. And the underground, as you know, does not imply much comfort. But gradually a more serious public began to visit Trat, who, having heard about the protected status of Chang, almost all of them followed to this island.

It was only in 2003 that the first, and currently only, airport was built in Trat. It is located in the west of the province, in the area bearing the same name.

Since the main purpose of this airport (in terms of passenger traffic) is to serve the needs of Koh Chang, often, for example, Bangkok Airways, Trat Airport is called Koh Chang Airport, and when booking tickets, the inscription “Trat (Koh Chang)” is displayed.

What flights fly to the airport?

Direct flights – only from Bangkok:

From Bangkok	From Trat
8.30	10.10
11.40	13.10
17.10	18.40

Travel time – 1 hour. The cost of a one-way ticket is about $70.

If you need to fly to any other destination in Thailand, then a transfer is made in Bangkok. Planes fly frequently to popular destinations, and connection times are always minimal.

Here are some options (1 change in Bangkok):

Route	Travel time,min	Estimated cost,$
Trat – Phuket	3:00	130
Trat – Samui	3:30	200
Trat – Chiang Mai	3:35	110

All flights are operated by Bangkok Airways.

How to get from the airport to Koh Chang?

The airport is located:

• 17 km from Ao Thammachat;
• 20 km from Centrepoint Piers.

In both places there are piers from which ferries depart to Koh Chang. From Ao Thammachat ferries leave every half hour, from Centrepoint Piers - once every hour. They moor at 2 different piers: on the north side of the island.

The road thus consists of the following sections:

1. The path to the piers is from 20 to 30 minutes. (any minibus – 100 baht – $3);
2. Sea route – from 25 to 45 minutes. (ferry – 80 baht – $2.5);
3. The journey to the hotel on the island is up to 30 minutes. depending on the distance to the piers.

Route to:

• White Sand Beach – 50 baht – $1.4;
• Kai Bae Beach – 60 baht – $1.7;
• Lonely Beach – 100 baht – $3;
• Bang Bao – 150-200 baht – $4-6.

Total: maximum – 380 baht.

It's a difficult path, isn't it? Bangkok Airways would not be the national carrier and the pride of all Thais if it had not thought through everything in advance so that its passengers would not experience such difficulties with transfers. As a result, the following scheme was developed:

1. Minivans await all arriving passengers upon exiting the airport.
2. For 500 baht ($15) minibuses:

• transport passengers to the ferry;
• board the ferry (the fare is included in the general ticket);
• Upon arrival in Chang, passengers are transferred to their hotels.

Despite the fact that Bangkok Airways notes that they specifically adjust the plane schedule to the movement of ferries, it must be admitted that they are disingenuous. Only one of the three flights (the latest) arrives in 50 minutes. until the last pier departs at 18.00. Passengers on the first two flights still have to wait at the piers for 40 minutes. up to 1 hour.

Those who want to make airport transfers even easier should use a taxi. Prices start at $25 per person. For $60, if there is mutual desire on both sides, you can bargain for the entire car. Plus pay extra for the ferry crossing. But if the destination lies significantly to the south of the island, then the cost of such a trip will increase.

There are different ways to get to Koh Chang. In this video we will tell you how to get to the island using a plane, bus or taxi. Which way to get to Koh Chang is the most convenient and cheapest? Watch the video now.

Additionally, we have collected all the necessary information about these methods and compiled complete step-by-step instructions. There is no airport on the island, so from Bangkok, Pattaya and other cities you can get in several ways to Trat province (near Koh Chang), then go to the pier and take a ferry to the island. Or, bypassing Trat, go straight to the pier and then take a ferry to the island.

An important point to consider first is that the last ferry to Koh Chang leaves at 19:00. The first ferry leaves at 6 am. Plan your route and departure time so that you arrive on time.

Bus from bus stations -> transfer to the pier -> ferry

You can get to Koh Chang by bus from two bus stations in Bangkok:

MorChit Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet Road [also known as Northern]. Located near BTS MorChit and MRT Chatuchak Park MRT stations. (see map below) From these stations you can reach Mor Chit on foot in 15 minutes. If you have luggage or don’t want to walk, you can take a motorcycle taxi for 30 baht (30 rubles) or a taxi from 45 baht (45 rubles). From Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station, you can get here directly via the MRT Blue Line. Buses No. 77 also go here (from Victory Monument)

Ekamai Bus Terminal on Sukhumwit Road [also known as Eastern]. Getting to the bus terminal is very easy. It is located at Ekkamai BTS Station, a 5-minute walk (see map below)

You will have to go with a transfer through the city of Trat. It is the capital of the province of the same name, which includes Koh Chang.

Bus schedule Bangkok - Trat [current for 2014]
From Morchit station [50 seater air conditioned bus]
Route	Cost (baht)	Distance (km)	Travel time (hour)	from Bangkok	to Bangkok
Bangkok - Trat	248	327	04:50	07:30 11:00 22:00	11:00 19:00 24:00
Bangkok - Trat (Lamngop)	230	393	06:00	19:00 21:20	09:00 09:30
From Ekkamai Station [46 seater air conditioned bus]
Route	Cost (baht)	Distance (km)	Travel time (hour)	from Bangkok	to Bangkok
Bangkok - Trat	225	387	06:00	04:00 05:00 06:30 08:45 15:00	05:00 09:30 12:00 13:00 15:00
Bangkok - Trat	188	317	04:50	06:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 12:30 14:30 16:00 17:30 24:00	06:30 07:40 08:40 10:30 13:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 23:30

Several companies provide transportation, so if you don’t find the right time at the ticket office, then most likely there is another window with tickets nearby. And sometimes several flights depart at the same time. There is no fundamental difference between bus companies.

The fare includes a bottle of water and, they say, a small snack like cookies (we only had water). The bus makes several stops, so there will be time to run to the toilet or buy something to eat.

Destination: Trat Bus Terminal (bus station of the city of Trat).
Duration of the trip: 4-6 hours.
Ticket price: 200-400 baht (200-400 rubles) depending on the bus company
Ferry tickets are not included in the price.

You are then taken by shuttle to the pier (usually an open taxi for 10 people, which is included in the price).

Bus/minibus from airports -> ferry (no transfer)

The advantage of this method:

You can only get to Koh Chang by bus from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Bus No. 999 stops at the bass terminal next to it, going from Ekamai Bass Terminal directly to Laem Ngop Pier. There are free shuttle buses that go to this place. These buses only run in the morning, at 7:45, 8:45 and 9:45. Travel time: 6 hours. Price 275 baht (275 rubles) per person, ferry cost not included.

You can also take bus No. 392 from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Laem Ngop Pier, but they only run in high season, i.e. from October to May. The ticket costs 310 baht (310 rubles). Ferry included. But he walks only once a day! At 7:30 from the airport and at 12:00 from Koh Chang. Actually, that’s why no one can guarantee you tickets.

Also on the ground floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport, next to exit 8, they sell tickets for minibuses directly to Koh Chang, they cost about 600 baht (600 rubles) one way or 800 baht (800 rubles) round trip, they take you to Koh Chang to your chosen location/beach. These minibuses depart at 7:40, 11:00 and 14:00.

There is no transport from Don Mueang Airport to Koh Chang - neither to Laem Ngop, nor to Trat, they only offer taxi services at unrealistic prices. So plan your route in advance.

You have arrived at the pier, you need to buy ferry tickets and sail to the island.

Minibus from bus stations -> transfer to the pier -> ferry

Minibus is a minibus with 10 seats, with air conditioning.

We chose this option because we considered it the most optimal for ourselves. At the Ekamai Bus Terminal in Bangkok we bought a ticket costing 300 baht (300 rubles). We took it one day in advance, you can buy it on the day of departure, but there may not be tickets available. So this is everyone's choice, at their own peril and risk. The drive is approximately 6 hours.

Similar buses depart from Mo Chit Bus Terminal and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

We board a minibus that goes to the city of Trat, where we are transferred with our suitcases to another car and taken straight to the pier from which ferries to Koh Chang depart.

Minibus from the city -> ferry (no transfer)

The advantage of this method: you are taken to the pier without transfers from Bangkok.

Many travel agencies on Khao San Street (the most famous tourist street in the capital) offer transfer services to Koh Chang. This is convenient only for those who are staying in Bangkok in this particular area, otherwise there is no point in going from here. They take you away from Khao San.

The ticket price usually includes the cost of the ferry. But this question must be clarified in advance. The price is somewhere around 500-700 baht (500-700 rubles). But they go straight to the pier (you don’t have to change trains in Trat like you would on a bus). It is better to buy tickets to Koh Chang here in advance, the day before the trip. Well, they will pay more attention: they will take you by the hand, put you in a chair and drop you off at the ferry.

There are also travel companies right at Suvarnabhumi Airport. This method is convenient for those who have just arrived and want to immediately leave for Koh Chang without visiting the city. At the airport, minibus tickets directly to Koh Chang can be found next to exit 8, they cost approximately 600 baht (600 rubles) one way or 800 baht (800 rubles) round trip; on Koh Chang they will take you to the place/beach of your choice . These minibuses depart at 7:40, 11:00 and 14:00.

You can also take a minibus from the Victory Monument metro station. Ticket prices are the same. But it’s worth going from here to Koh Chang, as in the previous case, if you are staying somewhere nearby.

You have arrived at the pier, you need to buy ferry tickets and sail to the island.

Airplane from 8 countries -> transfer to the pier -> ferry

You can get to Koh Chang by plane. This is one of the most expensive ways to get to the island. There is no airport on the island itself, so we will fly to the city of Trat. There is only one airline that flies to Trat - Bangkok Airways. Koh Chang Airport (more precisely the city of Trat) is the property of the company.

The cost of the flight is 3500-4500 rubles, they fly three times a day.

Flight duration - 1 hour.

You can right now download the current schedule of all Bangkok Airways flights to your computer in pdf format from the official website at this link: http://www.bangkokair.com/eng/pages/view/flight-schedule

Then from the airport in the city of Trat to either of the two piers you will need to take a taxi or bus. The price is from 100 baht (100 rubles) and above, it depends on whether you are going only to the pier or directly to the hotel on Koh Chang.

And take a ferry to the island itself.

By the way, in addition to Bangkok, you can fly to Trat Airport from the following cities:
Abu Dhabi, UAE (AUH)
Lampang, Thailand (LPT)
Phuket, Thailand (HKT)
Koh Samui, Thailand (USM)
Sukhothai, Thailand (THS)
Chiang Mai, Thailand (CNX)
Udon Thani, Thailand (UTH)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL)
Luang Prabang, Laos (LPQ)
Mumbai, India (BOM)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (NPG)
Siem Reap, Cambodia (REP)
Tokyo, Japan (HND, NZT)
Yangon, Myanmar (RGN)

Taxi from Bangkok -> ferry

Advantage: This method is convenient if you are traveling in a large group.

You can take a taxi from Bangkok directly to the pier. Taxi color may vary. These taxis can be ordered directly at the airport or at the hotel where you are staying. The cost of such a transfer is from 4 thousand rubles. Don't forget to bargain! After a certain amount of time and very tough bargaining, you can negotiate for 2,000 baht (2,000 rubles), but this happens extremely rarely.

If you are quoted a price of less than 2,000 rubles, keep in mind that something is wrong here. Bangkok taxi drivers are not always aware of where and what is located in their country. Therefore, they can happily tell you the price, and already on the road call someone and, having found out how long it takes to travel, drop you off.

You have arrived at the pier, you need to buy ferry tickets and sail to the island.

From Trat town to the pier

Since all roads mainly lead to the capital of the province of Trat, getting to the island will still have to wait. A taxi costs 30-100 baht per person. These are minibuses converted from a pickup truck. Accommodates up to 10 people. They go from Trat Bus Terminal and from the airport. About once every half hour. It's a twenty minute drive. You only need to know the name of the pier from which you are going to cross. Although the name is most likely needed only for those who are traveling not to Chang, but to the nearby islands. There, boats go to different places from different piers.

Ferry to Koh Chang

There are two piers on Koh Chang. Buses bring you to one pier and then to another. It makes no difference which pier the bus takes you to, so you shouldn’t even find out in advance. There are no differences in price. We went from Laem Ngob Pier, since most companies and buses go to this pier.

Please note that during low season ferries may run less frequently and may end earlier. There are also regular boats, but why are they needed if you can take a ferry? True, you can probably agree on delivery directly to the beach.

We hop on and sail to the island for about 45 minutes, enjoying the views from the deck of the ship.

Ferry schedule to Koh Chang and back [current for 2014]
Ao Thamachat Ferry Pier					Price
	Trat - Koh Chang		Koh Chang - Trat		80 baht one way 60 baht - children 8-12 years old, under 8 years old - free 200 baht - per car, moped - free
Ferry name	from Ao Thammachat Pier	at Ao Sapparod Pier	from Ao Sapparod Pier	at Ao Thammachat Pier
Ferry Koh Chang	07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00	07:30 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30	07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00	07:30 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30
Centerpoint Ferry Pier					Price
	Trat - Koh Chang		Koh Chang - Trat		80 baht one way 140 baht round trip (return ticket with open date) children under 8 years old - free car, moped - free
Ferry name	from Laem Ngob Pier	at Dan Kao Pier	from Dan Kao Pier	at Laem Ngob Pier
Centerpoint Ferry	06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00	06:40 07:40 08:40 09:40 10:40 11:40 12:40 13:40 14:40 15:40 16:40 17:40 18:40 19:40	06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00	06:40 07:40 08:40 09:40 10:40 11:40 12:40 13:40 14:40 15:40 16:40 17:40 18:40 19:40

Attention!
All information is subject to change depending on weather or other conditions. Please check the information in advance.

Koh Chang is located in the southeast direction from the Thai capital, 350 km from it. There are no airports or bus stations on the island, so to get to it you will have to combine land or air transport with a ferry in any case. There are quite a few ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. I will tell you about all the available methods.

The closest air gate to the island is the airport in the city of Trat. Direct flights from Trat can be made thanks to Bangkok Airways, whose flight schedule includes three daily flights along the route. Today, planes depart from the capital at 8:20, 11:40 and 17:00.

The travel time will be exactly one hour, and the average ticket price fluctuates around 100-120 dollars. Several seats from each flight are sold at a promotional price, which is approximately 30% less than the usual price. You need to hurry up to get on the list of lucky ones who bought tickets at a discount. To find tickets at a good price, I recommend using the low price calendar. Thanks to it, you will immediately see on which day the prices for flights are lowest.

Transfer from Trat Airport directly to Koh Chang has several options. The cheapest way is to take a songthaew to the pier where the ferry departs to the island. In this case you will have to pay 100 baht. For 400 baht you can ride on a minibus, which for its price will take you not to the pier, but to a certain beach on the island. Those who value time and comfort can turn to taxi drivers who will take you to the desired point for 2,000 baht.

By bus

As in the case of an airplane, the bus journey involves a transfer in the city of Trat. Today, flights in the desired direction are carried out from Bangkok bus stations Ekamai and MoChit. The first of them is located in the eastern part of the capital, the second - in the northern direction. These bus terminals are located in close proximity to the metro stations of the same name, so finding them is very easy. The road to Trat will take approximately 5-6 hours.

From the Ekamai bus station you can get to Trat using the services of several carriers:

• Government Bus. The final destination of these buses is the pier, from which ferries directly depart to Koh Chang. There are only two flights - at 7:45 and 9:45. On the way, there is a mandatory stop at the Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal. The trip will cost tourists 275 baht. In the opposite direction, the bus leaves at 13:30 from the Trat bus station and at 14:00 from the stop at the ferry crossing.
• Tanakawee. This carrier operates six flights daily in both directions. The fare is 265 baht.
• Cherdchai Tour. The company tries to reach as many passengers as possible, so its buses run in both directions every hour from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Price – 265 baht.

As for the MoChit bus terminal, here we meet the same carriers Cherdchai and Tanakawee, between them they operate seven daily trips.

You can buy a complex ticket at the bus station and online on the portal. The ticket includes not only travel to Trat, but also a ferry to Koh Chang. The cost of tickets on the website is the same as at bus stations.

The price of the travel document usually includes a bottle of mineral water and a minimum snack in the form of snacks, cookies or muffins.

On a minibus

Minibuses, unlike regular regular buses, are a faster and more comfortable way to travel. You can buy minibus tickets from travel agencies or at the reception desk of almost any Bangkok hotel. In essence, the traveler buys a transfer to the desired location. Minibuses depart from a dozen places, but Koasan Road is considered the most popular and affordable. Due to high competition, each carrier strives to attract customers with promotions and discounts. Typically, the price for a transfer starts from 400 baht (13 USD) and can reach 1000 baht. In the latter case, the price includes meals, a ferry ticket and delivery to the desired hotel.

To get an idea of ​​the prices, it is better to spend half an hour of free time visiting several companies offering minibus rides. With a successful combination of circumstances, for 500 baht it is quite possible to get not only to the ferry crossing, but also to a certain hotel on the island. Buying a round-trip ticket will help you save a few hundred baht. It is especially convenient to purchase travel documents in which the date of the return trip remains open, which allows you to determine your own time of stay on the island.

In addition to “transfer” minibuses, there are also their “trip” counterparts. They usually depart from the Victory Monument, and the cost of the trip starts from 400 baht, which is comparable to offers on Koasan Road.

How to get there from Suvarnabhumi Airport?

Bus No. 392 and a huge number of minibuses depart directly from the airport, which for 600 baht will quickly take travelers directly to the beaches of Koh Chang. The return ticket costs 900 baht. Tickets cannot be booked in advance - they are sold directly at the airport terminal on the ground floor near Gate 8.

There is another, longer, but significantly lower cost option. First, you need to take the free shuttle to the nearest bus station, through which passing buses go. In this case, the transport will take you only to the pier in Trat, but the ticket price will be 260-270 baht, which is two times lower than the cost of travel directly from the airport. Time consumption will increase by approximately 30-60 minutes.

How to get there from Don Muang Airport?

There is no direct transport from Don Mueang to Koh Chang. By bus 10, 29, 510, 528 you can get to the Victory Monument metro station for 20 baht, from where minibuses periodically depart to the island costing 400 baht or more. Travel time is 5-6 hours.

Bus 59 will take you from Don Mueang to Khao San Road, where crowds of backpackers usually gather. The price to Koh Chang from Khao San Road will be 400-600 baht, usually this price includes ferry travel.

Bus 13 also stops at the airport and goes to Ekamai Station.

By taxi

Taxi trips, although expensive, are especially convenient for people vacationing with family and company. The road from Bangkok or the airport to the ferry will cost an average of 3500-5000 baht. If you divide this cost among three passengers, you get an amount quite comparable to a trip on a minibus. At the beginning of communication, taxi drivers ask for a high price, but, as elsewhere in Asia, by bargaining you can significantly reduce the final cost. If tourists want to arrive directly to the hotel door, then they need to budget around 5-6 thousand baht.

Taxi drivers do not take more than four passengers in a regular car, so if the number of people exceeds this figure, then you should think about hiring a minivan. On average, the trip from Bangkok to Trat takes about 3.5 hours, and to the hotel on the island - 4-5 hours.

To save time, it is better to order a taxi not to the island, but only to the ferry. This is due to constant car queues. Pedestrians, unlike drivers, do not need to wait several hours for the next ferry, but can immediately go to Koh Chang on the first ship.

Taxis to Koh Chang can be ordered at the hotel or caught on the street. However, not every taxi driver agrees to travel this way. It is best to order a taxi online on the website. They will pick you up at the appointed time and place and take you to your hotel on Koh Chang.

By your own car

Thailand has a huge number of car rental offers. The price per day in Bangkok starts from 1000 baht, which makes the service accessible to almost everyone. It is best to rent a car on. They have collected offers from the most reliable and large rental companies, which will allow you to compare prices and choose the right car. Also, prices on this site are often lower than when renting directly.

The distance to the ferry crossing is about 350 kilometers. Highway 344 leads from Bangkok to Trat with excellent coverage and an abundance of gas stations and eateries.

There is a large parking lot right at the entrance to the ferry; tourists who do not want to take it to the island can leave their car here. You will have to pay extra for transporting your car by ferry.

Ferries from Trat to Koh Chang

In any case, tourists will have to use the ferry services. There are only two piers in Trat and they are located in close proximity to one another. The differences between them are that high-speed boats depart from Koh Chang Ferry Pier, the journey on which will take about 30 minutes, while slower boats depart from Center Point Ferry Pier.

Prices for both ferries are the same and are 80 baht one way and 120 baht for a return ticket. The boat movement starts at 6 am, and the last flight departs at 7 pm.

There are many ways to get to the beautiful beaches of Koh Chang, choose the most suitable option for yourself. In any case, guests of the island will have an unforgettable vacation and impressions that will be imprinted in their minds for a lifetime.

I continue the topic of moving between Chang and Bangkok. , I already wrote, today I’ll tell you how to go in the opposite direction. In principle, if you read the article linked above, then you yourself will understand the entire algorithm of actions. Everything will be the same only in the opposite direction. I will dwell only on some of the nuances, and let all the basic information be in that article.

Koh Chang - Bangkok on your own

Let me remind you that Koh Chang Island is connected to the mainland via ferries that operate from two piers. Read more about ferries here -. Therefore, if you want to go to Bangkok on your own, then you will first need to take a minibus from your beach to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier or Center Point Ferry Pier, buy a ferry ticket, cross to the mainland, and buy a bus ticket at the mainland pier or minibus to Bangkok. Moreover, the minibuses can be different, some will go to, others to, and others to the Victory Monument metro station. You can do this entire journey without preparation, just get up early and go.

Price estimates will be approximately the following: from the beach 50-200 baht to the pier (depending on the distance of the beach), 80 baht by ferry, 300-400 baht by minibus or bus. Travel time from the mainland pier to Bangkok is about 5 hours by bus and 4 hours by minibus.

If for some reason there are no minibuses from the mainland piers, then you can take a minibus to the bus station in Trat, where you can buy a bus ticket to Bangkok, they run quite often, there are night buses, they come to the Ekkamai bus station.

In this case, the cost of travel will be as follows: from the beach 50-200 baht to the pier (depending on the distance of the beach), 80 baht by ferry, 50-100 baht by minibus to Trat, 250-300 baht by bus.

Koh Chang - Bangkok transfer

For me, this option is much more convenient at a very similar price. The easiest transfer option is to buy it at the nearest travel agency on Koh Chang, prices may vary, and arrival points in Bangkok may also vary. I noticed that if you ask for a transfer at your guesthouse, the price is slightly higher, apparently they charge for intermediary. The transfer can be different, both with and without transfers. They can take you to the pier, transfer, then put you on a bus or minibus after the ferry, or they can take you directly from the hotel in one minibus.

I liked the office called SWBtour, which is actually this http://www.bussuvarnabhumikohchang.com/. And the previous website, which is written on the glass of the office, does not work and apparently has not for a long time. Well, Thais don’t worry about such trifles. They have two offices on Koh Chang, one in Klong Son, between Koh Chanf Ferry Pier and White Sand Beach, and the other on Lonely Beach.

The cost of transfer from Klong Son Bus Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport is 400 baht. From White Sand Beach - 500 baht, from other beaches even more. The price includes a ferry ticket. In principle, no one bothers you to get to their office on your own by songthaew minibus.

There are only 3 minibuses per day (departure time - arrival time):
7.00 — 13.00
13.00 — 20.00
17.00 — 00.00

If there are too many people, then a bus is formed, at least that’s what they told me, and indeed, once I rode a bus instead of a minibus.

If you find this option inconvenient, buy other transfers, but my advice is to go exactly to , if you need to go to Bangkok itself. The fact is that in any case, you pass Suvarnabhumi, from which there is a direct metro line to the city center. It may well turn out that this will be faster than driving through the city in traffic jams.

Bus Station on Koh Chang is actually just a company office

The inscriptions are outdated, and the site is different, and the time is wrong

If upon arrival in Bangkok you need to stay somewhere for the night, you can find a hotel on RoomGuru, this is a service where it is convenient to compare hotel prices in different booking systems.

I have stayed in Bangkok many times and in different hotels. I will not provide links to all of my reviews, I will only provide a few. — convenient for stopping near the airport and metro, — good place to spend the night near Khaosan, located in the center next to the park.

Updated: 2019-3-3

Oleg Lazhechnikov

150

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

There are different types of transport to Koh Chang: buses, minibuses (also called minivans), transfers, taxis, planes. First of all, you need to understand that Koh Chang is an island, which means any type of travel includes a ferry (even a plane, since the airport is located on the mainland). Also keep in mind that the minibus can simply take you to the pier, or it can transport you to the island and take you to the desired beach. In the latter case, this is called a hotel-to-hotel transfer and the ferry ticket will already be included in the price of the trip. The distance between Bangkok and Chiang is about 300 km, keep in mind that it takes half a day to get there.

There are at least 5 points from where transport goes towards Koh Chang from Bangkok:

• Ekkamai East Bus Terminal
• Northern bus station MoChit
• Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Khao San Road area
• Victory Monument Metro Station

I wrote in the direction 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 Tratovsky bus station you will need to transfer to a songthaew (local pick-up minibus) to the pier on Koh 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 quite simple and does not take long.

How to buy a ticket online

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

From Ekkamai Bus Station to Trat

The Ekkamai Bus Terminal (aka Eastern Bus Terminal) is the easiest to get to, because buses go to Trat almost every half hour, and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. They go back to Bangkok with the same frequency. Another plus is that this bus station is 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 go to Ekkamai, you will leave anyway.

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 straight to the pier.

6:45, 7:45, 9:45 6:45, 7:45, 9:45 In the opposite direction: 0:30, 14:00, 16:00 0:00, 6:00, 9:00, 11:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30 In the opposite direction: 11:30, 13:30, 17:30 Koh Chang Ferry Pier (Ao Thammachart)5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 23:30Center Point Ferry Pier5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 23:30 Laem Ngob Pier5:30, 8:30, 10:30, 23:30 8:30, 10:30, 12:00, 16:40, 18:30, 23:00 In the opposite direction: 10:30, 12:00, 14:30, 17:00, 23:00

Bus companies	End point	Departure time
The Transport Co., Ltd. (“Bor Khor Sor” or “Government Bus 999”)	Koh Chang Ferry Pier (Ao Thammachart)
	Center Point Ferry Pier	6:45, 7:45, 9:45
		In the opposite direction: 0:30, 14:00, 16:00
	Laem Ngob Pier
	Trat Bus Terminal
Cherdchai Tour
	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
		In the opposite direction: 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

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

From Mo chit bus station to Trat

From the Mo Chit Bus Terminal bus station (aka Northern Bus Terminal, Northern Bus Station), a bus runs 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 trips in total. This option is most convenient for those who flew to, since it is very close to Mo Chit, or for those who have just arrived from the north of Thailand, for example, from Chiang Mai. Actually, that’s how I was leaving after the 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, with air conditioning, and arrives at Trat Bus Terminal.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

Since the bus only runs once a day, it can be quite difficult to leave. But this company also has minibuses that go all the way to Lonely Beach (a good beach on the island). The counter where tickets are sold is located on the 1st floor of the airport (it is the second one, since there is also a ground floor B) next to exit No. 8. The minibus costs 600 baht per person one way, or 800 baht both ways. 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, where you can try to leave. There are free shuttle buses to this station.

Transfers from Khao San Road tourist area

If you are staying for a few days in Bangkok and staying in the area, then right there, at numerous travel agencies (or at the reception of your hotel) you can buy a transfer to Koh Chang by minibus, they are sometimes called tours. The transfer can be as simple as just 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 vary slightly. You can go to different offices and ask around. You will start from Khao San Road, which is convenient since you don’t need to go anywhere.

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

Transfer Bangkok - Koh Chang from Khao San

From Victory Monument metro station

Since October 2016, minivans no longer operate from here to other cities in Thailand. The military junta was battling traffic jams in the square caused by 4,000 minibuses, which essentially created an illegal bus station in the middle of the city. Minivans have been distributed between the three main bus terminals in Bangkok and free shuttles now run 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.

From Trat bus station to Koh Chang pier

Buses from Bangkok bus terminals arrive at Trat Bus Terminal, where you transfer to a songthaew (local pick-up minibus) and are taken to the pier. If you need a specific pier (there are two), then tell the driver its name in advance. Although, if you just need to go to Koh Chang Island, then the pier does not matter, and you can simply say, Ferry to Koh Chang (ferry to Koh Chang). The cost of songthaew is 50-100 baht, travel time is 30 minutes.

I haven’t fully figured it out, but some buses traveling from Bangkok to Trat now stop on the highway, before reaching Trat, and drop off those going to Koh Chang Island, which is exactly what I was doing. Even at the bus station, when boarding, they ask where you are going - Trat or Chang - so that you can put your things in the luggage compartment of the bus in a certain order. After getting off the bus, you are immediately picked up by a minibus and taken to the Koh Chang Ferry Pier. This is faster than going through the Tratov bus station. Songthaew costs 130 baht, including ferry ticket.

Individual transportation

Transfer via Internet

Anyone who wants a minimum of physical movements can order a transfer online in advance (ferry included). You will be met in the arrivals hall, your luggage will be taken, you will be put in a car and taken to your desired location. The good thing about this method is that there are no hassles at all, and it costs the same as a regular taxi that you will look for at the airport. I recommend it to those who want to save time and nerves!

Costs about 4000-6000 baht per car. Naturally, for 6,000 baht there will 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 your 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.

I have already taken a transfer from this company and was completely satisfied with it. They met us with a sign, put us in a car and took us to the hotel. Here .

Taxi to Koh Chang

A taxi costs somewhere around 3500-5000 baht per car, and you can take it right from the airport, there are counters where you can order one. A large car like a minibus will be more expensive. You can also go out into the street and try to catch a taxi, bargain, but not every taxi driver will be lucky, it’s still far away.

This section also includes private transfers carried out by small companies (or unofficially private individuals). The cost depends on what kind of car you will be given. In principle, if you take a car for 5-10 people, the cost will be little different from public transport, and the comfort will be higher. You need to look for offices on Google or already there.

Car rental

Most likely, this option may be useful to active travelers who are planning to travel around the area and not lie like a seal on Koh Chang. Although, even just with your family, it is much more convenient to travel in your own car rather than in a minibus. IMHO, driving around Tai by car is a pleasure, good roads, gas stations with cafes and 7/11 everywhere. It’s very convenient, you arrive and immediately pick up a car at the airport. I have already outlined all the nuances in detail.

I usually buy from Hertz, because if you rent 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 on this site it is convenient to compare what will be cheaper, pay this commission, or not pay, since the price per day is different for all companies.

Plane to Koh Chang from Bangkok

This is one of the most expensive methods, but also the fastest and most convenient. There is an airport in Trat province, and only one airline flies to it, Bangkok Air. Air ticket prices are 3200 and 3800 baht, travel time is 1 hour. You can check 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 also flew at reasonable prices, but at the time of writing, they do not have such a route.

Next, at the airport, catch a taxi, songthaew pickup (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 2000 baht. If you go by pickup truck, then take the ferry along with the rest of the mortals and get there the same way as they do, that is, on Chang itself, get into another songthaew pickup truck, which takes you to a specific beach.

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

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

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 when you get off the ferry (no matter which pier) you will see pickup trucks with the word Taxi proudly displayed on them. I specially photographed the prices and you can see them just 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, you will either be unlucky, since they usually try to assemble the whole car (12 people), or they will simply charge a higher price. It may also be a problem to leave in the evening at standard rates.

By the way, if the beach is not your choice, then I would recommend staying at White Sand Beach, it is the closest, it has the most inexpensive and normal housing, and a developed infrastructure. Just look around, and then move on if you want to change place.

P.S. I don’t pretend to be absolutely accurate, since I haven’t checked all the ways to get to Chang, but whenever possible, I tried to check the information on different sites.

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