Bangkok to Koh Chang
In short
Bangkok to Koh Chang is fastest by a 1-hour flight to Trat, then the short car ferry across.
Every way there, side by side
- Time
- About 1 hour in the air, then the ferry
- How often
- Bangkok Airways from Suvarnabhumi
- Booking
- Short trips
Best by group size
Up to 4
- Best way:
- A luxury van for up to 4, straight onto the car ferry
Up to 10
- Best way:
- A party van for up to 10, with the bags
20 and more
- Best way:
- A coach for 20 and more, quoted for the trip
The fastest way and the easiest way
Flying to Trat is the fastest: about an hour in the air from Suvarnabhumi, then the car ferry. The easiest is your own van: hotel door to resort door, straight onto the car ferry, with nobody carrying bags down the pier.
Ask Tanner which way suits your dates.
Flight to Trat, then the ferry
- Time:
- About 1 hour in the air
- From:
- Suvarnabhumi
- Best for:
- The fastest
Bus or minivan, then the ferry
- Time:
- About 6 hours to the pier
- From:
- Ekkamai, Khao San or Suvarnabhumi
- Best for:
- Lowest cost
Our luxury van
- Time:
- About 4 hours 50 minutes to the pier
- From:
- Your hotel
- Best for:
- The easiest: up to 4, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours
Our party van
- Time:
- About 4 hours 50 minutes to the pier
- From:
- Your hotel
- Best for:
- Up to 10, with the bags
Which airport is closest to Koh Chang?
Trat. Bangkok Airways owns and runs Trat Airport, the airline's own site says, and flies there from Suvarnabhumi in about an hour. The airport is about 20 km from the ferry pier.
There's no airport on the island, so every route ends on the ferry. Check the Bangkok Airways times for your date, and land in time for an afternoon boat.
Ask Tanner to have the van waiting at arrivals.
- fly to Trat in about an hour, then the car ferry
- the bus from Ekkamai, about 6 hours to the pier
- Ao Thammachat to Ao Sapparot, 25 to 35 minutes
- early morning to early evening; check the last boat on the day
Is there a bus to Koh Chang?
The Bangkok to Koh Chang bus is the government coach from Ekkamai to the Ao Thammachat pier at Laem Ngop. It leaves in the morning and takes about 6 hours; check times and fares at the Ekkamai counter or on Transport Co.'s booking site. Buses to Trat town also leave Ekkamai, and a songthaew runs on to the pier.
Boonsiri sells a bus-and-ferry ticket from Khao San. At the airport, the Koh Chang and Koh Kood coach counter is on Level 1 at Gate 8, Suvarnabhumi Airport says.
Going Bangkok to Koh Chang by car takes about 4 hours 50 minutes from Suvarnabhumi to the pier, Google Maps shows (checked November 2026). Insider tip: the buses fill up before long weekends.
Ask Tanner to hold the van for your date instead.
How long is the ferry?
The Bangkok to Koh Chang ferry is one short crossing: Ferry Koh Chang runs from Ao Thammachat on the mainland to Ao Sapparot on the island, in 25 to 35 minutes. Boats run from early morning to early evening, and most leave when they're full, so check the last sailing on the day.
There's no booking ahead and no return ticket: you pay cash at the pier, one way, and cars join the queue. The old Centrepoint ferry to Dan Kao has been suspended since July 2024, so ignore timetables that still show it.
Ao Sapparot is on the north-east coast and the beaches are on the west; shared songthaews meet the boat. Insider tip: on holiday weekends the car queue can run for kilometres, about 7 km on 1 May 2026, while foot passengers walk straight on.
Ask Tanner to time the drive for a short queue.
AIIs there a train to Koh Chang?
There's no Bangkok to Koh Chang train: there are no trains to this part of Thailand, the local guide iamkohchang.com says. It's the road or the air, then the ferry.
The nearest beach by train is Pattaya: see Bangkok to Pattaya. Ask Tanner if you'd like to stop there on the way.
Getting back to Bangkok
Boonsiri sells bus-and-ferry tickets back to Bangkok, the government coach runs from the mainland pier to Ekkamai, and Bangkok Airways flies back from Trat. Check the times for your day.
Morning minivans reach Suvarnabhumi in the afternoon, which suits an evening flight but is tight for an earlier one.
Ask Tanner to set the van to your flight time.
How much does it cost?
On your own, the trip is cheap, but public fares change with fuel prices. Check bus and ferry fares at the counter on the day.
Our van is priced for the vehicle, never per person, with the ferry for the van on top. Tanner's pick: for four with bags, the luxury van. Insider tip: on a Thai long weekend, take the first boat or go midweek.
Ask Tanner for one price, van and ferry together.
Government bus, Ekkamai to the pier
- Fare:
- Check at the Ekkamai counter
Boonsiri bus and ferry from Khao San
- Fare:
- Check with Boonsiri
Minivan and ferry from Suvarnabhumi
- Fare:
- Check at Level 1, Gate 8
Ferry on foot
- Fare:
- Cash at the pier
Ferry, car
- Fare:
- Cash at the pier, per car and passenger
Our luxury van, up to 4
- Fare:
- from ฿6,500 for 10 hours, ferry on top
When to go
November to April is the best season, and July is the wettest month, with over 1,000 mm of rain in Trat. The ferry runs all year, but some island boats and beach bars cut back from June to September.
See our Koh Chang guide and Bangkok to Koh Kood, and ask Tanner which dates suit your group.
Bangkok to Koh Chang in short
- Koh Chang has no airport: every route ends on the car ferry from Ao Thammachat.
- Fastest: fly Suvarnabhumi to Trat in about an hour, then the car ferry.
- Cheapest: the morning bus from Ekkamai, about 6 hours to the Ao Thammachat pier.
- The ferry: 25 to 35 minutes, early morning to early evening, cash at the pier. Check the last sailing on the day.
- No train: the railway doesn't reach this part of Thailand.
- By car or van: about 4 hours 50 minutes and 326 km from Suvarnabhumi to the pier; your own van rolls straight onto the car ferry with the bags.
Checked November 2026.
Before you travel
Book the bus early: it fills up before long weekends
The ferry isn't booked ahead: cash at the pier, one way
The morning coach leaves Ekkamai for Ao Thammachat pier
Reach Ao Thammachat by late afternoon; check the last boat
No alcohol at public piers or on scheduled boats
Luxury van for up to 4, from ฿6,500 for 10 hours
The alcohol ban at public piers and on scheduled boats runs from 12 May 2026.
Checked Nov 2026
Tanner's offer
Hotel door to resort door
Your van leaves Bangkok when you're ready, drives onto the car ferry with the bags, and stops at the resort.
See the private option →
Written by Tanner Altman · Updated 7 November 2026
Questions
Questions about Bangkok to Koh Chang
How do you get from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
Fly from Suvarnabhumi to Trat in about an hour, or take the bus, about 6 hours to the pier. Then the 25 to 35 minute car ferry from Ao Thammachat. A group goes easiest in its own van.
Which airport is closest to Koh Chang?
Trat Airport, about 20 km from the ferry pier, with Bangkok Airways flights from Suvarnabhumi in about an hour. There's no airport on Koh Chang itself, so every route ends on the car ferry.
How can I travel from Koh Chang to Bangkok?
By Boonsiri bus and ferry, by the government coach from the mainland pier to Ekkamai, or by a Bangkok Airways flight from Trat. Our van can drive you straight to the city or the airport.
Is there a train from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
No. There are no trains to this part of Thailand, so go by road or fly to Trat, then take the car ferry across from Ao Thammachat to Ao Sapparot.
How long is the ferry to Koh Chang?
About 25 to 35 minutes from Ao Thammachat to Ao Sapparot. Foot passengers walk straight on, while cars queue, sometimes for hours on Thai holiday weekends.
What time is the last ferry to Koh Chang?
Boats run from early morning to early evening, and most leave when they're full, so check the last sailing on the day. Aim to reach Ao Thammachat by late afternoon.
How much is the bus from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
Check the fare at the Ekkamai counter or the Suvarnabhumi coach counter on the day, and pay the ferry in cash at the pier. Our own van is priced for the vehicle, never per person.
Is it worth flying to Trat?
For a short trip, yes: about an hour in the air saves a long drive. For a week with a lot of bags, the van onto the ferry is easier and keeps the group together.
Can you book the Koh Chang ferry in advance?
No. Tickets are bought at the pier, in cash, one way only, and cars join the queue. Bus and minivan tickets from Bangkok include the crossing.
Plan it
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Last checked 7 November 2026
Sources
Credits: top photo by Photo: Sapin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 1.0.