How To Get There

By Air

        For a hassle free and faster trip, fly Bangkok Airways from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat.

        The flight time is 60 minutes and costs about 2,590 – 3,435 Baht per person, one-way, including the 475 Baht airport tax and surcharge. The airline transfers their passengers from Trat Airport to all beaches on the west coast of Koh Chang at 470 Baht per trip inclusive of ferry tickets. Transfers to the east coast are either by chartered vehicle or serviced by the resorts there. The airline’s flight to Trat airport serves to provide business link to the Eastern province. “Friendly service with a smile” is the airlines’ mantra, and a comfortable flight is ensured with the help of its boutique lounges and boutique airports.

By Bus

        You can also take the air-conditioned bus to Koh Chang but the trip takes about 5 hours. The Ekamai Bus Terminal is the main terminal for the eastern provinces, which can be reached by the BTS Skytrain (Ekamai Station). The other station is at the Northern Bus Terminal (New Morchit), on Kampaeng Petch Road. Air-conditioned and ordinary buses depart almost every hour.

        During high and peak season, there is also a VIP bus (Suvarnabhumi Burapa Co., Ltd.) that travels to Suvarnabhumi airport directly. It leaves Koh Chang at 1:30 p.m. daily, and the bus from Suvarnabhumi airport leaves at 7:30 a.m. daily. For those in Koh Chang you can call 66 8 1660 5926, and those in Bangkok, you can call 66 8 3794 2122.

        There are many vans plying between Bangkok and Ao Thammachat, Centre Point and Laem Ngob piers. Just currently made available are van transfers from the Victory Monument in Bangkok to Ao Thammachat ferry pier, and vice versa. The first trip from both venues leave at 07:00 a.m. and the last trip is at 07:00 p.m. The van leaves every 2 hours and costs THB 300/person. For those in Koh Chang (66 8 7833 7696), you can buy tickets at Ao Sapparos pier. For those in Bangkok (66 8 7833 8985), you can proceed to the parking lot for vans at the northeast corner of the Victory Monument. The same company that operates VIP buses, the Suvarnabhumi Burapa Co., Ltd., also has a fleet of vans that travel to Suvarnabhumi airport daily. It leaves Koh Chang at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Vans from the airport park at 1st floor, Exit 8 and leaves at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

        The bus station at Trat province is 1 kilometer from the town proper. Visitors can catch a mini pick-up truck taxis (Songthaew) from there to downtown, (20 Baht per person per trip) or to the pier (60 Baht per person per trip). If you arrive at Trat after 5:00 p.m., you will need to rent a taxi as a private transfer for about 300 Baht. On the way back, you can catch a taxi from Ao Thammachat Pier to Trat town or to the bus station (60 Baht per person per trip). A songthaew is easily found around the Trat municipal market from as early as 6:00 a.m. and in areas where a group of Songthaew is parked, which may also have ferry tickets for sale. The fare to Laem Ngob is about 40 Baht per person.

        There are also modes of transportation for visitors who would like to do a side trip to Cambodia. They can take the bus that departs at 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. from Trat to Phnom Penh (3-4 hours).

        The fare is around 300-500 Baht per person. Passports are required and visa application is available on arrival. Alternatively, the boat departs at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. from Trat to Sihanouk Ville then direct to Phnom Penh. The trip takes 2 hours and the fare is 500 Baht per person.

By Van

        There are many vans plying between Bangkok and Ao Thammachat, Centre Point and Laem Ngob piers. Van transfers from the Victory Monument in Bangkok to Ao Thammachat ferry pier, and vice versa start at 05:00 a.m. and the last trip is at 07:00 p.m. The van leaves every 2 hours and costs 300 Baht per person. For those in Koh Chang (66 8 7833 7696), you can buy tickets at Ao Sapparos pier. For those in Bangkok (66 8 7833 8985), you can proceed to the parking lot for vans at the northeast corner of the Victory Monument.

        The same company that operates VIP buses, the Suvarnabhumi Burapa Co., Ltd., also has a fleet of vans that travel to Suvarnabhumi airport daily. It leaves Koh Chang at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Vans from the airport park at 1st floor, Exit 8 and leaves at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

        There are vans for those who would like to visit the east coast of Koh Chang. These vans are parked behind Trat Department Store. They leave 3 times a day at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m., and return from Salakphet at 5:00 a.m., 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. for 120 Baht per person per trip.

By Private Car

        For the more adventurous, why not rent a car and drive around according to your own leisurely pace? Budget World Class Rent-a-Car has offices in major cities and provinces in Thailand. You can book online through their website. The company has a wide range of vehicles from 4-seater hatchback cars to 12-seater commuter vans, with a choice of automatic or manual gear. A 20-point safety check is performed before every rental with vehicles having an average age of less than 18 months. You can find them at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Pattaya, Rayong and other provinces. The drive-time is 4 to 4 1/2 hours, and car ferries are available at the two ferry piers.

        There are 2 ferry piers in Trat servicing Koh Chang. Both are located in Amphoe (district) Laem Ngob and are a 30-minute ride from Trat town. The ferries ply between Ao Thammachat and Ao Sapparos and between Centre Point Pier and Dan Kao Cabana all day. The trips take about 30 and 40 minutes respectively.

        About 25 kilometers from Trat town is Laem Sok Pier, also called Siriwhite Pier, serving taxi speedboats to Koh Kood for up to 30 passengers. You can also charter a speedboat at 8,000 Baht to Koh Mak and 9,000 Baht to Koh Kood. It is advisable to check the rates and schedules before embarking on the trips because of possible changes due to the season, rising oil prices and competition amongst the ferry and boat operators. The rates and schedules supplied here are effective at the time of writing only.

        If you are already on Koh Chang and would like to go to the satellite islands, take the Nor Nou Kaibae Hut Speedboat Express (66 8 1982 9870, 66 8 1817 6832). The trip starts from Kaibae Hut Pier.

        Another company that provides daily transfer to other islands is Bang Bao Boat (66 8 4866 1886) which operates daily transfers to Koh Mak and Koh Kood from the Bang Bao Pier on Koh Chang. It also provides transfers to other islands as shown on the schedule.

        On arrival at Koh Chang, you will find some mini pick-up truck taxis called Songthaew ready to take you anywhere on Koh Chang, for 50 to 150 Baht per person depending on the distance. This applies to other piers as well.
        In addition to that, there are now also motorcycle-taxis on the island that are based in Bang Bao. They do not park inside the ferry pier though and will have to wait at the gate for one that has a passenger getting off at the ferry. From Bang Bao, they charge 20 Baht per person to the end of the fishing village pier and 120 Baht to White Sand Beach.