How to Get to & Get Around
Koh Chang

The most common way for people without their own car to reach Koh Chang is to take a van or bus from Bangkok to Trat, then connect to the ferry across to the island. Most vans depart from the Ekkamai and Mo Chit stations and take about 4-5 hours to reach Trat town or the Laem Ngob pier. Many operators sell a combined ticket that drops you right at the pier, so you don't need to arrange multiple separate legs yourself. At the Laem Ngob pier side there are two main ferry operators — Centrepoint Pier and Ao Thammachat Pier — that cross to the island in about 30-45 minutes. Walk-on passenger fare is around 80 baht per trip. The ferry is a vehicle ferry that can carry cars across too, and it has both seating and an open deck where you can stand and take in the sea views during the crossing.

The advantage of this option is that you don't have to drive yourself, which suits anyone who doesn't want the fatigue of a long-distance drive and doesn't have their own car. You can book a combined bus-and-boat ticket online in advance, which helps lock in a seat during busy holiday periods. One thing to keep in mind is that some van operators drive quite fast — if that makes you uneasy, choose a bus instead, which has more room and a steadier ride. Another point is that the ferry has a last sailing in the evening (generally somewhere around 7-8pm depending on the season and the operator). If you leave Bangkok late, you might miss the last crossing and have to stay overnight on the Trat side, so it's best to set off early in the morning or check the ferry schedule ahead of time. Once you're on the island, red songthaews will be waiting to take you onward to your accommodation at the various beaches.

Once you're on Koh Chang, the main public transport is the red songthaew, which runs along the coastal road on the west side of the island — the side with the main beaches and most of the accommodation. Its route runs from the pier down through White Sand Beach, Klong Prao Beach, Kai Bae Beach, all the way to the fishing village of Bang Bao in the south. To use it, flag one down along the road, tell the driver your destination before boarding, and pay in cash when you get off. Fares are shared with other passengers and charged by distance — nearby beaches cost around fifty baht, while farther spots like Bang Bao cost more. It suits people staying and sightseeing along the main west-side beaches who aren't in a hurry, since it's affordable and means you don't have to drive yourself on the hill roads.

The limitation you need to understand is that the red songthaew doesn't run frequently and has no fixed timetable. At certain times you may have to wait quite a while, especially outside peak hours and when heading to less-visited beaches. Services thin out a lot after dark — if you're coming back late from a restaurant or bar, you may need to charter the whole vehicle, which costs more and requires negotiating the price every time before boarding. Another point is that red songthaews mainly run the main west-side road; if you're heading to the east side, such as Salak Kok Bay, or to spots set back from the main road, there's usually no direct service and you'll need to charter one. In short, the red songthaew is great value and hassle-free for daytime sightseeing along the main beaches, but if you're heading to distant spots or coming back late often, renting a motorbike or car may be more convenient.

Renting a motorbike is the cheapest per day and the most independent way to get around Koh Chang. Standard scooters rent for around 200-300 baht a day, with rental shops scattered around White Sand Beach and Klong Prao. The advantage is that you can go anywhere on the island on your own schedule — stopping at Khlong Plu Waterfall, viewpoints, quiet beaches in the south, or crossing to the east side to spots like Salak Kok Bay, where the red songthaew rarely goes. Parking is easy, and you don't have to wait for a ride or negotiate a fare like with the songthaew. It suits solo travellers or couples who already know how to ride and want to save money.

But the thing that needs to be said plainly is that the roads on Koh Chang are far more dangerous than they look. Because it's a mountainous island, many stretches climb steep, S-shaped, winding hills — especially the route crossing the hills between the west-side beaches and the south, and over to the east side. These are spots where tourists frequently have motorbike accidents. Some stretches are so steep that a scooter's power isn't enough if you're carrying a passenger or heavy luggage, and if it rains, the roads get even more slippery. By law you need a motorcycle licence together with an International Driving Permit (IDP) that specifies the motorcycle category — if an accident happens without the correct licence, insurance usually won't pay out and you'll be liable yourself. Wear a helmet every time (it's the law), choose a shop that doesn't hold your passport as collateral, photograph any existing scratches on the bike before you take it, and if you're not confident handling a scooter on steep roads, the red songthaew or a tour is a much safer choice.

If you're visiting Koh Chang for several days and planning to tour multiple beaches, renting a car is usually the best value and most comfortable option, especially for groups or families, since the cost per person works out cheaper than repeatedly calling songthaews or chartering one all day. You get full independence to visit quiet southern beaches, Salak Kok Bay on the east side, or waterfalls whenever you like without waiting for a ride. A popular approach is to rent a car from the Trat mainland or Trat airport and drive it straight onto the ferry to cross to the island, since the ferry is a vehicle ferry that can carry cars — you just pay the extra vehicle ferry fee per crossing. Some operators also rent cars directly on the island.

The thing to prepare for is that many stretches of road on Koh Chang are very steep hills, especially the route crossing over to the southern and east-side beaches, requiring low gear to help brake on both the ascent and descent. If driving an automatic, use L mode or a low gear when descending so the brakes don't overheat and burn out. By law you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your regular licence, and full-coverage insurance is recommended. Before taking the car, photograph and video the whole vehicle, and check the tyres and brakes carefully since they'll be worked hard on the hill roads. Also budget for the vehicle ferry fee both ways, and check whether your accommodation has parking. In short, a car is the best value and most comfortable option for groups, as long as you drive carefully on the hill roads and have the right documents.

One of Koh Chang's charms is that it's a launch point for beautiful nearby islands like Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Wai, which have clearer water and a quieter feel. There are two main ways to reach these islands. The first is to take a scheduled passenger boat — some routes depart from Bang Bao pier in the south of Koh Chang, while others require going back to the Trat mainland side at Laem Ngob or Laem Sok first and then connecting to a boat to Koh Kood or Koh Mak. Fares run roughly four hundred to six hundred baht per trip depending on the island and boat type. The second option is to buy a day tour or speedboat package that includes snorkelling and multiple stops arranged in a single trip — pricier, but more convenient with no need to plan the boats yourself.

Something worth knowing before you plan is that boats to the nearby islands depend heavily on the season. During the dry season, roughly November to April, the sea is clear and boats run almost every day. During the monsoon season, roughly May to October, the eastern seaboard sees rough winds and waves, so many operators cut back sailings or stop altogether, and some resorts on the outer islands close seasonally. It's worth checking the weather and confirming sailing times with the operator before travelling every time. Another point is that if you're staying on the Koh Chang side and want to visit Koh Kood, which is farther away, you'll need to allow time to sail back to the Trat mainland first and then connect to another boat — making Koh Kood better suited to an overnight stay than a day trip. Anyone prone to seasickness should bring motion sickness medication, since some routes have rough seas and take a long time.

For anyone who doesn't want to drive on the hill roads and doesn't want the hassle of waiting for songthaews or negotiating fares, a transfer tour is the most comfortable option. Most tours on Koh Chang include pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation along the west-side beaches — whether it's an island-hopping snorkel tour, an around-the-island tour stopping at waterfalls and viewpoints, a sunset boat cruise, or a trip to Koh Kood or Koh Mak. The organiser takes care of everything, from picking you up at your accommodation, running the activities, arranging lunch, and dropping you back. It suits anyone who wants to hit multiple spots in a single day without planning the transport themselves, and it's especially good for families with children or older travellers.

A few things worth checking honestly before you book. First, confirm that the price genuinely includes a car or boat transfer to your accommodation, since some programs only meet at the pier or a set meeting point, meaning you still need to get yourself there. Second, tours run on a fixed schedule and are less flexible than having your own vehicle — if you want to linger somewhere longer, that may not be possible. Third, sea tours depend on weather conditions, and during the monsoon season they may be cancelled or postponed, so check the refund policy before paying. Finally, book ahead during high season, since popular tours fill up fast — booking online in advance also makes it easier to compare which programs include transfers and meals, and usually gets a better price than booking on the day.