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⛴️ Koh Chang Travel Plan

Koh Chang from Bangkok
Drive + Laem Ngop Ferry

Koh Chang is closer to Bangkok than a lot of people think. Drive or take a coach down to Trat in about 4-5 hours, then hop on the ferry from Laem Ngop for another half hour across to the island. This plan is written with real timings — from leaving Bangkok, picking a pier, buying tickets for yourself and your car, all the way to which beach to hit first once you're on the island. We'll be straight with you about the steep, hairpin roads on the island and about a few places that close in the low season, so you can plan it accurately.

⛴️ Laem Ngop Ferry🚗 Drive/Coach from Bangkok🏖️ 3 Days 2 Nights, Doable
Koh Chang from Bangkok Drive + Laem Ngop Ferry

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The whole trip to Koh Chang really comes down to two legs back to back. The first is over land from Bangkok down to Laem Ngop district in Trat province. The second is the ferry across to the island. If you drive your own car, you can take it right onto the ferry, which makes getting around once you're there much easier. If you come by coach, you'll use the local songthaews (shared pickups) or rent a motorbike on the island instead. This plan covers both ways.

Route Overview: Bangkok → Laem Ngop → Koh Chang

  • Distance — Bangkok to Trat town is roughly 300-320 km, then another 20 km or so out to the Laem Ngop ferry pier.
  • Land travel time — about 4-5 hours whether you drive yourself or take a coach (depending on traffic and stops).
  • The ferry crossing — from Laem Ngop to Ao Sapparot pier on Koh Chang takes around 30-45 min depending on the pier.
  • Door to island, all in — plan for a full day. Leave Bangkok early and you'll reach the island by early afternoon, which is just right.

Leaving Early Is Best

The last ferry leaves around 6 PM. If you set off late from Bangkok and then hit traffic or linger over lunch, you can miss the evening boats and end up stuck on the Trat side overnight. Leaving Bangkok before 8 AM gives you the most breathing room.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Koh Chang trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in Koh ChangHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Koh Chang attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from Koh ChangOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Koh Chang activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Koh Chang tours & activities (Klook)

The Land Leg — Drive Yourself or Take a Coach

If you're driving yourself, the main route is Motorway 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi-Pattaya), exit around Ban Bueng, then run along Highway 344 or hug the coast through Klaeng-Chanthaburi-Trat before turning off toward Laem Ngop. There are plenty of rest stops and restaurants along the way, especially around Chanthaburi, which is known for its food — so leave yourself time to stop.

If you're taking a coach, air-conditioned Bangkok-Trat buses leave from Ekkamai bus terminal (and Mo Chit on some runs) from early morning to late at night, roughly every hour. A one-way ticket runs around 200-300 THB and the trip takes about 5 hours. Once you reach Trat town, take a songthaew or van out to the Laem Ngop pier.

No Car? Here's How

If you're coming by coach and don't want to change vehicles several times, there are vans/minivans from Bangkok that run straight to the pier, and some operators bundle the ferry ticket and an island songthaew pickup into a single package. It's handy for first-timers, though it costs a little more than piecing the coach connections together yourself.

Laem Ngop Piers — How Many, and Which to Pick

Laem Ngop has two main ferry operators, a few kilometres apart. Both cross to Ao Sapparot pier on the north end of Koh Chang, so the difference comes down to sailing times and a slightly different crossing length. Just pick whichever fits when you arrive — no need to book ahead, you can buy your ticket right at the pier.

Frequent, Fast Crossing

Ao Thammachat Pier (Ao Thammachat Ferry)

Open from around 6:30 AM to about 6:30 PM, with a shorter crossing of roughly 30 min. Boats run frequently during the day, and this is the pier most drivers taking a car across prefer.

The Other Option

Centerpoint Pier (Centerpoint Ferry)

Open from around 7:15 AM to about 5:20 PM, with a slightly longer crossing of roughly 45 min. It's at a different spot from Ao Thammachat, so just pick based on which pier you reach first.

Always Check the Last Sailing First

Sailing times can shift with the season and passenger numbers, and evening boats in particular can thin out during the low season. Call the pier or just ask the staff there before you build your plans around the last sailing of the day.

Ferry Ticket Prices (People + Vehicles)

  • Passenger (adult) — around 90 THB each way (about 190 THB round trip)
  • Child/student — around 40 THB each way
  • Motorbike (with rider) — around 90 THB each way
  • Car (4 wheels) — around 200 THB each way (about 400 THB round trip), driver included; passengers in the car pay the per-person fare on top
  • Larger vehicles/vans — priced by size, from the high hundreds up into the thousands of THB

Prices Can Move

Ferry fares get bumped up from time to time with fuel prices, so the numbers above are approximate. Check the price board at the pier again on the day you travel, and bring cash, since some piers don't take cards.

Getting Around Once You're on the Island

Every ferry lands at Ao Sapparot pier on the north of the island. From here, the main tourist beaches run down the west coast: White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) is the first and the liveliest, then further south come the quieter Klong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. At the far tip of the island sits Bang Bao, a fishing village and the jumping-off pier for snorkelling trips to the surrounding islands.

If you didn't bring a car, the island has public songthaews running the main road — pay by distance, or charter one for a set trip. The other option is renting a motorbike for a few hundred THB a day, which is the most flexible way to get around but means watching the roads carefully (read the warning below). And if you drove your own car over, you can simply drive yourself around the island.

⚠️ The Island Roads Are Steep and Have Hairpin Turns

The main road around Koh Chang has sections that are very steep with one hairpin after another, especially over the hills toward Kai Bae and Bang Bao. If you're new to riding a motorbike, take extra care: brake well before the descents, don't ride three to a bike or load it down, and avoid riding in the rain when the road is slick. If you're not confident, take a songthaew instead — it's safer.

A 3-Day, 2-Night Plan You Can Actually Follow

We've laid this out as a 3-day, 2-night plan that already builds in a half-day of land travel up front. If you've got more time, you can easily stretch out Day 2, since there's enough on the island to fill several days.

Day 1

Travel + Reaching the Island + White Sand Beach

07:30
Leave Bangkok, head for TratDriving, take Motorway 7, exit at Ban Bueng, then run through Klaeng-Chanthaburi-Trat — or take a coach from Ekkamai. Allow 4-5 hours.
11:30
Stop for lunch around ChanthaburiChanthaburi comes before Trat and has Chanthaburi-style noodle shops and well-known local food. A good spot to refuel before the last stretch.
13:30
Reach the Laem Ngop pier, buy your ferry ticketsPick Ao Thammachat or Centerpoint, whichever you reach first. Buy tickets at the pier; if you drove, queue your car onto the ferry. The crossing is about 30-45 min.
14:30
Land at Ao Sapparot, check in at White Sand BeachWhite Sand Beach is the first beach and the best-equipped — accommodation, restaurants, convenience stores. Ideal for the first night when you've just arrived. Drop your bags and head straight into the water.
17:30
Watch the sunset at White Sand BeachThe west coast gets a lovely sunset over the sea. White Sand Beach runs over 6 km, so there's plenty of room for a long evening stroll along the shore.
19:00
Seafood dinner by the beachWhite Sand Beach has a long row of seaside restaurants and bars. Pick one with people actually seated and tables set right on the sand to wind down day one.
Day 2

Waterfall + Quiet Beaches + Bang Bao Village

09:00
Hike to Klong Plu WaterfallKlong Plu is the island's biggest waterfall, a short walk in from the car park, with a pool you can swim in. After rain the flow is heavier and prettier. Bring shoes that handle slippery ground.
11:30
Move on to Klong Prao BeachKlong Prao is just south of White Sand Beach, with a quieter, more relaxed feel. Good for lazing on the sand or finding a lunch spot with a sea view.
14:00
Head south to Kai Bae BeachThe road to Kai Bae has steep hills and curves, so drive slowly and carefully. Kai Bae is a popular sunset spot — the water is shallow and you can walk far out, which makes it great for photos.
16:30
Explore Bang Bao villageBang Bao is an old fishing village at the tip of the island, with a long wooden pier lined with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The evening light is lovely for a wander, and it's also the pier for snorkelling tours.
18:30
Dinner over the water at Bang Bao, then back to your hotelThe seafood spots on the Bang Bao pier sit out over the water with fishing boats below. Pick a place the locals eat at too. On the way back, drive carefully on the dark hill sections.
Day 3

Snorkel the Nearby Islands, or Chill Before Heading Back

08:30
Snorkelling tour of the nearby islands (optional)Boat tours go snorkelling at nearby islands like Koh Wai and Koh Rang, leaving from Bang Bao or a pier near your hotel, running half-day to full-day. ⚠️ Check the weather first — during monsoon season the swell picks up and tours are often cancelled for safety.
12:30
Lunch, then pack upIf you're skipping the snorkelling, spend the morning lazing on the beach or finding a relaxed cafe before check-out. Leave time to return a rental or wait for a songthaew to the pier.
14:00
Take the ferry back to Laem NgopGet to Ao Sapparot pier in time for an afternoon sailing — don't wait for the last boat, in case there's a car queue when it's busy.
15:00
Drive/ride back to BangkokAllow 4-5 hours, same as the way down. If you're heading back on a Sunday evening, Bangkok traffic can build up — leaving in the early afternoon gives you better control over your timing.

Which Beach Should You Stay On?

Lively, Convenient

White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao)

The first and liveliest beach, with restaurants, bars, and convenience stores all sorted. Great for first-timers and anyone without a car, since you've got food and supplies all in one area.

Quiet, Just Right

Klong Prao Beach

In the middle of the island, calmer than White Sand Beach, with beachfront resorts across a range of price points. Good if you want quiet but still easy access to restaurants.

Quiet/Backpacker

Kai Bae / Lonely Beach

Further south, quiet and private. Kai Bae stands out for its sunsets, while Lonely Beach has a backpacker vibe. Both are a bit far from convenience stores, so they suit travellers with a car.

⚠️ Some Places Close in the Low Season

During the monsoon, roughly May to October, the swell is strong and the rain is heavy, and some small guesthouses, restaurants, and snorkelling tours close temporarily, especially around Lonely Beach and Bang Bao. If you're going then, check with your accommodation before booking that it's actually open, and accept that sea tours may be cancelled. The best weather of the high season runs November to April.

Rough Budget Per Person (3 Days, 2 Nights)

  • Land travel — fuel + tolls if you drive, around 1,500-2,000 THB per car round trip, or a coach at around 280 THB per person round trip
  • Ferry — about 190 THB per person round trip; add roughly 400 THB round trip if you take a car across
  • Getting around the island — motorbike rental at a few hundred THB a day, or songthaews paid by trip; a half-day snorkelling tour runs around 500-900 THB per person
  • 2 nights' accommodation — guesthouses from a few hundred THB, mid-range beachfront resorts from the low thousands THB per night
  • Food — seaside seafood at 300-600 THB per person per meal, with regular made-to-order shops cheaper than that

See well-located stays on Koh Chang — beachfront, near restaurants

See the Top 10 Koh Chang Hotels →

FAQ

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang?

The land leg from Bangkok down to Laem Ngop in Trat province takes about 4-5 hours whether you drive yourself or take a coach, then the ferry crossing adds another 30-45 min or so. If you leave Bangkok early, you'll reach the island by early afternoon.

Can you take a car on the ferry to Koh Chang, and how much is it?

Yes — the ferry takes cars across. A 4-wheel car runs around 200 THB each way (about 400 THB round trip), driver included; passengers in the car pay the per-person fare on top, around 90 THB each. You drive onto the ferry in the queue at the pier — no need to book ahead.

How many piers go to Koh Chang, and which one should I pick?

Laem Ngop has two main ferry operators: Ao Thammachat (open around 6:30 AM-6:30 PM, crossing about 30 min) and Centerpoint (open around 7:15 AM-5:20 PM, crossing about 45 min). Both land at Ao Sapparot, so just pick whichever pier you reach first.

Without a car, how do you get around Koh Chang?

The island has public songthaews running the main road, paid by distance or chartered by trip. The other option is renting a motorbike for a few hundred THB a day, but the island roads are steep with plenty of hairpin turns — if you're not confident riding, a songthaew is the safer choice.

When is the best time to visit Koh Chang, and does it rain a lot?

The best weather is the high season, November to April, with clear water, low swell, and snorkelling tours running fully. The monsoon, May to October, brings heavy rain and strong swell, with some accommodation and tours closed. If you go then, check with your accommodation first that it's actually open.

Related

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