🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Koh Chang is different from the southern islands like Samui or Phi Phi — it's a mountainous island with forested hills in the middle and a road that mostly hugs the west coast. The beaches line up from north to south: White Sand Beach at the top, then Klong Prao, Kai Bae, and Lonely Beach further down, ending at the old fishing village of Bang Bao at the southern tip. Each spot is a fair distance apart and some stretches of road over the hills are steep, so it pays to choose your accommodation carefully from the start. If it's your first time, this is what you'll want to know before you book anything.
How to Get to Koh Chang + Ferry Costs
From Bangkok you first head to the ferry piers on the mainland side at Laem Ngop in Trat province. You can drive yourself or take a minivan or bus from Mo Chit or Ekkamai — it's about 5–6 hours to the province, then a short hop to the pier, and from there you take the ferry across to the island side.
- Mainland piers — there are several; the main ones are Centerpoint Pier and Ao Thammachat Pier. Ferries run frequently throughout the day, so there's no need to book ahead — just buy your ticket at the pier.
- Foot passenger fare — around 80 THB per person each way, roughly 160 THB return.
- Bringing a car on the ferry — around 120 THB per car each way (whether the driver is included varies by pier, so double-check at the counter). The crossing takes about 30–45 minutes.
- Last ferry — usually runs in the early evening. Don't plan to cut it close to the last ferry; always leave yourself a buffer.
Should you bring your own car onto the island?
If you're traveling as a group or with kids, bringing your own car onto the island is far more comfortable — no waiting around for songthaews. But if it's just two of you staying on one beach the whole time, you can skip the car, save the vehicle ferry fee, and avoid the stress of driving the steep roads. There are shared songthaews running the main routes on the island anyway.
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.
Which Beach Should You Pick — The Single Most Important Call for First-Timers
Koh Chang isn't a single beach — each one draws a different crowd at a different price point. Choosing the right one from the start matters more than anything else, because hopping between beaches eats up time and transport money. Here are the four main beaches where most people stay, listed north to south.
White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao)
The first beach you hit after the ferry, about a 10-minute drive from the pier. It's the liveliest stretch, with the densest cluster of restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, and places to stay on the island. Fine sand, clear water, and easy to stroll — ideal for first-timers who want everything within reach.
Klong Prao Beach
The longest beach on the island at around 3 kilometers, and quieter than White Sand. It has plenty of larger resorts and sits near Klong Plu Waterfall. Good for those who want a long beach for easy walks and a more upscale place to stay; the restaurants are spread out rather than clustered like at White Sand.
Kai Bae Beach
Just south of Klong Prao, with a boutique, laid-back feel and some good restaurants in the village. It's near the Kai Bae viewpoint, which has a lovely sunset. Good for families and anyone who prefers small beachfront bungalows.
Lonely Beach
The beach for budget travelers and the party crowd, with fan bungalows, cheap guesthouses, reggae bars, and budget eats. It buzzes at night and draws younger foreign travelers and backpackers. Not the place if you're with small kids or want a quiet night's sleep.
Quick beach cheat sheet
First time and don't want to overthink it? Go for White Sand Beach — everything's within reach. Traveling as a couple or family and want quiet plus a long beach? Pick Klong Prao or Kai Bae. On a tight budget or want to party? Head to Lonely Beach. Get the beach right and half the trip sorts itself out.
Getting Around the Island — Songthaews vs Motorbikes
There's no public transit on the island. You've basically got three options: shared songthaews, renting a motorbike, or renting a car (or bringing your own). Pick based on how many of you there are and how confident you are behind the wheel.
- Songthaews — these run the main road. Fares are around 60–100 THB per person to White Sand Beach, and around 70–120 THB to Kai Bae or Lonely Beach. The further you go, the more it costs. Chartering the whole truck costs more but is more convenient.
- Motorbike rental — around 250–300 THB per day. The most flexible way to explore on your own, but you need to genuinely know how to ride and accept the risk of the steep roads.
- Car rental — the most comfortable if you're a group or have kids, with no sun or rain to deal with. Great for covering several beaches in one day.
A warning about the island roads (read before renting a motorbike)
The road around Koh Chang has stretches that are very steep with sharp hairpin turns, especially the climb over the hills between Kai Bae and Bang Bao. Motorbike accidents are common here from brakes failing to hold on the way down. If you're not used to the roads, or it's raining and the road is slick, don't push it down the steep slopes on a motorbike — a songthaew or rental car is much safer. People who ride confidently in the city often aren't used to descents like these.
What First-Timers Tend to Forget — Cash, Signal, Water
- Cash — there are ATMs around White Sand Beach and the main community spots, but they're scarcer on smaller beaches like Lonely Beach or Bang Bao. Small shops and songthaews mostly take cash, so withdraw some before heading to the quieter beaches.
- Mobile signal — the main west-coast beaches have normal coverage, but signal drops out in patches over the hills, in the forest, and around the outer islands when you're out on a snorkeling trip. Download your maps and accommodation address offline just in case.
- Drinking water and supplies — convenience stores are at the main beaches. Some things on the island cost a little more than on the mainland because they have to be shipped over, so pick up your essentials in Trat if you can.
- Sunscreen and proper shoes — the sea sun is strong, and the waterfall trail is rocky. Flip-flops can be slippery, so bring shoes with grip for the waterfall walk.
When to Visit Koh Chang — The Honest Take on Low Season
The best window for Koh Chang is roughly November to April — calm seas, clear water, all the snorkeling tours running, and restaurants and accommodation fully open. This is high season, so it's busier and pricier, especially around New Year and Songkran, when you should book ahead.
The honest take on the rainy season
During the monsoon, roughly May to October, the southern sea around Bang Bao gets rough and snorkeling tours to the outer islands may be cancelled if the weather turns. Some accommodation, restaurants, and dive shops also close for the low season. If snorkeling is your main goal or you're coming during this stretch, call ahead to check whether your accommodation and tour are open and running that day, so you're not disappointed. The upside of the rainy season is fewer people, lower prices, and lush green forest and waterfalls.
Recommended Plan for First-Timers — Koh Chang 3 Days 2 Nights
If it's your first time and you've got 3 days, here's a plan that covers the highlights without rushing. Staying around White Sand Beach or Klong Prao makes getting around easiest. Adjust the timing to suit the ferry schedule and the weather on the day.
Travel · check in · White Sand Beach in the evening
Snorkeling the outer islands · Bang Bao · seafood
Klong Plu Waterfall · viewpoint · ferry back
Rough Budget Per Person (3 Days 2 Nights)
- Ferry return — around 160 THB (80 THB per person each way, car not included)
- Songthaews on the island — around 300–600 THB for the whole trip, depending on how many rides and the distances
- Snorkeling tour to the outer islands — around 500–900 THB, depending on whether it's a big boat or a speedboat, including gear and lunch
- Klong Plu Waterfall entry — around 40 THB for Thais, around 200 THB for foreigners
- Accommodation for 2 nights — from guesthouses in the low hundreds to beachfront resorts in the low thousands per night; choose based on your budget and the beach you pick
Want the full, detailed schedule?
See the Koh Chang 3-day 2-night plan →