Ko Chang is Thailand\’s third largest island — wild, mountainous, and largely undeveloped compared to Phuket or Koh Samui. Dense jungle covers 70% of the island, waterfalls tumble into freshwater pools, and the west coast has a string of beaches ranging from busy to almost deserted. Located in Trat province near the Cambodian border, Ko Chang attracts travelers looking for a genuine Thai island experience without the party infrastructure of the southern islands. This guide covers every way to get there and what to do when you arrive.
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ℹ️ Status update (June 2026): Centerpoint Ferry (Laem Ngop pier) has been suspended since mid-2024 and remains out of service. Use the Ferry Ko Chang route from Ao Thammachat pier only. No advance booking for car ferries — buy tickets at the pier, cash only.
How to Get to Ko Chang from Bangkok
Option A: Bus + Ferry (Most Popular)
The standard route — a combined bus and ferry ticket from Bangkok to Ko Chang in one booking. Boonsiri Ferry runs the most popular service with departures from Khao San Road and Rama 9 area around 08:00, arriving at Ao Thammachat pier around 13:30, then ferry to Ko Chang arriving at your hotel by approximately 14:30. The journey takes about 6–7 hours total including the road segment and ferry crossing.
- Departure: ~08:00 from Khao San Road area
- Total time: ~6–7 hours
- Cost: ~$15–20 USD including ferry and optional hotel drop-off
- Includes: Snack box, drinking water, comfortable seating
Alternatively, take a public bus from Bangkok\’s Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal to Trat (~5–6 hours, ~$7–10 USD), then a songthaew or minibus to Ao Thammachat pier (~40 minutes), then the car ferry to Ko Chang (~30–40 minutes).
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Option B: Fly Bangkok to Trat + Ferry (Fastest)
Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Trat Airport (TDX) — approximately 1 hour. From Trat Airport, take a songthaew taxi to Ao Thammachat pier — 280 THB per person, which includes the ferry ticket to Ko Chang. Last ferry is at 18:30. Flight prices range 2,000–4,000 THB (~$55–110 USD) depending on season and booking time.
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The Car Ferry: Ao Thammachat → Ko Chang
The only operating car ferry route is Ao Thammachat pier → Ao Sapparot pier on Ko Chang, operated by Ferry Ko Chang. The ferry runs daily 06:30 to 18:30, roughly every 30 minutes during busy periods and every hour at quieter times. Journey time 30–40 minutes.
- Foot passenger fare: ~80 THB (~$2 USD)
- Motorbike + rider: ~150–200 THB
- Car: ~300–400 THB for vehicle + passengers
- Tickets: Buy at pier, cash only — no advance booking for car ferries
- Last ferry: 18:30 from mainland
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Ko Chang\’s Beaches
All main beaches are on the west coast — the east coast is mostly mangroves and fishing villages. From north to south:
- White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao): The most developed beach — long, white sand, good infrastructure, resort hotels, restaurants and beach bars. Most convenient for first-timers arriving by ferry.
- Klong Prao Beach: A quieter, longer beach backed by coconut palms and a river estuary. More upscale resorts, beautiful at sunrise.
- Kai Bae Beach: Mid-range guesthouses and restaurants, laid-back vibe, good for families. Rocky sections at low tide.
- Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Nam): Once the backpacker enclave — still the most social and budget-friendly beach, with a small nightlife scene.
- Bang Bao: A traditional fishing village on stilts at the southern tip — good seafood restaurants, diving operator hub, departure point for island-hopping day trips.
What to Do on Ko Chang
- Klong Plu Waterfall: The island\’s most spectacular waterfall, 45 minutes by motorbike from White Sand Beach. National park entry fee ~200 THB. Best in wet season (June–October) when flow is strongest.
- Snorkeling and diving: Ko Chang has decent reef diving — best sites around Ko Wai (1.5 hours south by speedboat). Visibility is better November–May. Several dive shops at Bang Bao village.
- Island hopping (Ko Wai, Ko Mak, Ko Kood): Day trips and overnight packages to the quieter islands south of Ko Chang. Ko Kood is the most pristine — jungle waterfalls, empty beaches, very limited development. Boonsiri Ferry connects all islands.
- Kayaking: Rent kayaks and explore the mangrove-lined rivers and lagoons near Klong Prao. Several operators offer guided tours.
- Elephant sanctuaries: Ko Chang has ethical elephant experience operators in the jungle interior — bathing and feeding without riding.
Best Time to Visit
- November–May (high season): Dry, sunny, calm sea. November–February is peak — book ahead for long weekends and Thai holidays.
- June–October (wet season): Waterfalls at full flow, lush jungle, lower prices. Rain is common but rarely all day. Rough seas can limit diving.
- Avoid Thai public holidays: Ko Chang is a major domestic tourism destination — ferries and beaches get very crowded on Thai long weekends.
Where to Stay on Ko Chang
🏨 [Travelpayouts Hotellook/Agoda widget: Hotels on Ko Chang — White Sand Beach]
🏨 [Travelpayouts Hotellook/Agoda widget: Hotels on Ko Chang — Klong Prao Beach]
🏨 [Travelpayouts Hotellook/Agoda widget: Hotels on Ko Chang — Lonely Beach]
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