How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Chang: DIY vs. Guided vs. Private Transfer
If you’re craving a proper tropical island escape without needing to take a plane, I admit that you have limited options from Bangkok. However, Koh Chang is an excellent option, accessible by an easy combination of bus and ferry, making it surprisingly easy to reach from Bangkok.
However, the transit is a big long, so I wouldn’t suggest it for a two-day weekend trip — especially since Koh Chang is one of the bigger islands in Thailand. I’d suggest having at least three days, better yet four or five days to make the most of your time in Koh Chang.
| ⌛ Planning your trip at the last minute? Here are my quick Koh Chang tips! 🏝️ Best Places to Stay in Koh Chang: – Budget: Oasis Ko Chang (jungle bungalows with treehouse & pool) ** where I stayed! – Mid-Range: Chang Buri Resort & Spa (bathtub rooms and infinity pool) – Luxury: Santhiya Tree Resort (traditional Thai architecture & huge pool) 🤿 Top Activities in Koh Chang: – 3-Dive Scuba Adventure with Wreck Dive – Snorkeling Tour around Koh Chang and Marine Park – Thai-Style Gondola Cruise in Mangrove Forest ⛴️ How to Get Here: The easiest way is from Bangkok via the Boonsiri ferry, leaving Bangkok around 8 AM and arriving in Koh Chang around 1:30 PM. |
For my trip to Koh Chang, I — as per usual! — booked the entire transfer through 12Go Asia for minimal stress. Paying for confirmed seats, timed perfectly so it’d be a seamless transfer to the ferry, including a songthaew to my final destination?
I think it’s totally worth it—especially when operators like Boonsiri make it so easy for you. I left Bangkok at 8 AM and was already settled into Koh Chang by 1:30 PM — not bad given how far away it is!
Check all options for getting from Bangkok to Koh Chang here!
Quick Comparison Chart
| Option | Cost (THB) | Time (Hours) | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boonsiri (Bus + Ferry) | ~1,000 per person | ~5.5-6 hours | High: One ticket, island hotel drop-offs |
| Private Transfer + Ferry | ~3,700–4,700 per group (3-4 people) | ~4.5-5 hours | Very High: Door-to-door service |
| Bus only + Ferry DIY | ~590-690 per person | ~6–8 hours | Medium: Multiple transfers involved |
Best Option: Bus + Ferry Combo (e.g. Boonsiri)
Why I love it: I tend to get stressed out when I need to mix and match different forms of transit, wondering if I’ll miss an essential connection. Since Boonsiri (what I recommend) manages both the buses and the ferries, you’re guaranteed not to miss out on this. This is the easiest way from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
However: The downside is that the departures are from Khao San Road, which is nice if you’re a backpacker staying in that area, and not so nice if you are staying elsewhere in Bangkok or you live in Bangkok outside the tourist center! Boonsiri also makes a stop at BKK (Suvarnabhumi Airport) but this isn’t the most convenient for most people either.
Cost: Everything is included in the transfer, including the super-comfortable bus to Trat province and the pier to Koh Chang, the ferry to Koh Chang, and songthaews that bring you directly to your hotel. Altogether, you pay a fixed rate of ฿1,000 (about $30 USD) which is a good rate in my opinion for all that’s included.
Alternative: Private Transfer (Car/Van + Ferry)
Why I’d pick it: The door-to-door comfort and ease is definitely ideal for families or groups. Plus, if you have 3+ people it ends up being about the same price as individually buying bus/fery tickets with a company like Boonsiri.
Looking at the options with Thailand Travel Taxi or Glassflower via 12Go Asia (Tip: click on the top tab that says ‘taxis’ to isolate only private transfers), a 3-person taxi starts at around ฿3,700 and a 4-person SUV is ฿4,700, so you’re only paying about ฿700 extra (about ฿200 per person) for a fully private experience.
Considering you don’t have to pay for a pricy taxi to Khao San Road or BKK Airport, this can actually be about the same price, so long as you have the group size for it. Like the other transfers, you’ll be dropped off directly at your Koh Chang resort, which is lovely because Koh Chang is a massive island!
Budget Option: DIY Combo of Bus + Ferry
How it works: Take a regular bus from Bangkok to Ao Thamachat Pier (where you can get the easiest ferry to Koh Chang), then catch a ferry independently, then a songthaew (shared truck transit).
This is a good option if you don’t mind managing transfers by yourself and filling in any gaps in the schedule on your own. You have to be a confident traveler for this option, but it’s definitely not that difficult.
It’s also a good option if you don’t want to go all the way to Khao San Road to take a combination transfer, as there are buses from Ekkamai, Bang Na, Mo Chit, and other central options along the BTS line.
Time & cost: Expect 5.5–7 hours to reach Ao Thamachat Pier, and a 30-minute ferry ride. Total cost around ฿460 if booked online via 12Go, and then you’ll also need to buy a ferry ticket (฿80, cash only) and pay for the songthaew (฿50-150 depending on your hotel distance) once you arrive in Koh Chang.
My Take?
- If you want simplicity and comfort, go with Boonsiri — especially if staying near Khao San and if you’re a tourist who isn’t super familiar with Thai language and transportation norms.
- Want to save money and don’t mind a bit of coordination? Regular bus + ferry (DIY combo) can work just fine if you’re a savvy traveler or you live in Thailand and understand how things work here.
- With a group or bags in tow? Private transfer (check the taxi tab) is worth the splurge for peace of mind, and it’s not much of an up-charge if you have 3+ people in your group.
