Called the “Elephant Island” due to its headland that has the shape of an elephant, Koh Chang is located in Trat Province, in the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border; this is about 300 kilometers east of Bangkok.
Thanks to its continuous development, the number of tourists to Koh Chang is on the rise, and this, not surprisingly, has also led to an increase in the transport options made available to tourists who want to visit. So you’ll always be able to get to the island from Bangkok easily, courtesy of Bangkok Airways and other transport services.
Read on for the best ways to reach Koh Chang.
Bangkok to Trat: The Best Way to Start Your Journey to Koh Chang
Bangkok Air is your best bet for getting to Trat Province from Bangkok. Just find your way to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and board a Bangkok Airways flight which you can book right here on our website. Bear in mind that we have two departure times for our daily flights to Trat: 11:40, and 16:15.
In case you’re wondering, it takes about an hour to fly from Bangkok Airport to Trat Airport which is open for service from 06:00 to 22:00 hours.
Bangkok Airways flights are reasonably priced, offer much more convenience and comfort than any other means of transport to Trat you can think of, and will of course save you lots of time.
From Trat Airport to Koh Chang Ferry Piers
Having landed at Trat Airport located on the mainland, the next step of the journey would be to get to either of the two ferry piers – Ao Thammachat pier or Centerpoint pier – which are about 30 minutes away at Laem Ngop; this is where you’ll catch the ferry that’ll take you to your final destination that is the Elephant Island.
To ensure that our flight passengers get to Koh Chang from Trat Airport, easily and at their convenience, Bangkok Airways provides private car rental and limousine services in partnership with BIR Company Limited.
BIR Company in addition offers a flexible van service which gives you the options of getting off at the pier, or having the van deliver you directly to your accommodation on the island.
Our car rental services are also available to transport you back to Trat Airport after your Koh Chang tour, so you won’t have to bother about getting there late for your return flight.
Bangkok Air’s car rental and limousine service is the ideal choice because the fee is friendly, and the service itself is excellent as we aim to give our customers the highest level of comfort and satisfaction. Also, it’s easy to book the service through multiple channels; you can either purchase tickets at Trat Airport, or online.
Ferry Services from Trat to Koh Chang
Two ferry companies serve Koh Chang:
- Ao Thammachat pier, serviced by Ferry Koh Chang, runs every 45 minutes from 06:30 to 19:00, with a 25-35 minute crossing to Ao Sapparot pier on Koh Chang’s west coast.
- Centerpoint pier, serviced by Centerpoint Ferry Company, runs hourly from 06:30 to 19:00, arriving at Dan Kao pier.
Both ferries accommodate passengers and vehicles. If you travel with a rented car from BIR Company, you can take your vehicle on board.
Once on the island, transportation to your accommodation can take between 10 and 45 minutes, depending on location. If you get off at the pier without pre-arranged transport, options include motorbike rentals, taxis, or car hires.
Alternative Transport Options from Trat to Koh Chang
Besides Bangkok Airways’ car rental and limousine services, you can choose:
- Private minibus: Around 2,300 THB for up to 4 adults, with direct drop-off at your resort.
- Shared minibus: About 700 THB per person one-way, or 1,300 THB round trip, dropping off passengers at various points along the island.
- Songthaew (shared pickup truck): The cheapest option, taking you to the pier where you catch the ferry.
All these options are available at Trat Airport and easily found upon arrival.
Getting to Koh Chang from Other Cities and Borders
If you’re traveling from places other than Bangkok—such as Pattaya, Koh Samet (Ban Phe Pier), Ayutthaya, or Kanchanaburi—private transfers and minibus services are available through local tour agencies.
Public buses exist but are slower and require multiple transfers, so they’re less recommended.
For travelers coming from Cambodia via border crossings at Poipet, Ban Pakard (Pailin), or Koh Kong, you can take buses or taxis to Trat, then a songthaew to the ferry piers or arrange private transfer
Plan your trip to Koh Chang today with convenient flights and transport services. Whether flying with Bangkok Airways or choosing land transfers, your journey to the Elephant Island will be smooth and hassle-free!
