Option 1: Fly to Trat, Then Transfer and Ferry

Trat Airport (IATA code TDX) sits on the mainland and is currently served by Bangkok Airways on the Bangkok-Trat route, with a flight time of roughly an hour. From the airport, the journey continues by road to a ferry pier and then by boat across to Koh Chang itself; airlines and some hotels can arrange a combined transfer-and-ferry package, or it can be booked separately on arrival.

This is the fastest way in from Bangkok by a clear margin, but it comes at a higher price than the road options and on a more limited flight schedule, so it suits shorter trips or travellers prioritising time over cost.

Because flight frequency on this route is lower than on major domestic trunk routes, it is worth booking well ahead during peak season, when seats can sell out days or weeks in advance even though the flight itself is short. Travellers with tight connecting plans elsewhere in Thailand should treat the limited daily schedule as a scheduling constraint to plan around rather than something to book at the last minute.

Option 2: Direct Road Transport Plus Ferry

Buses and minivans run from Bangkok’s eastern bus terminals toward Trat and the ferry piers, with a total journey, including the crossing, typically landing somewhere around five to six hours depending on traffic and which pier the service uses. This is the standard budget route and the one most independent travellers default to.

A private car or taxi covers the same road distance in broadly similar time but with more comfort and flexibility to stop en route, at a correspondingly higher cost than a shared minivan.

Overnight buses are generally not necessary for this route given the manageable daytime journey length, and most travellers prefer a daytime departure that lines up with ferry operating hours rather than arriving at a pier late at night with reduced crossing options. Booking the first available morning departure from Bangkok gives the most buffer against delays before the final ferry crossing of the day.

The Ferry Crossing Itself

Whichever route is used to reach the mainland, the final leg is a ferry crossing from a Trat-area pier to Koh Chang, generally taking somewhere in the region of thirty to forty-five minutes depending on the specific route and conditions. Crossings run on a schedule rather than continuously, so it is worth timing the final road leg to avoid a long wait, particularly if arriving late in the day.

Once across, getting to a specific beach adds further time by songthaew or transfer; see the Koh Chang travel guide for how the beach areas are laid out along the coastal road.

Crossing frequency and the last departure of the day both tend to shrink outside peak season, so a late afternoon arrival at the mainland pier during the quieter months carries a real risk of missing the final boat; checking the day’s schedule before setting out from Bangkok avoids an unplanned overnight on the mainland side.

Travelling from Pattaya Instead of Bangkok

Some trips route through Pattaya rather than Bangkok, either as a stopover or because an international flight connects through U-Tapao airport near Pattaya. The road distance from Pattaya to the Trat ferry piers is shorter than from central Bangkok, which can trim an hour or more off the total journey for travellers already on that side of the Gulf.

Minivan and shared transfer services connecting Pattaya to the Koh Chang ferry piers run on a similar basis to the Bangkok services, so the same advice on booking ahead during peak season and allowing a buffer before the ferry departure applies equally here.

This routing is worth considering for itineraries that already include a Pattaya stop before heading further east, since backtracking into central Bangkok purely to start the Koh Chang leg adds time without any corresponding benefit on this particular route.

What to Expect at the Ferry Pier

Piers serving Koh Chang handle a mix of foot passengers, motorbikes and cars, and queueing arrangements differ by vehicle type, so first-time visitors should expect some waiting rather than a walk-straight-on boarding process, particularly in the middle of the day during high season. Luggage generally travels with passengers rather than being checked separately, and tickets are typically bought at a counter on arrival rather than needing to be secured far in advance for foot passengers, although vehicle tickets are worth securing earlier where that option exists.

Signage is in Thai and English at the main piers, and staff are used to directing tourist traffic, but it still helps to arrive with some buffer time before a connecting transfer on the island side, especially if checking into a resort on the day of arrival.

Money, SIM Cards and Last-Minute Essentials

Bangkok’s airports and bus terminals are the easiest place to pick up a Thai SIM card or withdraw larger amounts of cash before heading to Trat, since ATM access and SIM shops thin out once travel moves past the mainland towns. It is worth sorting both before boarding a flight or long-distance bus rather than assuming equivalent options will be as convenient on arrival in Trat or at the ferry pier.

Carrying a printed or saved copy of hotel booking confirmations and transfer details is a small habit that pays off on this particular route, since connectivity during the road and ferry legs is not always reliable enough to count on pulling up an email at the last minute. A small amount of Thai baht in cash is also worth having before leaving Bangkok, since not every stop along the road-and-ferry route accepts cards, and small vendors at the pier itself are typically cash-only. Keeping a spare phone charger or small battery pack in hand luggage rather than checked bags is a simple habit that avoids being stranded without power during a long travel day.

Continuing On to Koh Mak or Koh Kood

Travellers planning to combine Koh Chang with Koh Mak or Koh Kood on the same trip should note that those islands use separate mainland piers from Koh Chang’s main car-ferry route, so island-to-island movement generally means a return to the mainland rather than a direct boat between islands. The Koh Chang vs Koh Mak comparison covers how the two islands’ transfer logistics differ in more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions