Taxi to Koh Chang
Arriving in Bangkok can be chaotic.
It is teeming with people and several drivers will definitely ask where you are going and if you need a taxi.
If you can keep a cool head and know the price level, hiring a taxi and getting out of the airport is an easy and quick solution.
A Taxi to Trat or Laem Ngop harbor quay takes approx. 3-4 hours to drive – depending on the time of day.
The taxi is air-conditioned and has food stops along the way.
Duration: approx. 3-4 hours
Price: From approx. 3000 baht
TIP:
Download the app GRAB and BOLT, which are super popular in Thailand. If you use one of the 2, you can order a taxi when you land at Bangkok Airport – you will know the price straight away and they are usually both the cheapest and the nicest taxis to use.
Be sure to register your credit card so that you can pay immediately – if you pay in cash, the driver can get smart and start negotiating the price.
With Lonely Beach Express to Koh Chang
From the airport in Bangkok, the bus “Lonely Beach Express” (no. 392) goes to Klong Son on Koh Chang.
The trip includes both the bus trip to Trat, the ferry trip and the trip from the harbor on Koh Chang to Klong Son.
The buses depart from gate 1, 1st floor at 7.50, 9.30, 11.00 and 14.00 (check possibly updated times and prices).
Duration: approx. 8 hours
Price: 600 baht
From Bangkok Centre
Whether you’re going by bus or minivan from Bangkok to Koh Chang, go to Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road.
The buses also depart from the northern bus terminal, Morchit. However, it is much easier to get to Ekkamai as the bus terminal is next door to the BTS train station (Bangkok metro).
If you arrive by train from the airport, get off at Ekkamai and go towards exit 2. From here you go directly towards the bus terminal.
The bus terminal is well organized and easy to find your way around.
VIP buses
Go to the ticket booth by either VIP bus or 1st class buses.
Avoid the 2nd class buses, which stop all the way to Trat every time a person raises their hand in the air – regardless of whether it’s on the bus or by the side of the road. 2nd class buses can extend the trip by several hours.
Note that the 2nd class buses are the ones with an orange stripe (the trip is cheap, but certainly also very long).
There will be sellers who will try to sell you tickets for the various buses. Do yourself a favor and go straight to the ticket booth and buy your 1st class ticket instead.
On several of the larger buses, an American film will most likely be shown along the way. If you are “really lucky” it could be a romantic Thai series – in Thai 🙂
The price of a bus ticket varies depending on classes, standard and what it includes.
Duration: approx. 5 hours
Price: approx. 400 to 600 baht
By Minivan to Koh Chang
Driving by minivan from Bangkok to Koh Chang is a comfortable and cheap trip.
Spend some time at the station to get an overview of the options you have. Next to each ticket window, you can see what they offer.