FROM BANGKOK TO KOH CHANG: THE TRANSFERS
If the charm of the turquoise waters and soft white sand induces you to stay away from the crowded streets of Bangkok, you might consider getting to Koh Chang. This beautiful island is the second largest in Thailand and is located on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand. Rich in lush forests and small and non-modern villages like Koh Samui or Phuket is the ideal place to experience an unforgettable, more tranquil experience than Thai beaches.
One of the reasons why Koh Chang has not developed is because it is not the easiest place to reach: being an island has its challenges. There is no airport on the island so access is by sea only, although there are several options to get from Bangkok to the ferry terminal. Read on to discover the different ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
One of the reasons why Koh Chang has not developed is because it is not the easiest place to reach: being an island has its challenges. There is no airport on the island so access is by sea only, although there are several options to get from Bangkok to the ferry terminal. Read on to discover the different ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang.
TRANSFERS IN MINIVAN (MINIBUS) FROM BANGKOK TO KOH CHANG
The last two options you should consider are the public bus and the minibus. These two have the advantage of being the cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Chang, but a lower price will replace a certain level of comfort and these two options are usually the slowest way to reach the island.
Public buses cost about half the price of a shared minibus, and the price includes the ferry ticket. For convenience, you can depart from Khao San Road, or take the bus from one of the bus terminals or from Victory Monument.
The shared minibus can cost twice as much but it is certainly more comfortable, starting from your hotel with the door-to-door service as well as with private transfers, so you don't have to worry about switching from one vehicle to another. The other nice thing about these shared minibuses is that they are more sociable. You will be sitting in your minibus for many hours but it is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers!
As you can see, if you choose to go from Bangkok to Koh Chang, the journey will always include a ferry crossing of about 40 minutes, so the only thing you have to decide on is how fast and how much you want to spend to get to Trat.
Public buses cost about half the price of a shared minibus, and the price includes the ferry ticket. For convenience, you can depart from Khao San Road, or take the bus from one of the bus terminals or from Victory Monument.
The shared minibus can cost twice as much but it is certainly more comfortable, starting from your hotel with the door-to-door service as well as with private transfers, so you don't have to worry about switching from one vehicle to another. The other nice thing about these shared minibuses is that they are more sociable. You will be sitting in your minibus for many hours but it is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers!
As you can see, if you choose to go from Bangkok to Koh Chang, the journey will always include a ferry crossing of about 40 minutes, so the only thing you have to decide on is how fast and how much you want to spend to get to Trat.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS FROM BANGKOK TO KOH CHANG
A private transfer may seem like an expensive solution, but in reality it is really convenient. A big advantage with private transfers is that they are entirely door to door, with the possibility of being picked up from your hotel in central Bangkok, or from the airport, and being escorted to your hotel in Koh Chang. Another advantage of traveling by choosing a private transfer from Bangkok to Koh Chang is that you will only pay once and you will not have to switch from one vehicle to another. Just unload your luggage in the trunk and let the driver do everything! Of course, the only downside is time. Driving from Bangkok airport to Trat (to take the ferry) can take 4-4.5 hours, and if you arrive from a Bangkok hotel, this will add about another 45 minutes to the journey. Then you have the ferry crossing (about 40 minutes), and finally the car journey to your hotel.