Getting to Thailand's eastern Gulf islands requires accepting that Trat Province sits 315km east of Bangkok, just 15km from the Cambodian border — this is not a quick day trip. Plan 5.5–8 hours door-to-beach from central Bangkok depending on your route, plus another 1–2 hours if continuing to Koh Mak or Koh Kood. Most travellers underestimate this distance and arrive exhausted or miss tidal windows for onward ferries.
Route A: Bus + Ferry (the standard approach)
The cheapest and most frequent option is catching a bus from Bangkok's eastern terminals directly to Trat, then transferring to a ferry at Laem Ngop pier.
Buses depart every 30–60 minutes throughout the day from Ekamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) or Mo Chit (Northern Bus Terminal), running from roughly 6am to 11pm. Air-conditioned buses cost 250–350 THB and take 4–5 hours. Book the evening before if you want a specific time, though walk-ups are rarely full except during Thai holidays.
From Trat bus station, songthaews shuttle to Laem Ngop pier 35km away (40–50 THB, 30–40 minutes). Taxis are available but cost 300–400 THB for the same journey — only worth it if you're splitting with others. The songthaew parking area is visible from the bus station. Agree on your destination and fare before stepping in.
Laem Ngop pier handles two ferry operators: Koh Chang Ferry and Centrepoint Ferry. Both run crossings every 30–60 minutes during daylight hours (first boat around 6am, last around 7pm). The journey takes 30–45 minutes. Foot passengers pay 120–150 THB; motorcycles cost 50–80 THB. There is no advance booking system — you buy a ticket at the pier window and walk straight on. In peak season (November–February), boats fill regularly but rarely turn people away; they simply dispatch more frequently. During low season, a single morning boat might take two hours to fill.
Total journey time: 5.5–7 hours if buses and ferries align.
Route B: Direct minivan from Bangkok
Minivans operate from Khao San Road, Mo Chit, and some guesthouses, offering door-to-pier service with minimal hassle. Cost ranges from 400–600 THB depending on demand and exact pickup location.
Minivans typically depart in waves between 6am and 1pm, giving you more flexibility than scheduled buses. Journey time is 5–7 hours because drivers make stops (fuel, snacks, toilet breaks), and the vehicle meanders through smaller towns. Solo travellers with large packs often prefer this: you don't wrestle a backpack through a songthaew, and the driver handles the pier confusion.
Verify which pier your operator uses — some serve Laem Ngop, others the closer Ao Thammachat pier. Both connect to Koh Chang with similar frequencies and costs, but the difference matters for your beach arrival time. Ask the booking agent directly; the website often won't specify.
Route C: Fly to Trat
Bangkok Airways operates the only scheduled flights from Suvarnabhumi to Trat Airport (TDX code), taking 70 minutes. One-way fares range from 2,500–6,000 THB depending on advance purchase and season.
From Trat Airport to Laem Ngop pier: taxi 400–600 THB, 30–40 minutes. Then catch the ferry as described in Route A. Total elapsed time from Suvarnabhumi security line to Koh Chang beach is roughly three hours (including ground transport delays).
Trat Airport is small and seasonal. Bangkok Airways cuts frequency significantly during low season (May–September), sometimes operating only three flights per week. Check the airline's website before committing to this route. The airport has no train connection and limited bus services; a taxi is your only realistic option.
Financially, the flight only makes sense if you're splitting a taxi with others (bringing per-person ground cost below 200 THB) or if your time is genuinely worth €15+ per hour. For most backpackers, the bus + ferry is the practical choice.
Koh Chang to Koh Mak
Speedboats depart from Bang Bao pier on Koh Chang's southern cape, typically at 8am and 1pm during peak season. The 40–60 minute crossing costs 350–500 THB. During low season, only the morning boat may run, and cancellations due to swells are common.
A slower ferry exists but runs irregular schedules (200 THB, 2+ hours). Unless you specifically need to save 100 THB, book the speedboat through your accommodation or the pier office.
In November–February, these boats fill quickly. Book the evening before, especially if you have a fixed onward connection (flight from Bangkok, for example).
Koh Chang to Koh Kood
Speedboats from Bang Bao pier take 1.5–2 hours and cost 500–700 THB. Usually one departure in the morning (around 7–8am). Frequency drops sharply in low season; some weeks see only three departures.
Alternatively, skip Koh Mak entirely and catch a direct speedboat from Laem Ngop to Koh Kood (2 hours, 700–900 THB). This route is less common and requires advance inquiry at Laem Ngop or pre-booking through a Bangkok travel agent.
Koh Mak to Koh Kood
A single daily speedboat typically runs in peak season (30–40 minutes, 400–600 THB). In low season, this route may operate only three days a week. Confirm with your guesthouse before planning onward travel.
Low-season reality (May–October)
Don't assume inter-island ferries operate on a fixed schedule. Koh Chang's mainland ferry runs daily year-round but with fewer crossings. Koh Mak and Koh Kood services drop to 2–4 departures per week, and weather—even light swells—can cancel trips the morning you're due to leave.
If your return flight from Bangkok is booked, build an extra 24 hours of buffer into your island schedule. Missing the last boat to Laem Ngop and then missing your Bangkok flight is not a theoretical risk; it happens regularly to travellers from remote islands.
Trat Airport also curtails services in low season. Bangkok Airways may offer flights only three times weekly. If flying is your backup plan, check the schedule directly rather than assuming availability.
Arrival on Koh Chang
Ferries dock at two points on the northwestern coast: Ao Thammachat (the more common passenger pier, run by Centrepoint) and Khlong Son (Koh Chang Ferry's northern pier). Maps are unreliable about which ferry uses which pier—ask at Laem Ngop when you arrive.
Upon landing, songthaews gather at the pier and transport passengers to all beaches. There is no central station or organised transport system. Drivers shout destinations or hold up hand-written signs. Negotiate your fare before getting in (typical range: 50–150 THB depending on distance). Short hauls to nearby beaches (Ao Yai, Ao Khlong Prao) are 50–80 THB. Routes to Hat Sai Khao or the southern bays cost 100–150 THB.
If you have a guesthouse pre-booked, call ahead and ask if they offer pickup from the pier (50–200 THB depending on distance). Many do, and it saves the songthaew negotiation if you're exhausted.
Practical essentials
Cash is critical. There are ATMs on Koh Chang (scattered and unreliable), none on inter-island ferries, and limited access on Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Withdraw cash at Trat or Laem Ngop before boarding any ferry.
Confirm departure times the evening before, especially inter-island boats. Ask your guesthouse or the pier office directly—schedules posted online are indicative, not absolute. A boat listed as "daily" may run three times weekly outside November–March.
Book return transport from Koh Kood or Koh Mak a day in advance. These islands have limited boats, and the last morning departure fills fast. Guesthouses can arrange tickets. Turning up at the pier without a pre-booked seat and finding the boat full is an unnecessarily stressful way to lose a day.
Motorcycle taxis exist but are unpredictable. Negotiating a fair price and trusting someone you've just met with your luggage is the trade-off. Songthaews, despite being crowded, are cheaper and more transparent.
Arrival at smaller islands
Koh Mak's pier is at Ao Noi on the western shore. Songthaews and motorcycle taxis meet ferries. Ao Kood's main pier is Ao Bai, connected to most beaches by songthaew (50–150 THB). Both islands are smaller and quieter than Koh Chang; expect longer wait times for onward transport and fewer food options near the pier. Walk with your guesthouse contact information already noted—asking directions is easier than flagging transport.
Most travellers severely underestimate the Bangkok–Koh Chang distance and budget too little time. A five-day trip with a return flight on day five will burn two of those days almost entirely on travel. The journey is not difficult—buses are comfortable, ferries are frequent—but it is slow. Plan arrival for early afternoon (allowing a full morning to catch transport) and departure from the islands by mid-morning to reach Suvarnabhumi with a comfortable buffer before evening flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the bus from Bangkok to Trat actually take?
Four to five hours of driving, plus 30–40 minutes to Laem Ngop pier from the Trat bus station and another 30–45 minutes on the ferry itself. Total: 5.5–6.5 hours if transport connections align well. Add another hour if you're slow at the songthaew negotiation or if buses depart less frequently than usual.
Which ferry operator should I use: Koh Chang Ferry or Centrepoint?
Both are safe and equally frequent. Koh Chang Ferry docks at Khlong Son (north); Centrepoint at Ao Thammachat (south). The southern pier is marginally closer to Ao Yai and Ao Khlong Prao beaches. Centrepoint boats may be slightly newer but both routes take the same time. Choose based on which pier your songthaew is heading to, not operator reputation.
Can I buy an advance ticket for the Laem Ngop–Koh Chang ferry?
No. Ferries operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. Buy your ticket at the pier window immediately before departure. During peak season, a boat may fill and depart within 30 minutes; arriving 10 minutes before the last ferry of the day is cutting it too close.
Is flying Bangkok Airways to Trat worth it?
Only if you're splitting a taxi to Laem Ngop with others or if you have a rigid timetable. The flight itself is faster, but ground transfers and small-airport inefficiencies eat most of the time saving. Compare total cost: flight (2,500–6,000 THB) plus taxi (400–600 THB) versus bus (250–350 THB). The bus is 90% cheaper and takes four more hours—decide if your time is worth the premium.
What happens if inter-island boats are cancelled due to weather?
You stay on your current island an extra night. There is no fast backup transport. This is a genuine risk from May–October. If you have a tight return schedule, avoid Koh Kood in low season or book your return flight only after confirming boat schedules directly with your guesthouse.
Should I book a minivan from Khao San Road or a bus from Ekamai?
Minivans are easier if you're solo with luggage and want flexible departure times. Buses are slightly cheaper and more predictable. Both take roughly the same total time. Choose based on your pickup location: if you're near Khao San Road, a minivan saves you getting to a terminal. If you're near Ekamai, the bus is a five-minute walk.
