Map of Ferries to Ko Chang
To reach this large island in eastern Thailand, you must board the Ferry Koh Chang or Center Point Ferry departing from the mainland piers in Trat. These large vehicle ferries are the primary logistical link for cars and passengers moving across the Gulf, with crossings taking roughly 30 to 45 minutes. As indicated on the navigation map, arriving at the Ao Sapparot or Center Point piers requires a secondary taxi ride to reach the main resort beaches on the island’s western coast.
Getting to Koh Chang from Bangkok
Showing all 6 services
Gulf of Thailand transit: The “Two Pier” system
Ko Chang is Thailand’s third largest island, yet it remains less developed than Phuket or Ko Samui. With approximately 2.8 million annual visitors, the primary logistical hurdle is not the sea crossing itself, but choosing the correct pier on the mainland (Trat). The two piers are often confused, but they offer vastly different service levels.
| Mainland Pier | Operator | Logistics Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ao Thammachat (The “Fast” Pier) |
Ferry Koh Chang | The Standard: 30-minute crossing. Uses faster, newer boats. Departures every 45 mins. 95% of minivans from Bangkok use this pier. |
| Centrepoint Pier (The “Slow” Pier) |
Trat Ferry | The Backup: 55-minute crossing. Located 10km east of Thammachat. Boats are older and slower. Only use this if the queue at Thammachat is multi-hour (e.g., Songkran festival). |
Unlike the 24-hour service to Ko Phangan during parties, the ferries to Ko Chang stop running at 7:00 PM. If your flight lands at Trat Airport (TDX) after 5:00 PM, you will likely miss the last connection. You must stay in Trat town or Laem Ngop for the night.
Visitor Volume & Mode Comparison
- Volume: ~2.8 million visitors. The car ferry queue on long weekends (New Year/Songkran) can stretch for 3 kilometers.
- Vs. Ko Samui: Ko Chang allows you to drive your own car from Bangkok (5 hours driving + 30 min ferry), whereas Samui requires a 10-hour drive + 1.5-hour ferry. This makes Ko Chang the weekend favorite for Bangkok residents.
- Island Transport: Once you land at Ao Sapparot (island side), you are not in town. You must take a steep, dangerous songthaew ride over the mountain to reach White Sand Beach. Rental cars are safer than scooters here due to the extreme gradients.
