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Koh Chang is Thailand’s third largest island, with a size of 212 square kilometres, 30 kilometres long by 14 kilometres wide and a population touching 10,000.

It’s located about 320km out from Bangkok near to the border with Cambodia – the far east of the Gulf Of Thailand. The island and surrounding area is designated as the Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park.

After laying low for many years,  its steady development over the last decade is not on the same scale as the 2 larger Thai Islands of Koh Samui or Phuket. Instead, Koh Chang attracts the more independent minded global tourist who is looking for something a bit different.

Alongside the international visitors, the island is also hugely popular with Thais themselves, who come from all over the country in their holiday time to enjoy its rugged beauty and wonderful beaches.

At A Glance – Accommodation, Getting There, Beaches

  • Koh Chang’s accommodation covers the board – luxury and boutique resorts, hotels in all sizes, family villas, pool villas, 3 star resorts, bungalows, cheap rooms and hostels. Whatever your budget, you’ll find something that suits.
  • You access the island via a car ferry. Private transfers are the ideal way of getting to the departure piers but you can fly, jump on a share minibus, microbus, cheap bus or island hop too.
  • The best beaches are on the west coast; White Sand Beach is the most developed, Klong Prao the longest stretch with large resorts on the sand. Lonely Beach is famed for the traveller vibes, cheap digs and lots of parties. Kai Bae has a bit of everything and since Covid, has become the beach of choice. Plenty of other great spots too and don’t forget the more local east coast.

Eating, Drinking, Activities, General Info

  • As for restaurants, you can eat around the globe – some great Thai diners and seafood of course but also  Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian, Indian, Korean and vegetarian. Plenty of cafes and bakeries too.
  • For the night owls, Koh Chang does have a vibrant nightlife scene – parties, bars, live music and even a couple of small clubs.
  • Koh Chang offers a broad range of activities including diving, snorkeling, visiting the waterfalls, cooking classes, sailing and trekking, massage, yoga and volunteering.
  • Offshore, you can visit various islands on day trips or even in a kayak.
  • As to those important holiday FAQs, Koh Chang is a very well developed island, with a public and a small private hospital, police stations, banks, 4G/5G internet, great mobile coverage, 7-11s and superstores.

UPDATED 23rd November 2024

How to Get to Koh Chang

Head here for complete lowdown on the different ways of getting to Koh Chang whether by land, by air or by sea. We give you everything you need to know on private transfers, share minibuses, public buses, flights to Trat Airport, ferries and island hopping.

Private Transfers

Want to travel to Koh Chang in comfort with the minimum of fuss?  Then, a private transfer is the only way to go.

With us, you can book either an SUV style car for couples and small families or a private minibus for larger groups. The service is door to door, ferry tickets are included, collection times are up to you, child seats are available . 

Private transfers are available in either direction from Bangkok hotels, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Trat Airport, Ban Phe , Pattaya, Laem Ngop Pier (Koh Mak) and Laem Sok Pier (Koh Kood).

Prices start at 4,200bt for an SUV style car (Fortuner, Innova, Pajero etc.)  from Bangkok’s main BKK Airport to your resort on Koh Chang.

All transfers are, of course, available in both directions.

Cambodia

We also lay on International transfers from the Cambodian cities like Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. Or we meet you as you cross into Thailand at the borders – Had Lek, Aranya Prathet and Ban Pakkad.

Book Your Transfer Now!

Flying to Trat Airport

Bangkok Airways flies twice daily from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Trat Airport (TDX) on the mainland, with flight time of around an hour.

On the winter timetable from 27/10/24 to 30/3/25,  the PG305 departs at 12.40 from BKK, landing at 13.40 at TDX. The PG307 leaves at 16.15 arriving at 17.15. The corresonding returns from Trat back to Bangkok are the PG306 14.10 (15.10) and PG308 at 17.45 (18.45).

On the summer timetable from 31/3/25 to 26/10/25,  the PG305 departs at 11.40 from BKK landing at 12.40 at TDX, with the return PG306 at 13.10 (14.10). The PG307 and PG308 flights are unchanged.

Between Trat Airport and your resort on the island, we can provide a private transfer at 2,000bt for an SUV car for 2 adults or 2 adults with 2 small children for delivery to beaches up to Kai Bae.  It’s 2,500bt for a minibus for 4 adults, both with ferry tickets.  For areas from Lonely Beach to Klong Goi Beach (Bang Bao), please add 200bt.

Alternatively,  shared minibuses are 800bt per person with ferry ticket, 1,500bt round trip.

Trat Airport/Koh Chang – Book the Transfer here

Ferries

The island is served by just one car ferry, Ferry Koh Chang, with the crossing taking 25 to 35 minutes. Trat (formerly Centerpoint) Ferry has shut and does not look like opening again soon.

Ferry Koh Chang runs from Ao Thammachat on the mainland to Ao Sapparot on the island, with times at every hour from 06.30, 07.45, 08.45 to 16.45, 17.45 and 18.30 – same in either direction.

Almost exclusively used by east coast locals only, Trat (formerly Centerpoint) Ferry operates a more reduced service, with times of 07.15, 12.00 and 17.20 to the island and 06.00, 10.00 and 16.00 from Koh Chang.

The ferry is 80bt for a single adult ticket, 120bt for a car. There is no reduction for a round trip.

Share Minibus, Bus

For the 24-25 season, our hotel to hotel  share minibus is only available from Koh Chang to Bangkok (east, BKK Airport and central hotels only). It’s 990bt per person including the ferry ticket, minimum 2 persons.

Collections start from 08.20 in Bang Bao Beach, ending at 09.30 on White Sand Beach and then to Ao Sapparot for the fast ferry.  You can also use this service for BKK Suvarnabhumi, Khao San Road, Victory Monument and other destinations (prices on request, 1 person only possible). 

If you are staying in the Khao San Road area, you can jump on the Boonsiri 08.00  (1/6/24 to 30/9/24) daily bus service, 900bt per person with fast ferry ticket and resort delivery by share taxi. The bus return is in the morning, 10.00 from the mainland side at Ao Sapparot Pier, with the same shuttle taxi collection on the island to head to the pier.

There are also direct links from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 07.00 or 11.00, 650bt for the SWB Tour microbus with ferry ticket and resort delivery up to Kai Bae Beach.  The return is at 10.00 or 13.00 from their base in White Sand Beach.  If you need resort collection, check when booking for times and any additional costs.

Public buses (The Transport Company – 999, Cherchai) and microbuses (Koh Chang Transport Company) depart  from the Bangkok Bus Stations at Ekamai and Morchit from 05.00 to 18.30 , either to the piers or Trat.

You can book the hotel to hotel share minibus to Bangkok, the share minibus from Koh Chang to other Bangkok destinations and the Khao San bus here.

Island Hopping

You can island hop between Koh Chang, Koh Klum, Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kood. Your choices include speedboats run by Koh Chang Express (formerly Bang Bao Boats) and Kai Bae Nor Nou, Boonsiri’s catamaran and a slow wooden passenger boat also operated by Koh Chang Express.  Koh Kut Express and Seudamgo have a daily mini catamaran service between Koh Mak and Koh Kood only.

Times and prices for the speedboat from Koh Chang Express’s are at 10.00 and 13.00, return from Koh Kood at 09.00 or 11.30, 900bt to Koh Mak (30 minutes) and 1,200bt to Koh Kood. It’s 700bt from Koh Mak to Koh Kood in either direction. Stops from early May to start of October (low/rainy season)

Kai Bae Nor Nou departs at 09.00 from Koh Chang, 30 minutes to Koh Wai (600bt), 1 hour to Koh Mak (800bt) and another 30 minutes to Koh Kood (1,200bt). The return service is at 11.00. From Koh Mak to Koh Kood is 600bt, Koh Wai to Koh Mak 500bt, Koh Wai to Koh Kood 1,000bt. Stops from end of April till early November.

Boonsiri departs at 09.00 and 12.30 from Koh Chang, taking an hour to Koh Mak, 600bt and a further 30 minutes to Koh Kood, 900bt Chang to Kood. In high season only, this boat then continues on to Had Lek Pier by the Cambodian border, arriving at 11.30, also 900bt. Returns are 13.00 (Had Lek, high season only), 11.00 and 14.00 (Koh Kood), 11.30 and 14.30 (Koh Mak) reaching Koh Chang at 12.30 and 15.30. Running all year,  but will change to speedboat depending on numbers, will revert to ferry/road replacement in adverse weather condtions.

Koh Chang Express‘ wooden boat  is 400bt to Koh Klum and Koh Wai, taking 30 minutes or an hour. It’s 500 to Koh Mak, 2 hours and 700bt to Koh Kood, 3.5 hours. Times are at 09.00 departure from Koh Chang and 13.00 coming back from Koh Kood. Stops from mid May to start of October

Seudamgo and Koh Kut Express

Seudamgo’s mini catamran is at 12.50 from Koh Mak to Koh Kood, 13.50 going the other way. It costs 400bt in either direction, taking 30 minutes. You can also start or end with this service at Laem Sok Pier on the mainland. Stops June to September

Koh Kut Express’ mini catamran is at 12.00 or 16.30 from Koh Mak to Koh Kood, 09.30 or 14.00 going the other way. It costs 500bt in either direction, taking 30 minutes. You can also start or end with this service at Laem Sok Pier on the mainland. Stops June to September

**We can organise all these services for you so do get in contact wth your requirements.**

Where to Stay in Koh Chang

Numbering in the hundreds, Koh Chang hotels, resorts, villas and bungalows are located all around the island.

Luxury and 3/4 Star

At the top end, the premier resorts on the island are The Chill, Awa, Gajapuri and The Retreat in Kai Bae and KC Grande on White Sand Beach. In Klong Prao Beach, you can also add Santhiya Tree, Dewa and the Dinso Resort and Villas (opening in 2024/25) to that list. Prices start around 4,000bt but go much higher for the pool villas, 15,000bt upwards.

3/4 star resorts include Kacha (White Sand Beach), Koh Chang Paradise (Chai Chet), Aana, Barali, The Splash (Klong Prao), Parama (Jek Bae) and Sylvan, formerly Seaview (Kai Bae Beach), Aiyapura, Peninsula, Shambala Beach Resort (Klong Son).

Mid Range

Across the beaches, you’re also spoilt for choice in the mid range category – look out for Chang Buri and Grand View ( White Sand Beach), Flora I Talay (Chai Chet), Annika (Klong Prao), Kai Bae Beach Resort, KB Resort, Kai Bae Grand View, Mam Kai Bae (Kai Bae), Mercure Hideaway, Bailan Beach Resort (Bailan) and Bhuvarin and Resolution (Bang Bao) and Spa Koh Chang (Salak Khok) – estimate 2,000bt to 4,500bt per night, family and pool villas obviously more.

Boutique

No need to worry either on finding decent boutique resorts –  try Chivapuri (Bang Bao Beach), Vayna Boutique (Klong Prao), Nest Sense (Lonely Beach), Amber Sands, Serenity (east coast), Little Sunshine (Klong Son) and Nanai (Salak Phet) for starters, 2,800bt and up.

Villas

For families and groups, villas sleeping from 4 to 8 persons are available in select developments –  Blue Haven Bay (Klong Son), Pearl Beach and over on the east coast at Serenity and Baan Talay Thai.

Bungalows and Budget

The cheapest fan rooms (shared bathroom) are as low as 350bt but for something a bit more salubrious – hot water and a/c – assume in the region of 500bt to 4,000bt. Here’s a few from around all the beaches (north to south):- Independent Bo, Rock Sands Inn, Sabai Guesthouse, Sai Khao Inn, Island Lodge (White Sand Beach), Baan Ton Rak, TP Huts, Alisa (changed hands), Privilege (Pearl Beach), Pajamas (Chai Chet), Sol Beach, Tiger Huts, Ban Rim Nam, Watercolors, Papaya Cottage, Tropical Paradise, Blue Lagoon (all Klong Prao), Sea Escape, Porn’s Bungalows, Paradise Bungalows, Sea Breeze, Patoo, Baan Sook, The Stage (all Kai Bae), Oasis, Nature Beach, Warapura, Sea Flower, Magic Garden, Easy Life, Beach Jungle (all Lonely Beach), Elephant Bay, Lazy Republique, Cocoon, Red Moon Hideaway, 3 Trees (Bailan), Cliff Cottage, Wild Hippie, Hippy Hut, Padel Lodge (Bang Bao), Indie Beach, Bang Bao Beach Resort, Freedom Home, Beachbox (Hat Sai Noi, Bang Bao Beach).

In the main page of our resorts section, we provide recommendations in all the different budget categories – from luxury to traveller. In addition to that, we bring you our detailed snippet accommodation guides for each area.

You can then explore further by going to that individual area page for the full run-down. Choices made, all that remains is for you to head over to our affiliates at Agoda and Booking.com

You can also use the main guide in conjunction with our accommodation section in the Features area of the site. There we provide detailed recommendations on individual resorts as well as lists and Top Tens –10 Ten Luxury Resorts, Best Hotels, Top 10 Boutique, Budget Picks and Best Hostels and Dorms.

Bang Bao Beach (Klong Goi) Koh Chang

Salak Phet Koh Chang

Koh Chang East Coast

Salak Khok, Chek Bae and Long Beach – Koh Chang

Kai Bae Beach Koh Chang

Lonely Beach Koh Chang

Pearl Beach Koh Chang

Klong Prao Beach Koh Chang

White Sand Beach Koh Chang

Klong Son Koh Chang

Beaches

We take you round all the Koh Chang beaches including White Sand Beach, Lonely Beach, Klong Prao Beach and Kai Bae Beach. West coast and east coast, it’s all here.

Our At A Glance snippets for each beach give you information on what to expect in that area, with tips for places to stay, restaurants and bars.

We then take you on a detailed guided tour in the At An Island Pace section, highlighting where hotels, restaurants and bars sit in relation to one another.

There’s a map too so you can see whereabouts on the island each beach sits and a few pictures to give you a taster.

Things to Do in Koh Chang

You won’t be short of things to do on the island, with a wealth of activities on land and at sea to keep you busy.

Whether it’s snorkeling, sailing or diving, cooking classes, jungle treks or elephant camps, waterfalls, ATV, Muay Thai, massage, yoga, gym, shopping or volunteering, our in-depth guides give you all the information required.

We take you through what’s on offer, the companies, the prices and the daily schedules and of course, we can organise any of these activities for you too.

Diving

Koh Chang has a vibrant diving community, with  a handful of professional companies heading out to sea daily.

The calm waters and usually excellent visibility make it a perfect place to learn to dive. For those that have never tried, you can start with the taster day known as DSD (Discover Scuba Diving).  If you want to get fully qualified, then the Open Water Course over 2 to 3 days is the one you need.

For PADI qualified, there’s some terrific dive sites offshore at the Marine Park of Koh Rang and at the HTMS Chang wreck to the south of the island.

Prices start from 3,000bt for 2 fun dives, DSD at 4,500bt and Open Water at 14,500bt. All other courses are also available.

Please note there is a government tax for visiting Koh Rang Marine Park – 400bt for adults, 200bt for children.

Koh Chang Boat Trips

Snorkeling is a must-do activity when on holiday in Koh Chang.  

With either a converted wooden fishing boat or a speedboat, you can choose between the reefs at the Marine Park of Koh Rang (4/5 island) or a shorter day with a trip combining Koh Wai, Koh Klum and Koh Laoya (3 island) and possibly Koh Ngam.

Prices per person range from 800bt (the bigger tour boats) to 850bt down to Koh Rang or 750bt for the 3 island tour with the wooden boat.  The speedboat is 1,000bt  for a 1/2 day to either the local 3 islands or Koh Rang. The big cruise boat which includes Koh Mak and Koh Wai, is 1,490bt – lots of great food with this too.

We specialise in bespoke days on private boats of all sizes – large wooden boats for wedding parties or celebrations, small speedboats for couples or families. Whatever your requirement, we can find a boat and itinerary to suit.

Please note the Koh Rang Marine Park Tax at 200bt per adult and 100bt per child is additional in all cases.

Services generally shut for low season from mid May to mid October.

Trekking

Trekking in the Koh Chang forest is a popular break from the beach, with daily excursions into the interior of the island.

The treks are run by three separate guides, who offer a combination of easy half days, good for kids and seniors or the tougher but rewarding  full days.

For the fittest, you can climb the highest mountain peak at Salak Phet (Khao Laem) or there’s also a 1/2 day trek in Klong Prao up to the top of Klong Plu Waterfall (afternoons, Monday to Saturday excluding Wednedsays), 900bt.  There are tours too to the south east of the island, with visits to the mangrove walkways and local fishing community, prices on request.

Birdwatchers too can head out early morning with the island’s expert – it’s a couple of hours in the Klong Prao area, 900bt per person Wednesdays and Sunday only.

Thai Cooking School

Learn to cook Thai food at one of the island’s cooking schools, with detailed instruction on ingredients,  preparation, techniques and some history. 

You learn everything from how to make the curry pastes (pestle and mortar at the ready) to cooking the actual curries (Green, Red, Massaman, Sour). There’s time too to knock up some noodle dishes such as Pad Thai and even a dessert, with sticky rice and mango the most popular. You eat what you cook!

The 4 schools – Napalai, Kati, Nam and Ban Suan – are based centrally on the west coast in the Klong Prao and Chai Chet areas. Kati runs a day class from 11.00 to 15.30, whilst Napalai and Nam offer sessions in the morning, afternoon or evening. Ban Suan is 3 hours duration, normally with a mid morning start time.

Prices range from 1,200bt to 2,000bt per person, with transfers included. Classes are 8 to 10 persons maximum.

Elephant Camps

Koh Chang is home to 5 camps, where you can get up close to the elephants and enjoy a forest trek.

The hour session is the trek only where you sit in pairs on a specially made seat strapped to the elephant’s back.

The longer two hour session includes the trek followed by the chance to swim with the animals and give them a thorough scrubbing –  a unique experience.

Prices are 500bt for the hour, 900bt for the two hours, with kids at half price. Transfers between the camp and your resort are included. 

Koh Chang Weather

For the full guide to the climate and seasons on Koh Chang Islands, please head here.

Restaurants

Having put in all the hard eating for you, our restaurant guide kicks off with our recommendations for where to find the best Thai food –  seafood, fine dining, Issan, noodles, cheap eats, vegetarian.

We add in all our western restaurant choices including Italian, fusion, burgers and steaks, Mediterranean, breakfasts, bakeries and coffee houses.

We then take you round the island, beach by beach – in brief or in detail. 

Tuck in!

Top Tips

  • (White Sand Beach) Sea and Sun, 15 Palms, Kapow, Alaturka, Papa Il Baffo, Wine Fans
  • (Pearl Beach) Le Jao Jom, Tastory, Saffron on the Sea, Everflow
  • (Chai Chet) Marco Italian, Signature, U-Turn, Gloy
  • (Klong Prao Beach) Jae Eew Seafood, Iyara Seafood, Baan Ta Klua @ Aana Resort, Kati Culinary, Toscana, El Greco
  • (Kai Bae Beach) Tofu Kitchen, Indie Raw, Khao Kwan, Wine Gallery, Fig Cafe, El Barrio, Poke Bowl, Little Italy
  • (Lonely Beach) Nature Beach, Por Par, Coco, Knife and Fork @ Magic Garden, Roxy Bar @ Warapura, Easy Life
  • (Bailan Beach) Kohchang 7, Lisca Beach (closed in rainy season)
  • (Bang Bao, Bang Bao Beach) Chow Lay, Ido Ido
  • (Klong Son) Blues Blues
  • (East Coast) Baan Kafae, Salak Khok Seafood, Salak Phet Seafood, Krua Pah Jeaw, Altitude 79

Nightlife

Looking to dance till dawn? Hoping to meet the partner of your dreams? Want to watch a sunset sipping a Mai Tai? Kick back and and hear some old classics? Watch the game with a cold one?

Well, worry not as Koh Chang nightlife has it all and our unique guide does the legwork for you, so you can plan your evening out on the island.

Whether it be a wine, lounge, beach or cocktail bar, sport pubs or Thai beer bars, live music or party venues, we’ve got it all covered.

As well as our general summary and snippets on all the areas, we also take you in depth to three main nightlife areas – Lonely Beach, White Sand Beach and Kai Bae. So get your party hat on, strap on those dancing shoes and head on in!

Top Tips

  • (White Sand Beach) 15 Palms, Himmel @ White Princess, Mac Bar, Some Mao, Tapas Bar, White Elephant, Zap Bar, mini Pattaya
  • (Pearl Beach) – Sunset Club, PJ’s, Saffron, Crazy Mojito
  • (Chai Chet) Daddy’s Craft Beer, Malibu, Third, Summer Breeze, Flora i Talay and the beer bars (northern end)
  • (Klong Prao) Vanilla Sky, Sapparot, beach restaurants near Dewa, You and Me Bar (southern end)
  • (Kai Bae) Morgan, Cabana, Seabreeze, Tom’s, Jellyfish, Fin, Sun View, Walking Street, Wine Gallery
  • (Lonely Beach) Lonely Beach Bar, Nature, Himmel, Ting Tong, Mimo Bar (3 versions), Rude Boy, Nhings, Beautiful Bar, Dirt Bar
  • (Bang Bao) Rasta View, Cliff Cottage, Jerpordee (sunset)
  • (Hat Sai Noi & Bang Bao) Djembe, The Beach, Green Bar

Islands near Koh Chang

In this section, we explore in detail the smaller islands near Koh Chang.

Koh Rang sits about an hour out from Bang Bao. As the center of the Marine Park, it’s home to the best snorkeling in the area.

Koh Ngam lies off the south east corner of the island near Long Beach. Just a bit further out to sea, you’ll find Koh Laoya, which has a solitary resort.

Koh Klum, a regular feature in the 3 island boat trips, now has accommodation and of course, we cover all those islands you see from the west coast beaches too.

You can visit these islands on either join or private boat trips – please contact us for more information.

FAQs and Information

As you plan your holiday in Koh Chang, practical considerations come into play.

  • Can I change money?
  • Will my mobile work easily?
  • What hospitals are at hand should something happen?
  • If I lose my passport, how do I find the Police?

We go through all this essential information and hopefully put your mind at ease. We have also added a dedicated page just for emergency contact telephone numbers.