Koh Chang: Getting There From Bangkok, Fees and Season
Koh Chang ferries run from 06:30 to 18:30, are timetabled hourly and leave only when full. Tickets are cash only at the pier. Mu Ko Chang National Park is a Group 2 park, so a foreign adult pays THB 200 and a child THB 100 under the 2022 schedule. The rainy season runs from May to October.
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Getting to Koh Chang from Bangkok
Koh Chang lies about 8 km from Laem Ngop on the Trat mainland. You travel to Trat, reach the ferry pier and cross by ferry that runs from 06:30 to 18:30.
| Leg | Fact |
|---|---|
| Bangkok to Trat town by road | 312 km on Highway 3 |
| Bangkok bus hub | Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal |
| Bus drop at the pier | Ao Thammachat |
| Trat to the piers | Songtaew, around THB 80 |
| Ferry crossing | About 25 to 30 minutes |
By bus
Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal is the main hub for buses to Eastern Thailand, with routes to Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Read the Ekkamai terminal details before you go. Buses from Bangkok to Laem Ngop now drop off and pick up only at Ao Thammachat pier.
From Trat bus station and the town centre, shared songtaew pick-up trucks run to the piers for around THB 80 per person. They leave when full.
By car
Highway 3 (Bangna-Trat) runs 312 km to Trat town, then 17 km on to Laem Ngop Pier. Plan for the ferry queue below if you drive.
Koh Chang ferry: times, fares and queues
Ferries to and from Koh Chang run regularly from 06:30 to 18:30. Ferry Koh Chang is timetabled to depart hourly, but ferries leave only when they are full. They run 365 days a year, including Sundays, Christmas Day and Thai public holidays.
Times and crossing
The published timetable, current as of April 2026, starts at 06:30 from both piers, then runs at 07:45 and 08:45 and on through the day. The last ferry leaves at 18:30. At busy times such as public holidays and long weekends the ferries run about every 20 to 30 minutes, leaving once full.
Ferry Koh Chang goes to Ao Sapporot pier on the northeast coast of the island. The boats take about 25 to 30 minutes, and one larger ferry takes closer to 40 minutes.
Tickets
Ferry tickets cannot be bought online in advance; you buy them with cash at the pier on the day of travel. They are sold at the ticket offices at Ao Thammachat and Ao Sapporot, cash only, and cards and QR codes are not accepted. No return tickets are sold; each ticket is one way and valid for the day of travel.
Fares from 10 April 2026
Ticket prices rose from 10 April 2026 because of fuel costs.
| Passenger or vehicle | Fare |
|---|---|
| Adult | THB 90 |
| Child | THB 90 |
| 4-wheel vehicle | THB 200 |
| 6-wheel vehicle | THB 700 |
| Motorcycle under 150cc | THB 90 |
| Motorcycle over 150cc | THB 150 |
Queues for cars
In May 2026 car queues for the ferry stretched several kilometres, with waits of four to six hours. Drivers are advised to arrive before 08:00, travel outside peak dates or leave the car on the mainland.
The Centrepoint ferry
Trat Ferry, formerly Centrepoint Ferry, suspended its services in July 2024 and has not resumed. Use Ferry Koh Chang from Ao Thammachat.
Mu Ko Chang National Park fee
Mu Ko Chang is a Group 2 park in the 2022 fee schedule. As of that schedule a foreign adult pays THB 200 and a foreign child THB 100. A Thai adult pays THB 40 and a Thai child THB 20. The schedule took effect on 7 June 2022.
| Visitor (2022 schedule) | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigner, Group 2 park | THB 200 | THB 100 |
| Thai, Group 2 park | THB 40 | THB 20 |
What the fee covers
The park covers more than 40 large and small islands and islets. It does not cover all of Ko Chang: some parts of the island are lived in. After you pay the park fee, carry the receipt for inspection.
For the other park groups, see national park fees for foreigners.
What the park offers
Ko Chang is about 30 km long and 14 km wide, and it is the third largest island in Thailand after Phuket and Samui. The park lists these spots: Ko Ngam, Ko Lao Ya, Kai Bae Viewpoint, Khlong Plu Waterfall, Than Mayom Waterfall, Mu Ko Rang and Sai Khao Beach.
- Snorkelling is a listed park activity.
- Some islands have intact coral reefs, such as Ko Wai and Mu Ko Rang.
- The park shop for coffee, drinks and snacks opens daily 08:00 to 17:30.
- The park phone numbers are +66 3 951 0928 and +66 8 2625 0300.
Koh Chang season: rain, winter and the strait
The park’s rainy season runs from May to October under the southwest monsoon, with annual rainfall of about 4,700 mm. Across Thailand the rainy season runs between mid-May and mid-October.
Winter runs from November to February under the northeast monsoon, when the temperature drops. Summer runs from March to April. In the eastern region the rain ends at the mid-October changeover. The northeast monsoon runs from about mid-October to mid-February.
The strait between the island and the mainland is sheltered, and cancellations are extremely rare even in the rainy season. It turns choppy only in November and December, when strong northerly winds sometimes blow.
Before you go
- Take cash for the ferry ticket; cards and QR codes are not accepted.
- Buy the ticket at the pier on the day, because tickets cannot be bought online in advance.
- Drive early: arrive before 08:00 to avoid the longest queues.
- Carry the park fee receipt.
- Check the season for other islands in best Thai islands by month.
- Read the Thailand islands guide for the rest of the coast.
Step by step
- Get to TratEkkamai Eastern Bus Terminal is the main Bangkok hub for buses to Trat. By road, Highway 3 runs 312 km to Trat town.
- Reach Ao Thammachat pierBuses from Bangkok to Laem Ngop stop at Ao Thammachat pier. Songtaews from Trat cost around THB 80.
- Buy a cash ticket at the pierTickets are sold at the pier ticket office, cash only. They are one way and valid for the day of travel.
- Cross to Ao SapporotThe crossing takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Keep the park receiptAfter you pay the park fee, carry the receipt for inspection.
Not confirmed: Bangkok to Trat: bus and flight timetables and fares were not confirmed; check the operator before you travel. Park fee: THB 200 is the 2022 schedule; read the amount on your receipt.
Common questions
How do you get from Bangkok to Koh Chang?
Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal is the main hub for buses to Trat. Buses from Bangkok to Laem Ngop now stop at Ao Thammachat pier. The ferry crosses in about 25 to 30 minutes.
How often do the Koh Chang ferries run?
They run regularly from 06:30 to 18:30. They are timetabled hourly but leave only when full. At busy times they run about every 20 to 30 minutes.
Can you buy Koh Chang ferry tickets online?
Tickets cannot be bought online in advance; you buy them with cash at the pier on the day of travel. Cards and QR codes are not accepted.
How much is the Koh Chang ferry?
An adult pays THB 90 and a child THB 90 since 10 April 2026. A 4-wheel vehicle pays THB 200. A motorcycle under 150cc pays THB 90.
Is the Centrepoint ferry still running?
Trat Ferry, formerly Centrepoint Ferry, suspended its services in July 2024 and has not resumed.
How much is the Mu Ko Chang National Park fee for foreigners?
Mu Ko Chang is a Group 2 park. Under the 2022 schedule a foreign adult pays THB 200 and a foreign child THB 100.
When is the rainy season on Koh Chang?
The park's rainy season runs from May to October, with annual rainfall of about 4,700 mm.
Is the sea between Koh Chang and the mainland rough?
The strait is sheltered, and it turns choppy only in November and December when strong northerly winds sometimes blow.
Read next
Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.
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