One short ferry ride separates the mainland from Koh Chang. Here is the pier, the hours, the fare and what happens after you land, so the last stretch of the journey feels easy.
The Koh Chang ferry is a car ferry that crosses in about 25 to 45 minutes and costs around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. Most buses and minivans use Ao Thammachat pier, with Centrepoint pier as the backup, and the boats run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00.
Those are the numbers. The rest of this note explains what they mean on the day: which pier you will probably use, how to time it, and how long the ride on the island takes before you reach Lonely Beach.
The ferry at a glance
- Crossing time: about 25 to 45 minutes.
- Fare: around ฿80 to ฿90 per person.
- Main pier: Ao Thammachat.
- Backup pier: Centrepoint.
- Hours: roughly 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, more often in the high season.
- After landing: a songthaew taxi takes about 45 to 60 minutes down the west coast to Lonely Beach.
Which pier
Most minivans and buses use Ao Thammachat pier, and Centrepoint is the backup. If you travel by bus or minivan, the vehicle takes you to the pier, so you do not have to choose. Your driver will tell you where you are.
If you are driving yourself, the car goes across on the same ferry. From Bangkok, allow 5 to 6 hours by road to the pier, plus breaks. If you fly to Trat with Bangkok Airways, transfers run from the airport to the piers. Choose a flight that lands early enough for you to catch a ferry in daylight.
Ferry times
The ferries run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00. The exact hours depend on the season and the operator, and crossings are more frequent in the high season. We would rather tell you that plainly than give you a timetable that may have changed, so check on the day if your plans are tight.
The useful rule is simple: arrive at the pier well before dark. The crossing is only part of the journey. After it you still have the ride down the coast, and that takes 45 to 60 minutes.
What it costs
The ferry itself is around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. Carry some cash, because you will also want baht for the songthaew on the island. Ask your operator whether the ferry fare is already in your ticket.
For context, these are the usual ways to reach the pier from Bangkok:
- Bus from Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal): fares from about ฿329. The morning 999 bus leaves at 07:45.
- Minivan from Suvarnabhumi Airport: about ฿700, plus about ฿50 to be dropped at Lonely Beach.
Our full Bangkok to Koh Chang guide covers each option in more detail.
After you land
Shared songthaew taxis wait where the ferries arrive on Koh Chang. They run down the west coast past White Sand Beach, Klong Prao and Kai Bae to Lonely Beach, which takes about 45 to 60 minutes. The road climbs some steep hills, so take a motion sickness tablet beforehand if you need one.
Tell the driver "Paradise Cottage, Lonely Beach". Or ask us in advance and the team will arrange a taxi from the pier. The details are on our getting here page.
Planning your day
Check-in at Paradise Cottage is from 14:00, and a morning start from Bangkok usually gets you here in the afternoon. That leaves time for a swim in the pool and a sunset from the deck.
Leaving the island works the same way in reverse. Allow 45 to 60 minutes from Lonely Beach to the ferry landing, then your onward journey on the mainland. Do not leave it for the last boat of the day.
Add your arrival time to your booking request on our booking page so the team knows to expect you. If you miss the last boat, it is much better to know before you reach the pier.
It is a short crossing, but it is the moment the island comes into view. Stand outside if you can.
Quick answers
How long is the ferry to Koh Chang?
The crossing takes about 25 to 45 minutes. After landing, allow another 45 to 60 minutes by songthaew to reach Lonely Beach on the west coast.
How much is the Koh Chang ferry?
Around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. Carry cash, as you will also need baht for the songthaew taxi on the island, and ask your operator whether the fare is included in your ticket.
Which pier do I use for the Koh Chang ferry?
Most buses and minivans use Ao Thammachat pier, with Centrepoint pier as the backup. If you are on a bus or minivan, the driver takes you to the right one.
What time does the Koh Chang ferry run?
Roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, with more crossings in the high season. Hours vary by operator and season, so plan to reach the pier well before dark.
