You can rent a motorbike on Koh Chang, and the team here can arrange one. But at Lonely Beach you may not need it, and the hills are not the place to learn.
Yes, motorbikes are easy to rent on Koh Chang, and the team at Paradise Cottage can arrange one for you. The better question is whether you should. If you are staying at Lonely Beach and plan a few outings, you can manage very well without one.
If you are an experienced rider, a bike gives you freedom. If you are not, the steep, bendy coast road is a poor place to practise, and a shared taxi or a tour is the calmer choice.
Do you need one?
Not for everyday life at Lonely Beach. The restaurants, bars and the beach are all walkable from the resort, and shared songthaew taxis run along the main road. You flag one down, agree the price before you get in, and sit in the back with the breeze.
Our own corner is a good example. The sandy part of Lonely Beach is a 10 to 15 minute walk from us, and the nightlife is close enough to stroll home from. Many guests arrive, put their bags down and do not move a vehicle for days.
A bike starts to make sense when you want to leave the beach strip on your own timetable: to reach a waterfall early, to chase a viewpoint at golden hour, or to see the quieter east coast without a fixed pickup.
The hills
This is the honest part. The hills between Lonely Beach and Kai Bae are steep, with tight bends. The west coast road climbs and dips over headlands, and the views are lovely, but it asks for attention.
If you do ride, take the hills slowly. Go gently on the descents and keep to your own side on the bends, where you cannot see what is coming. Do not ride after a few drinks, and do not ride on your first day when you are tired from the journey. Our Lonely Beach guide says the same thing, because we see the same mistakes every season.
If you have never ridden a motorbike, Koh Chang is not the place to learn. Take a songthaew, or ask us to arrange a taxi or a tour.
What to check before you rent
Renting is simple, but it pays to be careful before you hand over any cash. We would go through this list first:
- Your licence. Make sure the licence you hold is valid for riding a motorbike.
- Your insurance. Check that your travel insurance covers motorbike riding on the island. Some policies do not.
- A helmet. Always wear one, for every ride, however short.
- The bike itself. Look at the brakes, the tyres and the lights before you leave, and take photos of any existing marks.
- The price. Ask what is included and what you pay if something goes wrong. We do not quote rental prices here, because they change. Ask the team when you enquire.
Carry some cash as well, for fuel, park fees and a drink at the end of the day.
Where a bike earns its place
These are the trips where having your own wheels is most useful:
- Klong Plu waterfall. It is on the west coast at Klong Prao, around half an hour's ride north of Lonely Beach. It opens at 08:00, so a bike lets you arrive among the first. Foreign visitors pay ฿200, and the same ticket covers Than Mayom on the same day. More in our waterfall guide.
- The Kai Bae viewpoint. It is on the hill above Kai Bae, just north of Lonely Beach, and late afternoon is golden there.
- The east coast. Than Mayom, the mangroves at Salak Khok and the stilt bays near Salak Phet are a longer ride around the north of the island. Set off in the morning.
- Bang Bao. The fishing village is at the southern end of the west coast road, and the pier makes a good late lunch.
For a full list of ideas, see things to do on Koh Chang. Most of it can be done by taxi or tour if you would rather not ride.
The easier alternatives
You have a few options, and none of them involves a steep bend on your own.
- Songthaew. Shared taxis run along the main road. They are fine for hopping between beaches and restaurants. Agree the price first and carry small notes.
- A private taxi. The team can arrange one for a longer day out, or to collect you from the ferry pier. From the pier, the ride down the west coast to Lonely Beach takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
- A tour. Boat trips, snorkelling days and waterfall visits can be booked through the resort, with pickup included where it is offered. Ask what is included when you book.
You can mix them too. Walk to dinner, take a songthaew to Bang Bao, and hire a bike for one day only if you feel ready. If you do want one, message the team on WhatsApp or call +66 95 149 5935 before you arrive and we will talk it through.
Quick answers
Can you rent a motorbike on Koh Chang?
Yes, motorbikes are easy to rent on the island. Paradise Cottage can arrange motorbike hire, taxis and tours for guests. Ask the team for the current price when you enquire.
Is it safe to ride a motorbike on Koh Chang?
It is fine for experienced riders who take care. The hills between Lonely Beach and Kai Bae are steep with tight bends, so ride slowly, always wear a helmet and make sure your licence and insurance cover you.
Do I need a motorbike at Lonely Beach?
No. Restaurants, bars and the beach are walkable, and shared songthaew taxis run along the main road. A bike is only useful if you want to reach waterfalls or viewpoints on your own schedule.
How far is Klong Plu waterfall from Lonely Beach?
It is around half an hour's ride north of Lonely Beach, on the west coast at Klong Prao. It opens at 08:00 and foreign visitors pay ฿200.
