Koh Chang to Bangkok: how to plan the journey back

Allow 6 to 7.5 hours to get from Koh Chang to Bangkok. That is the door to door time we have researched for the Bangkok to Koh Chang trip, and the journey back is made of the same pieces, so it should be about the same: a ride from Lonely Beach to the ferry pier, a short crossing, then the road to the city.

One honest note. Our figures come from the trip in the other direction, so check return departure times and fares when you book. The pieces themselves, and the way to fit them around check-out, are below.

The journey in four pieces

It helps to see the trip as four separate legs, each with its own clock.

1. From Lonely Beach up the west coast to the ferry pier on Koh Chang: about 45 to 60 minutes.
2. The car ferry to the mainland: about 25 to 45 minutes.
3. The road to Bangkok: around 5 to 6 hours, plus any breaks.
4. The last stretch inside Bangkok to wherever you are sleeping or flying from.

Add the waiting time at the pier and you can see why we say 6 to 7.5 hours and not a round six.

From Lonely Beach to the pier

Shared songthaew taxis run along the west coast road, past Kai Bae, Klong Prao and White Sand Beach, to where the ferries land. The ride takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and the road climbs some steep hills, so take a motion sickness tablet beforehand if you need one.

If you have a bus or minivan seat waiting on the mainland, do not rely on flagging a songthaew at the last minute. Ask the team at Paradise Cottage the evening before and we can arrange a taxi to the pier for your time. Carry some cash for the songthaew and the ferry.

The ferry to the mainland

Most buses and minivans use Ao Thammachat pier, with Centrepoint pier as the backup. The crossing takes about 25 to 45 minutes and costs around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. Ferries run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, more often in the high season, which has just begun as we write in early November.

The last ferry sets the limit for your day. Plan to be at the pier well before dark, not on the final boat. We go through the piers and what to expect on board in our Koh Chang ferry guide.

Bus, minivan, flight or car

The same four options apply on the way back as on the way in.

• Bus. Buses on this route are tied to Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai, next to the BTS station of the same name. The fare we have on record is from about ฿329 on the Bangkok side. Return times and fares can differ, so confirm them. Our bus timetable note has the details we have.
• Minivan. Minivans connect Suvarnabhumi Airport with Koh Chang, at about ฿700 plus about ฿50 to Lonely Beach on the way in. Ask the team what is available for your day if you are flying out of Bangkok.
• Flight. Bangkok Airways flies between Bangkok and Trat, which skips the long road leg. Check the times with the airline, then see our Trat airport guide for the ferry, the pier and the road on the island side.
• Private car. The simplest choice for families and groups. Ask for a quote, as the price depends on your group and your timing.

The whole route is laid out from the other direction in how to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang, which is useful if you want the full picture of each option.

Planning your last day

Check-out at Paradise Cottage is by 12:00. That is a comfortable fit with a mid-morning start, but it does not leave much margin if you plan to leave in the evening.

If your onward flight is in the afternoon, we would suggest going a day earlier. It costs one night in Bangkok and saves a stressful drive.

For a slower exit, keep the morning free. Have breakfast, with the coffee and the bread from our kitchen, and a last swim in the pool before the taxi arrives.

If you can, make your last evening on the island a relaxed one, with an early night and the bags packed before dinner. Tell us your plan when you book and we can help with the taxi, the timing and anything else. Booking requests go by WhatsApp or phone on +66 95 149 5935.

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