Koh Chang to Pattaya: the journey back to the mainland

To get from Koh Chang to Pattaya, you cross by car ferry to the mainland and then take a bus or minivan up the coast. There is no direct ferry. The crossing takes about 25 to 45 minutes and costs around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. From the pier, it is roughly a four to five hour drive to Pattaya. Allow six to eight hours door to door.

That estimate is worth holding on to. It includes the songthaew down the west coast, a wait at the pier, the crossing and the road leg, and it does not include lunch. Plan the day around the ferry first, because everything else follows it.

The journey at a glance

Your journey has three parts: a songthaew from Lonely Beach to the ferry pier, the car ferry across to the mainland, and then the road journey to Pattaya. You can book the whole thing as one ticket through a minivan company, or arrange each leg yourself. The first way is simpler; the second gives you more control over when you stop.

• Songthaew to the pier: about 45 to 60 minutes from Lonely Beach to Ao Thammachat pier, on the west coast road.
• Ferry: about 25 to 45 minutes, around ฿80 to ฿90 per person.
• Road to Pattaya: roughly four to five hours from the mainland pier, depending on traffic and stops.
• Total: allow six to eight hours, more if you are travelling in the late afternoon.

The west coast road between Lonely Beach and the north of the island climbs over steep headlands. It is beautiful and slow. If you are prone to motion sickness, take a tablet before you get in the songthaew, not after.

The ferry to the mainland

Most ferries from Koh Chang use Ao Thammachat pier, with Centrepoint pier as the backup. Ferries run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, more often in the high season. Stand on the top deck for the last look at the island's green mountains rising behind you.

Shared songthaew taxis wait at the piers on the island side, and they meet the ferries. Agree the price before you get in. If you are leaving early, ask the team at Paradise Cottage to book a taxi the night before, so you are not standing on the road in the dark wondering whether one will come.

Keep your ferry ticket somewhere you can find it. It is a small piece of paper and the wind on the top deck is real.

Buses and minivans to Pattaya

From the mainland pier, minivans and buses run towards Pattaya. Some minivan services from the pier go through to Pattaya directly, while others require a change in Trat or Chanthaburi. The road leg takes about four to five hours, depending on the route and the traffic.

You can buy a combined ferry and minivan ticket at the pier, or book through a travel agent in Lonely Beach. The team at Paradise Cottage can help you compare the options and book a seat. Ask what is included: a through ticket usually covers the ferry and the van, but not always the songthaew at either end.

Timing your departure

The first ferries leave around 06:30, so an early start gets you to Pattaya by early afternoon. If you leave the island after 14:00, you may not reach Pattaya until the evening. Plan to be at the pier at least 30 minutes before your ferry, and add a little more if you are travelling with luggage in a shared songthaew.

If you are heading to Pattaya for a flight or a bus onward, leave a buffer. Traffic on the approach to Pattaya can be slow, especially at weekends and around holidays, and a missed connection costs more than an extra hour of waiting.

Leaving the same day you check out? Check-out at Paradise Cottage is by 12:00, so a midday songthaew and an afternoon ferry is a comfortable rhythm. You can leave your bag with the team while you have a last breakfast on the deck.

Practical tips

• Check the ferry timetable on the day. Times can change with the season and the weather.
• In rough weather the crossing can be choppy. Sit towards the middle of the boat and stay on the lower deck if you feel unsteady.
• Keep your passport handy for hotel check-in in Pattaya.
• If you are continuing to Bangkok the same day, tell the ticket seller at the pier. Some services connect, and some do not.
• Give yourself a proper last morning on the island. A swim and a coffee before the songthaew beats a rushed exit.

For more on getting around, see our ferry guide, the Bangkok bus timetable and our notes on the journey back to Bangkok. When you are ready to book, message us and we will help with the arrangements.

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