There is no airport on Koh Chang itself. You fly to Trat on the mainland, take a transfer to the ferry pier, cross by car ferry, then ride down the west coast to Lonely Beach.
Koh Chang has no airport of its own, so Trat is the one you want. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat, which is the quickest way to skip the long road leg. From the airport you take a transfer to a ferry pier, cross to the island by car ferry, then ride down the west coast to Lonely Beach.
The pieces are simple, but the ferry only runs in daylight and early evening. That is the one thing to plan around when you choose a flight.
The route in four steps
- Fly from Bangkok to Trat with Bangkok Airways.
- Take a transfer from Trat airport to a ferry pier. Most buses and minivans use Ao Thammachat pier, with Centrepoint pier as the backup.
- Cross on the car ferry. It takes about 25 to 45 minutes and costs around ฿80 to ฿90 per person.
- Take a shared songthaew taxi from the island pier down the west coast to Lonely Beach, about 45 to 60 minutes.
From Trat airport to the pier
Transfers run from Trat airport to the ferry piers. I can't give you a fixed fare or journey time for this part, because it depends on the operator and whether you share a vehicle. Ask for the price and the pier before you pay, and check which pier the transfer uses.
Ao Thammachat is the one most transfers head for. If you are told Centrepoint, that is fine too, but the ferry hours below apply to whichever pier you use.
Choose a flight that lands early enough to make a ferry in daylight. A morning or early afternoon arrival leaves you a comfortable margin. A late arrival can leave you waiting for the next crossing or staying a night on the mainland.
The ferry crossing
The car ferry takes about 25 to 45 minutes. Ferries run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, and more often in the high season, which is October to May for us. Exact times change with the season and the operator, so do not count on the last boat.
You can stay in the vehicle, but go up on the top deck if you can. The green mountains rising out of the sea are the best welcome Koh Chang has. For prices, piers and what to expect on board, read our Koh Chang ferry guide.
From the island pier to Lonely Beach
Shared songthaew taxis wait where the ferries land 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 if you need one.
At Paradise Cottage, tell the driver "Paradise Cottage, Lonely Beach". Or ask us in advance and the team will arrange a taxi from the pier. We are on the water just south of the main beach, and check-in is from 14:00.
Going the other way
Leaving Koh Chang for Trat airport is the same route in reverse: a taxi or songthaew from Lonely Beach to the island pier, the ferry, then a transfer to the airport. The team can arrange a taxi from the resort. Check-out is by 12:00.
The two things that matter are the last ferry and the road. Songthaews take 45 to 60 minutes to the pier, and the ferry hours end around 18:30 or 19:00. For an evening flight, leave a generous margin and do not plan around the last boat. A tight connection is the one part of this journey that can go wrong.
Timing and cash
- Pick a flight that reaches Trat in time for a daylight ferry.
- Carry cash for the ferry and the songthaew.
- Tell us your arrival time when you send a booking request, so someone is on hand to welcome you.
- If you are coming from the city by road instead, see how to get from Bangkok to Koh Chang. More route details are on our getting here page.
Count backwards from the ferry, not forwards from the plane. If you can be on the pier with daylight to spare, the rest of the trip takes care of itself.
Quick answers
Is there an airport on Koh Chang?
No. The nearest airport for Koh Chang is Trat on the mainland. You take a transfer to a ferry pier, then cross to the island by car ferry.
How do I get from Trat airport to Koh Chang?
Take a transfer from the airport to a ferry pier, usually Ao Thammachat, then the car ferry, which takes about 25 to 45 minutes and costs around ฿80 to ฿90 per person. From the island pier a shared songthaew takes about 45 to 60 minutes to Lonely Beach.
What time does the last ferry run to Koh Chang?
Ferries run roughly from 06:30 until 18:30 or 19:00, depending on the season and the operator. Plan to reach the pier well before dark.
Can Paradise Cottage arrange a taxi from the ferry pier?
Yes. Tell the team your arrival time in advance and they can arrange a taxi from the island pier to the resort. A shared songthaew is the cheaper option.
