The Complete Idiot's Guide to Koh Chang.

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Other transfers include Pattaya, Koh Samet and Trat Airport to/from Koh Chang.  More info & prices below.

First, here are your options for travelling from Bangkok - Koh Chang in detail . . .

1) Fly Bangkok - Trat on Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com ) the cost for a one way ticket, booked online is around 3,100 baht/person including all taxes for 2007-08 high season.  Add to this 300 baht/person for the minibus transfer from the airport to your resort on Koh Chang. Plus, if you're staying in Bangkok beforehand, 200 baht taxi fare to get to the airport.  Don't forget that if you're flying out of Trat there's a 200 baht/person airport tax to pay.  There are three flights per day in high season, early morning, mid afternoon & early evening. 

From May 2008 onwards, we have shared transfers between Trat Airport and any west coast hotel on Koh Chang for 300 baht/person including ferry ticket.  More details at the bottom of this page.

Without a doubt this is a quick and convenient way to get to the island, however if you're travelling as a family or group then it can be expensive. 

2) Travel by bus or minibus from Bangkok.  You can catch a  bus direct from the Transportation Terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat, these leave at 06:40, 08:25, 10:10, 10:25, 11:40, 13:10, 16:10 and 18:10. You should be able to get the last ferry if you're on the 13.10 bus.  After that adn you'll be spending the night in Trat. Alternatively, you can head into Bangkok to Ekkamai bus stations, from where you can catch a bus to Trat and onwards to Koh Chang.  Providing you fly into Bangkok early in the morning and can get on a bus before 11am you will make it to Koh Chang the same day.  It's cheap, taxi from the airport (or your hotel) to bus station approx. 100 - 200 baht, bus ticket 250 baht, 'songtaew' - a pick-up truck taxi - from Trat to ferry pier 30 baht, ferry ticket 50 baht, songtaew to resort approx. 50-80 baht.  The obvious downside is the jumping on and off buses, songtaews, boats etc with all your luggage and kids isn't much fun - plus the journey takes quite a long time.

3)  Take a taxi from the airport or your hotel to the ferry pier for Koh Chang.  It is possible to do this 350 kilometer trip by regular Bangkok taxi, but it'll require some negotiations with the taxi driver and the cost will depend on both your haggling skills and how desperate the driver is to spend the next 12 hours on a round trip.

With a bit of luck you'll be quoted around 3,500 baht.  It's worth bearing in mind that most Bangkok taxi drivers wont have ever driven to Trat before so you'll have to have an idea of which direction you should be going in.  The taxis usually won't go onto the island, they'll drop you off at the pier and then head back to Bangkok.  So you'll still have to hop on a crowded songtaew to your resort. 

4) Private transfer by car or minivan from the airport (or a hotel) direct to your resort.  If you're arriving by plane in Bangkok before 1pm then you'll be able to make it to Koh Chang the same day without any trouble. You'll be met in the arrivals hall by your driver who will be from the Trat area and will have made the trip many times before.  Alternatively, you can be met at your city centre hotel after breakfast and be on Koh Chang by early-afternoon.  If you arrive late night - as many flights from Europe do - you can still be met at the airport, at any time and driven to KC, you'll be on the first ferry in the morning which leaves the mainland at 6 or 6.30am. There would be no need to spend an unwanted night in Bangkok.

Who provides the service? 

To provide this service I have partnered with a well known Koh Chang based tour agency - one fully licensed by the Tourist Authority of Thailand.  They will provide the transportation services. 

They are a licensed tour operator who have been operating on Koh Chang for several years.  Clients on Koh Chang include many of the package tour operators and luxury hotels.  They aren't the cheapest tour agency, but for a price difference of a couple of hundred baht, I'd prefer to deal with an agency that has a reputation for reliability and has experienced, European  management which ensures that any prices & arrangements that are confirmed will stay confirmed and won't change at a later date.

Anyone who has travelled by minibus in Thailand before will know that seatbelts aren't fitted as standard to rear seats in Thailand. However, as of January 2008, the majority of minibuses used for transfers booked through this site have been fitted with specially designed rear seat belts. 

Note: Priority will be given to people booking well in advance.  Late bookings cannot be guaranteed a minibus with seatbelts fitted.

(To date, June 2008, I've arranged several hundred private transfers for visitors to this site, including quite a few of the people staying at our guesthouse.  A few haven't gone as planned, due to minor accidents, traffic delays etc, but when there has been a problem it has always been resolved to the satisfaction of the client by the tour agency responsible for the transfer. I've yet to receive any complaints from anyone unsatisfied with the service provided.)

How much does it cost?

The cost for the minivan for the 350km private transfer from either Bangkok Airport or any city centre hotel to any location on Koh Chang depends on the number of passengers: 

Transfer 1-2 persons.  Price per vehicle: 4,800 Baht total

Transfer 3-6 persons. Price per vehicle: 5,200 Baht total

Transfer 7-10 persons. Price per vehicle: 5,600 Baht total

* Prices are for a one-way transfer. Return transfers are double the one way price.

Other transfers:

Pattaya - A private transfer to / from any hotel in Pattaya to any hotel on Koh Chang

Transfer 1-2 persons.  Price per vehicle: 3,800 Baht total

Transfer 3-6 persons. Price per vehicle: 4,200 Baht total

Transfer 7-10 persons. Price per vehicle: 4,600 Baht total

Ban Phe (pier for Koh Samet)  - A private transfer to / from Ban Phe Pier to any hotel on Koh Chang

Transfer 1-2 persons.  Price per vehicle: 3,000 Baht total

Transfer 3-6 persons. Price per vehicle: 3,400 Baht total

Transfer 7-10 persons. Price per vehicle: 3,800 Baht total

Trat Airport or Trat Town - A private transfer to / from Trat Airport or Trat town to any hotel on Koh Chang 

Transfer 1-2 persons.  Price per vehicle: 1,800 Baht total

Transfer 3-6 persons. Price per vehicle: 2,100 Baht total

Transfer 7-10 persons. Price per vehicle: 2,400 Baht total

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The price you are quoted above includes all expenses such as VAT, gasoline, airport parking, expressway tolls and ferry tickets.  There are no hidden extras or taxes.  You pay the driver, in cash, when you arrive at your resort on Koh Chang.  No advance deposit or credit card payment is required.

Minivans can hold up to 10 adults, however, if you have a lot of luggage backpacks or suitcases then 7-8 is really the maximum a minibus can hold in comfort, leaving plenty of space for luggage. The minibus used will usually be a new Toyota Commuter for larger groups  or Toyota Hiace for smaller groups.  All vehicles have airconditioning

For transfers for smaller groups a smaller Toyota Avanza will sometimes be used, if available, this small MPV is suitable for couples, or families with young kids.  (A baby / toddler car seat is available free of charge.)

If you want a bit more comfort a Limo service is available for up to 3 adults - see above.

How to book?

Simply complete the booking form.   When I receive your details I'll confirm whether a private transfer is available, at busy periods (from mid December to mid February )you should book as far in advance as possible.  And I'll also confirm the cost for you.  Then, if you want to make a booking, just  let me know and I'll pass your details on to the manager of the tour agency who will contact you direct to arrange specific details such as when and where you will meet your driver etc.

Booking / Enquiry form