Transport

Private Transfers to Koh Chang by Car and Minibus

Private transfers to Koh Chang by car or minibus

Affordable, Door-to-Door Transfers to Koh Chang

Trusted Koh Chang Transfer Service for over 18 years

As an independent traveler trying to avoid the overcrowded islands in the South of Thailand, you’re probably looking for the easiest way to get to and from Koh Chang. 

Or maybe you’re a little tired of late drivers running on ‘Thai time’, a bit concerned about the language-barrier, or perhaps not even sure where to start when booking safe and inexpensive travel in Thailand.  I moved to Koh Chang in 2003 years ago when there were far less convenient online booking services, so know exactly how that feels.

When traveling to Koh Chang, there are four options to choose from:

    • Public Bus – the cheapest option available, and recommended if you’re on a budget. 
    • Flying – the most expensive option and you still need to contend with the hassle of getting to and from airports by road.
    • Shared Minibus – an inexpensive, convenient but sometimes crowded, service offered from most hotels in central Bangkok.
    • Public taxi – a public taxi from Bangkok is possible but drivers usually won’t come onto the island and are often in a hurry.
    • Private Transfer by Car or Minibus – the fastest, most convenient and direct option and much more affordable than you think!

If flying is too expensive, and the bus or minibus too slow or too crowded, then hiring a private car or minivan is an affordable, safe, and speedy alternative.  ( As mentioned above the public bus is a good option, however there is only one direct bus from Bangkok a day. Some info on how to take the 999 bus from Bangkok to Koh Chang.

Client feedback driver and transfer 2023

The goal is to make sure that you have an easy, hassle-free travel experience getting to Koh Chang. So if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

Here’s Why We’ve Got Great Feedback Over the Years

✅Pay when you arrive. Unlike other private transfer services, there’s no need to pay in advance. You can pay cash to the driver once you’ve arrived safely at your destination. The driver can even stop at a bank or currency exchange on the island (where you’ll get a much better rate than at the airport.) 

✅ All of our Koh Chang transfers are door to door – meaning our drivers will meet you at your hotel, the airport, or wherever you need to be picked up. Then you’re dropped off at your destination. We promise you will never be left at a bus station or ferry pier  . . . . unless that’s where you want to go. (Please note that some hotels, for example at the far north end of  White Sand beach and also Klong Koi beach in the south of the island either don’t have road access or it is on steep or dirt roads which may not be passable during the rainy season. The driver will drop you off as close to your hotel as possible.)

✅ Our drivers use the fast ferry to help you get to your destination sooner.  We use the quicker ‘Ferry Koh Chang’  service – NOT the slow ‘Centrepoint’ boats, which has less frequent departures and a longer crossing time.

Koh Chang transfer review 2

✅ Your driver will gladly stop for lunch, toilet breaks or snacks along the way. You can decide when you want to stop during your trip.

✅ No hidden fees or extra charges.  All of our prices listed below include the cost of your transfer, the driver’s fee, tax, gasoline, ferry tickets, and expressway tolls if necessary.

✅ Flexible and convenient.  We’ll do our best to accommodate your needs including last minute changes due to flight delays etc.

✅ Traveling with Children? We have car seats for infants, toddlers and young kids available for a small surcharge.

✅ Round-trip discounts. Return private transfers between Bangkok and Koh Chang are discounted by 500 Baht. And, as you’ll have already taken care of your trip back to the city, you can relax and simply enjoy your time on the island.

Client feedback driver and transfer 2023

Private Transfers to Koh Chang

If you still have questions, there is a list of Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page that should provide all the information you need.  

How Much Does it Cost?

The price for a private transfer to Koh Chang depends on how far you need to go (your departure or destination), the number of passengers and the size of the vehicle you need. These are priced PER VEHICLE – not per person.

There is a 500 Baht discount for booking a Bangkok > Koh Chang > Bangkok round trip private transfer by car or minibus.  But apart from that the prices are fixed. 

Take a look at the pricing chart below to find the price from your departure point. I’ll confirm prices and availability with you when you book.

Payment is to the driver, in cash, when you arrive at your destination.

Client feedback driver and transfer 2023

Car – A car is usually used for transfers for 1 or 2 passengers.  But if one isn’t available a minibus will be used at no additional cost.

Minibus – The Minibus price shown is for 3 – 4 passengers.  Each additional passenger is 100 Baht / person.  There is a maximum of 7 passengers per minibus.  This is to ensure there is enough room for everyone plus all your luggage.

To / From   Car Minibus 
Hotel in Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi Airport – Hotel on Koh Chang ฿4,600 ฿5,100 
Don Meuang Airport, Bangkok – Hotel on Koh Chang ฿4,800 ฿5,400
Hotel in Bangkok or Suvarnabhumi Airport – Laem Sok pier (For Koh Kood) ฿4,400  ฿4,900
Trat Airport – Hotel on White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae beach, Koh Chang ฿1,900 ฿2,500
Trat Airport – Hotel on Lonely Beach, Bailan, Bangbao, Koh Chang ฿2,100 ฿2,700
Trat Airport – Laem Sok pier (For Koh Kood ) ฿1,500 ฿1,800
Hotel on Koh Chang – Hotel in Pattaya ฿3,900 ฿4,300
Hotel on Koh Chang – Utapao Airport * ฿3,700 ฿4,000
Hotel on Koh Chang – Ban Phe pier (For Koh Samet) ฿3,400 ฿3,900
Hotel on Koh Chang – Border at Hat Lek   (For Phnom Penh / S’ville) ฿3,300 ฿3,600
Hotel on Koh Chang – Aranyaprathet Border (For Siem Reap) ฿3,600 ฿4,200
Hotel on Koh Chang – Pailin Border (For Battambang) ฿3,400 ฿3,600

Cars are usually used for transfers for two passengers.  But on busy occasions a van might be substituted. If you specifically want a car, please let me know when you book.  

* Only Koh Chang to Utapao transfers are available.  Utapao to Koh Chang isn’t possible at present.

Client feedback driver and transfer 2022

To / From
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Car Minibus
Hotel in Bangkok ฿1,400 ฿1,700
Hotel in Pattaya ฿2,100 ฿2,400
Ban Phe Pier (for Koh Samet) ฿3,700 ฿3,900

I usually respond within a few hours to confirm the price and availability of your private transfer, but if you don’t hear back within 24 hours, or if you’re having trouble with the booking form, then please contact me direct here with the details of your transfer.

Client feedback driver and transfer 2023

If you need any additional information, please read the FAQs below the form.

Please Use the Form Below to Book Your Private Transfer:

1 Step 1
Private Transfer Inquiry
Your Family / Group Details
Transfer Details
Pick Up Time
access_time
Return Details (if required)
Do you need a return transfer?
Pick Up Time
access_time
Additional Information
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Client feedback driver and transfer 2023

 

Need some more information? Here are some of the most common questions I get asked . . .

What is included in the cost of the private transfer?

All of the prices listed include:

  • Tax
  • Driver
  • Gasoline
  • Expressway Tolls
  • Ferry Tickets to / from Koh Chang

There are no hidden fees or extras.

How far in advance do I need to book a transfer?
Some people like to plan weeks or months in advance.  Others are more spontaneous. So you can book a day or two in advance in you want.  But if you are travelling during peak season, please book as early as possible to make sure you there will be a driver available.
What if I don’t see my departure point or destination location listed here?
If you don’t see your departure or destination mentioned on this page – just let me know. We can arrange transfers from Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Korat, and other locations – but since they aren’t very common – I haven’t listed all of them here.  Just let me have the details of your trip and I’ll check what’s possible.
When and how do I pay for my transfer to Koh Chang?
You don’t need to pay a deposit. You can pay the driver, in cash – Thai Baht – when you arrive at your destination. If you’re coming to Koh Chang, the driver can stop at a bank or currency exchange once you get to the island.
Do you offer any discounts for transfers?
Yes. There is a 500 Baht discount for round trip transfers between Bangkok and Koh Chang ( or mainland pier if you are going to/from Koh Kood or Koh Mak.
Are children's car seats provided?
Car seats for infants and children up to  5 years old can be provided for an extra 200 Baht per seat.
Where do I meet the driver?
All of our private transfers are door to door – meaning we meet you at your hotel, airport, or train station and drop you off directly at your final destination. ( Please note that picks ups from random locations, such as shopping malls, outside BTS skytrain stations etc aren’t possible.)

Transfer from Trat Airport – The driver will be waiting for you when you exit Baggage Claim. holding the sign with your name on it.

Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport – The driver will meet you at the signposted ‘Meeting Point’ next to ‘Entrance 3’ on the Arrivals Level of the Airport. Just follow the signs to it from the Baggage Claim area. In case of problems finding the driver you will be given a contact number you can call for assistance.

Transfer from Don Meuang Airport – There are two terminals at Don Meuang. Terminal 1 is for International flights. Terminal 2 for Domestic flights. For International flights meet the driver at Entrance 5, Terminal 1. And for Domestic, Entrance 11 in Terminal 2.

How long will the transfer to Koh Chang take?
 Travel times depend on the time of year. The trip tends to be longer during high season when the roads and ferries are busier.

For most of the High Season the travelling time from Bangkok to Koh Chang will usually be around 6 and a half to 7 hours, depending on where you are staying. This includes time to stop on the way for coffee, snacks, etc. There are, of course, unknown factors such as an accident causing gridlock in an area of Bangkok or roadworks enroute – which thankfully are quite rare.

Bear in mind that Koh Chang is getting increasingly popular, but the number of ferry services hasn’t yet increased to compensate. This is important to remember during Thai holidays and on Sundays – since there can be queues at the piers. Unfortunately there isn’t much your driver can do about this, but we will make your wait as comfortable as possible.

All of our drivers use the quicker Ferry Koh Chang boat service rather than the slower Centrepoint ferry which has less frequent departures.  Ferries are timetabled to depart hourly.  But in reality they are always more frequent than this. 

Once you’re on Koh Chang, the time it takes to get to your hotel depends on where you’re located. Koh Chang is a pretty big island so if you are on the South coast in Bangbao it will take around an hour to get there from the ferry pier, whereas if you are staying on White Sand beach it’ll only take 10 minutes or so.

Likewise, if you are staying around Khao San Road in Bangkok, compared to somewhere like Sukhumvit Rd, then it will take 30 mins or so longer to get onto the overhead expressway and out of the city centre. 

If you are heading from Koh Chang to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports, we might give you a pick up time that’s earlier than you request. This is just in case there are any unexpected delays during the journey. It’s better to have to wait an extra hour in the airport than to get stressed about the possibility of missing your flight.

Who will be my driver and what kind of vehicle will they use?

We only use services from very reliable and careful drivers based on Koh Chang. Most of whom we’ve known for a few years or more. At busy periods, eg New Year, drivers from Bangkok are also used. All drivers and vehicles are properly licensed in accordance with Thai regulations.  (And yes, your vehicle will have air-conditioning.)

You may find services a few hundred Baht cheaper than ours, but we don’t want to leave our friends in the hands of unreliable drivers. The reason we don’t use public taxis or the absolute cheapest drivers available is because we want to make sure we’re offering safe, comfortable and reliable service.

The minibuses are newer model Toyota Commuter minivans. For transfers by car, in the majority of cases the vehicles are either Toyota Camry, Wish, Innova, Altis or Honda CRV or HRV – these are suitable for 2 adults plus luggage. Or an SUV, eg Toyota Fortuner or Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

I won’t know the name of the driver or which specific vehicle you will have until a day or two in advance.  This is because it depends on what other jobs drivers have at that time. 

Can we stop along the way during our trip?
 Yes. You can stop to take a break for coffee, snack or toilet when you please. Just let your driver know. Drinks, snacks and lunch etc are not included in the cost of your transfer, so make sure to bring a few hundred Baht in cash if you want to purchase something.

Can the driver do a detour for sightseeing?
The driver will take you from A to B by the most direct route. But if you want to make a stop on the way e.g. Chanthaburi Old Town, or a detour, e.g. a couple of hours in Pattaya for shopping, then that is possible so long as it is arranged in advance.  There will be a surcharge of between 500 – 2,000 Baht depending on where you want to stop and for how long.
Are pets allowed in the vehicles?
Yes. Small dogs and cats which are in a carrying case whilst in the vehicle are allowed, provided we are notified in advance. The driver can stop when they need to take a break for exercise, food or toilet etc
What happens if there are delays due to traffic or the vehicle breaks down etc?

The driver will do their best to get you to your destination as quickly as possible – without breaking speed limits.

However, if there are unexpected delays due to the ferry being busy; traffic jams; accidents en-route etc neither the driver nor myself, iamkohchang.com or Go East Tour, Koh Chang will be liable for any losses or compensation. 

Likewise, if there is a mechanical failure with the vehicle. The driver will endeavor to fix the vehicle or head to the nearest garage or we will arrange for a replacement vehicle to come and pick you up you as quickly as possible.  There will be no additional charges for this. Very occasionally breakdowns and delays do occur.

What happens if the driver is late?
Firstly, please call the number you will have been given if the driver isn’t on time.

Whilst we try our best to ensure that drivers are on time, we are also human and delays and mistakes can happen for various reasons. Fortunately they are rare.

If there’s a lot of traffic or a mix up with the time and it’s not possible for the driver to get there within an hour of the confirmed pick up time, the price for the transfer will be discounted by 500 Baht to compensate for the inconvenience. 

There’s no discount for delays under an hour.

What is your cancellation or refund policy?
You aren’t paying in advance, so I have to trust you to show up if you book a transfer.  And if you ‘no show’ then it’s the driver’s time and money you will have wasted.

So please let me know at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel for any reason. :-)

Koh Chang Island Guide For Independent Travellers