Frequently Asked Questions about Transfers to Koh Chang
Please read if you need any additional information about the transfers, vehicles or drivers. You will find answers to the most common questions that I get asked here.
What is included in the cost of the private transfer?
All of the prices listed include:
- Tax
- Driver
- Gasoline
- Expressway Tolls
- Ferry Tickets
There are no hidden fees or extras.
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 us know! We’ll do our best to help you arrange travel to or from Koh Chang no matter where you’re starting from. We’ve helped travelers arrange transfer 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.
Why should I take a private transfer to Koh Chang instead of a shared minibus?
Many travelers prefer private transfers over flying or shared transfers because they’re affordable and convenient. And for anyone coming from Bangkok who wants to go directly to Koh Chang, the options are limited.
If you want to get there as quickly as possible, you can fly – but the cost for a family of four is over double the cost for a safe and easy private transfer.
If you want to go as cheaply as possible, you take a public bus or mini bus – but many people find these options too slow or overcrowded.
It’s also possible to take a public taxi from Bangkok – but this can be a hassle if your driver gets lost (which happens often), or if they don’t speak your language.
Many travelers coming from Bangkok choose private transfer as an alternative to these other expensive or tedious options.
If you’re coming from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap in Cambodia, options are even more limited – especially if you want to avoid all the scams and make sure you don’t get ripped off! You may have read some horror stories on travel websites or in your guidebook. To avoid these shady transfers you either fly to Bangkok first, or buy a shared mini bus ticket from a legitimate company with a good reputation – both of these options can be very expensive!
If you find a mini bus service from Cambodia that seems like a cheap and fantastic deal – be wary. The reason they’re so cheap is because this overland route is notorious for rip-offs and scams along the way.
Coming from Cambodia by land usually takes around 12 hours.
When and how do I pay for my transfer to Koh Chang?
Paying for Private Transfer You don’t need to pay a deposit. You cna 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.
How far in advance do I need to book a transfer?
For most private transfers to Koh Chang, you can book up to 24 hours before departure – but if you are travelling during peak holiday periods, it’s a good idea to book as early as possible to make sure you there will be a driver available.
Where and when do I get picked up or dropped off?
A private transfer will pick you up whenever and wherever you choose.
All of our private transfers are “door to door” – meaning we meet you at your hotel, the airport, or wherever you choose, and drop you off directly at your final destination. We promise to never leave you at a bus station, ferry pier, or another location unless that’s EXACTLY where you want to go.
Private or shared transfer from Trat Airport – You’ll be picked up in the Arrivals area of the airport. Just look for the driver holding the sign with your name on it.
Private transfer Bangkok Airports – Since minibuses are limited to 90Km/h, you need to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport by 14:00 or from Don Muang Airport at 13:00 if you want to arrive in Koh Chang the same day.
For transfers from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) 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 help.
Budget airlines use Don Meuang Airport (the old airport) and not Suvarnabhumi. If you have connecting flights, plan on it taking, at the minimum, an hour or so to get between the two airports in a taxi. There are now two terminals at Don Meuang. Terminal 1 is for International flights. Terminal 2 for Domestic flights. There are signposted meeting points in both terminals.
How many hours 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 be around 6 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.
If you have travelled in Thailand before, you will notice that most van drivers will now go slower than they did before. This is because all passenger vans are now required by law to have a GPS tracker fitted so they don’t speed. This is monitored by the government and fines are automatically issued to any drivers breaking the 90km/h speed limit. So if it feels like the driver is going too slowly compared to other traffic, this is just because he is obeying the law. Whereas other drivers aren’t.
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 to the ferry pier, whereas if you are 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.
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 weekends – since there will often be long 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.
In an effort to make your trip as fast 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.
If you are heading from Koh Chang to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, we might give you a pick up time that’s earlier than you request. This is just in case there are delays at the piers. It’s better to have to wait an extra hour in the comfortable A/C at the airport than to miss your flight.
Can we stop along the way during our trip?
Yes. If you’re taking a private transfer 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?
No. He 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 couple of hours in Pattaya for shopping, then that is possible so long as it is arranged in advance. But there will be a surcharge of between 500 – 1,500 Baht depending on where you want to stop and for how long.
Are children’s car seats provided?
Car seats for infants and children up to around 5 years old can be provided for an extra 200 Baht per seat. If you’re taking a private transfer then there is a maximum of 2 seats available per vehicle.
Do you offer any discounts for transfers?
Yes we do! We offer a 500 Baht discount for round trip private transfers from Bangkok > Koh Chang > Bangkok.
What safety concerns do I need to be aware of?
Thailand has very similar road safety laws to many European countries. In a greater effort to enforce these, the government now requires all commercial vehicles to install GPS tracking systems.
These systems require the drivers to swipe their license at the start and finish of their trip, and limit the vehicle’s speed to 90 km per hour (the legal speed limit). This monitors who is driving, and how many hours they drive in a day.
All passenger vans must be fitted with these tracking systems by the end of 2017 at the very latest, and will not be able to renew their annual license without it. The information is relayed in real time to the Land Transport office and automatic fines are issued to speeding drivers.
The vehicles we use for transfers are all fitted with GPS trackers and seatbelts, so there’s no need to worry. The use of seatbelts for passengers in cars and vans is also now mandatory.
If the police stop the vehicle and passengers aren’t wearing seatbelts, it is the driver who will be fined. So, please use them. :)
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.
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 with rusty vehicles and loose timelines. The reason we don’t use public taxis or the absolute cheapest service available is because we want to make sure we’re offering safe, comfortable and reliable service.
The minibuses are newer model Toyota Commuter minivans, similar to the ones in the picture below. 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.
For people who need a little more room – couples with loads of luggage, families or ‘large’ or ‘tall’ people – the minivan is the best option as there’s far more space.
Take a look below to see some of our vehicles.
What happens if there are delays due to traffic or the vehicle breaks down etc? Can we claim compensation?
The driver will do their utmost 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.
** Please note that by booking a transfer you signify that you are aware of this and that we are not liable for any compensation claims if an accident, breakdown or delay occurs. **
Are pets allowed in the vehicles?
Unfortunately not. If you are bringing a pet you’ll have to make other arrangements.
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 in advance if you need to cancel for any reason.
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