How to Get from Koh Chang via Ferry to Trat Airport

The foundation of nearly every journey from Koh Chang to Trat Airport is the ferry crossing from the island to the mainland. Two main ferry operators serve the route, and your choice depends on where you're staying on the island. Below is a detailed breakdown of each option, including schedules, fares, and how to connect to the airport.

1. Centerpoint Ferry (Northern Route)

• Departure pier: Centerpoint Pier, near White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao).
• Destination pier: Laem Ngop Pier (mainland).
• Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes, 06:00 – 19:00 daily.
• Crossing time: 40–50 minutes.
• Adult fare: 150–200 THB ($4–$6) per person.
• Vehicle ferry: Available for cars and motorcycles (additional fee).

Best for: Travelers staying on the north or west coast (White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae).

2. Bang Bao Ferry (Southern Route)

• Departure pier: Bang Bao Pier, near the southern tip of Koh Chang.
• Destination pier: Laem Ngop Pier (mainland).
• Frequency: Every 45–90 minutes, 06:30 – 18:30 daily.
• Crossing time: 30–40 minutes (slightly faster due to shorter distance).
• Adult fare: 200–250 THB ($6–$7) per person.
• Vehicle ferry: Available.

Best for: Travelers staying on the south or east coast (Lonely Beach, Bailan Bay, Klong Kloi).

3. Connecting to Trat Airport from Laem Ngop Pier

Once you arrive at Laem Ngop Pier, Trat Airport is approximately 30 km (19 miles) away, a drive of 25–35 minutes by road. Your options from the pier:

Transport	Estimated Fare	Time	Notes
Taxi (private)	400–600 THB ($11–$17)	25–30 min	Available at the pier; fixed price to airport
Shared minibus	150–250 THB ($4–$7) per person	30–40 min	Waits for 6–8 passengers; can be slower
Songthaew (local pickup truck)	100–150 THB ($3–$4) per person	35–45 min	Cheapest but least comfortable; shared with locals
Pre-booked transfer	500–800 THB ($14–$23) per person	25–30 min	Includes ferry + minibus; book online in advance

Tip: Taxis from Laem Ngop Pier to Trat Airport are not metered. Negotiate the fare before getting in. The standard rate is 400–500 THB during the day and 500–600 THB after 18:00.

Ferry Schedule & Booking Tips

• Centerpoint Ferry – Official website (schedule and online booking).
• Bang Bao Ferry – Official website (schedule and fares).
• Both operators allow walk-up tickets, but during peak season (November–February) and holidays, arrive at least 30 minutes early to avoid queues.
• Vehicles can be taken on the ferry, but you must be at the pier 45 minutes before departure for vehicle boarding.

If you're short on time or want to minimize sea time, speed boats and express ferries offer a faster crossing between Koh Chang and the mainland. However, they come at a premium and are not available from all piers.

Speed Boat Services

• Route: Bang Bao Pier (Koh Chang) → Laem Ngop Pier (mainland)
• Crossing time: 20–30 minutes (compared to 40–50 minutes for a regular ferry).
• Adult fare: 400–600 THB ($11–$17) per person.
• Frequency: 4–5 departures daily (typically 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00).
• Operator: Koh Chang Speed Boat (advance booking required).

Advantages: Saves 15–25 minutes vs. regular ferry, less crowded, more frequent departures in high season.

Disadvantages: 2–3x more expensive than regular ferry, not suitable for those with severe motion sickness (faster boat = rougher ride in choppy sea), limited luggage space.

Speed Boat vs. Regular Ferry: Time & Cost Comparison

Option	Crossing Time	Adult Fare (THB)	Adult Fare (USD)	Daily Departures
Regular Ferry (Centerpoint)	45–50 min	150–200 THB	$4–$6	12–16
Regular Ferry (Bang Bao)	35–40 min	200–250 THB	$6–$7	8–10
Speed Boat (Bang Bao)	20–30 min	400–600 THB	$11–$17	4–5

Verdict: The speed boat is best for travelers who are staying near Bang Bao Pier, have a tight flight connection, and are willing to pay extra for a faster crossing. For most people, the regular ferry + taxi combo offers better value.

Important Note on "Total Door-to-Door Time"

Many travelers focus only on the crossing time, but the total door-to-door journey from your Koh Chang accommodation to Trat Airport includes:

• Travel time from your hotel to the pier (15–40 minutes by songthaew or taxi).
• Waiting time at the pier (10–30 minutes).
• Ferry crossing (20–50 minutes).
• Transfer from Laem Ngop Pier to Trat Airport (25–35 minutes).

Total: 1.5–2.5 hours depending on your starting point and chosen transport. Plan accordingly.

For cost-conscious travelers, shared minibuses and public buses provide the most affordable way to reach Trat Airport from Koh Chang. These options require more patience and flexibility but can cut your transport costs by half or more.

Shared Minibus (Direct to Airport)

• Route: Various pickup points on Koh Chang → Trat Airport (direct, includes ferry crossing).
• Fare: 350–500 THB ($10–$14) per person.
• Time: 1.5–2.5 hours total (depends on number of pickups).
• Booking: Required at least 1 day in advance at travel agencies on the island or 12Go.
• Luggage: 1 large bag + 1 small bag per person; extra bags may incur a fee.

How it works: A minibus picks you up at your hotel or a designated meeting point, takes you to the ferry (you stay on the bus during the crossing), and then drives directly to Trat Airport. You don't need to handle your luggage at the pier.

Best for: Solo travelers, couples, and small groups on a budget who want a simple, no-fuss journey.

Public Bus (via Trat Town)

• Route: Koh Chang → Trat Town (by ferry + bus) → Trat Airport (by local songthaew or taxi).
• Total fare: 250–400 THB ($7–$11) per person.
• Total time: 2.5–3.5 hours (includes waiting time in Trat).
• Bus from Trat Town to airport: Songthaew 50–100 THB ($1–$3) or taxi 150–200 THB ($4–$6).

Step-by-step:

1. Take a regular ferry from Koh Chang to Laem Ngop Pier (150–250 THB).
2. Walk or take a short songthaew (20 THB) to the Trat bus terminal near the pier.
3. Board a local bus to Trat Town (40–60 THB, 30 minutes).
4. From Trat Town, take a songthaew or taxi to Trat Airport (50–200 THB, 15–20 minutes).

Best for: Backpackers and budget travelers with plenty of time who don't mind multiple transfers.

Comparison: Shared Minibus vs. Public Bus

Feature	Shared Minibus (Direct)	Public Bus (via Trat)
Total cost	350–500 THB ($10–$14)	250–400 THB ($7–$11)
Total time	1.5–2.5 hours	2.5–3.5 hours
Transfers	None (door-to-airport)	2–3 transfers
Comfort	Good (air-conditioned)	Moderate (bus + songthaew)
Booking required	Yes (advance)	No (walk-up)
Luggage capacity	1 large bag included	Unlimited (but self-managed)

Recommendation: For most travelers, the shared minibus offers the best balance of cost, convenience, and speed. The public bus option is only worth it if you have a very tight budget and at least 3 hours to spare.

For travelers who value privacy, comfort, and efficiency, private taxis and pre-booked transfers offer a stress-free door-to-door service from your Koh Chang accommodation directly to Trat Airport. This is the most expensive option, but it eliminates all uncertainty and physical effort.

Private Transfer (Includes Ferry)

• Service: A private car or SUV picks you up at your hotel, drives onto the car ferry at Centerpoint or Bang Bao Pier, and delivers you to the Trat Airport departure gate.
• Fare: 1,500–2,500 THB ($42–$70) per vehicle (1–4 passengers).
• Time: 1.5–2 hours total (depends on ferry schedule).
• Booking: Koh Chang Private Car or local travel agencies. Advance booking (24 hours) recommended.

What's included: Hotel pickup, ferry ticket for car and driver, luggage handling, air-conditioned vehicle, direct drop at airport. No waiting, no negotiating, no shared seats.

Taxi from Koh Chang (without pre-booking)

• Fare: 1,800–3,000 THB ($50–$84) – generally more expensive than pre-booked transfers.
• Availability: Taxis can be hailed on the street near main beaches (White Sand Beach, Lonely Beach), but drivers may quote inflated prices.
• Risk: No fixed tariff; negotiation required. Some drivers may not want to take the ferry for a single fare.

Tip: Always negotiate the total price upfront including ferry tolls and airport drop-off. Pay only when you arrive.

When to Choose a Private Transfer

• Late-night or early-morning flights (ferry schedules may not align with shared minibus services).
• Groups of 3–4 people – the cost per person becomes comparable to a shared minibus.
• Traveling with large or heavy luggage (surfboards, golf bags, strollers).
• Mobility issues or traveling with elderly passengers or young children.
• Business travelers who need to work or rest during the journey.

Cost Breakdown: Private Transfer vs. Other Options (per person, 4 passengers)

Option	Total Cost (4 pax)	Cost per Person	Time
Private transfer (1,800 THB/vehicle)	1,800 THB ($50)	450 THB ($13)	1.5–2 h
Shared minibus (400 THB/pax)	1,600 THB ($45)	400 THB ($11)	1.5–2.5 h
Ferry + taxi (200 + 450 THB/pax)	2,600 THB ($73)	650 THB ($18)	1.5–2 h
Public bus (300 THB/pax)	1,200 THB ($34)	300 THB ($8)	2.5–3.5 h

Bottom line: For a group of 4, a private transfer costs about the same per person as a shared minibus – but offers far more comfort, privacy, and flexibility.

Use the table below to compare every transport option from Koh Chang to Trat Airport side by side. Bold rows indicate the best value options for different priorities.

Transport Option	Total Time	Cost per Person (THB)	Cost per Person (USD)	Transfers	Comfort	Best For
Ferry + Taxi (from pier)	1.5–2 h	400–700 THB	$11–$20	1	High	Best balance of cost & speed
Shared Minibus (direct)	1.5–2.5 h	350–500 THB	$10–$14	0	Good	Best value for solo travelers
Speed Boat + Taxi	1–1.5 h	700–1,100 THB	$20–$31	1	High	Fastest option (tight flight connection)
Public Bus (via Trat)	2.5–3.5 h	250–400 THB	$7–$11	2–3	Low	Cheapest option (budget travelers)
Private Transfer (pre-booked)	1.5–2 h	1,500–2,500 THB/vehicle	$42–$70/vehicle	0	Very High	Groups, luxury, convenience
Ferry + Songthaew (local)	2–2.5 h	250–350 THB	$7–$10	2	Low	Local experience, lowest cost

Key Takeaways

• Fastest: Speed Boat + Taxi (1–1.5 h) but costs 2–3x more than regular ferry.
• Cheapest: Public Bus or Ferry + Songthaew (250–400 THB / $7–$11).
• Best value: Ferry + Taxi or Shared Minibus (350–700 THB / $10–$20).
• Most comfortable: Private Transfer – door-to-door, no handling of luggage, no waiting.

Flight connection tip: If your flight departs Trat Airport at 12:00 or later, any option works. For flights before 10:00, consider staying on the mainland the night before or booking a private transfer with an early ferry departure.

After countless journeys between Koh Chang and Trat Airport, here are the real-world tips that can make or break your transfer experience.

1. Ferry Schedules Change Seasonally

During the low season (June–October) ferry frequency drops by 30–50%. Always check the latest schedule on Centerpoint Ferry or Bang Bao Ferry at least 2 days before travel. In high season (November–February), book ferry tickets in advance if you have a strict flight schedule.

2. Luggage Logistics: Use the "Takkyubin" Baggage Service

If you're traveling with heavy luggage, consider using Thailand's luggage delivery service (similar to Japan's Takkyubin). Companies like Thailand Post and private couriers can ship your bags from Koh Chang to Trat Airport (or onward to Bangkok) for 300–600 THB ($8–$17) per bag. Drop your bags at a participating travel agency 1–2 days before your flight and pick them up at the airport. This allows you to travel light on the ferry.

3. Motion Sickness Warning

The Gulf of Thailand can get rough in the afternoon (especially from May to September). If you're prone to seasickness, take the first ferry of the day (06:00–08:00) when the sea is calmest. Sit on the lower deck and avoid heavy meals before boarding. Speed boats are more susceptible to choppy conditions than large car ferries.

4. The "Hidden Cost" of Late Arrivals

Trat Airport is small and has limited facilities. If you arrive at the airport more than 2 hours before your flight, you'll find only a small café and a few shops. There is no airside lounge. Plan your arrival accordingly – arriving 1.5 hours before domestic flights is sufficient.

5. Booking Windows & Peak Season

• High season (Nov–Feb): Book shared minibuses and private transfers at least 3–5 days in advance. Ferry tickets can be bought on the day but expect queues.
• Thai holidays (Songkran in April, New Year): Everything books out 1–2 weeks ahead. Reserve everything as early as possible.
• Low season (Jun–Oct): Walk-up tickets are fine for most services, but confirm ferry schedules 1 day prior.

6. Trat Airport Check-in & Security

Trat Airport handles mainly domestic flights (Bangkok Airways to Suvarnabhumi). Check-in counters open 2 hours before departure and close 40 minutes before departure. Security is quick (5–15 minutes) except during peak hours (11:00–14:00). There are no international flights from Trat Airport.

7. What to Do If You Miss the Last Ferry

The last ferry from Koh Chang to the mainland typically departs around 18:30–19:00. If you miss it, your options are limited:

• Private speed boat charter: 3,000–5,000 THB ($84–$140) – can be arranged through your hotel.
• Stay overnight on Koh Chang and take the first ferry the next morning.
• Fly from Koh Chang (no, there's no airport on the island – don't be misled by outdated information).

Pro tip: If your flight is early in the morning, consider staying overnight at a guesthouse near Laem Ngop Pier or Trat Town for 400–800 THB ($11–$22) per night. This eliminates all morning stress.