Koh Chang does not have an airport on the island.

So if you want to fly there from Bangkok, the route is a little indirect: you fly from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat Airport, then continue by road to the pier, take a ferry, and finally continue to your hotel on the island.

The flight is simple. The expensive part often starts after you land.

That is the part many visitors do not see clearly in advance. Once you arrive at Trat Airport, the easiest option in front of you is usually a private airport transfer. It is convenient, and for some travelers it is the right choice. But if you are traveling light, there is a local option that can save you a lot before you even reach the ferry.

This is the route I would recommend to budget-conscious travelers who still want to fly.

The important thing is knowing where the choices happen: when you book the flight, and when you choose your transfer after landing.

Before leaving Bangkok, I recommend withdrawing some Thai baht in cash.

Koh Chang does have ATMs. The point is simpler: you may need cash before you comfortably reach them.

If you take the local songthaew route, you will likely pay the driver in cash. You may also need cash for the ferry ticket. Recent local ferry information lists the passenger fare at around 90 THB per person, but fares can change, so I would keep at least 150 THB per person ready just for the ferry.

There may not be a convenient ATM at the pier, and you do not want your transfer plan to depend on finding one at the exact moment you need it.

Bring small notes if you can. It makes the whole route easier.

The flight from Bangkok to Trat usually starts at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and lands at Trat Airport (TDX).

Trat Airport is closely tied to Bangkok Airways. Bangkok Airways owns and operates the airport, so this route is mainly connected to Bangkok Airways flights.

Sometimes agency platforms have promotions or coupon discounts. In my case, I was able to book a Bangkok-Trat ticket for around 1,500 THB after discounts.

That is not a guaranteed price. It depends on timing, promotions, and platform. But it is a useful reminder: the flight itself can sometimes be surprisingly reasonable.

Which is exactly why paying almost the same amount for the transfer after landing can feel unnecessary if you know the local alternative.

One nice thing about this route is that the flight is not as bare-bones as many short domestic flights.

With Bangkok Airways, the ticket usually includes several things that make the short flight feel easier:

Even if you buy through an agency, you can usually manage some parts of the booking through the airline's website afterward. Still, check the airline's current rules before traveling, because baggage, meal, and lounge policies can change.

For travelers coming from abroad, this matters. You may already be carrying luggage, and the 20 kg checked baggage allowance can make the route less stressful.

When you land at Trat Airport, the most visible option is usually the easiest one: a private airport transfer or door-to-door transfer service.

This kind of service can take you from Trat Airport directly to your hotel on Koh Chang. It is convenient. You do not need to think about the pier, the ferry, or finding another ride once you arrive on the island.

As of my latest check, this type of private transfer is around 1,000 THB one way.

That may be completely fine if you are traveling with family, carrying heavy luggage, arriving late, or simply want the easiest possible route.

But convenience is not always the best value.

If your discounted flight ticket is around 1,500 THB, paying around 1,000 THB just for the airport-to-island transfer can feel out of balance. That money might be better spent on the island itself: food, coffee, a motorbike rental, or one more slow afternoon by the sea.

If you want the local better-value option, the move is simple:

Walk out to the front of the airport.

Do not rush to choose the first transfer option you see. Keep walking outside toward the front area and look for a red songthaew.

A songthaew is a local shared pickup truck with two bench seats in the back. In Trat and on Koh Chang, it is a common and practical way to move between transport points.

The local songthaew can take you from the airport area to Ao Thammachat Pier, where you catch the ferry to Koh Chang.

The fare is usually around 200-300 THB per person, depending on the number of passengers. If there are fewer people, the driver may ask for a little more to make the trip worthwhile. That is normal, and it can still be much lower than a private door-to-door transfer.

Tell the driver you want to go to:

Before you get in, ask about the fare and whether the ferry ticket is included. On the way from the airport to the pier, some shared pickup/songthaew fares may include the ferry ticket. On the way back, you may need to pay for the ferry separately.

This is another reason cash is important.

The local route is not complicated, but it asks you to be a little more aware: know where you are going, have cash ready, and be comfortable with local-style travel.

Once you reach Ao Thammachat Pier, the next step is the ferry to Koh Chang.

Recent local ferry information lists the passenger fare at around 90 THB per person, but prices have changed in recent years and can change again. To avoid stress, keep at least 150 THB in cash per person for the ferry.

The ferry ride is also when the trip begins to feel like an island trip. The hills of Koh Chang start to appear. The pace slows down.

After the ferry arrives on Koh Chang, you still need to get to your hotel.

There are usually songthaews on the island side that take travelers to different beach areas and hotel zones, such as White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, or Lonely Beach.

Another option is to plan your motorbike rental in advance. If you already contacted a local motorbike rental shop, you can take a songthaew from the pier and ask to be dropped off at the rental shop first. From there, you can continue to your hotel by yourself.

This can work well if you travel light, are confident riding a motorbike, and have the proper license or permit for riding in Thailand. Koh Chang is beautiful, but some roads are steep and curvy.

If you do not want to handle that on arrival, just take a songthaew directly to your hotel. If you prefer to have a car from the start, you can arrange car rental from the airport instead.

Here is the simple version.

Private transfer is the easiest option, but the local songthaew route is the better-value choice for light travelers. Prices and availability can change, so always confirm before you travel. But the idea is simple: the local route can make flying to Koh Chang feel much more reasonable.

If you are arriving late, traveling with children, carrying large luggage, or just want a smooth door-to-door experience, take the private transfer. Convenience has value.

But if you are traveling light and you want to use your money more intentionally, I would choose the local songthaew route.

Walk out front. Find the red songthaew. Go to Ao Thammachat Pier. Pay for the ferry. Continue to the island.

It is not the lowest-cost way to reach Koh Chang. Taking a bus or van from Bangkok may still cost less overall. But if you specifically want to fly, this is the smarter way to handle the transfer after landing.

Spend less on the transfer. Keep more for the island.

That is the whole point.

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