Koh Chang Travel Guide 2026: Complete Guide from Things to Do to How to Get There

Koh Chang is one of Eastern Thailand's most popular island destinations, combining beaches, tropical forests, waterfalls, viewpoints, marine activities and local communities. It is suitable for travelers looking for a relaxing beach holiday as well as those who want to explore nature and continue to other islands in Trat.

In 2026, traveling to Koh Chang is not limited to starting from central Bangkok. Travelers can begin their journey from several locations, including Khaosan Road, Don Mueang International Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, other Bangkok pickup points, Pattaya and U-Tapao Airport, depending on the available service.

This guide covers things to do in Koh Chang, beaches, waterfalls, activities, where to stay, the best time to visit and how to get to Koh Chang, helping you plan your trip from the starting point all the way to the island.

Where Is Koh Chang?

Koh Chang is located in Trat Province in Eastern Thailand and is one of the major destinations in the eastern island network.

The island combines beaches, forests, waterfalls, viewpoints and local communities, making it possible to create different types of trips — from a relaxing beach holiday to a nature-focused trip or an Eastern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.

If you want to continue to another island, you can plan Koh Chang to Koh Mak or Koh Chang to Koh Kood depending on the available schedules and services.

Things to Do in Koh Chang

1. Explore Koh Chang Beaches

Koh Chang has several beaches with different atmospheres. Some are convenient for restaurants, accommodation and beach activities, while others offer a quieter environment for travelers who want to slow down.

2. Visit Waterfalls and Nature Areas

Koh Chang is not only about beaches. The island also has forests and waterfalls, giving visitors the opportunity to explore nature and experience a different side of the island beyond the coastline.

3. Enjoy Diving and Marine Activities

Travelers can plan activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips and excursions to nearby islands. Activities should always be selected according to weather and sea conditions during the travel period.

4. Explore Bang Bao

Bang Bao is another popular area of Koh Chang, known for its seaside community, restaurants and access to various marine activities.

Suggested 3 Days 2 Nights Koh Chang Itinerary

If you have limited time, a 3-day, 2-night Koh Chang trip can provide a good introduction to the island.

• Day 1: Travel from Bangkok or an airport to Koh Chang, check in and spend the afternoon exploring the beach and watching the sunset.
• Day 2: Visit a waterfall, explore nature or enjoy a marine activity, followed by a relaxed evening by the sea.
• Day 3: Have breakfast, explore somewhere close to your accommodation, then travel back to Bangkok or continue to another destination.

If you have more time, you can add Koh Mak or Koh Kood to create an Eastern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.

See the full Eastern Thailand Island Hopping Guide for more ideas.

How to Get to Koh Chang in 2026

Traveling to Koh Chang with Boonsiri can involve several connected transportation segments, depending on your starting point and selected service. The journey may include a bus, van, ferry or high-speed catamaran.

Instead of looking only at the ferry itself, it is useful to plan the entire journey as: pickup point → land transfer → pier → ferry/catamaran → Koh Chang.

This approach makes it easier to understand the complete journey before booking.

Bangkok to Koh Chang

Travelers starting in Bangkok can use several pickup locations, including Khaosan Road, Rama 9, Victory Monument, Lumphini Park and other designated Bangkok pickup points.

For the route details, see Bangkok to Koh Chang and check the latest Boonsiri timetable before booking.

✈️ Don Mueang Airport to Koh Chang

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is an important starting point for travelers arriving in Bangkok who want to continue to Koh Chang.

The High Season 2026–2027 information includes Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) as a pickup point within the Eastern Thailand island transportation network.

Depending on the selected service and destination, the journey can use a connected transportation arrangement such as bus + ferry / catamaran + van.

The available departure time and journey duration depend on the service and travel date, so travelers should check the latest available schedule before booking.

This makes Don Mueang particularly relevant for searches such as “Don Mueang Airport to Koh Chang”, “DMK to Koh Chang” and “How to get from Don Mueang Airport to Koh Chang”.

Travelers arriving at Don Mueang do not necessarily need to travel into central Bangkok first if a suitable airport-connected service is available for their travel date.

✈️ Suvarnabhumi Airport to Koh Chang

Travelers arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) can also connect to Koh Chang through Boonsiri's Eastern Thailand transportation network.

Boonsiri has expanded its network connecting Bangkok and major airport pickup points with Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Koh Samet.

Learn more about the network at Boonsiri New Island Travel Network .

Travelers should check the latest timetable because departure times and available services can change depending on the travel period.

🚐 Pattaya to Koh Chang

Travelers staying in Pattaya can also plan a journey to Koh Chang. High Season 2026–2027 information includes Pattaya pickup locations such as Pattaya - Boonsiri Office and Pattaya - Terminal 21, with hotel transfer services available for certain service types.

Travelers arriving through U-Tapao Airport should check the available pickup point and departure schedule for their travel date, as services may vary.

Key Pickup Points for Koh Chang

The High Season 2026–2027 transportation information includes pickup points across Bangkok, the major airports and Pattaya.

• Khaosan Road
• Don Mueang Airport
• Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Victory Monument
• Lumphini Park
• Rama 9
• Selected Bangkok hotel transfers
• Pattaya - Boonsiri Office
• Pattaya - Terminal 21
• Selected Pattaya hotel transfers

The actual pickup point and departure time depend on the selected service and travel date. Always check the latest booking information before traveling.

Example Travel Times from the High Season 2026–2027 Information

The High Season 2026–2027 information provides examples of services from several starting points. These examples help show how Boonsiri connects Bangkok, airports and Pattaya with the Eastern Thailand island network.

Important: The times shown above are examples from the High Season 2026–2027 information provided for this article. They should not be treated as a permanent timetable. Always check the latest available service before traveling.

Koh Chang to Koh Mak

If you want to visit more than one island, you can continue from Koh Chang to Koh Mak, subject to the available service and schedule.

See the route guide: Koh Chang to Koh Mak .

From Koh Mak, travelers can continue to Koh Kood, making it possible to create a multi-island itinerary such as Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood.

Koh Chang to Koh Kood

Travelers who want to continue directly from Koh Chang to Koh Kood can check the Koh Chang to Koh Kood route.

Another option is to travel through the mainland transportation network, including Laem Sok to Koh Kood , depending on the available service.

Should You Include Koh Chang in an Island-Hopping Trip?

If you have more than three or four days, you can expand a Koh Chang holiday into an Eastern Thailand island-hopping trip.

One example is:

Bangkok → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood

Another longer itinerary can start with Koh Samet:

Koh Samet → Koh Chang → Koh Mak → Koh Kood

See the full Eastern Thailand Island Hopping Guide for a broader itinerary.

Where to Stay in Koh Chang?

Your choice of accommodation area should depend on the type of holiday you want.

• White Sand Beach: Convenient for travelers who want restaurants, accommodation options and easy beach access.
• Kai Bae: A popular area for travelers looking for beaches, restaurants and a convenient location.
• Lonely Beach: Suitable for travelers who prefer a more relaxed and casual atmosphere.
• Bang Bao: A good choice for travelers interested in the seaside community and marine activities.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Koh Chang?

Weather conditions can affect both marine activities and transportation schedules, especially during periods of rain or stronger sea conditions.

If you are traveling toward the end of the year, check weather forecasts, sea conditions and ferry schedules before departure.

The High Season 2026–2027 rate information provided for this article covers the period from 1 October 2026 to 31 May 2027. However, the actual operating schedule of each service should still be checked before booking.

Why Plan Your Route Before Traveling?

Because Koh Chang can be reached from several starting points, it is useful to check more than just the ferry ticket.

Before booking, consider your pickup location, departure time, transportation type, transfer points and arrival time on Koh Chang.

This is particularly important when starting from an airport. Allow enough time between your flight arrival and your scheduled transportation, and make sure you go to the correct pickup point.

Boonsiri and Travel to Koh Chang

Boonsiri is more than a ferry service. Its Eastern Thailand network connects Bangkok, airports, city pickup points, Pattaya, land transfers, piers and island destinations.

On the eastern side of Thailand, the network connects Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Koh Samet, allowing travelers to plan either a single-island holiday or a multi-island trip.

You can also explore related routes including Bangkok to Koh Kood , Laem Sok to Koh Mak , Laem Sok to Koh Kood and Koh Kood to Koh Chang .

Summary: Where Can You Start Your Koh Chang Trip in 2026?

If you are planning a Koh Chang trip in 2026, there are several possible starting points depending on the available service.

• Bangkok and Khaosan Road
• Rama 9
• Victory Monument
• Lumphini Park
• Selected Bangkok hotel transfers
• Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
• Pattaya
• U-Tapao Airport, depending on the available service

From there, travelers can continue to Koh Chang and potentially extend their trip to Koh Mak and Koh Kood as part of an Eastern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.

Before traveling, check the latest timetable and available services , including the pickup point and departure time for your travel date.