The ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang is one of the longest inter-island journeys in the Gulf of Thailand — connecting the most popular resort island in the south with the jungle-covered island on Thailand's eastern border with Cambodia. There is no direct ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Chang, but the journey is entirely achievable with the right combination of ferry, bus and second ferry. This complete guide covers every reliable route, real prices and step-by-step instructions for the Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey in 2026.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Koh Chang is one of Thailand's most underrated island destinations — larger than Koh Samui but far less crowded, with pristine jungle interior and excellent diving on the east coast.
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Ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang — Why No Direct Service
Koh Samui is in the southern Gulf of Thailand, approximately 700 km south of Koh Chang. Koh Chang is in the eastern Gulf near the Cambodian border in Trat Province. No ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang direct service exists — the distance is too great and demand too seasonal. Every ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang crossing involves land transport through Bangkok or central Thailand, then a short ferry crossing from the Trat mainland to Koh Chang.
Total distance: ~700 km · No direct ferry · Duration: 12–16h · Best route: Ferry + Bus/Train via Bangkok · From: 800–1,200 THB (~$23–35) · Final ferry to Koh Chang: From Laem Ngop pier (~30 min, 80–120 THB) · Book via: 12Go Asia
All Options — Koh Samui to Koh Chang 2026
| Option | Duration | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚢 Ferry + Overnight Bus | ~14–16h | $23–32 | Budget · Save hotel night |
| 🚢 Ferry + Overnight Train | ~16–18h | $25–40 | Adventure · Comfortable |
| ✈️ Ferry + Flight via Bangkok | ~8–10h | $70–180 | Speed · Comfort |
| 🚗 Private Transfer | ~12h | $150–300 | Groups · Families |
The ferry + overnight bus combination is the most popular way to travel the Koh Samui to Koh Chang route — take the ferry to the mainland, overnight bus through Bangkok or directly to Trat Province, then the final ferry from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang. Book via 12Go Asia as a combined ticket.
Option 1 — Ferry + Overnight Bus (Most Popular)
The most popular ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang route combines the ferry to Surat Thani mainland, an overnight bus through southern and central Thailand, and the final short ferry from Laem Ngop Pier to Koh Chang. Total journey time approximately 14–16 hours overnight.
Step-by-Step — Koh Samui to Koh Chang by Bus
- Ferry from Nathon Pier (Koh Samui) to Donsak Pier — Lomprayah (1h, 200 THB) or Raja Ferry (1h30, 80 THB). Take an afternoon departure.
- Transfer to Surat Thani Bus Terminal — shared minivan ~1h, 80–120 THB.
- Overnight bus Surat Thani to Bangkok or Trat — if going via Bangkok: 8–10h, arrive early morning. If direct to Trat: approximately 9–10h.
- Transfer to Laem Ngop Pier, Trat Province — if via Bangkok, take a minivan from Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal to Laem Ngop (~5h, 300–400 THB). If direct to Trat, local taxi or songthaew to Laem Ngop (~30 min, 100–150 THB).
- Ferry from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang — approximately 30 minutes, 80–120 THB. Multiple daily departures. Arrives at The Centre Point or Ao Sapparot pier on Koh Chang.
Koh Samui to Koh Chang — Prices 2026
| Leg | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Samui → Donsak (ferry) | 1–1h30 | 80–200 THB |
| Surat Thani → Bangkok (bus) | 8–10h | 400–700 THB |
| Bangkok → Laem Ngop (minivan) | ~5h | 300–400 THB |
| Laem Ngop → Koh Chang (ferry) | 30 min | 80–120 THB |
| Total | 14–18h | 860–1,420 THB (~$25–41) |
Book as many legs as possible via 12Go Asia — they offer combined Koh Samui to Koh Chang tickets covering the major transport connections. Always check current availability as routes and operators change seasonally.
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Option 2 — Ferry + Overnight Train
The train option for the ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang journey is more comfortable than the bus — take the ferry to Surat Thani mainland, overnight train to Bangkok, then a minivan from Bangkok to Laem Ngop and finally the short Koh Chang ferry. Total journey approximately 16–18 hours but you sleep through most of it.
- Ferry Nathon Pier → Donsak Pier (~1h30)
- Minivan Donsak → Phunphin train station (~1h)
- Overnight train Phunphin → Bangkok Hua Lamphong (departs ~6–8pm, arrives ~6–8am)
- Minivan Bangkok → Laem Ngop, Trat Province (~5h)
- Ferry Laem Ngop → Koh Chang (~30 min)
The train adds comfort for the Bangkok leg but adds complexity. The direct overnight bus from Surat Thani to Trat Province (skipping Bangkok entirely) is often simpler and faster for the Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey. Ask 12Go Asia for current direct Surat Thani to Trat bus availability.
Option 3 — Ferry + Flight via Bangkok
The fastest ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang route combines the ferry to Surat Thani Airport, a flight to Bangkok, and then land transport to Koh Chang. Total journey approximately 8–10 hours.
- Ferry Nathon → Donsak + transfer to Surat Thani Airport (~2h30)
- AirAsia/Nok Air: Surat Thani → Bangkok DMK (~1h, from $15–40)
- Minivan Bangkok → Laem Ngop, Trat (~5h, 300–400 THB)
- Ferry Laem Ngop → Koh Chang (~30 min)
- Total: ~9–11h · From $55–90
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The Final Ferry — Laem Ngop to Koh Chang
The last leg of every Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey is the short ferry from Laem Ngop Pier in Trat Province to Koh Chang. This crossing takes just 30 minutes and runs multiple times daily. Two operators run this route:
| Operator | Pier Koh Chang | Frequency | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrepoint Ferry | The Centre Point Pier | Hourly | 80 THB | 30 min |
| Koh Chang Ferry | Ao Sapparot Pier | Every 30 min | 120 THB | 30 min |
Both ferry operators from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang can carry vehicles — car: 200–300 THB, motorbike: 50–80 THB. This is the only island on this route with a car ferry — vehicles are practical on Koh Chang's road network unlike the car-free Koh Phi Phi or tiny Koh Nang Yuan.
What to Do on Koh Chang
After the long ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang journey, the island delivers a completely different experience to the Gulf islands — larger (212 km², Thailand's second largest island), mountainous, heavily forested and significantly less developed than Koh Samui:
Best Beaches
White Sand Beach (Hat Sai Khao) — the most developed beach on Koh Chang, on the northwest coast. Good facilities, clear water, lively evenings. Kai Bae Beach — quieter mid-west coast beach with a relaxed atmosphere. Excellent snorkeling directly from shore. Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Nam) — backpacker-oriented south coast beach. Cheapest accommodation on the island. Bang Bao Beach — southern fishing village on stilts with excellent seafood restaurants and the departure point for snorkeling day trips.
Jungle & Waterfalls
Unlike Koh Samui, Koh Chang's interior is genuine tropical jungle with multiple waterfalls. Klong Plu Waterfall is the most impressive — 25-metre cascade with a natural swimming pool at the base (200 THB entrance). Accessible by motorbike or jungle trek.
Diving & Snorkeling
Koh Chang's diving scene centres around the islands of Koh Rang and Koh Wai — 1–2 hours south by speedboat. Excellent coral gardens, reasonable visibility and the chance of seeing whale sharks in season. Book dive trips from Bang Bao Village.
Insider Tips — Ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang
- This is a long journey — plan accordingly — the ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang route takes 14–18 hours minimum. Don't attempt it in one day without an overnight transport option.
- Direct Surat Thani to Trat bus — some operators run a direct overnight bus from Surat Thani to Trat Province, skipping Bangkok entirely. Ask 12Go Asia — this is the most efficient ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang land option if available.
- Koh Chang is best in dry season — the island's best weather is November to April. May to October brings heavy rain and most beach bars close. Plan your ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang journey accordingly.
- Rent a motorbike on arrival — Koh Chang's ring road is excellent and a motorbike (150–200 THB/day) is the best way to explore the island after the long ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang journey.
- Keep your eSIM active — your Thailand eSIM works throughout the entire Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey and on the island itself.
FAQ — Ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang
Is there a direct ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Chang?
No — there is no direct ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Chang. The two islands are approximately 700 km apart in the Gulf of Thailand. Every Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey requires land transport through central Thailand or Bangkok, followed by the short 30-minute ferry from Laem Ngop Pier in Trat Province to Koh Chang.
How long does the Koh Samui to Koh Chang journey take?
Via ferry Koh Samui Koh Chang + overnight bus: ~14–16 hours. Via overnight train: ~16–18 hours. Via flight: ~9–11 hours. The overnight bus from Surat Thani is most popular.
How much does it cost to get from Koh Samui to Koh Chang?
Via ferry + overnight bus: approximately 860–1,420 THB (~$25–41) total. Via ferry + flight: approximately $55–90 total. Book via 12Go Asia for real-time pricing and combined ticket options on the Koh Samui to Koh Chang route.
What is the last ferry from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang?
The Centrepoint Ferry runs roughly hourly from Laem Ngop to Koh Chang until approximately 7pm. The Koh Chang Ferry runs every 30 minutes until approximately 6–7pm. Always check current schedules as times change seasonally. If arriving late, stay overnight in Trat city and take the first morning ferry to Koh Chang.
Continue Reading
- Complete Ferry Guide to Koh Samui
- Donsak Pier Surat Thani — Definitive Guide
- Bangkok to Koh Samui — Ultimate Transport Guide
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan — Essential Ferry Guide
- Best eSIM Thailand 2026 — From $3
- Best Hotels in Koh Samui 2026
Some links in this article are affiliate links. InsideSamui.com earns a commission if you book through our 12Go Asia links, at no extra cost to you. Prices and schedules are indicative for 2026 — always verify on 12Go Asia before travelling.