The Ultimate Koh Chang Travel Guide (2026): My 6-Day Island Itinerary
Updated: Sep 13
Published from my first-hand experience travelling through Koh Chang in March 2026.
After spending nearly a week exploring Koh Chang, riding around the island on a scooter, staying at three different resorts, discovering hidden waterfalls and eating some incredible Thai food, I can confidently say it's one of the most underrated islands in Thailand.
Unlike Phuket or Koh Samui, Koh Chang still feels authentic. The roads wind through lush jungle, waterfalls hide deep in the rainforest, and many beaches remain quiet even during peak season.
If you're wondering whether Koh Chang deserves a place on your Thailand itinerary, hopefully this guide will help you decide.
Throughout this guide I'll share exactly how I travelled there, where I stayed, where I ate, what I'd do differently and why I ended up extending my stay.
Where is Koh Chang?
Koh Chang is Thailand's third-largest island, located in Trat Province near the Cambodian border.
Despite its size, it receives far fewer international tourists than many of Thailand's more famous islands, making it perfect if you're looking for a slower pace of travel.
The island is known for:
Jungle-covered mountains
White sand beaches
Waterfalls
Luxury resorts
Quiet fishing villages
Scenic coastal roads
Incredible seafood
How I Got from Bangkok to Koh Chang
I began my trip on 1 March 2026.
Leaving Bangkok in the morning, I caught a taxi from Valia Hotel Bangkok to the Golden Buddha, before continuing towards Rayong where I stayed overnight.
Rather than trying to reach Koh Chang in one day, breaking the journey up made everything far more relaxed.
Overnight Stay at Hilton Garden Inn Rayong
My stopover was at Hilton Garden Inn Rayong ($126 Aud for a Corner King Room).
It turned out to be an excellent choice.
The rooftop infinity pool and bar offered panoramic views over the city, and watching the sunset from the rooftop after a day of travelling was the perfect way to begin the trip.
The rooms were modern, comfortable and exactly what I needed before the journey to Koh Chang the following morning.
Ferry to Koh Chang
The next morning I took a taxi to Ao Thammachat Pier, the main ferry terminal for Koh Chang.
Ferries run regularly throughout the day, with the crossing taking approximately 30 minutes. Costing 80 Baht per adult ($3.50 aud).
The ferry is large enough for both passengers and vehicles, making it easy to bring a rental car or motorcycle across.
Watching Koh Chang slowly get closer from the ferry was one of those moments that immediately gets you excited for the days ahead.
Helpful Tip
Arrive a little early, particularly during weekends or holidays, as ferries can become busy.
Renting a Scooter in Koh Chang
As soon as I arrived, TJ Motorbike Rental picked me up directly from the ferry terminal.
I had organised everything beforehand through WhatsApp, making the process incredibly easy.
I rented a Honda PCX 160 for 350 Baht per day ($15 aud), which I thought offered great value considering the quality of the bike.
Having your own scooter completely changes the experience on Koh Chang.
It gives you the freedom to discover hidden beaches, waterfalls and viewpoints that would otherwise require expensive taxis.
My Tips for Renting a Scooter
Wear a helmet at all times.
Only ride if you're confident on steep roads.
Fill up whenever passing a petrol station.
Download offline Google Maps.
Santhiya Koh Chang Resort – One of the Most Beautiful Resorts I've Stayed In
The first accommodation was Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort.
The resort immediately stood out thanks to its incredible traditional Thai architecture.
Almost every building appeared to feature hand-crafted timber, giving the entire property a unique atmosphere that felt unlike anywhere else I'd stayed.
I booked a Sea View Villa with a Private Pool.
The villa overlooked the ocean and waking up each morning to those views was unforgettable.
Breakfast was included, along with 1,500 Baht resort credit each night, which I used for dinner and drinks.
That made the stay feel like exceptional value.
Breakfast at Santhiya
Breakfast quickly became one of my favourite parts of each morning.
The buffet overlooked the infinity pool and surrounding river.
Listening to birds singing while enjoying breakfast with almost no noise around me was absolute serenity.
Sometimes travel isn't about constantly chasing attractions.
Sometimes it's simply enjoying moments like this.
👉 Planning a trip? Compare accommodation in Koh Chang on Trip.com.
Coco Coffee & Beach
After breakfast I headed to Coco Coffee & Beach.
The coffee was excellent and the beachfront setting made it the perfect place to relax before beginning our ride around the island.
Riding Around Koh Chang
One of the biggest highlights of the entire trip was simply riding around the island.
Almost every corner revealed another incredible coastal view.
Unlike many Thai islands, traffic was light and many roads passed through dense rainforest before opening onto spectacular ocean scenery.
I highly recommend setting aside an entire day with no fixed plans.
Some of our favourite discoveries happened completely by accident.
Than Mayom Waterfall
The first waterfall was Than Mayom Waterfall.
Surprisingly, there were very few visitors.
I spent quite a while here without seeing many other people, making it feel peaceful and untouched.
If you're deciding between waterfalls, this ended up being my favourite.
Lunch at Ronnie Coconut Organic Garden
By lunchtime I'd worked up quite an appetite.
I stopped at Ronnie Coconut Organic Garden.
The restaurant was busy with both locals and visitors.
After eating there, I completely understood why.
Everything tasted incredibly fresh and full of flavour.
If you're exploring Koh Chang by scooter, I'd definitely recommend stopping here.
Dinner at Santhiya
Back at the resort I used the included dining credit.
The food exceeded expectations.
Combined with the sunset views, it was the perfect way to finish the day.
Klong Plu Waterfall
The following morning I visited Klong Plu Waterfall.
Compared with Than Mayom, this waterfall was considerably busier.
The walk was longer, yet personally I found the waterfall itself less impressive.
That's purely my opinion, but if I could only visit one waterfall again, I'd choose Than Mayom.
Coffee at The Mount
Before leaving the northern part of the island we stopped at The Mount.
Reaching the café requires driving up a fairly steep hill, but the views are worth every meter.
Looking across the island and coastline while enjoying a coffee made it one of my favourite cafés in Koh Chang.
Lunch at Sylvie Café
After checking out I stopped at Sylvie Café for lunch.
It offered another fantastic viewpoint overlooking the water and was a great place to relax before continuing south.
Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway
The next stop was Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway.
Located on a much quieter stretch of beach in southern Koh Chang, the atmosphere here felt completely different.
The nearby restaurants and bars were small, local and much less touristy.
Although I only stayed one night, I'd recommend it for anyone wanting direct beach access and a peaceful location.
Discovering Southern Koh Chang
Driving towards the very bottom of Koh Chang, the island began to feel noticeably less developed.
The roads became quieter.
The scenery became more dramatic.
It almost felt like discovering a completely different island.
Bhuvarin Resort – My Favourite Stay in Koh Chang
This ended up being my favourite accommodation of the entire trip.
The room overlooked Bang Bao Fishing Village, the pier and the surrounding bay.
Watching a tropical storm slowly roll across the ocean from the balcony was something I'll never forget.
The infinity pool sits high above the bay and offers some of the best views anywhere on Koh Chang.
Originally I planned to stay only one night.
Instead, I extended my booking for another two nights because I simply didn't want to leave.
If you're looking for somewhere peaceful, relaxing and away from the crowds, I'd strongly recommend staying here.
Dinner at Seafood & Sashimi Restaurant
Dinner that evening was at Seafood & Sashimi Restaurant located on Bang Bao Pier.
Fresh seafood was displayed in tanks outside the restaurant, allowing you to choose exactly what you'd like prepared.
I ordered tiger prawns along with a selection of fresh seafood.
Everything was cooked beautifully.
Beach Massage at Ben Massage
The following day I enjoyed a massage at Ben Massage, located right beside the beach.
Listening to the waves while having a traditional Thai massage made for one of the most relaxing afternoons of the trip.
If you're staying in southern Koh Chang, I'd definitely recommend visiting.
Si Tho Waterfall
I also visited Si Tho Waterfall.
Unfortunately, there had been very little rainfall and the waterfall had almost completely dried up.
While it wasn't the experience I'd hoped for, it's worth remembering that waterfalls in Thailand can vary significantly depending on the season.
Returning to Bangkok
After returning the scooter, TJ Motorbike Rental kindly drove me back to the ferry terminal.
From there I crossed back to the mainland before catching a bus to Bangkok.
The journey was long but comfortable, with one scheduled stop for food and bathroom breaks.
By the time I arrived back in Bangkok, I already knew Koh Chang would be somewhere I'd return to.
Is Koh Chang Worth Visiting?
Without question.
If you're looking for an island that offers beautiful scenery without the crowds of Thailand's more famous destinations, Koh Chang is an excellent choice.
For me, the highlights included:
Staying at Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort
Extending my stay at Bhuvarin Resort
Riding a scooter around the island
Than Mayom Waterfall
Ronnie Coconut Organic Garden
Sunset at Hilton Garden Inn Rayong
Beach massage at Ben Massage
Fresh seafood at Bang Bao Pier
My Tips for Visiting Koh Chang
Stay for at least 4–6 days to explore the island properly.
Rent a scooter if you're comfortable riding one.
Book accommodation in different parts of the island to experience different atmospheres.
Visit waterfalls early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Allow extra travel time when returning to Bangkok.
If you're visiting in the dry season, some smaller waterfalls may have reduced water flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Koh Chang?
I recommend at least 4 to 6 days. This gives you enough time to explore the island at a relaxed pace, visit waterfalls, enjoy the beaches and stay in more than one area.
Is Koh Chang worth visiting?
Yes. Koh Chang offers a mix of rainforest, beaches, waterfalls and quieter resorts, making it a great alternative to Thailand's busier islands.
Do you need a scooter in Koh Chang?
A scooter is the easiest way to explore the island. If you're an experienced rider, it provides the flexibility to visit viewpoints, cafés and waterfalls at your own pace.
Which waterfall is better?
Based on my visit, I preferred Than Mayom Waterfall because it was much quieter and felt more peaceful than Klong Plu Waterfall.
Where should you stay in Koh Chang?
For luxury and relaxation, I highly recommend Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort or Bhuvarin Resort, both of which offered stunning views and memorable stays.
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