Pattaya to Koh Chang

Boonsiri, better known for its catamarans in the Gulf, runs one bus a day from Pattaya to Koh Chang. It leaves Boonsiri's Pattaya office at 08:30, with a stop at Terminal 21 at 08:00 if that's nearer, crosses on the ferry and reaches Ao Sapparot pier on Koh Chang at 15:00, for ฿850. For ฿950 a van collects you from your Pattaya hotel at 07:30, and for about ฿50 more a shuttle meets the bus and drops you at your Koh Chang hotel at about 15:35.

If you're going on to Koh Mak or Koh Kood, the same ticket can end at Bang Bao, at the island's southern tip, at about 16:00, ready for Boonsiri's catamaran the next morning. From June to September the bus is quicker, reaching the pier at 14:00 for ฿900.

It's about 247 km from Central Pattaya to Ao Thammachat pier, a little over three hours by car, plus the ferry. 12Go listed about 25 private-car firms for a November date, most quoting about ฿3,300–4,600 for a car and more for a nine-seat van, and most quote about four to five hours door to door. Check whether the price includes the ferry and a drop at your hotel, because some quotes end at the pier on the mainland. Split four ways, a car costs about the same per head as Boonsiri's bus, and you leave when you like.

To drive yourself, follow Sukhumvit Road, Route 3, south through Rayong and Chanthaburi. The car ferry is ฿200 for the car plus ฿90 a person.

The cheapest way is Phet Prasert's bus to Trat, which leaves a small roadside office on the southbound side of Sukhumvit Road, about 900 m north of the Pattaya Klang junction, at about 05:15 and 07:15, for about ฿300. From Trat take a songthaew to Ao Thammachat pier, about ฿60, and the ferry. It saves a few hundred baht over the minivans but takes longer and needs an early start, so I'd only do it on a tight budget.

Going back, Boonsiri's bus leaves Ao Sapparot pier at 10:00 and reaches its Pattaya office and Terminal 21 at 16:00 for ฿850, or your Pattaya hotel at 17:00 for ฿950, and its shuttle collects you from your Koh Chang hotel at 09:00. Suvarnabhumi Burapha's minibus leaves White Sand Beach at 10:00 and reaches Pattaya at about 17:00 for ฿700, and 35 Group collects you at your hotel at 09:00 for a 16:30 arrival, ฿800.

Koh Chang Club's shared van picks up along the west coast, Bang Bao at 09:30, Lonely Beach 09:40, Kai Bae 10:00, Klong Prao 10:20 and White Sand 10:30, and drops at Jomtien at 15:40, Bali Hai pier at 16:05, Central Pattaya at 16:20 and Terminal 21 at 16:35, for about ฿1,100. A private car back costs the same as the way there.