Getting to Ko Chang from Cambodia without going through Bangkok

Hello Ms. De Bayonne,

After Angkor, I booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Can anyone tell me if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without going back through Bangkok?

This was doable from Siem Reap and Battambang BEFORE the land borders between the two countries were closed. Now, only air borders remain open, so flights in both directions. There’s no indication that land borders will reopen soon. Currently, the only road option from Thailand to Cambodia is to go Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani, then enter Laos (visa on arrival) at Pakse, followed by crossing into Laos (visa on arrival) all the way to Siem Reap. The whole trip will take roughly a minimum of ~30 hours.

I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t recall having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now?

It depends on how long you stay in Thailand. For now, it’s visa-free for up to 60 days (and you need a flight ticket from France proving you’ll leave Thailand within that time), but this is expected to change soon, dropping back to 30 days. The government has officially decided on the change, and it should be published in the Royal Gazette (similar to our *Journal Officiel*) any day now, with the effective date. Stay updated.

For Cambodia too?

Visa on arrival or e-visa.

Thanks so much for your reply—does that mean the only option to get to Cambodia is by plane?!

Yes. And to come back to your Siem Reap-Koh Chang route, you’ll have to go via Bangkok. Bus to Trat from Bangkok’s Ekamai bus station*, frequent departures, 4.5–5 hours travel time + 1 hour by songthaew or minivan to the port. Some buses go all the way from Bangkok to the port. You can also find combo tickets that include the boat. If you need to spend a night in Trat, it’s a small but nice enough town with several accommodation options ranging from guesthouses to hotels.

* served by the metro.

Thanks again, Thierry! The flight tickets from BKK are pretty expensive, so I think we’ll head to Chiang Mai by overnight train instead. Do you know why overland connections between Thailand and Cambodia aren’t possible anymore?! You seem to know this part of Asia really well?!!

Do you know why overland connections between Thailand and Cambodia are no longer possible?!

The war that’s been going on since last year between the two countries along their shared border. They’re currently in a ceasefire period, but the border remains closed.

I think we’ll take the overnight train to Chiang Mai instead

You’ve never been there? For July, hurry up and book the train.

Official railway company website for bookings: https://dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicWeb/home/Home - The site’s a bit slow - Change the language in the top right corner - The Bangkok station to enter is Krung Thep Aphiwat, its official name

Thanks!! Do you live in Thailand?

No.

How's it going? Did you manage to book a sleeper berth on a train to Koh Mak or a round-trip flight to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh at a good price, like Erwanploz suggested in the other thread?

Hi Thierry, We’re not going to Cambodia after all—over 300 € for just 2 days seems way too expensive. Chiang Mai (I’ve already been there) is too far since we only have 3 days before heading to Ko Chang for 10 days. So I’m focusing on the area around Bangkok—any suggestions?! Thanks

Hi Laurence,

we won’t be going to Cambodia, over 300 € for just 2 days

Anyway, 2 days wouldn’t have been reasonably enough—you’d have needed 2 more.

that 3 days (...) so I’m focusing on the area around Bkk, if you have any suggestions

To give you a better answer: - 3 full days, so 4 nights? - Where have you already been in the area* around Bkk? * Max 3 hours by public transport.

Yes, that's it!! Maybe with one night along the way!

with maybe an overnight stop!

I don’t get this detail.

- where have you already been around* Bkk?

And you’re not answering that question.

Hi there! I admit my scattered replies don’t make much sense anymore! Actually, I have 5 full days to explore the area around BKK. I was thinking of Ayutthaya—what do you think? Any other suggestions? After that, we’re heading to Ko Chang on the coast. Which spots are worth the detour, given I’m more into authentic, chill vibes than touristy spots packed with French folks? Thanks a bunch!

Hello,

I actually have 5 full days to explore the area around BKK. I was thinking of Ayutthaya—what do you think? Any other suggestions?

So now it’s 6 nights for a little trip around BKK. My suggestion is to spend 4 nights in Kanchanaburi and 2 in Ayutthaya.

Things to see in Kanchanaburi itself: - Its famous photogenic Bridge over the River Kwai (pronounced in Thai: Sapan Mènam Khwèè), best seen when one of the 6 daily trains crosses it. - 2 museums about the construction of the Burma Railway (the one on the street to the right of the Allied War Cemetery and the JEAT Museum).

Around Kanchanaburi: - Wat Tham Seua (half a day with a driver), - Prasat Muang Sing (half a day via an agency or by motorbike/scooter*—also accessible by train from Thakilen station, but that’ll take a full day). These are the westernmost Khmer ruins of the former empire, so you’ll regret missing Angkor a little less. - The turquoise Erawan Falls—avoid going on weekends. Accessible by public bus (1.5 hours each way) from Kanchanaburi’s bus station. Swimming is possible.

*If you have the appropriate license with an international permit.

Ayutthaya: - Its many ruins to explore by bike, - A sunset boat excursion to see some ruins in a different light and atmosphere. Your accommodation can arrange this. - A half-day trip to Bang Pa-In (accessible by train or organized tour).

All that’s left is to explain how to connect BKK, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, and Trat (for Koh Chang) using public transport if you go with my suggestion above.

Koh Chang on the coast—what’s worth the detour, knowing I’m more into authentic chill spots than touristy areas packed with French people?

I’ve only been to Koh Chang (the one near Cambodia) once, back in the 20th century, so I can’t really advise on which part of the island to prefer.

To illustrate my previous reply and to test whether the bug preventing photo uploads has been fixed.

Three views of Wat Tham Seua, near Kanchanaburi:

Hi Thierry, Just wanted to say thanks again—I followed your advice and booked a place in Ayutthaya and the other spot!! How do you know all this so well? Have you been traveling for a long time? I’m curious!! (But no pressure to answer, haha.) I’ll look into how to do everything you suggested. Anyway, I’m excited to explore the areas around BKK!! Thanks a million! Laurence

Which area did you book your accommodation in Kanchanaburi?

R2 bed and pool Kanchanaburi

Hi Laurence,

How do you know all this so well?

I know Thailand well because I’ve been there over 40 times from France*. I’ve always traveled between cities using public transport while there. That said, I’m not very familiar with beach destinations since I don’t really like them. I’ve only been to Ayutthaya a few times (twice as a tourist and once as an escort for a tennis player during a Kanchanaburi-Ayutthaya tournament). On the other hand, for various reasons, I’ve been to Kanchanaburi (Meuang Kan** for those in the know) very often—sometimes multiple times per trip and often for several weeks at a time.

* This doesn’t include trips where I returned after staying in a third country, otherwise the number would be even higher. ** Meuang ("city") to specify we’re talking about the city itself, not the whole province, and Kan... because it’s shorter.

R2 bed and pool kanchanaburi

According to Google Earth, it’s located on Maenam Kwae Road , a street with lots of tourist accommodations and shops that cater to them. At this hotel, you’ll be 1.4 km from the bridge (at the end of the same street to the northwest), 1.3 km from the train station, 3 km from the bus terminal, and 3 km from the JEATH Museum. Since motorcycle taxis and private songthaews tend to overcharge tourists, I recommend renting bikes (50 to 120 baht/day depending on the model)—just check the brakes and adjust the seat to your height. Otherwise, a scooter is an option if the rider has the proper license (200–250 baht/day).

Getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya to Trat: - **Bangkok to Kanchanaburi**: Check out my replies in this thread: https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=10708558;search_string=bus%2081%20kanchanaburi. You’ll find other useful info there too.

- **Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya**: There’s no direct public transport, but tourist shuttles are available—the most expensive but fastest option. Book the day before at your hotel reception or a travel agency. Other options: - Take a non-air-conditioned bus to Suphanburi, then transfer to another bus to Ayutthaya. - Take a minivan to Bangkok’s Mo Chit minivan terminal, then another minivan from there. At Mo Chit, the first minivan arrives at Terminal D, and the one to Ayutthaya leaves from Terminal B, which is nearby. Departures are frequent (several per hour), all minivans are air-conditioned, don’t carry more passengers than seats, and—since they’re closely monitored—are now driven carefully. However, there’s no space for luggage, so you’ll have to keep it on your lap (no issue if you’re traveling light and without a suitcase) or pay for an extra seat to store it (totally doable given the low cost).

- **Ayutthaya to Trat**: The quickest and most convenient way is to take a minivan to Mo Chit minivan terminal, then transfer to another minivan to Trat from nearby Terminal C. In Trat, you’ll just need to take public transport to the port and then a boat. If you leave Ayutthaya around 7 AM, you should be able to reach Koh Chang the same evening.

Minivan in Thai: *rot too* (box vehicle)