Contents
Koh Chang, the "Elephant Island", rises from the Gulf of Thailand with jungle-covered peaks, waterfalls and long beaches. From Battambang, with its colonial shophouses and bamboo train, it is a trip across the whole of western Cambodia and into eastern Thailand.
The Land Border Is Closed
The land crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are suspended after the border fighting of 2025, and a ceasefire signed on 27 December keeps the situation tense. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the land border.[1] That means the old overland route through Pailin to Trat is not available, and the only way to Koh Chang is via a flight.
Battambang to Koh Chang via Siem Reap and Bangkok
The practical route has three legs.
1. Bus to Siem Reap. Giant Ibis runs the 161 km from Battambang to Siem Reap in about 3 hours, with departures at 08:30 and 13:30.[2][3] The bus leaves from the Giant Ibis terminal on Road No 3 in Battambang and arrives at the terminal behind the Old Stadium, near Pub Street.[2]
2. Flight to Bangkok. Bangkok Airways flies direct between Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The airport is around 50 km from downtown Siem Reap, 50 to 60 minutes by road.[4]
3. Flight to Trat. Bangkok Airways also flies direct from Suvarnabhumi to Trat in about 1 hour. Trat Airport is 30 to 35 km from Trat town, 30 to 40 minutes by road, and connects to the piers for Koh Chang. From November to April the seas are generally calmer, while the rainy season from May to October can bring rougher crossings.[5]
Comparing Your Options
| Leg | Mode | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Battambang to Siem Reap | Giant Ibis bus | About 3h[2] |
| Siem Reap to Bangkok | Flight | About 1h 20m[4] |
| Bangkok to Trat | Flight | About 1h[5] |
Tips for Traveling from Battambang to Koh Chang
Timetable
| Bus Battambang - Koh Chang $ 38.36 8h 30m | |
|
|
| Taxi Battambang - Koh Chang $ 191.80–233.11 5h – 5h 30m | |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Battambang to Koh Chang, including current prices and schedules.
No. The land crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are suspended, so you need to fly part of the way.
Take the Giant Ibis bus to Siem Reap, fly to Bangkok and then fly on to Trat, from where road and ferry transfers lead to Koh Chang.
The bus takes about 3 hours, the flights about 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour. Add airport transfers, check-in, the connection in Bangkok and the ferry crossing, so plan for a full day.
Trat Airport, 30 to 35 km from Trat town. It connects to the piers for Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
No reopening date is known. Check the UK Foreign Office advice or the immigration authorities before you plan an overland trip.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: Cambodia travel advice: Warnings and insurance. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
- [2] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus from Battambang to Siem Reap. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [3] Giant Ibis Transport: Bus Schedule. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [4] Bangkok Airways: Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [5] Bangkok Airways: Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Trat. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.