Transport delayed about 2,5 h (planned arrival 19:00 vs 21:30), mainly because of a lot of chaos during departure from Koh Chang (changes of minibus, additional transport to hotel -> ferry -> bus station -> hotel -> ferry, at least we leave a ferry after 1 pm). We feel shaking rollercoaster on every hole and speed bump. A lot of water from air conditioning.
I propose to take transport to Airport and then BTS train to everywhere else.
(Solo-male traveler, Canadian)
For the price this trip is a bargain in Thailand. The driver did not speak English but was very friendly and myself amongst other passengers could translate for him. The bus itself is in rough but working order. I was never truly uncomfortable (as you might be on local rural buses). Most importantly the air conditioning always worked, and we were never in physical danger. The first pit-stop seemed to happen pretty early into the trip and was a somewhat long 30-minute stop. The second stop was a 10 minute break at a gas station/convenience store about 1 hour from the reaching the ferry terminal. Both places had restrooms, some food options, and amenities.
Considering the driver will in most cases drop you directly at your hotel, the price is very reasonable and the price margin between this and the next step up is a large gap, unless you have healthy budget and want to travel alone.
Two recommendations: 1: Sit in the first seat directly behind the driver because you'll have maximum leg room and be the first person off-the-bus as pit stops. 2: Wear a mask. Many customers were coughing and a lot of germs spread around. I caught a cold on this bus and had to spend the first 2-3 days on Koh Chang sick in my room.
Easy booking process and getting to location. Only problem way really tight seats buy hey, we are in thailand and paying 600bhat can't really complain. Out driver was very rude and wouldn't stop for a pregnant lady who desperately had to pee. I feel bad for lady.....shame on the driver
Very easy way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Chang! Lovely driver, there is not very much leg room in the bus (but I am 6ft so its probably okay otherwise) and they dropped us off right at our resort! Will use again and 100% recommend to anyone travelling this journey!
Confirmation never got me (i bought ticket day before) so i did not knew about timetable changes.. lucky me that only transport in that day was little bit late so i got in to it.. 11:00 from suwarnabhumi was moved to 10🤷♂️
The Driver was excellent - thoughtful for his passengers, explained times clearly. He concentrated on the driving, with very little time spent on his phone while driving
I rated "Great" overall because the van, while good, did struggle over holes in the road
On time, very straight forward and nice driver. The bus was tiny so a little uncomfortable but generally an extremely smooth trip! We stopped for lunch 1 hour into journey. Bus goes onto the ferry and driver drops you off on the other side up to a certain point. If you are staying anywhere 15 mins (approx) beyond the pier you will get a taxi for 50 THB which is waiting for you when driver drops you off. ☺️
The minivan with like no buffers at all, very uncomfortable, also 2 times extremely unnecessary long stops more than 20mins and as result in the end late arrival for more than 30mins after 17:30 instead of 17:00
The minivan we had, was really bad. It was one of the worst 4-5h ride we had from our 6 months travelling.
The minivan had 0 suspension, literally every 2 seconds we were bouncing. We both had an upset stomach.
Also the seat of my gf was loose, not fixed which made her ride even worser + dangerous (as the minivan was full she couldn't change).
** I have a video of the bumpy ride and photo of the loose seat that I could send
Besides that the driver was nice and friendly and the restaurant where he stopped was good.
I also think the bus shouldn't have stopped that much on this short ride. We stopped at least 3 times (15 min after 1h, then stopped 30 min for lunch, and then 1h later again 20 min stop). We could have spared 30 min easily.
Everything was great, buses are in good shape, seats are quite comfortable, there are stops for food and toilet. When we arrived to the Koh Chang driver got us to our hotel for 50 baht.
The bus set off later than ticket time .Also went to fill up petrol which could have been done before we set off.The only stop was 4 hours into the journey .The journey was also alot longer than specified.
But we got dropped at our hotel which was a great plus .
Left the airport at 11, arrived in good time for the last ferry. The driver also dropped most people off at their resorts, bear in mind if you are staying towards the south of the island you will have to take a songthew for the rest of the way.
The company arranges this for you and I only paid 50 baht to Lonely Beach.
We left on time from the airport and made 2 stops. Operator&Driver were friendly. We got dropped off directly at the reception of our hotel.
Could be improved/was not so great:
- A couple on the bus had to be dropped off at the Laem Sok peer which made the rest of the group being 1.5 hours late for arrival (because we made that extra round of driving to the other peer). I understand it is more efficient for the operator but not for the customers. The couple also was not dropped off at their hotel like the rest of us.
- Bus quite bumpy. Distance between seat rows small for someone who is taller than 160cm. Not the mist comfortable trip
Overall good value for money. 4/5 Stars
It’s a very good service, and the mid-size buses are perfect for Koh Chang. They might want to find a better rest stop, however. There are so many others to choose from.
The ride was cool. Driver did his job well and we had two or three stops to get food/snacks/drinks or a toilet break.
He even drove us to the parts of Koh Chang where our Resorts are located. That was really nice, didn‘t know that this was included!
The ride was very uncomfortable. You jumped along with every rise in the road as if you were riding a horse. We didn't get anything to drink or eat. We were at our destination 2 hours later. There were communication problems with the driver. Nevertheless, the driver was nice.
the SWB Office is easy to find on the airport and the mini bus left sharp at 11am. The driver drove carefully and dropped us on time at the last stop on Koh Chang at around 5.15pm
All in all a good trip, but the rear of the bus had hardly any suspension and the garbage of the previous group was still in the Bus so it was really messy when we entered.
I expected to leave at 8 o'clock, but I waited for an hour for a bus without driver. The person in charge didn't come until 9 o'clock.
almost arrived at the destination, driver started stopping to drop people off. Maybe another hour's delay
It took about an hour and a half to get on the boat.
It says that will arrive at 2:30, but I arrived at the hotel after 4 o'clock.