Koh Chang has a lot of nicknames. In Thai, it means, “elephant island,” but some refer to it as, “the last cheap island,” while others swear it’s the friendliest island in Thailand. While all of these things are definitely true, I felt like it was the best island I’ve been to so far for solo travelers.
Plenty of beach destinations I’ve visited in Southeast Asia are full of couples. I get it, beaches are romantic and plenty of love birds travel to the Thai islands on short vacations or honeymoons.
I’m not hating on couples at all, but it’s enough to make a solo traveler feel like an out-of-the-loop reject at times. That’s why I liked Koh Chang so much.
It’s full of young people, hippie types, and big enough so that everyone can find what they’re looking for there, whether it’s a backpacker haven or fancy white sand beaches. It had the same kind of vibe that I like so much about Pai and Tonsai in Thailand, which I guess is to say I like free-spirit types.
I just like tattooed, rainbow-haired, pierced hippies, okay?
But that’s not all there is to Koh Chang.
I visited the island with two of my best friends from home who were in Thailand for a couple of weeks traveling through with me. I had never been to Koh Chang but really wanted to show them a good time.
Given that Koh Chang is much closer to Bangkok and therefore easier to get to for people traveling with a time-budget, not to mention less impacted by the rainy season than Tonsai or Koh Phi Phi would have been in May, I thought it would be a good fit. Plus, I thought given how close it is to Cambodia, the water might be clear and warm like it was in Otres, which I found to be so beautiful.
We arrived to find beautiful beaches, reasonable prices, and beautiful sunsets. The vibe of Koh Chang was just different. Locals hung out with tourists, and were incredibly friendly, especially in Lonely Beach, the backpacker area.
In fact, Koh Chang is now my favorite island in Thailand.
Sure, Lonely Beach and Koh Chang in general may no longer be the best kept secret, but it’s still an affordable, beautiful slice of paradise with a vibe all its own. Not to mention, the party scene is pretty good without being out of control. Each night just one of the bars in Lonely Beach would be going off, meaning everyone in the area who felt like going out would be at the same bar. It was pretty cool seeing the same friendly people out and about.
It’s easy to talk to people there, many of whom spend a month or longer just on Koh Chang. I always know that if it’s the kind of place where people stick around long-term, it’s a darn good sign.
It’s also absolutely beautiful, with bath-water temperature water. There’s plenty to do, from motorbiking around the island to snorkeling and SCUBA diving, to trekking. It’s the second biggest island after Phuket, so there’s always something new to explore and experience. Best of all, it truly is a cheap island, and won’t break the bank.
Do it Yourself:
- Get to Koh Chang by taking a bus or plane. From Ekamai bus station in Bangkok, air-conditioned busses leave at either 7:30 or 9:30 and go directly to the pier. The ride takes 6 hours and costs 275 baht. Buy a ferry ticket for 80 baht and take a flat-rate songthaew once on Koh Chang to your destination for 100 baht. They will be waiting at the ferry terminal. Ferries leave every 30 minutes or so.
- You can also fly to Koh Chang on Bangkok Airways. Get to Trat and then, it’s often best to take a combination ticket service from the airport all the way to your accommodation for 900 baht round trip. Otherwise, you may encounter an incredibly high songthaew cost to get to the airport once back on the mainland.
- If staying in Lonely Beach, there are plenty of options from free, if you eat your food there, to around 250 baht. It’s a small area and you can wander instead of booking ahead if you prefer.
- Since my friends had a higher budget and wanted to stay somewhere a bit nicer, we stayed at Warapura Resort, which has an included breakfast, beautiful views, and air conditioning. It was in the perfect location in Lonely beach, close to the bars but in a nice and quiet location so we could sleep in peace.
This sounds amazing. I will definitely be heading here!
Let me know what you think of it when you do!
Totally agree! (In fact I’m currently writing a post about my solo-time there…) I didn’t have high expectations for Koh Chang, but was pleasantly surprised by my stay there. A little bit of everything, including a range of prices!
Alana – Paper Planes recently posted…Announcing the New Shop on Paper Planes
I didn’t know what to expect. Some people indicated I might be bored and others just love Koh Chang, but they were there a long time ago. I was so pleasantly surprised by it!
I am becoming a big fan your blog now… 🙂
BTW do you post on the go? I mean are you still travelling?
Thanks Ankur. Yes, I do. I haven’t stopped traveling. I just have to take a few days now and then and dedicate them to work.
What do you do in between? what kinda work?
This blog and freelancing pay my bills.
I don’t know the next time I’ll visit Thailand but I’m always looking for fun places to visit when I return there. I’ve read the name Koh Chang but never visited the place. It certainly seems like a fun place.
Rashaad recently posted…Foam Finger Fun
I certainly had a lot of fun there!
Eeek I’ll be there in a few weeks for the first time! Heading straight for Koh Chang after Bangkok and after your glowing review I am even more excited (if that’s possible) about seeing it for myself.
Lisa – Wee Wanders recently posted…Travelling to Thailand: Backpacking Preparation
Great plan! Are you going to Cambodia thereafter?
This is such a great place to visit. Thailand is an awesome place to explore.
Gorgeous sunset, the island looks incredible.
Ayngelina recently posted…37 Tough Lessons I Learned From Travel
BAH! I haven’t made it to Thailand yet and stuff like this makes me uber excited.
Erica recently posted…Ladies Night at the Shooting Range
I didn’t make it to Koh Chang on my Thailand trip, but it looks like I should have. Gorgeous sunset shot!
Angie Away recently posted…Welcome to shiny, new Angie Away!
I hear so many good things about Koh Chang… I need to get myself there! I think you’ve inspired me to check it out when I return to Thailand in August 🙂
Alex recently posted…Leaving My Comfort Zone in Las Vegas: Guns, Girls, and Fast Cars
It’s a diving hub, too!
We’ve lived in Chiang Mai for just over 2 years and have still yet to venture south to the beaches. If we do end up getting there one day, Koh Chang looks like a great place 🙂
Mindy & Ligeia recently posted…Unusual Classrooms
Wow! Well I do think that other countries in Southeast Asia have better beaches than Thailand (sorry for the blasphemy!) but Koh Chang definitely is gorgeous.
We are a couple, but not that into the honeymoon scene as we enjoy meeting other travelers who are not so “into” each other! We were in Koh Lanta this past year and surprised at the high cost compared to Chiang Mai. Also we were looking to snorkel right from the beach and that was not an option there.
Did you snorkel in Koh Chang?
regards from our current location, Arizona, USA
I didn’t but snorkeling and diving are big there. You’d want to head to the smaller surrounding islands for that, though.
What serene landscapes this beach has!
This place is quite a haven, I believe. And if what you say is true, that many lovers visit the place, then somehow it intensifies the romantic vibes contributed by watching the sun set in the horizon.
Your description about the place is just beautiful. Someday, I’ll definitely visit that place.
Thanks for the great article!
Yzzah Diaz recently posted…3 Things to Know About Dubai’s Desert Safaris – What To Do in Dubai
Thanks so much 🙂
Thanks for the informative post on Koh Chang Kristin. My post on the neighboring island may be of interest to you.
Thanks for the great information! It will definitely help me travel to Southeast Asia soon starting from March! and I don’t know when to come back home though haha! Have a good one:-)
Kristin,
I am a SoCal traveler too. I live in Los Angeles, says you’ll be here in August.
Here was my Koh Chang adventure http://www.richtrek.com/2015/06/glimpse-stunning-paradise-of-koh-chang.html have some videos and photos and descriptions. It’s a STUNNING place!
If you leave a comment on my blog, maybe we can get together when you’re in LA
Rich
Rich recently posted…Touts- Making the Journey From the Thai/ Cambodian Border Exciting
Hi Rich, I suggest you come to the Nomadic Matt meetup in August. I’ll be there! https://www.facebook.com/events/934390783286770/
Great article, Kristin!
I’ve just arrived in Ko Chang with my Kids and we’re already in love with it. The only traumatic moment was finding a drowned teddy bear on the beach (who would do such a thing?) and getting carried across a tiny bridge to Lonely Beach by Boy (so clumsy), but it’s such a beautiful place, I reckon we might stay for a month. Funnily enough, we were in the Warapura bar to watch the sunset today.
Kluk 🙂
That’s a great sunset spot! Glad you like it so much.
Lonely Beach has got a great fun hippie vibe, but in the high season the loud music blasting from the bars can get a bit too much. I like to make a day trip out to Long Beach down the east coast, great place to visit!
Jshep Travel Photography recently posted…Is This The Most Amazing Island in Thailand? Discover Koh Kood