Getting to Ko Si Chang on your own
| Step | Duration | Approximate price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Ekkamai terminal) → Si Racha | 1.5 to 2 hours | 95 to 130 baht | bus or minivan, regular departures |
| Si Racha → Koh Loi pier | 10 to 15 min | about 50 baht | tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi |
| Koh Loi → Ko Si Chang | 40 to 45 min | about 50 to 60 baht | wooden boat, hourly in high season |
| Island tour by "skylab" tuk-tuk | 3 to 5 hours | about 250 to 400 baht per vehicle | negotiated at the landing stage |
Prices seen in October 2026 in several guides, varying with the season and the vendor.
Leave Bangkok before 8am: the first boat leaves Koh Loi around 7am, and the last boat back leaves the island around 6pm. Do not count on a later crossing. Boat times change with the season: ask at the pier.
Where to sleep for this itinerary. Stay in Sukhumvit: it is the most practical area for leaving in the morning and getting back in the evening. Compare hotels with free cancellation in Sukhumvit and see our where-to-stay guide (Bangkok) to pick the neighbourhood.
What to see on the island
- Phra Chudadhuj Palace. King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) had a summer residence of wooden pavilions built here from 1889, facing the sea. It was abandoned in 1893, after the Franco-Siamese crisis. The large octagonal pavilion was dismantled and rebuilt in Bangkok: it is Vimanmek Mansion. The remaining buildings, restored since 2004 by Chulalongkorn University, form a museum. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm, closed on Monday and Tuesday, and admission is free (university website).
- Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine. This Chinese temple clinging to the hillside is dedicated to the god Chao Pho Khao Yai; caves decorated with statues, including one of Sun Wukong, complete the visit. It is open daily from 8am to 8pm, and on some tours a small cable car leads to the entrance. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
- Wat Asadang Nimit. A small temple with unusual architecture, Gothic in style according to several guides, to be visited in proper dress.
- Wat Tham Yai Prik. A monastery built around meditation caves, with a chedi on the height and a fine view of the sea. Monks and nuns come here to meditate: speak quietly and dress modestly.
- Hat Tham Phang. The island's busiest beach, with a few restaurants and kayaks for hire: a place for lunch and a swim.
An organised tour from Bangkok
| Offer | Duration | "From" price | Included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ko Si Chang by tuk-tuk from Bangkok | about 11 hours | about $205 to $216 (to be confirmed) | private taxi from the hotel, shared boat, tuk-tuk tour of the island, free time at the beach | those who do not want to manage the connections |
Price seen in October 2026 on the listing: confirm the rate (it depends on the number of travellers), the programme and the cancellation terms. The listing announces hotel pick-up around 6:30am, the boat around 9am and a return to the hotel around 6pm, with an island tour of about 5 hours. See the tour.
Book a tour or go alone?
- Alone: it can be done in a few hours of travel and for very little money: bus, tuk-tuk, boat, then a skylab tuk-tuk on the island. Allow less than 1,000 baht per person all in, when travelling in a group.
- Tour: it costs far more, but spares you the connections and the risk of missing the last boat.
- A night on the spot: if you want to see the sunset and the harbour without rushing, sleep on the island or in Si Racha.
Tips
- Heat: bring water, a hat and sunscreen for the day outdoors.
- Dress: shoulders and knees covered in the temples and at the shrine.
- Money: bring cash in baht, as small businesses do not always accept cards.
- Weekday: the island is quieter than at a weekend; the palace is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Combining with other trips
If you have several days, compare Ko Si Chang with our day trips from Bangkok, the train excursions and, for the sea, Pattaya from Bangkok. For the budget of the day, see the budget for a trip to Bangkok.
