Koh Chang Travel Essentials

• Temperatures here are fairly constant throughout the year, with lows around 20-25°C and highs around 30-32°C.
• Koh Chang has a rainy season that lasts from May to October with a daily chance of rain greater than 50%. The rainiest month is September, which sees an average of 73.9 centimetres of rain throughout the month.
• The hottest month is April when highs average around 33°C, though November, March and May are all above 32°C.
• The best time to visit Koh Chang is during the winter months since it's the driest part of the year and gets rain about 1 to 4 times a month.

• Plug type: Koh Chang uses Type C and Type O plug types with Type A and Type B slowly being phased out. With those 4, however, you'll still need an adapter for Type G plugs from the UK.
• Electricity: Koh Chang has 230 V at 50 Hz.
• Currency: Koh Chang, like the rest of Thailand, uses the Thai baht.
• International dialling code: The international dialling code is +66.
• Emergency telephone number: Call 191 for police, 1669 for ambulance and 199 for fire.

There's no way around needing a ferry to get to Koh Chang. Regardless of how you get to Thailand or a mainland port, the island itself is only accessible via boat. Fortunately, you'll find quite a few options available, and getting to ports from major international airports is simple.

Airports:

There are no airports on the island whatsoever, and the closest airport is in Trat City. You can fly directly from locations like London to Trat or Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. From the airport, you'll find some minibus services that can take you directly to your hotel in Koh Chang after crossing on a car ferry.

Major train stations:

No train stations exist on Koh Chang. There aren't even any train stations near the mainland ports. When you fly into a place like Bangkok, you won't find any trains travelling towards the island.

Ports:

You'll have to go through the port to get to Koh Chang. The Koh Chang Ferry is known as Aow Thammachat, which is on the southwestern edge of the Trat area. From this ferry, you'll arrive on the northwest side of the island of Koh Chang itself. Ferry trips take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes in most cases.

Travel tips

Travelling around Koh Chang is fairly easy given the abundance of taxis and songthaews throughout the island. Be aware that some songthaews operate on public transport prices during the day but switch to taxi prices after sundown, so it's more expensive after dark.

Underground system

There is no underground in Koh Chang and no rail whatsoever on the entire island or nearby mainland.

Taxi and ride-hailing apps

Taxis are likely the main way you'll be getting around the island. Songthaews are available throughout, but they're especially prominent near the ports on the north side of the island. They're slightly more expensive on average compared to those on the mainland, but island songthaews tend to be in better condition. Ride-hailing apps aren't really an option on the island, as Grab hasn't quite reached its shores.

Bus network

There are no buses on the island. The only bus you might find is one that takes you to the port on the mainland.

Car hire

Car hire isn’t all that common on the island. While some are available, most people who hire a vehicle opt for a motorbike instead. If you do want to self-drive, you'll need a valid driving licence as well as an international driver's permit. Parking is relatively easy to find, but that's not always the case depending on where you go on the island. Car hire also doesn't come with all that much fuel, so be prepared to fill up yourself.

Bike hire

Bike hire is popular across the island, as the roads are typically friendly to cyclists. Just keep in mind that there are some long distances around the island's roads that don't have much to offer, so bring your own water.

Songkran Festival

• When: 13-17 April
• What: The Songkran Festival is a traditional festival celebrating the Thai New Year. Throughout the centuries, the celebration has centred around water, but the modern era facilitates that in a unique way. During this festival, participants spray each other with water pistols. It's so widespread that everyone is involved and considered a valid target, so make sure you're prepared if visiting during this fun-filled festival.
• Where: Throughout the island

Loy Krathong Festival

• When: November
• What: The Loy Krathong Festival is a traditional festival in which participants release floating vessels containing a small candle or light into a river. In Koh Chang, participants put these vessels into the bay, creating the sea-of-light effect that everyone longs for this time of year. The release of flying lanterns into the sky after dark is also popular during the festival.
• Where: Along the north shore and among villages

The Chang Yutthanavi Day

• When: 17 January
• What: The Chang Yutthanavi Day is a special celebration held in remembrance of the Royal Thai Navy's victory over the French in 1941. The navy itself holds an exhibition and performances of merit-making and several tribute rites, offering an incredible sight that you won't want to miss out on.
• Where: Ko Chang Yutthanavi Memorial

Bang Bao Pier

Bang Bao Pier is a popular pier in the village of the same name that lets you enjoy a bit of fishing during your holiday. Plus, there are boats docked at the pier that offer tours of the area from the water along with seating where you can relax and take in the scenic views of the bay and the lovely village around the pier itself.

Khlong Phlu Waterfall

The Khlong Phlu Waterfall is one of the most iconic natural features of the island and is popular in both the morning and the afternoon. The waterfall is accessible after traversing an approximately 600-metre path by the river, but it's so easy to traverse that it's considered kid friendly. The waterfall is surrounded by rocky areas where you can take a seat and relax.

Kai Bae Viewpoint

Kai Bae Viewpoint is an iconic spot on the west side of the island where you'll find a scenic view that stretches far enough to glimpse 4 different islands. It's important to remember that you'll have to cross some water to reach this viewpoint, so make sure you have the proper footwear. That's only applicable during low tide though, as the path requires swimming during high tide.

Wat Salak Petch

Wat Salak Petch is a historic temple on the quiet side of the island that's packed with impressive statues of traditional gods and animals. Unlike a lot of temples in Thailand, this one features description signs in English, so you can learn all about them even if you can't read Thai.