Travel in rainy season (late May to end of October) to the Koh Chang Islands only varies a little from the drier months, with some timetable changes and reduced services.
Getting between the islands, however, is more problematic due to the suspension of the direct inter-island boat services.
Private Transfers, Buses and Minibuses
- Private transfers from Bangkok run as normal, with SUV cars and minibuses available from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports as well as all hotels. Travel time may increase due to wet roads and frequent downpours, so collection times, especially for boat connections, may be adjusted earlier than in the drier months.
- Buses to Koh Chang run by Boonsiri from Khao San Road and Suvarnabhumi Burapa Co (SWB) from Suvarnabhumi Airport operate on reduced timetables due to lower tourist numbers. Current 2022 times are respectively 05.00 (back at 12,00), 900bt per person with ferry ticket and 06.00 (back at 10.00), 650bt per person with ferry ticket. Similarly, the 999 from Ekamai also drops down to just one daily run at 07.45 (back at 14.30). 245bt per person, no ferry ticket.
- The Boonsiri bus/boat service for Koh Kood is only operating with the 05.00 bus for the 10.45 boat and back to Bangkok with the 12.00 boat for the 13.30 bus. Price is 1,100bt per person all inclusive.
- The hotel to hotel share minibus is not currently running from Bangkok. The service from Koh Chang back the other way to either BKK Airport (750bt with ferry ticket) or hotels in the city (950bt with ferry ticket) leaves at 10.00. Resort collection on Koh Chang is from 08.45 starting in Bang Bao Beach.
- Public buses and public minibuses operate on standard all year timetables but always check ahead in case the odd service is dropped.
- You can find more information on our Bangkok to Koh Chang and our Suvarnabhumi to Koh Chang pages. Or do visit the individual island transport pages for each island.
Flying into Trat Airport during Rainy Season
Flights into Trat Airport from Suvarnabhumi switch to a different rainy season timetable with some flights dropped and variations in the timings from the high season. Check all timetables at Bangkok Airways carefully if travelling onto Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
- Morning and lunchtime arrivals, PG301 and PG305 will make the boats to Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
- Coming back the other way, the 08.00 morning boat off Koh Mak will work for the morning flight, PG302.
- Boats off Koh Kood will only make the lunchtime PG306 flight, see below for more explanation.
Boat Services during Rainy Season
Koh Chang Ferries
- Ferry Koh Chang from Ao Thammachat runs as normal though low tides can mean services are slower than normal due to their larger vessels not being able to cross.
- Centerpoint does reduce its timetable by about half.
- As of July 22, the last ferry with either company is at 18.30.
- Evening flights into Trat – they are not in service in rainy season 2022 – will always link to a ferry from Thammachat to the island, even if the flight is delayed.
- In addition to the timetable changes, you may get a cancellation due to bad weather but that really is extremely rare.
Koh Kood Boats
- Koh Kood boats leave from Laem Sok at 10.45 and 14.20 (Boonsiri, catamaran, 600bt per person, an hour), 12.30 (Koh Kood Princess, express boat, 300bt, 90 minutes) and 13.00 (Koh Kut Express, express boat, 500bt, 75 minutes). The Koh Kut Express speedboat does not run.
- Coming back the other way, Boonsiri is at 09.00 and 12.00, the other two express boats at 10.00.
- For the lunchtime flight back to Bangkok, PG306, you need the Boonsiri boat at 09.00. You can also use the two express boats at 10.00 but it’s tight, with the boats docking, if on time, at 11.15 to 11.30. In all cases, we can organise the private transfer from the pier to the airport.
Cambodia to Koh Kood
If coming out from Cambodia to Koh Kood, you can aim for the 14.20 boat with a very early start, say 05.00 from Siem Reap. Over-nighting in Trat is another option.
Koh Mak Speedboats
For Koh Mak, adjusted timetables are here but bear in mind, adverse conditions, big waves basically, may occasionally cause the suspension of the service.
Cambodia to Koh Mak
If coming out from Cambodia to Koh Mak, you should make an early start, say 05.30 to 06.00 but you will make the afternoon boats to the island.
Between The Koh Chang Islands
The inter-island boats, (Bang Bao Boats, Kai Bae Huts Speedboat) stop from May until late October, so bear this mind if thinking about visiting more than one spot. You have to return to the mainland, travel to the respective pier and then take the boat out from there. Our advice here would be stick to Koh Chang and one other of Koh Kood or Koh Mak, not both.
- For Koh Chang to Koh Kood, it’s best to use a a private transfer to move between your resort and Laem Sok Pier – all the details here.
- From Koh Chang to Koh Mak, you can use either a songthaew taxi or a private transfer – see here for the lowdown.
- Moving between Koh Kood to Koh Mak, you’ll need either a private transfer between the piers or a private speedboat – full information here.
Rainy Season – Koh Wai
If thinking about travelling to Koh Wai, always check ahead to see which resorts are open. Seatales speedboat is the only company which operates this route. Times as of July 22 are at 13.00 from Laem Ngop and 11.00 from Koh Mak, price at 450bt per person.
UPDATED November 23
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