Holiday on Koh Chang is a quiet island in Thailand with clean beaches, inexpensive accommodation and a mild tropical climate. The best time to travel is from November to February, when it is dry and sunny. There are no direct flights from Almaty: the journey goes through Bangkok, takes about a day and includes a flight, bus and ferry. High season lasts from November to February, low season — from June to October.
How is a holiday on the island arranged and what is important to know before departure?
A trip to Koh Chang begins long before boarding the plane. Here it is important to understand in advance how the journey is arranged and what to prepare.
Visa and documents for citizens of Kazakhstan
Before travelling, it is worth checking the current document requirements on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan or the embassy of Thailand. A holiday on Chang for citizens of Kazakhstan usually does not require obtaining a visa in advance, but the rules may change. Tours to Koh Chang are most often sold with a ready-made package where the flight and accommodation are already included. Check the validity period of your passport and the availability of blank pages. Print out your hotel booking and return ticket — they may ask you to show them at the border. Keep copies of documents separately from the originals, as well as in electronic form on your phone. If you are travelling with children, check the requirements for their documents separately. Koh Chang Thailand is a popular destination, so during high season the queues at Bangkok airport can be long. Arrive at the airport with extra time, especially if your connection is short.
Customs rules and what to declare
Before departure, check the current customs rules of Thailand on the official website of the country's customs service. A trip to this island involves a flight through Bangkok, where customs control takes place. Restrictions on the import of alcohol and cigarettes are in effect, and sanctions are possible for exceeding them. Take medicines in their original packaging with a receipt or prescription if they are prescription. It is better not to bring food — the island has enough of its own food. Large amounts of cash above the established limit are subject to declaration. Jewellery and expensive electronics should also be listed in the declaration. Tours to Koh Chang often include a transfer, but everyone goes through customs independently. Keep your boarding passes until the end of the trip — sometimes they are checked on departure.
When to go to the east coast?
The season on the east coast of Thailand differs from that of Phuket. Here it is worth understanding when it is better to plan a holiday on Chang.
High and low season
High season on Koh Chang lasts approximately from November to February. During these months the weather is dry and sunny, and the sea is calm. A holiday on Chang at this time is considered the most comfortable, but prices are also higher. From March to May it becomes hotter and more humid, with possible short rains. Low season falls in June–October, when monsoon rains occur. Tours to Koh Chang in low season are cheaper, but some hotels close. The rainy season on the east coast is shorter and milder than on the west of the country. Koh Chang Thailand remains accessible all year round, it is just that the weather is different. Before travelling, check the forecast — it is more accurate than any general recommendations.
Holidays and festivals: occupancy and prices
Thai holidays strongly affect the island's occupancy and the cost of accommodation. Songkran in April is one of the most popular periods, hotels are booked up in advance. A holiday on Chang during national holidays should be booked several months in advance. Tours to Koh Chang on these dates also become more expensive, especially with a direct transfer. New Year and Chinese New Year are the peak of demand, prices are maximum. Loy Krathong in November attracts tourists from all over the country. Koh Chang Thailand during such periods is noisier, but the festive atmosphere is worth it. Check the calendar of holidays before choosing your travel dates.
How to get there from Almaty
There are no direct flights from Almaty to the island. The journey takes at least a day and includes a flight, bus and ferry.
Flight with a connection in Bangkok
Flights from Almaty to Bangkok operate with one or two connections. A holiday on Chang begins with a flight to the capital of Thailand. From Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, buses go to the piers in Trat. Tours to Koh Chang usually include a transfer from the airport to the pier. The travel time to the pier takes several hours, depending on the departure point. Koh Chang Thailand does not have its own airport, this is important to consider when planning. It is most convenient to arrive in Bangkok in the morning in order to catch the daytime ferry. If the connection is short, it is better to choose an overnight stay in Bangkok.
Bus and ferry to the island
Ferries of several companies run from the piers in Trat to the island. A holiday on Chang begins with the crossing, which takes from forty minutes to an hour and a half. Tours to Koh Chang often include ferry tickets in the package. Koh Chang Thailand is also accessible via Pattaya — buses and ferries go from there too. The schedule changes depending on the season, check locally. There are ticket offices at the pier where you can buy a ticket without prior booking. Arrive for departure in advance, especially during high season.
Where to stay and how to get around
Accommodation on the island varies — from simple bungalows to hotels with a pool. Getting around also has its own specifics.
Accommodation: from bungalows to hotels with a pool
On Koh Chang you can find accommodation for any budget. A holiday on Chang in a bungalow on the beach will cost less, but there are fewer amenities. Tours to Koh Chang with mid-level hotels are the most popular option. Koh Chang Thailand also offers premium options with a pool and spa. During high season, popular places are booked up in advance, book several months ahead. Guesthouses and small hotels often accept only cash. Location matters: the beaches on the west of the island are calmer, on the east — livelier.
Songthaew, scooter and features of local roads
The main transport on the island is the songthaew, pickup truck minibuses. A holiday on Chang is possible without a scooter, but getting around will be more difficult. Tours to Ko Chang often include a transfer, but you will have to travel around the island on your own. Ko Chang Thailand is an island with hilly terrain, and the roads are mountainous in places. After rain, the asphalt is slippery, be careful while driving. To rent a scooter, you need a license and a deposit, sometimes a passport is left. A helmet is mandatory, fines are issued for riding without one. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to use songthaews.
Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/types-of-visa. The information on this page was verified on 10.09.2026.
What to consider before the trip
Before departure, it is worth thinking through financial and medical matters. This will make a holiday on Chang calmer.
Cash, cards and ATMs
There are ATMs on the island, but there are few of them. A holiday on Chang is more convenient with a supply of cash, especially in high season. Tours to Ko Chang do not always include pocket money, plan ahead. Ko Chang Thailand is a place where cards are not accepted everywhere. Guesthouses, small cafes and markets work only with cash. There are exchange offices, but the rate on the island is less favorable than in Bangkok. Withdraw money from large ATMs near tourist areas. Keep cash in different places so as not to lose everything at once.
Insurance, clinics and communications
Medical insurance for a trip to Thailand is mandatory. A holiday on Chang without insurance is risky: serious cases are taken to the mainland. Tours to Ko Chang should be arranged together with an insurance policy. Ko Chang Thailand has several clinics, but the equipment is limited. In case of serious injury or illness, transportation to Bangkok will be required. A local SIM card is cheaper than roaming, and coverage on the island is stable. You can buy it at Bangkok airport or in shops on the island. Save the number of the insurance company and emergency services in advance.
Briefly
- The island is suitable for a calm beach holiday in Thailand all year round.
- The best months for a trip are from November to February, dry and sunny.
- From Almaty the route goes through Bangkok and takes about a day.
- Book accommodation and transfer in advance, especially during holidays and high season.
- Take cash, arrange insurance and buy a local SIM card.