There is no airport on Koh Chang itself, but the airport in Trat on the mainland offers good connections to the island. Operated by Bangkok Airways, Trat Airport (TDX) was opened in 2003 and has cut the conventional road trip time from four to five hours to just one hour. The open-air passenger terminals were constructed with respect for the local people, culture and surrounding environment. The airport is located near Laem Ngob and is easily accessible. There are three daily flights from Bangkok, taking 60 minutes.

From Trat airport, limousine transfers to Koh Chang are available with fares depending on the hotel you stay at on the island.

For independent travellers, three piers provide access to Koh Chang and all of them are located in Laem Ngob. To get to these piers take one of the pickup taxis in Trat. They can be easily found waiting around the municipal market from as early as 06:00. Vehicle-carrying ferries and taxi or chartered boats will be ready to take you to Koh Chang while passenger ferries to Koh Chang depart from Laem Ngob on the mainland to different parts of Koh Chang from around 06:00 to 19:00 at frequent intervals. Sailing time is 25 to 45 minutes. Car ferries depart from two piers to the west of Laem Ngob.

During the day, you can catch a pickup taxi, which is fitted with two rows of seats on the back and a roof rack on its route around the main island loop. The fares are comparatively expensive by Thai standards and are set by the local administration. These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier. There may be no taxis available at the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier. If you arrive here without a vehicle you may have to cover the 400 metres to Dan Kao Pier on foot. Small motorcycles are available fro rent at many outlets around the island for a few dollars a day. The main road almost circles the island and plans are afoot to complete the loop in the near future. Cars are also available for hire and most hotels can help with renting one. Pick ups and 4x4s are recommended, given that some roads may be in bad condition, especially near Lonely Beach.