🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, understand that getting to Koh Kood always has two legs. The first leg is reaching Trat province on the mainland; the second is taking a boat across from Laem Sok pier over to the island. There's no airport on Koh Kood itself — the nearest is Trat Airport (Bangkok Airways), out near Khao Saming district, and even from there you still need ground transport to the pier. Once you've got these two legs straight in your head, timing and budgeting get a lot easier.
Leg 1 — from Bangkok to Trat
The most popular route is a van or coach from Bangkok down to Trat. Plenty of operators sell it as an all-in package — van + boat + songthaew right to your accommodation on the island, all on a single ticket — which is handy if you'd rather not change vehicles yourself several times. If you're driving your own car, you can leave it at the parking lot at Laem Sok pier and cross over without it.
- Van / coach Bangkok–Trat — mainly departs from Ekkamai and Mo Chit stations, taking around 5–6 hours, with fares around ฿250–300 each way.
- All-in package, van + boat + songthaew to your hotel — several boat companies, such as Boonsiri and Koh Kood Express, sell door-to-door tickets for around ฿1,100 per person each way. Booking ahead is more reliable.
- Fly into Trat Airport — Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi, with fares that swing with the season; once you land it's another 40–50 minutes by road to the pier. Good if you're short on time and have a bit more budget.
- Drive yourself — Bangkok to Trat is about 320–340 km via the motorway / Bangna–Trat road, then turn off toward Laem Sok pier. There's an overnight parking lot charging around ฿50 a day.
Watch out — don't mix up the piers
Trat has several piers. The one for Koh Chang is Laem Ngop / Ao Thammachat, while almost all Koh Kood boats leave from Laem Sok pier — a different side entirely, about 30 km from Trat town. When you arrange a ride or call a taxi, say the pier name clearly so you don't end up at the wrong one and miss your boat.
Leg 2 — the boat across from Laem Sok to Koh Kood
From Laem Sok pier there are several main boat companies to choose from — both big catamaran ferries and speedboats. Most boats dock at Ao Salad pier on the north of the island, and some runs stop at Koh Mak on the way. Price and travel time vary by boat type.
Ferry / catamaran (Boonsiri · Koh Kood Express · Seadamco)
The big boats most people take — comfortable seating, shaded from sun and wind, and some have WiFi. Seadamco is a newer catamaran that does the crossing in about 45 minutes, while the others run roughly one to one and a half hours. In high season there are several runs a day, from late morning to late afternoon.
Koh Kood Princess
The cheapest ferry of the bunch — a little slower, but worth it if you're not in a rush. Good for backpackers or anyone watching the budget. It runs fewer departures than the others, so check the schedule well ahead.
Private speedboat / charter run
The fastest option, around 45 minutes to an hour, and good for big groups or anyone who wants exact timing. The per-head price runs higher than the ferry; chartering a whole boat round-trip for a group lands in the tens of thousands of baht, which works out when you split it several ways. When the swell is up, small boats slam around a lot — if you get seasick easily, take a big ferry instead.
Boat fares usually include transfers
In high season many boat tickets bundle in a pickup from Trat town or your accommodation to the pier, plus a songthaew from the Koh Kood pier to your resort, all in the price. Before you buy, ask clearly whether the transfer to your accommodation is included, so you don't end up paying extra for a songthaew on the island.
Monsoon season — what to know before you book
I'll be straight with you: Koh Kood isn't beautiful year-round. The real high season is roughly October to mid-May — clear water, calm seas, every boat running. From mid-May to mid-October it's monsoon: frequent rain, big swells, boats running far fewer trips (some days none at all), and many resorts, restaurants and bike-rental shops closed for the whole season. If you're planning this stretch, phone the resort and the boat company to check every time — don't rely on the timetable on the website alone.
- High season (Oct–mid-May) — all boats running, clear water, but busy and accommodation fills fast, so book ahead.
- Monsoon (mid-May–mid-Oct) — fewer boat runs or none some days, many places closed, cheaper prices but you're gambling on the rain. Always check the status with the boat operator first.
- Snorkelling and diving — tours out to Koh Wai and Koh Rang depend on the weather, and a big swell can get a tour cancelled. Don't put a snorkel tour on your last day, because if it's pushed back there's no backup day.
Getting around the island — motorbike, songthaew, resort transport
On Koh Kood the main road is a single concrete strip running about 9-plus km from Ban Klong Chao to Ban Ao Yai, passing the sights one after another — Klong Chao Waterfall, Klong Chao Beach, the giant tree, Ao Phrao and the viewpoints. But the turnoffs to some resorts and beaches branch into small lanes — some still dirt, some on steep climbs. How you get around depends on your style and how confident you are behind the handlebars.
Rent a motorbike
The most freedom — go wherever you like. Rentals run about ฿250–500 a day depending on the model and the shop, with petrol around ฿40–50 a litre from the small pumps on the island. Great if you ride confidently, but the road is narrow, hilly and slippery in spots when it rains. Wear a helmet and take it slow.
Songthaew / island taxi
Good if you don't ride a motorbike — flag one to a beach or waterfall trip by trip, or hire it for the whole day. The fare per trip runs around ฿500–2,500 depending on distance and number of stops. Agree on the price before you get in, every time.
Resort shuttle
Many resorts run a shuttle from the pier and to nearby sights — free at some places, a charge at others. Ask when you book your room what's on offer, so you don't have to arrange a ride for every single trip.
Take care riding a motorbike on the island
Koh Kood's road is wide enough for two songthaews to pass, true, but plenty of stretches are narrow, winding, and run up and down steep hills. Some beach access roads are gravel or very narrow concrete. If you're a beginner who doesn't ride confidently, avoid the steep sections or take a songthaew instead. At night the street lighting is limited and the phone signal is weak in spots, so head back before dark and check your route ahead of time.
Distances between the sights (rough timings)
Koh Kood looks small on the map, but driving around the main sights actually takes a fair while because the road winds and you have to go slow in places. The accommodation and restaurants cluster on the west side around Klong Chao Beach and Ao Tapao, while the giant tree and the waterfall sit further inland in the middle of the island. These rough distances help you plan each day.
- Klong Chao Beach ↔ Ao Tapao — both on the west side, close together, about a 10–15 minute ride. This is the densest zone for accommodation, restaurants and beach bars.
- Klong Chao Beach ↔ Klong Chao Waterfall — turn inland, about a 10 minute ride, then a short walk to the falls themselves.
- Klong Chao Beach ↔ the giant tree (Makha tree) — deep in the forest in the middle of the island, about a 15–20 minute ride, with the final stretch on a narrow road.
- Klong Chao Beach ↔ Ao Phrao / Ao Yai — head south along the main road, about a 20–30 minute ride, passing viewpoints and a fishing village.
- Ao Salad pier ↔ the Klong Chao Beach zone — from the northern pier down to the main accommodation area, about a 20–30 minute ride. Normally the resort songthaew, or the one included in your boat ticket, drops you off.
Sample itinerary — getting the timing right
Bangkok → Trat → onto the island
Rent a ride and loop the main sights
Plan your whole Koh Kood trip — where to stay, eat and explore, all in one place
See the Koh Kood travel guide →