Getting Around Trat
From Bangkok to Koh Chang & Koh Kood

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The first thing to understand before coming to Trat is that the town itself and the piers that serve the islands are in different places. Most people don't actually visit the town — they use Trat as a pass-through to three main destinations: Koh Chang, the big island that's closest and easiest to reach; Koh Kood, the far island with clear water that takes a longer speedboat ride; and Koh Mak, the small, quiet island in between. Coming into Trat you've got vans, buses and flights, while the piers split up depending on which island you're heading to. The trick is to lock in which island you want first, then pick the matching pier and boat schedule.

From Bangkok to Trat by van

Vans are the most popular option from Bangkok because they run frequently and drop you close to the piers. The main departure point is the Ekkamai (Eastern) Bus Terminal. Going straight to Trat takes around 5–6 hours depending on traffic and the number of stops. Some van operators continue all the way to Laem Ngop or Center Point pier, which makes catching your boat much smoother. Check when you buy your ticket whether the van terminates in Trat town or carries on to the pier.

• Ekkamai → Trat — vans run from morning until evening, around ฿270–300 per person, roughly 5–6 hours.
• Vans dropping in Trat town — you get off at the in-town terminal/market, then transfer by songthaew or private car to the pier, another 17–20 km.
• Vans going all the way to the pier — some continue to Laem Ngop/Center Point; tell the ticket seller clearly which island you're heading to.
• Heading back to Bangkok — the last vans usually leave in the late afternoon, so leave the island with time to spare to make the connection.

Coming by bus

Air-conditioned buses from Bangkok to Trat depart mainly from the Ekkamai Bus Terminal, with both daytime and evening runs, taking around 5–6 hours. That's similar to the van, but you sit more comfortably and there's luggage storage underneath — handy if you're carrying a lot or travelling in a group. Most buses drop you at the Trat bus terminal in town, after which you transfer by songthaew or private car to the pier.

• Ekkamai → Trat (bus) — around ฿250–290 per person, daytime and evening runs, roughly 5–6 hours.
• Drop-off at Trat bus terminal — it's in town; transfer by blue songthaew or private car to the pier.
• Who it suits — people with lots of luggage, groups, or anyone who wants a more comfortable seat than the van.
• Book ahead — seats fill fast on long holiday weekends, so booking online beforehand is the safer bet.

Coming by plane — Trat Airport (TDX)

Trat Airport (code TDX) is a small privately run airport in Khao Saming district, a fair distance from both the town and the piers. Bangkok Airways flies direct from Suvarnabhumi Airport a few times a day, with a flight time of around 1 hour. It's worth it if you want to save the time of a 5–6 hour road trip, but tickets cost several times more, and once you land you still have to transfer to the pier.

Driving yourself / car rental

Driving from Bangkok to Trat, you take the motorway–Bangna–Trat route (Highway 3) through Chonburi, Rayong and Chanthaburi before reaching Trat — around 300–315 km, roughly 4.5–5.5 hours. If you want to bring your car over to Koh Chang, the ferries from Laem Ngop or Center Point take vehicles on board, so you can keep driving around Koh Chang itself. Koh Kood and Koh Mak, though, don't take cars — you'll have to leave yours on the mainland side at the pier.

• Route — Bangna–Trat (Highway 3) through Chonburi–Rayong–Chanthaburi, around 300–315 km.
• Taking your car to Koh Chang — board the ferry at Laem Ngop or Center Point; cars are around ฿100–120 per trip (passengers not included).
• Going to Koh Kood/Koh Mak — cars can't cross; there's a parking lot on the mainland side where you can leave it by the day.
• Fill up before crossing — there are few petrol stations on the islands and prices are higher than on the mainland, so fill the tank before boarding.

Piers to Koh Chang — Laem Ngop, Center Point, Ao Thammachat

Koh Chang is the easiest island to reach because it's close to the mainland and the car ferries run frequently. The main mainland piers are Center Point Ferry and Ao Thammachat (the Koh Chang car ferry). Both are near Laem Ngop, only a few kilometres apart, and both are car ferries — the crossing takes about 30–45 minutes and they land at slightly different piers on Koh Chang. The original Laem Ngop pier still has small passenger boats to a few spots, but most people prefer the two car-ferry piers.

• Ao Thammachat ferry — runs frequently, roughly every 45 minutes to 1 hour from morning until evening, crossing to the Koh Chang pier in about 30 minutes.
• Center Point ferry — similar schedule, lands at a different Koh Chang pier; pick whichever is closer to your accommodation.
• Passenger fare — around ฿80 per person each way (passengers only).
• Bringing a vehicle on board — cars around ฿100–120, motorbikes around ฿30–50 each way — worth it if you plan to drive around the island.

Boats to Koh Kood and Koh Mak

Koh Kood and Koh Mak are much farther from the mainland than Koh Chang, so you mainly travel by speedboat, leaving from Laem Sok Pier south of Trat town. The speedboat to Koh Kood takes around 1–1.5 hours, and to Koh Mak around 45 minutes to 1 hour. There are only a few departures a day, mostly mid-morning to afternoon, so you need to plan your timing carefully and book ahead — especially in high season. These boats can't carry cars, so you'll need to leave yours at the pier.

Getting around Trat town and nearby

Trat town is small, and you can comfortably walk around the old quarter along Bang Phra Canal. The main public transport is the songthaew (the blue trucks) running between the town, the bus terminal and the pier. Grab is around but drivers are scarce, and it's harder to find a ride in town than in bigger cities. If you want to explore further out — waterfalls, fruit orchards or the Ban Hat Lek border — renting or hiring a car is more convenient.

• Blue songthaew — runs town–bus terminal–Laem Ngop pier, around ฿30–60 per person depending on distance.
• Chartered songthaew — hire the whole truck to the pier or to explore out of town; agree on the price before you get in.
• Motorbike/car rental — shops in town and on Koh Chang; motorbikes around ฿200–300/day, good for getting around on your own.
• Grab — works in town to some extent, but drivers are few and waits can be long at times, so allow extra time.

Quick summary — what to use and when