How to Get to Koh Kood 2026: Ferries & Transfers

Koh Kood at a Glance: Where It Is and Why Access Is Tricky

Koh Kood sits in Trat province, close to the Cambodian border and roughly 300 km south-east of Bangkok. It is Thailand’s fourth-largest island but one of its least developed: a single main road runs down the west coast, most resorts are spread out along separate bays, and the main arrival point is Ao Salad Pier on the north-east coast. Several resorts also operate their own jetties or arrange beach landings.

Because the island is a dead end for most tourist routes, every journey funnels through the mainland pier area around Laem Sok, south of Trat town. The sea crossing is the only leg you cannot replace, so most of your planning is about getting to that pier on time and making sure someone is waiting at the other end.

• Nearest airport: Trat (TDX), served by Bangkok Airways from Suvarnabhumi.
• Main mainland pier: Laem Sok, about 20–30 minutes by car from Trat Airport.
• Main island pier: Ao Salad, on the north-east coast.
• Crossing time: around one hour by speedboat in calm seas.

Route 1: Fly Bangkok to Trat, Then Speedboat (Fastest)

For a luxury trip this is the default route. Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi to Trat’s small airport in roughly an hour, and the airline schedule usually includes morning departures that line up with midday boats. From Trat Airport you take a pre-booked taxi or resort car to Laem Sok Pier, then a speedboat to Ao Salad.

The appeal is the reduced risk of missing the last boat. A morning flight gives you a buffer of several hours, so a short delay does not cost you a night on the mainland. The trade-off is price and seat availability: Trat flights are on small aircraft and sell out around Christmas, Chinese New Year and Songkran, so book flights as soon as your villa is confirmed.

Typical timeline

• 08:00–09:00 depart Suvarnabhumi (domestic terminal).
• ~10:00 land at Trat; 20–30 minute drive to Laem Sok.
• Late-morning or early-afternoon speedboat to Ao Salad (about one hour).
• Resort pickup from Ao Salad; most west-coast resorts are 20–40 minutes away.

Check the Bangkok Airways timetable on the official Bangkok Airways site rather than relying on old blog posts — frequencies change by season.

Route 2: Private Car or Minivan from Bangkok (Most Flexible)

If you are travelling with children, lots of luggage or simply prefer not to fly, a private car from Bangkok to Laem Sok is comfortable and surprisingly predictable. The drive is roughly five to six hours depending on traffic leaving the city, which is why pickups usually start very early in the morning.

Shared minivans and government buses to Trat are far cheaper, and combined bus-plus-boat tickets are sold by agents and online platforms. They work, but door-to-door the journey stretches to eight or nine hours with transfers and waiting. For a stay at a premium resort, the extra cost of a private car is usually worth it, especially on the return leg when you need to make a flight.

When road beats air

• Families of four or more, where one private car costs less than four flights.
• Travellers combining Koh Kood with Koh Chang or the eastern seaboard.
• Peak dates when Trat flights are fully booked.

Route 3: Island-Hopping from Koh Chang or Koh Mak

Koh Kood is often the final stop on an island-hopping loop through the Trat archipelago. In the dry season, speedboat operators run inter-island services linking Koh Chang, Koh Wai, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, which lets you build a slow multi-island trip without going back to the mainland.

These services are highly seasonal. Expect a full schedule from roughly November to April and a reduced or suspended service in the monsoon months. If you want a quieter second island, our Koh Mak vs Koh Kood guide explains how the two pair together. For a bigger picture of routing, see our Thailand island-hopping guide.

Comparing Your Options: Time, Cost and Comfort

The table below summarises realistic door-to-door expectations from central Bangkok. Prices are indicative ranges based on recent operator and aggregator listings; always confirm the current fare when booking.

Speedboat fares on the Laem Sok–Ao Salad crossing have been listed in the range of roughly 400–800 baht one way, depending on operator and whether a mainland transfer is bundled. Aggregators such as 12Go and Direct Ferries show current timetables, though they do not always agree with each other.

Ferry Operators and How the Speedboats Work

Boonsiri High Speed Ferries is the most widely listed operator on the Laem Sok–Ao Salad route, with other smaller operators running seasonally. Typical high-season patterns show two or three departures a day in each direction, with morning and early-afternoon sailings; recent listings for 2026 show departures from Ao Salad around 09:00 and 13:00 and from Laem Sok in the late morning and mid-afternoon.

Boats are fast catamaran-style craft with covered seating. Luggage goes into a hold or on the rear deck, so keep valuables, medication and a light layer in a small day bag. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a seat near the middle and towards the back, where the motion is gentlest.

• Arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes before departure to check in and load bags.
• Bring cash in baht for any pier fees or snacks.
• Combined tickets usually include a pickup in Trat town or at the airport — confirm the meeting point in writing.

Arriving on Koh Kood: Resort Pickups and Getting Around

Koh Kood has no public bus network and very few roaming taxis. When your boat arrives at Ao Salad, you need a pickup already arranged. Most luxury and mid-range resorts include or offer a transfer from the pier, often in an open-back truck or private van, and many will coordinate directly with the ferry company if you share your booking.

Once settled, most guests explore by resort shuttle, hired driver or scooter. The roads are hilly and can be slippery after rain, so if you are not an experienced rider, book a driver for waterfall trips such as Khlong Chao and Huang Nam Keaw. Our best luxury resorts on Koh Kood guide notes which properties include transfers in their rate.

Resort-arranged speedboats

Some high-end resorts can arrange a private speedboat from the mainland directly to their beach or jetty. It is the most expensive option but it removes the pier transfer, which is worth it if you are arriving late, travelling with an infant or celebrating a honeymoon — see our Koh Kood honeymoon guide for ideas.

Best Time to Travel and Monsoon Considerations

The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most reliable time for sea crossings. Seas are generally calm, boats run on full timetables, and inter-island links are available. This is also peak season, so book flights and boats early.

From around May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rougher seas on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast. Some services reduce frequency, inter-island routes may pause, and individual sailings can be cancelled at short notice. Many resorts remain open and rates are lower, but you should build flexibility into your plans — our Gulf of Thailand monsoon guide explains the pattern in more detail. For official weather warnings, check the Thai Meteorological Department.

• Avoid booking the last boat of the day on your arrival date.
• On departure, allow at least one buffer night in Bangkok before an international flight.
• Buy travel insurance that covers weather-related delays.

Key Takeaways

• Flying Bangkok–Trat and taking a morning speedboat is the fastest and lowest-risk route, at roughly 4–5 hours door to door.
• Private cars suit families and heavy luggage; buses are cheapest but take 8–9 hours.
• Laem Sok to Ao Salad takes about one hour, with typically two to three sailings a day in high season.
• Always pre-arrange a resort pickup at Ao Salad — there is no public transport on the island.
• Plan a buffer night in Bangkok before international flights, especially between May and October.
• Confirm schedules close to travel; aggregator timetables often disagree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting to Koh Kood is a half-day project, but it is not complicated once you understand the funnel: reach Laem Sok on time, take the speedboat to Ao Salad and have a car waiting. For most luxury travellers, a morning flight to Trat followed by a midday boat is the sweet spot of speed and reliability.

Once you are there, the island rewards the effort with quiet bays, clear water and some of Thailand’s most secluded villas. Start comparing stays in our Koh Kood resort guide and lock in your transfer at the same time.