Koh Kood is the last large island before the Cambodian maritime border, which is exactly why it stays quiet — it is a long way from anywhere. There is no airport on the island and no bridge. Every route funnels through Trat province on the mainland, then onto a ferry from Laem Sok pier. The whole chain is well drilled and you can buy it as a single through-ticket, but the time adds up: budget the better part of a day from Bangkok unless you fly.
How long does it take to reach Koh Kood?
From central Bangkok, the bus-and-ferry combination runs 7 to 9 hours once you count the transfer waits. Flying to Trat cuts that to roughly 4 to 5 hours including the boat. The crossings themselves are short — 75 to 90 minutes from Laem Sok — so almost all the time is spent covering the 300-odd kilometres of mainland between Bangkok and the coast.
From Bangkok by bus and ferry
The cheapest route is a bus from Ekkamai (Eastern Bus Terminal) or Mochit to Trat, which takes 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic out of the city. From Trat town it is another 30 minutes south to Laem Sok pier by minivan or songthaew. The simplest version is a combined ticket sold by the ferry companies: a minibus collects you in Bangkok and hands you straight to the boat, so you are not negotiating each leg. Expect the combined fare to land in the mid hundreds of baht to just over a thousand, depending on operator and season.
Flying to Trat
Bangkok Airways runs the only flights into Trat, roughly an hour from Suvarnabhumi. Because it is a monopoly route on a small aircraft, fares are far higher than the distance suggests — often several times the bus price. What you buy is time: from Trat airport it is about 30 to 40 minutes to Laem Sok, and resorts will usually arrange the transfer to meet a boat. If you are short on holiday and long on budget, this is the route that saves you a half-day each way.
The ferry from Laem Sok pier
Laem Sok is the mainland departure point for Koh Kood. Three operators work the route — Boonsiri, Koh Kood Express, and Seudamgo — with the express boats taking 75 to 90 minutes for around 350 baht, and a high-speed catamaran option closer to 500 baht. In high season there are three to four sailings a day; in low season that can drop to one or two. Boats arrive at different points depending on operator, so confirm which pier yours uses and make sure your resort transfer matches it.
Getting from the pier to your resort
Koh Kood has no metered transport and taxis are scarce. Almost every resort arranges a pickup truck to meet your boat, usually for a small per-person fee or free with the booking — arrange it in advance, because turning up and hoping for a passing songthaew can mean a long wait at a quiet pier. If you plan to rent a scooter, you still need to reach the resort first; pick-ups are the norm on arrival day.
When the boats stop running
This is the catch that strands the unprepared. From roughly June to September the south-west monsoon reduces the timetable, and rough days cancel crossings outright. Many resorts close for part of this window too. If you travel in the green season, keep a buffer day before any onward flight and confirm your return sailing the day before — the boat that was scheduled does not always run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get to Koh Kood from Bangkok?
Plan on 7 to 9 hours door to island by bus and ferry, or roughly 4 to 5 hours if you fly to Trat and connect straight to a boat. The transfer windows between bus, pier, and ferry are what stretch the day, not the distances.
Is there an airport on Koh Kood?
No. The nearest airport is Trat (TDX), about 30 to 40 minutes from Laem Sok pier. Only Bangkok Airways flies there, so fares are high for the short hop, but it removes the long road leg from Bangkok.
Can you visit Koh Kood as a day trip?
Not realistically from the mainland — the travel time makes it a poor day trip. Day trips run the other way: many Koh Mak resorts arrange snorkelling boats that pass Koh Kood waters, but to see the island itself you need at least two or three nights.
Do ferries to Koh Kood run all year?
Sailings thin out from June to September, when some operators cut to one or two boats a day and rough seas cancel crossings at short notice. December to March has the fullest timetable, with three to four departures daily.
