How to Get to Koh Mak: Complete 2026 Ferry & Speedboat Guide
Figuring out how to get to koh mak is trickier than it should be. Two different piers, seven ferry operators, and an island-hopping schedule that shuts down entirely for half the year. I took the Boonsiri combined bus and catamaran from Bangkok and paid 850 THB for the whole journey. It worked perfectly. Getting around the island afterwards is where things got interesting. This guide covers every route, every pier, and the golf cart mistake you should avoid.
Quick Info
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Nearest piers | Laem Ngop Pier and Laem Sok Pier, both in Trat |
| Nearest airport | Trat (TDX), 1 hour from Bangkok |
| Ferry booking | Book ferry or combined bus+boat on 12go |
| Ferry time | 30-50 minutes depending on operator |
| From Koh Chang | Speedboat from Bang Bao Pier (high season only) |
| eSIM | Get your Thailand eSIM before you fly |
| Island transport | Scooter 250-350 THB/day, golf cart 500-1,000 THB/day |
| Cash rule | No ATMs on the island. Withdraw in Trat. |
Getting from Bangkok to Koh Mak: Combined Bus & Boat Options
Several routes connect Bangkok to Koh Mak. The right choice depends on your budget and how much time you want to spend on the road.
Combined Bus and Ferry
I used the Boonsiri combined bus and catamaran package. It departs from Khao San Road in the morning. The bus takes you directly to Laem Sok Pier, where you board a catamaran. Total journey takes about six hours. I paid 850 THB for the whole thing, door to pier to island. It was the simplest option and I would do it again.
Other operators run similar combined packages at different price points. Some depart from Ekkamai, others from Pattaya. Check all available bus and ferry combinations on 12go to compare departure times and fares.
Flying to Trat Airport (TDX)
Bangkok Airways operates daily flights from Suvarnabhumi to Trat Airport. The flight takes about one hour. From the airport, you need a transfer to either Laem Ngop or Laem Sok Pier. Transfers cost a few hundred baht and take about 30 to 40 minutes. This is the fastest route if you want to reach Koh Mak before lunch.
Songthaew from Trat Town
If you are already in Trat, shared songthaews run to Laem Ngop Pier for pocket change. Private songthaews cost more but deliver you directly. Ask at your Trat hotel for the schedule.
Island-Hopping Logistics: Speedboat Routes from Koh Chang and Koh Kood
During high season from November through April, speedboats connect Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood in a triangle. This makes island hopping simple and fast.
From Koh Chang
Speedboats depart from Bang Bao Pier on Koh Chang’s southern tip. Multiple operators run this route at different price points. The crossing takes about 45 minutes to one hour. If you are staying on Koh Chang and want to visit Koh Mak for the day or extend your trip, book your koh chang to koh mak speedboat on 12go to compare operators and lock in your seat.
If you are already on Koh Chang, the 3/4 Islands snorkel tour covers the area including stops near Koh Mak.
From Koh Kood
The crossing between Koh Mak and Koh Kood takes about 30 minutes by speedboat. Fares vary by operator. This short hop makes combining both islands into one trip very natural.
Low Season Warning
Between mid-May and mid-October, direct island-hopping connections shut down completely. Operators like Seudamgo, Leelawadee, and Koh Kood Express stop running. If you need to move between islands during monsoon season, you have to return to the mainland first and catch a separate ferry. Only Koh Mak Ferry from Laem Ngop and Boonsiri from Laem Sok maintain limited schedules during these months.
Arriving at Laem Ngop Pier, Trat: Schedules, Tickets, and Parking
This is where most travelers get confused. Koh Mak ferries depart from two different piers. Getting on the wrong one means missing your boat.
Which Pier for Which Operator
Laem Ngop Pier serves Koh Mak Ferry, Panan, and Leelawadee. Laem Sok Pier serves Boonsiri, Seudamgo, Koh Kood Express, and Chonratee. The two piers sit about 25 minutes apart by road. Check your operator before you leave for the pier. Your hotel or 12go booking confirmation will specify which pier.
Parking
Both piers offer parking. Laem Ngop charges about 50 THB per day. Laem Sok runs 50 to 100 THB per day depending on the section. If you drove from Bangkok or rented a car to reach Trat, you can leave the vehicle safely at either pier.
High Season Ferry Schedule
During peak season, seven operators run daily departures spread across both piers. Crossings take 30 to 50 minutes depending on the boat type. Morning departures between 08:00 and 10:00 are the most popular. Afternoon return boats from Koh Mak typically leave between 13:00 and 15:00.
In low season, schedules reduce dramatically. Some days only one or two boats operate. Always confirm your return schedule before heading to the island. Getting stranded is unlikely but possible during transition months.
Getting Around Koh Mak: Scooter Rental Prices vs. Electric Golf Carts
Koh Mak is a car-free island. Vehicles from the mainland cannot enter. Once you arrive, scooters and golf carts are your only options.
Scooter
Rental shops near Ao Nid Pier and at most hotels offer 125cc scooters for 250 to 350 THB per day. Main roads are paved concrete or asphalt. Interior paths and beach access roads turn to loose sand and packed dirt. Carry your IDP with A-class motorcycle endorsement. Police checkpoints happen even on small islands.
Golf Cart
Full-day rental costs 1,000 THB. Half-day costs 500 THB. Driving on the main roads feels fun and breezy, like a tropical movie scene.
I rented a golf cart on my second day. The paved roads were great. Then I turned onto a beach track heading south. Within seconds the wheels sank into soft sand. I tried reversing. The tires spun deeper. I sat there feeling completely stuck. I have never felt that helpless on an island before. Three guys walking past saw me and came over to push the cart out. If they had not shown up, I honestly do not know what I would have done. The next morning I swapped the golf cart for a scooter and never looked back.
If you stick to paved roads, the golf cart works. The moment you leave concrete, you are in trouble. Scooters handle everything on this island.
Cycling
Most hotels lend bicycles for free or charge a small fee. DASTA mapped official cycling routes through the coconut and rubber plantations. The terrain is mostly flat. Cycling works well for slow exploration but not for covering the whole island in a day.
For the full activity guide covering Koh Kham, Koh Kradat, and the coral restoration program, read The Complete Koh Mak Travel Guide.
Practical Tips
Pier Check. Boonsiri, Seudamgo, and Koh Kood Express depart from Laem Sok Pier. Koh Mak Ferry, Panan, and Leelawadee depart from Laem Ngop Pier. Going to the wrong one means missing your boat. Confirm before you leave.
Cash Before Boarding. Koh Mak has zero ATMs. Credit cards work at some resorts with a three to five percent surcharge. Withdraw enough Thai baht in Trat or at the airport before heading to the pier.
Low Season Limitations. Between mid-May and mid-October, direct island-hopping stops. Only limited ferry services from the mainland continue. Confirm schedules before booking accommodation during these months.
Stay Connected. Download a Thailand eSIM before your trip so you have data for maps and ferry tracking. 4G works well in Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai. Signal drops in the interior.
Where to Sleep. For the full hotel breakdown by beach and budget, read Where to Stay in Koh Mak
FAQ
How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Mak? The easiest route is a combined bus and ferry package. Boonsiri runs from Khao San Road to Laem Sok Pier and costs 850 THB for the full journey. The state bus Line 999 from Ekkamai goes to Laem Ngop Pier for 292 THB. Flying to Trat Airport and taking a transfer to the pier is the fastest option. The ferry crossing adds 30 to 50 minutes.
How long does it take to get to Koh Mak? The combined bus and ferry from Bangkok takes about six hours total. Flying to Trat Airport cuts this to about two hours including the transfer and crossing. Speedboat from Koh Chang takes 45 minutes to one hour, while the Koh Kood crossing is just 30 minutes.
Can I hop between Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood? During high season from November through April, yes. Speedboats connect all three islands daily. During low season from May through October, direct connections stop entirely. You would need to return to the mainland and catch a separate ferry to each island.
Which pier do I go to for Koh Mak? It depends on your ferry operator. Boonsiri, Seudamgo, Koh Kood Express, and Chonratee depart from Laem Sok Pier. Koh Mak Ferry, Panan, and Leelawadee depart from Laem Ngop Pier. The two piers are about 25 minutes apart by road. Always confirm before heading out.
Do I need a scooter on Koh Mak?
A scooter is the most practical way to explore. Rental costs 250 to 350 THB per day. Golf carts cost more and cannot handle sandy beach roads or unpaved interior tracks. Bicycles work for slow trips but struggle with distance. Carry your IDP with motorcycle endorsement.
How many days should I spend on Koh Mak? Three days covers the highlights comfortably. That gives you time to kayak to Koh Kham, visit Koh Kradat, and eat at the best restaurants. Five days allows for Koh Rang snorkeling, the coral planting program, and plenty of beach time without rushing.
Is there parking at the ferry piers? Yes. Laem Ngop Pier charges about 50 THB per day. Laem Sok Pier runs 50 to 100 THB per day. Both are secure and monitored. Safe to leave your car for the duration of your island stay.
