How to Get to Koh Kood from Bangkok: Trat Ferry Schedules & Van Transfers

Figuring out how to get to Koh Kood is the hardest part of visiting this island. Outdated blogs still send people to closed piers. Ferry schedules change without notice. Evening flights to Trat look convenient on paper but they can strand you on the mainland overnight. I know because it happened to me. This guide covers every route, every pier, and every timing mistake you should avoid in 2026.

Quick Info

Option 1: Taking a Direct Bus/Van from Bangkok to Laem Sok Pier

This is the most popular route for budget travelers. Combined bus-and-ferry tickets simplify the entire journey into a single booking. Boonsiri runs the most reliable service. Their air-conditioned buses depart from Khao San Road in the morning and deliver you directly to Laem Sok Pier. The total journey takes around six to eight hours, depending on traffic out of Bangkok.

Ticket prices range from 850 to 1,100 THB for the combined package. This includes the bus ride, the ferry crossing, and a shared songthaew transfer to your hotel on Koh Kood. Book your combined ticket through 12go to lock in your seat. Buses fill up fast during high season, especially around Christmas and New Year.

A quick note on timing. Morning departures are the only safe option. The last ferry leaves Laem Sok Pier around 4 PM. Afternoon buses from Bangkok will not arrive in time. You will end up sleeping in Trat and catching the first ferry the next morning.

One important update for 2026. Many older travel guides refer to this pier as “Centerpoint Pier.” The pier was renamed Laem Sok Pier after a management change in mid-2024. It is the same physical location. If your taxi driver does not recognize the new name, mention Centerpoint and they will know where to go.

Option 2: Flying into Trat Airport (TDX) and Taking the Ferry

Bangkok Airways operates the only flights between Bangkok and Trat. The flight takes about one hour. Trat Airport is tiny, with a single open-air terminal that feels more like a beach pavilion than an airport.

From the airport, you need a transfer to Laem Sok Pier. Most hotels arrange this for free or around 200 THB per person. The drive takes 20 to 30 minutes. Private taxis cost 400 to 600 THB for the whole car.

Here is where the timing trap lives. Bangkok Airways offers both morning and afternoon flights to Trat. The morning flight works perfectly. You land by 10 AM, reach the pier by 11 AM, and catch a midday ferry with time to spare.

The afternoon flight is the problem. I booked the evening  flight thinking I could make the last ferry. I landed at 6 PM, reached the pier, and found it empty. No ferry until morning. I spent the night at a basic hotel near the pier. The room was fine, but I lost an entire evening on the island. Do not make this mistake. If you fly into Trat, book the morning flight. Period.

Laem Sok Pier vs Ao Thammachat Pier: Ferry Times & Ticket Costs

This section clears up the biggest source of confusion in every trat to koh kood ferry schedule you will find online.

Laem Sok Pier (Your Pier)

This is where all passenger ferries to Koh Kood depart. Boonsiri catamarans and Koh Kood Express boats both leave from here. In high season, expect three to four departures daily between 9 AM and 3 PM. Low season reduces this to one or two boats per day.

The catamaran crossing takes about 60 minutes to Ao Salat harbor on the northern tip of Koh Kood. Standard boats take closer to 90 minutes but cost less. Return tickets from the island follow the same schedule in reverse.

Ao Thammachat Pier

This pier serves the car ferry to Koh Chang only. It does not go to Koh Kood. Confusion happens because Google Maps sometimes suggests this pier when you search for ferry terminals in Trat. Ignore it. If you end up here, you are at the wrong pier. Laem Sok is the only option for Koh Kood.

Ticket Prices (2026 High Season)

One-way catamaran tickets cost 450 to 550 THB. Standard ferry tickets run 350 to 400 THB. Combined bus-and-ferry packages from Bangkok start at 850 THB. Check current schedules and book your ferry on 12go for the most up-to-date pricing.

Scooter Rental Warning: Navigating Koh Kood’s Dangerous Wet Roads

Most travelers rent a scooter on Koh Kood. There is no public transport on the island, so a scooter is your only real option for getting around. Rental costs between 200 and 400 THB per day. Most guesthouses offer rentals directly.

However, the roads here deserve serious respect. Main routes between beaches are paved but narrow. Side roads to waterfalls and viewpoints turn into loose gravel. When it rains, concrete surfaces become dangerously slick within minutes. Steep hills combined with sharp turns create real risk, even for experienced riders.

Every year, travelers get seriously injured on these roads. The nearest hospital is on the mainland in Trat. An emergency evacuation by sea ambulance is expensive and weather-dependent.

Here is what I recommend. Wear a full-face helmet, not the thin plastic ones most shops hand out. Carry your international driving permit at all times. Police checkpoints happen, and the fine for no license is 2,000 THB. Never ride after dark because the roads have no lighting. Slow down before every hill and every curve, especially after rain.

Also, check your travel insurance before you ride. Many standard policies exclude motorbike accidents unless you hold a valid motorcycle license from your home country. A broken collarbone or emergency medevac without coverage can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Practical Tips

Ferry Booking. Last ferry leaves by 4 PM from Laem Sok Pier. Do not book afternoon flights to Trat if you plan to reach the island the same day. Book your ferry in advance through 12go to guarantee your seat during peak season.

Cash Before You Board. Withdraw enough Thai baht in Trat before taking the ferry. ATMs on Koh Kood are unreliable and run out of cash regularly. Card payments fail at most small businesses on the island.

SIM Card Backup. Mobile signal on Koh Kood drops in certain areas, especially the east coast. Download a Thailand eSIM before departure so you always have a backup data connection.

Hotel Transfer. Most resorts offer free pier-to-hotel transfers. Confirm this with your hotel before arrival. Otherwise, shared songthaews wait at Ao Salat harbor and charge 100 to 200 THB per person.

What to Pack. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and cold-pressed coconut oil for sandfly protection. These items are available on the island but cost twice the mainland price.

Full Island Guide. For a complete day-by-day plan, read Koh Kood Travel Guide: Complete Itinerary & Local Realities (2026). Planning where to sleep? Check Where to Stay in Koh Kood: Best Luxury Eco-Resorts & Beach Bungalows.

FAQ

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Koh Kood? The fastest route is a morning flight to Trat (one hour) plus a ferry crossing (one hour), totaling about three hours of travel time. The budget option via bus takes six to eight hours including the ferry. Both routes require careful timing around the last ferry departure at 4 PM.

Can you take a direct ferry from Bangkok to Koh Kood? No. There is no direct ferry from Bangkok. You must first travel to Trat province by bus, van, or flight. Then take a ferry from Laem Sok Pier. The combined bus-and-ferry ticket is the simplest way to handle this.

What happened to Centerpoint Pier? Centerpoint Pier was renamed Laem Sok Pier in mid-2024 following a management change. It is the same physical location. All ferries to Koh Kood still depart from this pier. If you see “Centerpoint” in older guides, they mean Laem Sok.

Is it safe to rent a scooter on Koh Kood?

Scooters are the main transport on the island, but the roads are steep and slippery when wet. Serious accidents happen every year. Wear a full-face helmet, carry your international driving permit, never ride at night, and verify your travel insurance covers motorbike use.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance? During high season (November to April), yes. Ferries sell out, especially around holidays. In low season, walk-up tickets are usually available, but schedules reduce to one or two boats per day. Booking ahead locks in your timing and avoids stress at the pier.

What time is the last ferry to Koh Kood? The last ferry from Laem Sok Pier departs around 4 PM, though exact times shift by season and operator. If you arrive at the pier after this time, you will need to stay overnight in Trat and catch the first morning departure. Always confirm the schedule for your travel date before booking flights.