How to Get from Koh Kood to Cambodia (2026): The Ultimate Travel Guide

December 2025 update:

At the time of writing, some governments have issued precautionary travel advisories for parts of eastern Thailand due to border tensions with Cambodia. The islands of Koh Kood, Koh Chang and Koh Mak remain calm and unaffected on the ground, but travellers should check their local government guidance and travel insurance before departure. A ceasefire is in place as of Saturday 27 December and an update to travel precautions are predicted.

Koh Kood, home to some of the best beaches in Thailand, might feel like a remote paradise, but it’s surprisingly well connected. Lots of people ask me how to get from Koh Kood to Cambodia, the island is very close to the border, so it makes sense people want to plan a trip to both.

Whether you’re heading to Sihanoukville for beach time, travelling inland to Phnom Penh, or exploring rural Cambodia, there are several ways to make the trip.

This guide breaks down all the possible routes, including travel times, average costs, and practical tips for border crossings.

Good to know:

There is no direct ferry from Koh Kood to Cambodia. All routes involve travelling via the mainland (Trat) before crossing into Cambodia.

Read my full 'How to get to Koh Kood' travel guide here.

About the Journey from Koh Kood to Cambodia

Travelling from Koh Kood to Cambodia is a multi-leg trip, usually involving a ferry to Trat’s Laem Sok Pier, a transfer to the Cambodian border, and onward travel to your chosen destination. Depending on your route, you may complete the trip in a single day, or need to overnight in Trat.

Most travellers head to Cambodia via one of two main land crossings:

Hat Lek / Cham Yeam:

Closest to Koh Kood, ideal for Sihanoukville

Ban Pakard / Phsar Prum:

Better if heading inland towards Battambang or Phnom Penh

Step-by-Step: Koh Kood to Cambodia

1. Koh Kood to Laem Sok Pier (Trat)

Your journey begins with a ferry from Koh Kood to Laem Sok Pier on the mainland. The trip takes between 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on which operator you choose, and several operators run daily services:

Boonsiri High Speed Ferry: modern catamarans, air-conditioned, from 600–750 THB
Koh Kood Express: reliable service, 90-minute journey, from 550 THB
Seudamgo: fastest option at 40 minutes, smaller boats, from 750 THB

It’s best to book your ferry in advance on 12Go, you can also add your minivan transfer to the border in the same booking.

2. Laem Sok Pier to Trat Town or Border

From Laem Sok Pier, you have two options:

Direct transfer to the border: Fastest, no need to go into Trat Town. Minivan services to Hat Lek/Cham Yeam take around 90 minutes and cost 250–400 THB.
Via Trat Town: Stay overnight or take a public bus the next morning. This is useful if your ferry arrives too late for the last border crossing of the day.

Border opening hours:

Most land borders in eastern Thailand open from 07:00 to 20:00 (times can vary, so always check ahead).

3. Crossing the Border into Cambodia

Hat Lek (Thailand) / Cham Yeam (Cambodia): Best for Sihanoukville

This is the closest border to Koh Kood, located just outside the Cambodian coastal town of Koh Kong.

Visa on arrival is available for most nationalities, a Cambodian visa costs US $30, a passport photo required. Please check ahead that you are able to get a visa on arrival, this will depend on the nationality of your passport.
After immigration, you can take a shared taxi or bus to Sihanoukville (4–5 hours) or to Phnom Penh (6–7 hours).

Typical costs:

Minivan from Laem Sok Pier to Hat Lek: 300–400 THB
Taxi from Cham Yeam to Sihanoukville: US $50–70 per car
Bus from Koh Kong to Phnom Penh: US $15–20

Ban Pakard (Thailand) / Phsar Prum (Cambodia): Best for Phnom Penh via Battambang

This crossing into Cambodia is further north and less commonly used from Koh Kood, but it’s an option if you’re heading inland.

From Trat, travel north to Chanthaburi, then onward to Ban Pakard (approx. 4–5 hours total).
After crossing, buses and taxis run to Battambang (3–4 hours) or onward to Phnom Penh (6–7 hours).

How to travel from Koh Kood to Siem Reap

Reaching Siem Reap from Koh Kood involves more planning than heading to Cambodia’s coastal towns, as there’s no direct overland connection.

The journey always starts with a ferry from Koh Kood to Laem Sok Pier in Trat(1.5–2 hours), followed by a transfer to Trat Town or directly to the border.

The most common overland route is to travel to the Ban Pakard / Phsar Prum border crossing, then continue by bus or taxi through Battambang before arriving in Siem Reap. This overland option can take 12–14 hours in total, often requiring an overnight stay in Battambang or Poipet to break up the journey.

If you’re looking for the fastest and most convenient option, the best choice is to return to Bangkok and fly directly to Siem Reap.

From Koh Kood, take the morning ferry to Laem Sok, then a minivan or bus to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approx. 6 hours), or you can take the 1 hour flight from Trat to Bangkok.

Several airlines operate daily direct flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap, with a flight time of around 1 hour. This route can be completed in a single day if you take an early ferry and book an afternoon or evening flight.

While it’s more expensive than overland travel, flying from Bangkok to Siem Reap, it’s by far the quickest and least stressful option.

Another alternative is to travel overland to the Aranyaprathet / Poipet border crossing, which is the most direct land route between Thailand and Siem Reap.

From the border, buses and taxis make the journey in 3–4 hours, although traffic and border queues can extend travel times. This route avoids returning all the way to Bangkok, but it still requires a full day of travel from Koh Kood.

Whichever option you choose, plan ahead, keep some US dollars for visa fees, and make sure you have at least six months’ validity on your passport for Cambodian entry.

Is it safe to cross the land border from Thailand into Cambodia as a tourist?

Yes, for most travellers, crossing the land border from Thailand into Cambodia is generally safe, provided you follow normal travel precautions.

The main crossings used by tourists, such as Hat Lek / Cham Yeam and Aranyaprathet / Poipet, are well established and regularly used by locals, backpackers, and tour operators. That said, be prepared for common scams and unofficial “fees” that can occur on the Cambodian side, such as inflated visa prices or offers for unnecessary health checks.

Always arrange your transport in advance with a reputable company, carry US dollars for the visa fee, and keep an eye on your belongings in busy border areas. If you’re travelling solo or prefer extra peace of mind, booking a through-ticket that includes ferry, minivan, and assistance at the border can make the process smoother and less stressful.

How to Book Transport from Koh Kood to Cambodia

The easiest booking method is via 12Go, where you can combine ferry + minivan + border transfer into a single ticket. Alternatively, book directly with ferry operators and arrange a minivan from Trat to the border through your hotel.

FAQs: Koh Kood to Cambodia

Do I need a visa to enter Cambodia?

Most travellers can get a visa on arrival for US $30 at land borders, valid for 30 days. An e-visa is also available but not always accepted at smaller crossings.

Check your country's visa requirements here.

Is there a direct ferry from Koh Kood to Cambodia?

No, there is no direct ferry between Koh Kood and Cambodia. All routes require first travelling to Laem Sok Pier in Trat, then continuing to a Cambodian border crossing by bus, taxi, or minivan, or taking a flight via Bangkok.

What’s the best time to visit Koh Kood and Cambodia?

December to March offers the driest, most pleasant weather for both eastern Thailand and coastal Cambodia. This is also the safest and most reliable time to enjoy the Thai ferries.

What time do the Thai/Cambodian borders open and close?

Most borders open at 07:00 and close around 20:00, but check locally for seasonal changes.

Can I do the trip in one day?

Yes, if you take an early ferry from Koh Kood and connect directly to the Hat Lek / Cham Yeam border.

What’s the fastest way to get from Koh Kood to Siem Reap?

The quickest route is to fly from Trat to Bangkok and then fly directly to Siem Reap.

From Koh Kood, take the morning ferry to Laem Sok, transfer to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport by air or road, and catch a 1-hour flight. Overland routes via Poipet are cheaper but can take 12–14 hours.