How to Get to Koh Kood (2025): The Ultimate Travel Guide
Koh Kood (also known as Ko Kut) is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. Located in the eastern Trat province, Koh Kood is renowned for its white sand and pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters, offering a more laid-back experience than other Thai island options.
Less touristy than islands such as Koh Samui or Phuket, Koh Kood is perfect for those wanting an off-the-beaten-path experience whilst still enjoying the incredible Thai culture.
However, due to its remote location, getting to Koh Kood is not as simple as just flying in and heading straight to the beach, there isn't an airport on the island. This guide will walk you through the various ways to get to Koh Kood from major international destinations like London, New York, and Bangkok.
If you are wanting to visit Koh Kood on a wider island hopping trip in Thailand, check out my Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak island hopping itinerary.
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. Is Koh Kood safe? 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.
About Koh Kood
Millions of tourists flock to Thailand each year, but many do so without ever having even heard of Koh Kood. The island remains largely undeveloped, with picture perfect palm forests dotted with tiny beach huts and just a few hotels.
Fringed by perfect white sand, Koh Kood is the ideal Thai island for beach lovers and sun seekers, it's a fine place to do absolutely nothing. I was surprised to learn Koh Kood is Thailand's 4th biggest island.
When there, you feel as though you are on a dot of an island, the lack of traffic means getting around is quick and simple, with so much natural beauty to see along the way.
The best way to explore Koh Kood is to hop on a scooter and drive around the coastal road; this road is actually the only paved road on the island, making it nearly impossible to get lost. If you want to learn more about Koh Kood, check out my island review here.
When is the best time to visit Koh Kood?
The best time to visit Koh Kood is from December to March, which is the dry season. The weather is warm but not too hot, and the calm sea offers the perfect conditions for swimming.
Where is Koh Kood?
Koh Kood sits within the Trat Province of eastern Thailand, close to the Cambodian border, 330 km south of Bangkok.
The island is part of the Koh Chang archipelago, but it feels worlds apart from its busier neighbour. Much of its interior is covered by dense tropical rainforest and the terrain is characterised by rolling hills, waterfalls, and mangrove forests.
Getting to Koh Kood from Bangkok
Trat Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways meaning, at current, your journey must start from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. The good news is that Bangkok is an international flight hub so it's likely this will be your starting point anyway! If you are looking to travel from any of the islands not serviced by Trat Airport itself, you will have to travel to Bangkok to connect.
Bangkok to Trat
Once you've arrived in Bangkok, you must catch a domestic flight to Trat, the nearest mainland province to Koh Kood. Bangkok Airways operates almost daily flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Trat Airport (TDX). The flight duration from Bangkok to Trat is around 1 hour.
You absolutely must book this flight as far in advance as possible. The planes are smallish propellor planes so offer limited seating. Unfortunately, when I booked my trip, I was too late to book a return flight home, so I I could only catch a flight out there and not back; it was full for the next three days!
The alternative to flying is to take a bus from Bangkok to Trat or a private taxi or minibus. I had to do this to get back as I couldn't get on the flight. The journey was not as bad as you would imagine it, and our driver stopped along the way for refreshments and a toilet break. We were dropped off at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The journey from Trat to Bangkok takes around 5 hours; if you book a decent one, water will be provided,, and the minibus is very comfortable.
The public buses take longer, around 6 hours, leaving from Bangkok's Ekkamai Bus Terminal several times a day, I recommend booking through 12Go.
Trat to Laem Sok Pier
On arrival, you must take a minibus or private taxi from Trat Airport to Laem Sok Pier, which takes around 40-45 minutes. Laem Sok Pier is where the ferries to Koh Kood depart. Most transportation options from the airport or bus station in Trat offer transfer services directly to the pier, but I recommend booking your transfer in advance.
You must also pre-book your ferry tickets as they get fully booked. If you book through 12Go, it takes into consideration the whole journey so includes your mini bus and your ferry/speedboat.
Laem Sok Pier to Koh Kood
The final leg of your journey from Bangkok to Koh Kood is the ferry from Laem Sok Pier, which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. There are a few ferry operators, including Koh Kood Express and Boonsiri Ferry. Some companies offer a pick-up at the other end and will drop you off at your hotel, but for others, you must arrange a pick-up with your hotel.
Which ferries go to Koh Kood?
Boonsiri High Speed Ferries
Boonsiri High Speed Ferries is one of the most popular and reliable ferry services to Koh Kood, connecting Laem Sok Pier with the islands of Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Chang.
The company is known for its modern high-speed catamarans, which are comfortable and fast. Boonsiri High Speed Ferries primarily operates from Laem Sok Pier in Trat province, with multiple daily services depending on the season and weather conditions.
Onboard, passengers can enjoy air-conditioned seating, spacious decks, and basic refreshments.
Ko Kut Express
The Ko Kut Express is another popular ferry service that connects Trat to Koh Kood, as well as also services transfers between Koh Kood and Ko Mak island.
Known for its reliability and daily service schedule, Ko Kut Express offers a comfortable and fast ferry experience. The ferries depart from Laem Sok Pier and take around 90 minutes to reach Koh Kood, though times may vary depending on sea conditions.
The boats are well-maintained and provide both indoor and outdoor seating.
Seudamgo
Seudamgo is a newer service but has become popular as it offers the fastest ferries to Koh Kood from the mainland.
Running twice daily between Laem Sok Pier and Koh Kood, Seudamgo claims to make the journey in just 40 minutes which is significantly faster than other operators.
The boats are designed for speed and efficiency, featuring modern, streamlined vessels with comfortable seating. The boats are smaller than other ferry options meaning you need to book in as early as possible to guarantee a space on board.
Koh Kood Princess
The Koh Kood Princess ferry is slower than other ferry services but is well established, offering a once-daily departure from Laem Sok Pier to Koh Kood.
Koh Kood Princess is a good choice for those who prefer a more relaxed and scenic journey, especially for those with a fear of sailing or who suffer from sea sickness.
Who to book Thai ferries with
12Go is the most reliable booking platform for ferries in Thailand. You can book your ferry from Laem Sok Pier to Koh Kood here.
I recommend booking the minivan transfer from trat Airport to Laem Sok Pier, as well as the ferry all in one go. This is possible on 12Go but not other ferry booking platforms. You can see your options here.
By doing it this way, the journey should run seamlessly and you will be met at departures and taken straight to your transfer which will be timed with the best ferry options.
Please click here for ferry and van options starting at Trat Airport.
How to get around Koh Kood
The best way to explore Koh Kood is by renting a scooter. There is one paved road that circles the island, which connects most hotels and beaches.
You can rent scooters from hotels or a scooter rental shop, you can expect to pay 300-350 THB per day and enjoy a discount for multiple days rental.
The roads in Koh Kood are quiet but can be hilly with shar bends, I always recommend wearing a helmet as road safety conditions in Thailand are often poor and there is limited healthcare on the island.
Regular visitors to Thailand will be familiar with Songthaew services, which are shuttles that regularly stop and pick up visitors at popular spots on the island. However, Koh Kood does not offer a public Songthaew service, but you can rent one for the day.
If you are a group or family, this can be cost-effective, but when travelling alone or in a couple, it gets expensive (around 500 baht per location visited).
Koh Kood is a slice of paradise, and while it might not have the bustling nightlife or extensive infrastructure of more tourist-heavy islands, that’s part of its charm. The island remains a peaceful retreat for those who seek to disconnect, relax, and immerse themselves in the landscapes.
How to Get from Koh Kood to Cambodia (2025): The Ultimate Travel Guide
Thank you for explaining it so simply! I tried to book a trip here last year but gave up, think I will try again!
My pleasure! Have a great time 🙂
Hi Hannah, do you think May is too late in the year to visit? Never been to Thailand before so a bit clueless. Rain doesn't faze us, but there's obviously a big difference between short, sharp showers, and constant storms which could spoil a trip.
Hey Kayleigh, Koh Kood can be quite rainy from May onwards and many of the ferries can be cancelled making journey times longer. To get the best out of the island I would advise visiting late November into early April
Great article well written and very informative 👌❤️
Hey! It depends on which islands you are looking at. The islands in Eastern Thailand (Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, can get stormy and rainy at that time). However, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao are the best islands to visit in May in terms of weather. You might have a couple of rainy moments but mostly sunny!
A comprehensive guide to reaching Koh Kood. The transport details and local travel insights make this a valuable read for anyone planning their first visit.