Bangkok’s bustling streets can be chaotic, but Thailand’s capital is a surprising place to visit. Bangkok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, but also one of the most visited cities in the world. Packed with temples, parks, shopping streets, markets and a good nightlife, Bangkok is full of excitement. It is logical that after spending a few days in the capital you would like to go to a quieter place, and the island of Koh Kood is the perfect destination. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Kood is the last Thai island before reaching the coast of Cambodia. It is a popular destination with families due to its fantastic beaches and beautiful scenery, as well as lacking the nightlife found elsewhere in the country. Travel from Bangkok to Koh Kood for a few days of pure relaxation.
Read about:
• Travel from Bangkok to Koh Kood by van and ferry
• From Bangkok to Koh Kood by taxi
Klong Chao waterfall on Koh Kood
Options to go from Bangkok to Koh Kood
Being an island with dense jungles and waterfalls, Koh Kood (often called Ko Kut) does not have much infrastructure other than hotels and restaurants. In fact, there is not even an airport on this island. Traveling from Bangkok to Koh Kood involves a boat trip, but the good thing is that there are high-speed ferries from the mainland, so it’s a fairly quick trip. There are other ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Kood. If you like to travel on your own, you can do so by crossing the Trat. You would have to take a plane from Bangkok to Trat, then a taxi or bus from the airport to the pier, and finally a ferry. The problem with this alternative is that nothing is saved. Flights are quite expensive and while you may save some time, buying bus and ferry tickets separately won’t save you either time or money.
For this reason, the most common and recommended way to travel is by van directly from Bangkok to the pier that connects to Koh Kood. You will find the details a bit later.
Travel from Bangkok to Koh Kood by van and ferry
In our opinion, buying a combination ticket that takes you by van directly from Bangkok to the pier and includes a ferry ticket is the best option to get from Bangkok to Koh Kood. There is a considerable distance between these two destinations, specifically 320 kilometers (200 miles) as the crow flies. However, because the road has to adapt to the terrain and nature of the area, traveling to one of the southernmost places in Thailand takes time. Even so, including the ferry crossing, the trip can take anywhere from 5 to 9 hours, depending on the company you choose and the exact departure and arrival locations. Therefore, although it may take half a day to reach Koh Kood, traveling this way is a good option.
The duration of the cruise also depends on the road and sea conditions at the time of departure of the ferry. If the water is choppy, ferries must travel at a slower speed for safety reasons. Also, keep in mind that traffic can be heavy before you leave Bangkok. Bangkok is a very lively city, so there is usually a lot of traffic during the day, except in the very early hours of the morning.
Boonsiri High Speed Ferries getting ready to depart for Koh Kood © Narin Nonthamand / Shutterstock.com
The sooner you leave Bangkok, the sooner you will reach Koh Kood. This is especially true for the 5am departure on the Boonsiri High Speed Ferries. If you don’t mind getting up early and arriving at Bangkok’s Khao San Road, you can purchase a combo ticket for van, ferry and hotel transfer upon arrival at Koh Kood. Leaving so early, traffic is not so heavy and you can reach the ferry at 11:00 am to spend the afternoon relaxing on the beaches of Koh Kood. This ticket is good value for money and while you can book it directly from the vendors on Khao San Road, we advise you to buy it through a reliable website to make sure you pay the right price.
If leaving at 5:00 in the morning seems too early for you, there is another departure at 7:30 that may sound better. However, with this schedule, you’ll arrive at the pier later, only to board the ferry which stops at Koh Mak before reaching Koh Kood, so the journey is longer this way.
From Bangkok to Koh Kood by taxi
Team Holiday offers taxi fares from Bangkok to Koh Kood by car (3p) or van (9p) © 12Go.Asia
If you’re looking for flexibility, another option is to book a private van or taxi. The advantage of this option is that the vehicle will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and you can decide the departure time, so you can start your journey at a time that doesn’t force you to get up so early. The downside is that it’s quite expensive and that a taxi won’t take you to Koh Kood. If you travel this way, you will pay for a taxi to take you to the pier, but the price does not include the ferry ticket. This is because high-speed ferries do not allow vehicles, but can only board foot passengers.
Buying a ferry ticket after arriving at the pier is not very complicated, but you may have to wait a long time for the next departure. You can also buy a ferry ticket online Here. Please note that there are several ferry companies operating on this route on fast ferries, catamarans and even fast boats, but the last departure of all companies is scheduled around 3:00 PM. Therefore, if you are traveling by taxi from Bangkok or taking a bus to Trat, you will need to calculate your departure time carefully to arrive before the last boat leaves.
Considering all the inconveniences of traveling alone, we’re sure you’ll also find a combo van and ferry ticket from Bangkok to Koh Kood to be the best and cheapest option.