Quick Answer
Best way: Speedboat + private taxi — the fastest and most reliable combination. Total time: about 1.5–2 hours. Total cost: approximately ฿800–1,200 (≈ $22–33). The speedboat crosses from Koh Mak to Laem Ngop Pier in 30–45 minutes, then a taxi covers the 30 km to Trat Airport (TDX) in 30–40 minutes. No direct route exists; all options combine a sea crossing with a road transfer. For budget travellers, the ferry + songthaew combo costs as little as ฿350–600 (≈ $10–17) but takes about 2–2.5 hours.
Speedboat + Taxi – The Fastest Way
This is the recommended option for travellers who need to reach Trat Airport quickly and reliably, especially for early morning or tight flight connections. The journey consists of two seamless legs:
- Leg 1 (Sea): Speedboat from Koh Mak (Ao Nid Pier or Ban Ao Khao Pier) to Laem Ngop Pier on the mainland. Ride time: 30–45 minutes. Frequency: multiple departures daily, typically 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Operators include Boonmsin Speedboat and Koh Mak Princess.
- Leg 2 (Road): Private taxi from Laem Ngop Pier to Trat Airport (TDX). Distance ~30 km, duration 30–40 minutes. Taxis are readily available at the pier; we recommend agreeing on a fare before departure.
Total door‑to‑door time: 1.5–2 hours (including short waiting time between legs). Total cost: ฿800–1,200 (≈ $22–33) — speedboat ฿400–600 + taxi ฿400–600.
Best for: Flight connections, early/late departures, travellers with moderate luggage, and anyone prioritizing speed over budget.
Tip: Check the speedboat schedule a day in advance — some operators reduce frequency in low season (May–October). Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Step‑by‑Step Process
- Book your speedboat — either through your Koh Mak accommodation or at the pier. Online pre‑booking is recommended during high season (November–April).
- Arrive at the pier 15 minutes before departure. Koh Mak’s main piers: Ao Nid (east coast) and Ban Ao Khao (west coast).
- Speedboat crossing — enjoy the ride; life jackets are provided. The boat stops at Laem Ngop Pier.
- Find a taxi at the pier exit. Official taxi stands have fixed rates to Trat Airport (approx ฿400–600). Negotiate if using a private driver.
- Road transfer — the drive passes through rural Trat province, with the airport just off Highway 3156.
Speedboat Operators – Quick Comparison
| Operator | Pier (Koh Mak) | Duration | Price (฿) | Daily Departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boonmsin Speedboat | Ao Nid Pier | 35 min | 450–550 | 4–6 |
| Koh Mak Princess | Ban Ao Khao Pier | 40 min | 400–500 | 3–5 |
| Local speedboat (charter) | Any pier | 30 min | 2,000+ (private) | On demand |
Note: Prices are per person for shared speedboats, except charter. Check Bangkok Airways for flight schedules before booking.
Ferry + Songthaew – The Most Economical Way
For budget‑conscious travellers, the ferry + songthaew combination offers the lowest cost while still being reliable. It takes a bit longer but is perfectly suitable for those with flexible schedules.
- Leg 1 (Sea): Car/passenger ferry from Koh Mak to Laem Ngop Pier. Duration: 1–1.5 hours. Ticket: ฿200–350 (≈ $6–10). Ferries are larger, more stable, and can carry vehicles.
- Leg 2 (Road): Shared songthaew (red pickup truck) from Laem Ngop Pier to Trat Airport. Duration: 30–40 minutes. Fare: ฿150–250 per person (≈ $4–7). Songthaews depart when full, so waiting time may vary.
Total time: 2–2.5 hours (including waiting). Total cost: ฿350–600 (≈ $10–17) — the cheapest way to reach the airport.
Best for: Solo backpackers, long‑stay travellers, and anyone on a tight budget. Not ideal for those with heavy luggage or flight deadlines.
Tip: Songthaews can be flagged down on the main road outside the pier. Confirm the driver is going to “Trat Airport” (สนามบินตราด) before boarding. Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Ferry Schedule (Typical)
| Departure (Koh Mak) | Arrival (Laem Ngop) | Frequency | Price (฿) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | 08:30–09:00 | Daily | 250–350 |
| 10:00 | 11:00–11:30 | Daily | 250–350 |
| 12:30 | 13:30–14:00 | Daily | 250–350 |
| 15:00 | 16:00–16:30 | Daily | 250–350 |
Ferry schedules can change seasonally; always confirm at your hotel or the pier. Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Speedboat + Shared Minivan – The Balanced Choice
This option combines the speed of a speedboat with the affordability of a shared road transfer. It is the most popular choice among independent travellers who want a good balance of cost and efficiency.
- Leg 1 (Sea): Speedboat from Koh Mak to Laem Ngop Pier. 30–45 minutes, ฿400–600.
- Leg 2 (Road): Shared minivan (8–12 seats) from Laem Ngop Pier to Trat Airport. 30–40 minutes, ฿200–350 per person. Minivans typically depart within 15–30 minutes of the boat’s arrival.
Total time: 1.5–2 hours. Total cost: ฿600–950 (≈ $17–26).
Best for: Solo travellers and couples who want speed without paying for a private taxi. Also a great option for those with one or two pieces of luggage.
Tip: Some travel agencies on Koh Mak sell combined speedboat + minivan tickets for around ฿700–900 — cheaper than buying separately. Look for signs saying “Koh Mak → Trat Airport” near the pier. Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Private Speedboat + Private Transfer – Premium & Convenient
For those who value privacy, comfort, and zero waiting, the private option is the ultimate choice. It is significantly more expensive but offers unmatched flexibility.
- Leg 1 (Sea): Private speedboat charter from any Koh Mak pier directly to Laem Ngop Pier (or even a custom drop‑off). Duration: 20–30 minutes. Cost: ฿2,000–3,500 (≈ $56–97).
- Leg 2 (Road): Private sedan or SUV from the pier to Trat Airport. Duration: 30–40 minutes. Cost: ฿800–1,500 (≈ $22–42).
Total time: 1–1.5 hours (fastest of all options). Total cost: ฿2,800–5,000 (≈ $78–139).
Best for: Families with young children, travellers with heavy/ bulky luggage, business travellers, or anyone with a very tight flight connection. Also ideal for groups of 4–6 people, as the cost per person becomes more reasonable.
Tip: Arrange the private speedboat at least 24 hours in advance through your hotel or a trusted operator. For the taxi, use a reputable service like Tourism Authority of Thailand-listed drivers.
Combined Tickets & Package Deals
Many travel agencies on Koh Mak and online booking platforms offer combined tickets that include both the boat crossing and the road transfer to Trat Airport in a single purchase. This is often cheaper and more convenient than booking separate legs.
- Speedboat + minivan combo: ฿650–900 (≈ $18–25). Most common and recommended.
- Ferry + songthaew combo: ฿400–600 (≈ $11–17). Budget option, less common but available at some agencies.
- Speedboat + taxi combo: ฿900–1,300 (≈ $25–36). For those who prefer a private road transfer.
Where to buy: Koh Mak Travel (Ao Nid area), Mak Mak Travel (near Ban Ao Khao), or online via 12Go.asia ( 12Go.asia ) and Bookaway. Always check cancellation policies, especially during monsoon season.
Advantage: You don’t need to negotiate or search for transport on arrival — the driver will be waiting at the pier with a sign.
Cost & Time Comparison – All Options at a Glance
Use this table to quickly compare every possible way from Koh Mak to Trat Airport. Best option and cheapest option are highlighted.
| Mode | Sea Time | Road Time | Total Time* | Cost (฿) | Cost (≈ $) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚤 Speedboat + Taxi ⭐ Best | 30–45 min | 30–40 min | 1.5–2 h | ฿800–1,200 | $22–33 | Speed & reliability |
| 🚤 Speedboat + Minivan | 30–45 min | 30–40 min | 1.5–2 h | ฿600–950 | $17–26 | Balance of cost & speed |
| ⛴️ Ferry + Songthaew 💰 Cheapest | 1–1.5 h | 30–40 min | 2–2.5 h | ฿350–600 | $10–17 | Budget travel |
| ⛴️ Ferry + Taxi | 1–1.5 h | 30–40 min | 2–2.5 h | ฿600–950 | $17–26 | Comfort on a budget |
| 🚤 Private Speedboat + Private Taxi | 20–30 min | 30–40 min | 1–1.5 h | ฿2,800–5,000 | $78–139 | Premium, groups, heavy luggage |
| 🚤 Speedboat + Songthaew | 30–45 min | 30–40 min | 1.5–2 h | ฿550–850 | $15–23 | Very budget speed option |
* Total time includes estimated waiting time between legs. Actual times may vary depending on season, weather, and traffic. Prices are per person for shared services, total per booking for private. Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand and local operators.
Traveler Tips & Local Insights – Koh Mak to Trat Airport
⏰ Timing Your Departure
- For early flights (before 10:00 AM): Take the first speedboat of the day (usually 07:30 or 08:00). Pre‑book a taxi the night before to avoid delays. Most Trat Airport flights depart between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- For afternoon flights: Any speedboat or ferry will work. Aim to arrive at Laem Ngop Pier at least 2.5 hours before your flight.
- Check the flight schedule of Bangkok Airways — they operate the only commercial services from Trat Airport (to/from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, BKK).
🧳 Luggage & Baggage Tips
- Speedboats have limited space: Large suitcases may incur an extra charge (approx ฿50–100) or need to be stored in a waterproof compartment. Pack light if possible.
- Ferries are more spacious: No extra charge for standard luggage. Bicycles and bulky sports equipment can be carried.
- Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) is not available on Koh Mak, but you can ask your hotel to help send bags ahead via a local service — though this is rare and usually only feasible for Bangkok destinations.
🌦️ Seasonal Considerations
- High season (November–April): Calm seas, reliable schedules, more speedboat departures. Book at least 1–2 days in advance.
- Low season (May–October): Rougher seas may cause speedboat cancellations. Ferries are more stable and usually continue running. Always have a backup plan and allow extra time.
- Monsoon tip: Avoid booking the last departure of the day if you have a flight — if it gets cancelled, you may be stranded on the island.
🗺️ Navigating Laem Ngop Pier
- The pier area has basic cafes and a 7‑Eleven. Toilets are available (small fee, ฿5–10).
- Taxi and songthaew drivers gather at the exit. Compare prices before accepting. A songthaew to Trat Airport should not exceed ฿250 per person.
- If you arrive at Krom Luang Pier (less common), it is about 35 km to the airport — slightly further than Laem Ngop.
💡 Insider Advice
- Book a combined ticket — it saves money and reduces stress. Many hotels on Koh Mak can arrange it for you.
- Carry cash — most boat operators and songthaew drivers do not accept cards. ATMs are available on Koh Mak but may charge high fees.
- Download the Grab app — though limited in Trat, it can be used for taxi booking on the mainland in some areas.
- Trat Airport is very small (one terminal, one gate). Check‑in opens 1.5 hours before departure and closes 30 minutes before. Don’t arrive too early — there’s limited seating and only a small cafe.
FAQs: Everything Else You Need to Know
1. Is there a direct transfer from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
No, there is no direct transfer. All routes require a boat from Koh Mak to the mainland (Laem Ngop Pier or Krom Luang Pier) followed by a road transfer (taxi, songthaew, or minivan) to Trat Airport.
2. What is the fastest way to get from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
The fastest way is speedboat + private taxi: about 1.5–2 hours total, costing ฿800–1,200 (≈ $22–33). Speedboat from Koh Mak to Laem Ngop Pier takes 30–45 minutes, then taxi to the airport 30–40 minutes.
3. What is the cheapest way to get from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
The cheapest option is ferry + songthaew (shared pickup truck): total cost ฿350–600 (≈ $10–17). The ferry takes 1–1.5 hours to Laem Ngop Pier, then a songthaew costs about ฿150–250 per person to the airport.
4. How much time should I allow to get from Koh Mak to Trat Airport for a flight?
For domestic flights from Trat Airport (Bangkok Airways), arrive at least 60 minutes before departure. We recommend leaving Koh Mak at least 3.5–4 hours before your flight to account for boat schedules, transfer time, and unexpected delays.
5. Can I book a combined ticket (ferry + transfer) from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
Yes, several travel agencies on Koh Mak and online platforms sell combined tickets covering the speedboat or ferry plus a road transfer to Trat Airport. Prices typically range from ฿600–1,000 (≈ $17–28). This simplifies the journey and often costs less than booking separately.
6. What is the distance from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
The total distance is about 45–50 km: roughly 15–20 km by sea from Koh Mak to Laem Ngop Pier, plus about 30 km by road from the pier to Trat Airport (TDX).
7. Is it better to take a speedboat or ferry from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
It depends on your priorities. Speedboat is faster (30–45 min) and more reliable for flight connections, but costs ฿400–600. Ferry is cheaper (฿200–350) and more comfortable in calm weather, but takes 1–1.5 hours. For tight flight schedules, choose the speedboat.
8. Are there private transfer options from Koh Mak to Trat Airport?
Yes, you can charter a private speedboat from Koh Mak directly to Laem Ngop Pier (฿2,000–3,500, 20–30 min) and combine with a private taxi (฿800–1,500). Total premium cost: ฿2,800–5,000 (≈ $78–139). Ideal for groups, families, or travelers with heavy luggage.
Authoritative sources:
Tourism Authority of Thailand ·
Bangkok Airways (Trat Airport) ·
12Go.Asia (ticketing) ·
Trat Tourism.
Prices and schedules verified as of 2025. Always confirm with local operators before travel.