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From/to
Bangkok
Getting to Trat really
couldn't be any simpler; it really depends on your budget and how
quickly you want to get there.
If you don't mind spending a bit more, a flight between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi)
and Trat airport is from THB800 one-way. From there, its 30km to Trat
town, and you should use either the shared minibus service or arrange a
transfer in advance.
Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Bangkok, which is a much cheaper
option. The best bus terminal to use is Ekkamai (eastern), with at least
one bus departing every hour between 5.00am and 11.30pm (ticket price
THB270 per person, one way). If you catch a bus around 12.30pm, you'll
arrive in time to settle in and have some dinner, arriving at
approximately 6.30pm (journey duration is roughly six hours).
Buses back to Bangkok from Trat run on a similar schedule, but the first
bus is not until 7.00am.
Another option from both terminals is to use the minibus service (more
frequent at Morchit), which is similarly priced but the journey is
slightly shorter at 5 hours. There are also buses from Morchit terminal
(every three hours from 8.30am to 5.30pm), but they are much less
frequent, and if you are using the BTS, you'll have to get a taxi to
reach the bus terminal.
From/to other destinations of the Eastern Seaboard
Other destinations that have a bus route to Trat include Pattaya, Rayong,
Koh Samet, and several towns in Cambodia too (Sihanoukville and Siem
Reap).
From/to Cambodian
border
Trat is sometimes used by travellers as a base to cross over the
Cambodian border, but note that Hat Lek–Koh Kong border crossing is
notorious for visa scams and even if you have already your Cambodian
visa, you are 100% sure be asked to ‘tip’ for a quick lane or whatever.
There are regular songthaews from Trat bus station to the border leaving
when full at a fixed price of THB50 per pax. It is about 80 km to the
border, so the whole trip will take between one hour and one hour and a
half.
From/to the islands
As mentioned above, Trat is
mostly used as a transport hub for reaching the islands off its coast,
with various boat options available depending on which island you want
to visit.
Whilst there are around 52 islands, the most popular and developed are
Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak.
The closest island is Koh Chang, with journey times around 30 to 45
minutes. The Koh Chang ferry departs from the mainland at Ao Thammachet
Pier, and the Centrepoint ferry departs from Dan Kao pier. Both ferries
cost around THB80 one-way, or THB120 for a return trip. The ferries
accommodate foot passengers, cars and motorbikes.
The next closest island is Koh Mak, with ferries and speedboats
departing Trat from Laem Ngop pier (ferry cost is THB350, speedboat cost
is THB600).
Finally, Koh Kood can be reached from Laem Sok pier, by both ferry and
speedboat at the same price as Koh Maak.
The piers for both Koh Chang and Koh Mak can be reached by songthaews
that depart from Trat bus station (price is around THB50 to 60 per
person), whilst the boat tickets for Koh Kood include a minibus
transfer.
Choosing which island to visit really depends on what sort of holiday
you are hoping for. Koh Chang is the most developed island, with the
best restaurant selection and lively nightlife, making it very popular
with backpackers and groups. Both Koh Kood and Koh Mak are much quieter
and relaxed with a lot less development, so they are much better suited
to couples and families. |
