Trat Airport (TDX): Gateway to Koh Chang & Islands

Trat Airport (TDX) is the primary aviation hub for Thailand’s eastern seaboard, providing direct air access to the Trat archipelago, including Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak. Owned and operated privately by Bangkok Airways since opening in 2003, the facility sits on the mainland in the Khao Saming district of Trat province, roughly 35 kilometres west of Trat town. Scheduled domestic flights connect the region directly to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), reducing what is otherwise a five-to-six-hour road journey to an airborne trip of around one hour.

Unlike larger commercial hubs, Trat Airport is built around a distinctive low-rise, open-air pavilion layout surrounded by tropical gardens and fruit orchards. The single passenger terminal provides a streamlined transit experience, with open-sided arrival and departure lounges, straightforward baggage collection, and on-site transport desks arranged to connect disembarking passengers with island transfers. The calm, unhurried setting allows holidaymakers to step off the aircraft straight into a relaxed coastal environment.

Because Bangkok Airways is the sole scheduled carrier operating at the airfield, flight schedules are closely coordinated with mainland ferry departures. The airport sits roughly 15 to 20 kilometres from the primary ferry piers serving Koh Chang at Ao Thammachat and Centrepoint, with straightforward road connections extending south to Laem Ngop for Koh Mak speedboats and Laem Sok for Koh Kood catamarans. For travellers aiming to maximise island time, the airport provides a dependable, time-efficient alternative to long overland journeys from the capital.

Onward Travel and Island Connections

Trat Airport operates primarily as a regional transit interchange directing incoming airline passengers straight towards the mainland ferry piers serving the Trat archipelago: Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood. In the arrivals terminal, transport counters organise onward road journeys timed to meet every arriving flight. Travellers can book shared minivans or private transfers connecting directly to scheduled boat crossings, with combined ticket options covering both the overland vehicle drive and the sea crossing.

Road travel times and departure points differ depending on which island you visit. For Koh Chang, transfer vehicles travel roughly 17 to 20 kilometres to Ao Thammachat Pier (or nearby Centrepoint Pier), taking 20 to 25 minutes. Shared minivans drive straight aboard the roll-on roll-off ferry at Ao Thammachat, crossing the strait in 30 to 45 minutes before dropping travellers directly at hotels along the west coast, avoiding the need to haul luggage across ferry gangways.

Reaching the outer islands requires travelling further along the mainland coastline. Passengers bound for Koh Mak head to Krom Luang Pier at Laem Ngop, roughly 25 kilometres away, a road trip of 25 to 30 minutes; regular speedboats and catamarans make the sea crossing to Koh Mak in 45 to 60 minutes. Travellers heading to Koh Kood require a longer overland transfer of approximately 50 kilometres south to Laem Sok Pier, which takes 50 to 60 minutes by minivan or private car. From Laem Sok, high-speed catamarans and express boats reach Koh Kood in 45 to 90 minutes, docking at Ao Salad Pier where local resort transfers meet passengers. Arranging combined airport and ferry transfers in advance helps align flight arrival times with scheduled afternoon boat departures.

Airport Facilities and Services

Trat Airport operates from a compact, open-air terminal designed in an informal pavilion style surrounded by landscaped gardens. Its modest footprint houses the core amenities required for regional transit, including Bangkok Airways check-in desks, a sheltered baggage reclaim area, and an arrivals hall with staffed counters for flight queries and ground transport arrangements.

Departing passengers have access to an open-sided waiting lounge featuring Bangkok Airways’ signature Courtesy Corner. Available to all ticket holders without an entry fee, this counter provides complimentary hot and cold beverages along with light snacks, such as traditional steamed sticky rice (khao tom mat) and pastries. For additional refreshments, a separate café counter sells made-to-order coffee and snacks, complemented by a small shop stocked with travel sundries, packaged snacks, and regional souvenirs. Full-service dining establishments are absent.

Terminal services are practical and easy to navigate. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the passenger areas, and an ATM is on hand for cash withdrawals. There is no dedicated foreign currency exchange counter on-site, meaning arriving international travellers should secure Thai baht before departure from Bangkok or use the terminal cash machine. The facilities also include well-maintained public restrooms and a first-aid station, ensuring passengers remain comfortable during brief pre-flight waits.

Navigating Your Arrival and Departure

Operating as a dedicated regional gateway, Trat Airport handles scheduled Bangkok Airways services connecting directly with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airport operates around these scheduled flight rotations, keeping passenger flow straightforward and contained.

Upon landing, passengers disembark directly onto the apron and walk to the open-air arrivals and baggage reclaim pavilion. Because the terminal manages one flight at a time, luggage delivery is prompt, and ground transport desks are situated immediately outside the baggage area.

For departures back to Bangkok, Bangkok Airways check-in desks at Trat Airport close 40 minutes prior to domestic departures, and boarding gates close 15 minutes before scheduled take-off. Arriving 90 minutes before your flight provides sufficient time to check baggage, pass through the compact security checkpoint, and access the open-sided departure lounge.

Travellers returning from the eastern islands must factor in both the ferry crossing and mainland road transfers. Ferries from Koh Chang, Koh Mak, or Koh Kood connect to mainland piers including Ao Thammachat, Centrepoint, Laem Ngop, and Laem Sok. Shared minivans and private transfers pick up from island resorts or piers, but adverse sea conditions, vehicle ferry queues during peak periods, and road transit can add delays. Booking transfers that place you at the terminal well ahead of the 40-minute check-in cutoff ensures you make your homeward flight without complication.

Location and Getting There

Trat Airport sits in Tha Som subdistrict within Khao Saming District, roughly 35 kilometres north-west of Trat provincial town. The facility occupies mainland terrain surrounded by fruit orchards and rubber plantations, positioned for connections to the eastern seaboard archipelago. Mainland ferry departure points lie in different directions along the coast: Ao Thammachat pier for Koh Chang is around 15 to 20 kilometres away, Laem Ngop pier for Koh Mak is roughly 25 kilometres distant, and Laem Sok pier for Koh Kood is approximately 50 kilometres to the south.

Air travel provides the most direct link from Bangkok. Bangkok Airways operates scheduled non-stop domestic services from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Trat Airport (TDX) using ATR 72 turboprop aircraft. Timetabled flight duration is approximately one hour, with scheduled departures operating daily and increasing in frequency during the high season from late autumn through spring.

Travellers choosing overland routes from Bangkok cover roughly 315 kilometres by road. Driving or hiring a private vehicle down Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road) or Highway 344 generally requires four to five hours depending on traffic exiting the capital. Scheduled air-conditioned public coaches and minivans run from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) and Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Trat town bus station, taking between five and six hours. From Trat town, local taxis and songthaews reach the airport in roughly 35 to 40 minutes, with one-way fares typically running around 400 to 500 THB.

Costs and Booking

Trat Airport does not levy separate terminal user fees or local departure taxes on passengers; standard domestic airport charges are included directly in Bangkok Airways flight tickets. The principal expenses incurred when using the route consist of flights from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and onward ground or boat transfers to the Trat archipelago. Bangkok Airways one-way fares between Bangkok and Trat typically range from 2,000 THB to 5,000 THB (£45 to £110) per passenger, depending on fare class, promotional availability, and seasonal demand.

Flight prices peak during the dry high season from November to February, when demand for the eastern seaboard islands surges and the airline's limited ATR 72 seating sells out quickly. During the low season from May to October, coinciding with monsoon rains, fares are generally lower and promotional seats are easier to secure. Onward ground transfers from the airport terminal to mainland ferry piers—such as Ao Thammachat for Koh Chang or Laem Sok for Koh Kood—range from 400 THB to 600 THB (£9 to £13) per person in a shared vehicle. Door-to-door shared minibuses connecting Trat Airport directly to west-coast Koh Chang resorts, including the ferry crossing, cost between 650 THB and 850 THB (£15 to £19).

Island ferry tickets are charged separately if not using an inclusive transfer. The passenger crossing from Ao Thammachat to Koh Chang costs around 80 THB to 90 THB (£2) and cannot be reserved in advance, requiring cash payment at the pier ticket office. By contrast, catamaran and ferry services from Laem Sok to Koh Kood cost between 350 THB and 600 THB (£8 to £13) one-way, with express operators usually including island drop-offs at your accommodation. Speedboat transfers to Koh Mak from Laem Ngop Pier typically cost 450 THB to 550 THB (£10 to £12).

Who Trat Airport Suits

Flying into Trat Airport suits UK holidaymakers with limited time who want to reach Koh Chang, Koh Kood, or Koh Mak as quickly as possible. A one-hour domestic flight from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces a five- to six-hour road journey from the capital, making it advantageous for travellers on one- or two-week holidays wanting to maximise island time. Passengers landing on long-haul flights at Suvarnabhumi can connect directly to a domestic flight without changing airports or crossing central Bangkok traffic.

By contrast, the route is less suited to budget-conscious travellers. Bangkok Airways operates as the sole scheduled carrier into Trat, so airfares are substantially higher per person than public buses or minivans departing from Bangkok terminals. The airport also provides limited utility for visitors planning to tour mainland Trat province or Chanthaburi, or for larger family groups for whom private overland transfers direct from Bangkok to the ferry piers often prove more cost-effective.

What to Know Before You Book

Bangkok Airways owns and operates Trat Airport, operating as the sole commercial airline flying into the facility from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. Because no low-cost carriers fly this route, ticket prices sit higher than typical domestic fares across Thailand. Seat availability tightens and fares increase during the dry high season between November and April, making advance booking sensible.

Coordinating flight schedules with onward ferry timetables is the primary planning priority. Trat Airport functions purely as a transit gateway in rural Khao Saming, roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the Koh Chang car ferry piers and up to an hour from the Koh Kood pier at Laem Sok. Passenger boats to Koh Kood and Koh Mak depart only during the morning and early afternoon, while the final car ferry to Koh Chang departs at 18:30. Landing on a late afternoon flight leaves little margin for error, and missing the final departure requires an overnight stay in Trat town or near the mainland piers.

Terminal amenities are decidedly modest. The layout consists of open-air garden pavilions with basic conveniences, including an ATM, transport desks, a small café, and complimentary lounge refreshments for passengers. There are no hotels, expansive shopping areas, or full-service restaurants on the airport grounds. Travellers should verify same-day boat transfers and mainland or island accommodation before committing to their flight times.

Practical Tips

Coordinate your flight arrival times carefully against island ferry timetables. Ferries to Koh Kood and Koh Mak typically run their final departures by mid-afternoon, around 15:00 to 16:00, while the last car ferry to Koh Chang from Ao Thammachat departs at 18:30. Travellers landing on late afternoon flights often need to stay overnight on the mainland, either in Trat town or near the piers in Laem Ngop, before crossing the following morning.

Carry sufficient Thai Baht in cash upon landing. While Bangkok Airways accepts card payments at its desks, mainland ferry ticket kiosks, local songthaew taxis, and pier transfers operate almost exclusively on cash. On-site cash machines are available inside the terminal, but having local currency to hand prevents delays during brisk transfers.

Allow 60 to 90 minutes at the airport before departing flights. The terminal is compact and security queues move quickly, but Bangkok Airways check-in counters close 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure. If returning directly from the islands on the day of your flight, factor in sea conditions, potential boat delays, and the road journey from the pier to reach check-in comfortably.

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