Trat Airport Guide

Your Guide to Trat Airport – TDX

Trat Airport, (IATA code TDX) is the airport used by visitors who prefer to fly to Koh Chang, Koh Kood or Koh Mak rather than travel all the way by road from Bangkok.

It is located in Trat province and is approximately 17Km from Ao Thammachat (for ferries to Koh Chang ); 22Km from Centerpoint pier (for ferries to Koh Chang); 25km from Krom Luang pier (for speedboats to Koh Mak)  and 60Km from Laem Sok – where the passenger boats to Koh Kood depart.

The town of Trat itself is around 30 minutes drive away, although very few people stay in the town.  Most passengers are on their way to one of the outlying islands.

The airport itself is one of the smallest in Thailand and, in keeping with Bangkok Airways’ two other private airports at Samui and Sukhothai, it features a tropical, open plan design and a very laid back, informal atmosphere.   With just four arrivals and departures per day, it’s also possibly the quietest commercial airport in Thailand.

There are a few basic facilities at the airport – a car park, small cafe, ATM, transfer desk and toilets.  Free snacks and drinks are provided for passengers waiting for their flight to Bangkok.  Free wifi is also available in the departure area.

In December 2022 it was confirmed that the airport will be expanded. This was in response to requests from Chinese airlines who want to fly direct to Trat.  The runway is being increased to 2,100 metres which will allow larger planes such as Boeing B737 and Airbus A320 to use it. In addition a new terminal building and passenger facilities will be constructed at the western end of the runway.

You can see the work that has already been done – either overhead from the plane or on the left side of the road when you leave Trat Airport. A huge area of land has already been cleared and levelled in preparation.  Work on the runway and buildings is expected to be completed by 2027.

Airlines Using Trat Airport

Trat Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways.  This airline is a regular winner of awards for being one of the best small airlines in South East Asia.  They fly to many domestic and international locations from their base at Suvaranbhumi Airport.

They operate four flights per day to Trat by 70 seater, turbo-prop ATR 72 planes.  These twin engine Franco-Italian planes are used in over 60 countries and are ideal for short haul flights.  Flying time between Bangkok and Trat is timetabled as being an hour, but in reality it is closer to a 40 minute ‘sky hop’.

(Note that budget airlines do not use this airport.  The nearest AirAsia or Nok Air fly to is Utapao Airport near Pattaya.  There are bus services from Utapao to Koh Chang but it isn’t as convenient or quick as flying into Trat. )

Note that during the low season ( June to October ) one of the daily flights in each direction may well be cancelled.  Usually this is PG301/PG302.  You can check the status of recent flights here: Trat Airport Flight Status It shows flight departure and arrival times for the past few days as well as real time information for today’s flights.

Low Season Flight Schedule (26 March – 28 October 2023)

High Season Flight Schedule (From 29 October 2023 onwards)

All flights subject to change.

During the Low Season there are often some good deals to be had on flights, with one way prices as low as 1,200 Baht inclusive of tax.  However, during High Season, it’s hard to find tickets for under 2,800 Baht one way.  And during Peak Season prices rise to over 3,500 Baht.  Look for the ‘Web Promotion’ prices.  These are the cheapest tickets but are non-refundable.

Connecting Flights

All flights to or from Trat go to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, this makes it easy to connect to either international flights or domestic flights on Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways.  Note that budget carriers now all use Don Meaung Airport and not Suvarnabhumi.

Since 2015 it has been possible to clear Customs and Immigration at Trat Airport.  The main benefit of this is that is allows passengers on either Bangkok Airways or their partner airlines to check in baggage through to their final destination and also clear Immigration when arriving or departing Trat.

More details of the through check-in process, including luggage, boarding pass restrictions and partner airlines can be found here.

Bangkok Airways Baggage Allowance

Please note that Bangkok Airway’s allowances may be different to those on your flight from home to Bangkok.

The allowance for passengers on Bangkok Airways’ flights is as follows:

– 20 kilos per adult or child in Economy Class
– 30 kilos for passengers Business Class passengers
– 10 kilos per infant in Economy or Business Class

Carry on bags on flights to Trat are limited to a bag with maximum dimensions of 50 x 36 x 23 centimeters and wight of 5kg.  Which is smaller and a couple of kilos lighter than most airlines international allowance.

One travel tip that you can use to increase your baggage allowance for free is to simply sign up for Bangkok Airways ‘Flyer Bonus‘ frequent flyer program. It only takes 5 minutes to register.  It’s free and you don’t have to provide any financial information.

In return, you will get an additional 10Kg baggage allowance.  And all passengers can sign up.  So if you are travelling with a large family, sign everyone up as a frequent flyer (even if you only plan to use the airline once) and you’ll all get the extra 10kg.  So no more worrying about limiting yourself to 20kg for the Bangkok to Trat flight.

When you book tickets on the Bangkok Airways website, you will see that you can enter then frequent flyer numbers for all passengers and then get the increased limit automatically when you book.

Trat Airport Layout

Note that the check in areas are at the top of the plan below the car park.  The areas marked ‘Entrance Domestic Passenger’ and ‘Entrance International Passenger’ are for arrivals, not departures. (Plan credit: tratairport.com)

Transport to Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak

Trat is a very small airport and so has limited transport options.  However there is a shared minibus service from the airport to hotels on Koh Chang and also to Krom Luang pier (for boats to Koh Mak) and Laem Sok pier for boats to Koh Kood.  These are run by Krungthep Limousine.  Tickets can be bought on arrival in Trat. The same companyalso offers cars for rent, but for most visitors renting a vehicle is probably best left until you’re on the island and know how long you might want to use one for.

The only public transport at the airport are shared pick up truck taxis which will take passengers to the mainland ferry pier.

Private transfers can be easily arranged in advance on this website or others.

Trat Airport to Koh Chang

The vehicle ferries from the mainland to Koh Chang run from early morning until 18:30.  Ferries run daily throughout the year and it is extremely rare for a sailing to be cancelled.

There are both shared minibus services and private transfers from Trat Airport to hotels on Koh Chang.  There aren’t any local taxis or bus services.

Passengers can either arrange transport when they land in Trat; arrange it in advance online or through a local agent or ask their hotel to send a driver to meet them.

The shared minibus is the most economical option.  This drops passengers off at all hotels and resorts on the west coast of the island. However, it doesn’t go along the sparsely populated east coast.  If you are staying on the east of the island anywhere to the south of Amber Sands or Serenity Resort then you will have to arrange for your hotel to pick you up from the ferry pier.  Or, take a private transfer.

Driving time from the airport to the mainland pier is around 20 minutes.  Then you have a 30 minute ferry crossing.  Ferries depart every 45 minute or more frequently if it is busy.  Once on Koh Chang it’s anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour drive, depending on which beach you are staying on.

Ticket prices are currently 650 Baht  – 750 Baht one way or 1,200  – 1,300 Baht return. These can be booked in advance via Krungthep Limousine, who operate the service.

Private transfers can also be arranged at the airport, although it will save a significant amount of money by booking in advance.  Figure on 1,900 – 2,100 Baht for a car and driver for two passengers to a resort on Koh Chang.  Or from 2,400 – 3,100 Baht for a minivan for up to 7 passengers.

If you are staying on the east coast then you’ll either have to book a private transfer, or take the shared minibus and get dropped off at the pier on Koh Chang.  Then arrange with your hotel for them to send a driver to pick you up.

Trat Airport to Laem Ngop and Koh Mak

There are speedboats at regular intervals from Krom Luang pier, near the village of Laem Ngop to Koh Mak.  The first speedboat of the day is at 10:30, so there’s no problem for passengers on PG301 to connect with this boat or one at 11:30 or 12:30.

Passengers on the lunchtime flight, PG305, can take a speedboat to Koh Mak at 15:00 or 16:00.

However, anyone taking the evening flight will have to wait until the following morning to get to Koh Mak.

The shared minibus service will drop passengers off at the pier.  Ticket price is 500 Baht.

A private transfer by car can easily be pre-booked for 1,500 Baht. Or from 2,300 – 2,600 Baht for a minibus which can seat a maximum of 8 passengers.

Trat immigration office is also located in Laem Ngop within easy reach of the pier.  Anyone needing to extend their Tourist Visa can do so here.

Trat Airport to Laem Sok pier and Koh Kood

If you plan on getting to Koh Kood the same day then you’ll need to be on flight PG305. As of March 2023 the last boat is the 16:00 Seudamgo Ferry which recently started operations.

( If PG301 starts operations again then you’ll be able to catch the 10:45 Boonsiri Ferry to Koh Kood.  Or failing that, the Koh Kood Express or Koh Kood Princess at 12:00 – 12:30. However, if not then during the low season late March to late October passengers can take either the Boonsiri Ferry at 14:20 or Seudamgo Ferry at 16:00 )

Unless you are travelling over New Year or Thai New Year, there is no need to buy tickets in advance.  However, these can be booked online via the boat company websites.

The service also runs twice daily from Laem Sok pier to Trat Airport.  This is only suitable for passengers departing on PG308 or PG310 . Anyone on PG302 won’t be able to get from koh kood to the airport in time for the flight.  And passengers on PG306 will need to take a private transfer in order to get to the airport in time for their flight.

Tickets for the shared minibus are 700 Baht per person from the airport to the pier.

A private transfer by car from Trat Airport to Laem Sok pier, for two passengers, is 1,500 Baht. Or from 2,300 – 2,600 Baht for a Toyota Commuter minibus which can seat a maximum of 8 passengers.

Car Hire

A car hire service is available at the airport, which is ideal for independent travelers visiting the Mu Ko Chang National Park.  It is an easy drive to the mainland ferry pier and then, once on Koh Chang, the roads are in good condition.  Care is needed on some hills and also when driving at night, as there are very few streetlights.

Daily (24 Hour) rental rates are from 1,400 Baht for a small automatic car.

Airport Photo Gallery