Getting Around Koh Mak: Transport & Ferry Guide for Backpackers
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Koh Mak is the kind of island where the koh mak transport question has only three real answers. There are no Grab cars, no metered taxis, no traffic, and few paved roads. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
The ferry is the spine of the journey. Land at Laem Ngop or Trat town, hop a slow boat or speedboat, and you’re on a quiet island with no 7-Eleven on every corner, almost no cars, and a handful of beach resorts facing east. Scooter rental runs ₹715-₹1,001 (~250-350 THB or ~$7.42-$10.39) a day and most visitors use one as their main mode of transport for the entire stay.
For Thai context at current rates, the THB/INR conversion is roughly 1 INR ≈ 0.3486 THB. Keep that conversion in your head when you’re looking at scooter and food prices below. If you’re planning the longer Bangkok overland leg, our Bangkok airport to city center guide covers the main arrival options before you head east.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest way from Bangkok to Koh Mak | Overnight bus Bangkok → Trat (Ekkamai or Mo Chit), then ferry from Laem Ngop to Koh Mak | ₹1,715 (~600 THB or ~$17.81) bus + ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) ferry |
| Cheapest way from Pattaya to Koh Mak | Bell Travel minivan Pattaya → Trat pier direct, then ferry | ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35) van + ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) ferry |
| Koh Mak to Koh Kood ferry | Speedboat from Ao Soun Yai (Koh Mak) to Ao Yai or Khlong Hin (Koh Kood), most days at 12:00 or 13:00 | ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35) |
| Koh Mak scooter rental | Honda Click or Mio at any resort or Koh Mak Resort shop | ₹715-₹1,001 (~250-350 THB or ~$7.42-$10.39) per day |
| Cheapest ferry from Trat to Koh Mak | Laem Ngop → Koh Mak slow boat, runs most days mid-morning | ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) |
How to Get to Koh Mak from Bangkok, Pattaya, or Trat
Most travellers approach Koh Mak through Trat province on the eastern seaboard. The island does not have an airport, so the journey is always road + ferry. Treat the ferry as the bottleneck: if you time the bus to arrive at the pier 30 to 60 minutes before the boat leaves, the whole day runs smoothly.
Bangkok → Trat → Koh Mak
The standard backpacker route is an overnight bus from Ekkamai (Eastern) terminal to Trat town, arriving around 5:00 AM. From Trat bus station, take a songthaew to Laem Ngop pier (about 30 minutes, ₹229 (~80 THB or ~$2.37)), then catch the morning ferry to Koh Mak.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Bell Travel runs a combined minivan + ferry ticket from Ekkamai all the way to Koh Mak resorts for around ₹2,573-₹2,859 (~900-1,000 THB or ~$26.71-$29.68). You don’t change buses, you don’t negotiate with songthaew drivers, and you skip the morning race at the pier. Travellers report this is the smoothest version of the route.
For ferry and bus combos, search rides on 12go.
Pattaya → Koh Mak
Bell Travel also runs a direct van from Pattaya to the piers for around ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35), with hotel pickup. The road journey is about 4 to 5 hours, then the ferry adds another 45 to 90 minutes depending on whether you take the slow boat or the speedboat.
Trat Town to Koh Mak Ferry Schedule
The slow boat from Laem Ngop is the budget standard. It runs roughly twice a day in high season (November to April) and once a day in shoulder season. Ticket price is around ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) and the ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Speedboats are faster (about 20 to 30 minutes) and cost ₹1,429-₹2,001 (~500-700 THB or ~$14.84-$20.77). Boats arrive at Ao Soun Yai on Koh Mak’s east side, the main pier.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Always photograph your luggage and your ferry ticket before boarding. Koh Mak ferries mix passengers with boxes of produce for the island resorts, and bags sometimes get stacked in odd places. A photo of your bag on the deck settles any argument.
Koh Mak to Koh Kood and Other Island Connections
The Koh Mak to Koh Kood route is the most common onward trip. The two islands sit about 25 to 30 km apart, and the speedboat ride is one of the cheapest island hops in Thailand.
Koh Mak → Koh Kood
Speedboats depart from Ao Soun Yai (the main pier) most days at 12:00 or 13:00, depending on season and operator. The crossing takes about 60 to 90 minutes and costs ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35). You arrive at either Ao Yai on Koh Kood’s west side or Khlong Hin, depending on which boat you take. Always confirm the drop-off point when you book, because Koh Kood doesn’t have taxis waiting.
If you’re looking for guided activities in the area, the GetYourGuide listings for Koh Mak cover what is available.
Koh Mak → Koh Chang
If you want to continue north to Koh Chang, the same speedboat network handles it: ₹1,001-₹1,429 (~350-500 THB or ~$10.39-$14.84) and 45 to 90 minutes depending on which boat you book. Boats are less frequent than the Koh Kood route, so book a day ahead at your resort.
Koh Mak → Koh Wai and Koh Kham
Koh Wai and Koh Kham are small day-trip islands 15 minutes south of Koh Mak. Longtail boats leave Ao Soun Yai on demand in the morning, return in the afternoon, and cost ₹572-₹858 (~200-300 THB or ~$5.94-$8.90) round trip depending on how many people share the boat. This is one of the best day trips from Koh Mak and you don’t need to book ahead.
Getting Around Koh Mak Itself
The island is about 16 sq km, which is small enough that you can walk the central beaches in 30 minutes but big enough that you’ll want wheels for the south and west coasts.
Scooter Rental Rules (DL & IDP)
A Thai scooter rental shop will hand you keys if you show a passport and a cash deposit. They will not ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP). That doesn’t mean you don’t legally need one: riding without an IDP showing motorcycle endorsement is technically illegal, and if a Trat police checkpoint stops you on the ferry road (rare but possible), the fine is ₹1,429-₹2,859 (~500-1,000 THB or ~$14.84-$29.68) on the spot.
More importantly: if you crash without an IDP, your travel insurance is void. Hospital bills on the eastern seaboard can run into tens of thousands of baht even for a minor spill. Indian travellers report that an Indian car license alone is not accepted for motorcycles in Thailand.
Safety Alert: Carry your IDP, your passport, and the rental contract together in a zip bag. Koh Mak roads are mostly concrete but get slippery in rain, and there are no streetlights outside the main resorts.
Scooter Rental Checklist
When you pick up the bike:
- Walk around the entire bike with the shop owner and photograph every scratch and dent. Take 30 seconds of video as well.
- Test the front brake (left lever) and rear brake (right lever) before leaving. Most rental bikes on Koh Mak are 110cc Honda Click or Yamaha Mio automatics.
- Check tire tread with your thumb. Rear tires wear fast on island roads.
- Confirm fuel level (usually shown on the dash) and return condition.
- Ask for two helmets, even if you’re solo. The strap must click closed.
Typical Koh Mak scooter rental prices:
| Bike | Daily | Weekly | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Click 110cc | ₹715 (~250 THB or ~$7.42) | ₹4,288 (~1,500 THB or ~$44.51) | ₹5,718 (~2,000 THB or ~$59.35) cash or passport |
| Yamaha Mio 110cc | ₹858 (~300 THB or ~$8.90) | ₹5,146 (~1,800 THB or ~$53.42) | ₹5,718 (~2,000 THB or ~$59.35) cash or passport |
| Honda PCX 150cc | ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) | ₹5,718 (~2,000 THB or ~$59.35) | ₹8,577 (~3,000 THB or ~$89.03) cash or passport |
Always insist on a written rental contract. If the shop refuses to give you one, walk away: that’s a sign they don’t carry insurance and they’ll blame you for any pre-existing damage.
Bicycle Rental
If you’d rather skip the IDP question entirely, bicycles are ₹229-₹429 (~80-150 THB or ~$2.37-$4.45) per day from most resorts. The island is flat enough that a single-speed is fine for the east coast, but you’ll work up a sweat if you’re crossing to the west coast in midday heat. Travellers report this is the cleanest option for stays of 3 days or less.
Songthaews and Local Taxis
There are no metered songthaews on Koh Mak in the way you find in Chiang Mai. What exists is a small fleet of pickup trucks that run between the main beaches and the pier, usually ₹143-₹286 (~50-100 THB or ~$1.48-$2.97) per person for a shared ride, or ₹572-₹858 (~200-300 THB or ~$5.94-$8.90) for a private truck if you book one through your resort. There is no Grab or Bolt on the island, so plan ahead. For a sense of how songthaew-and-scooter islands run elsewhere in Thailand, the Koh Chang local transport guide is a useful comparison point.
Getting Connected on Koh Mak
Koh Mak has decent 4G coverage on AIS, TrueMove, and DTAC across most of the east coast, but signal drops to 2G/3G on the southwest beaches. You won’t need a SIM for Grab here (no Grab), but you will need data for Google Maps (the road network is not always easy to follow), the 12go app, and messaging your resort about pickup.
The cheapest option is to grab an AIS or TrueMove tourist SIM at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (covered in the Bangkok airport to city center transport guide) or Don Mueang airport on arrival, which runs around ₹286-₹855 (~100-299 THB or ~$2.97-$8.87) for 8 days with 15 GB depending on the promo.
If you’d rather not swap physical SIMs, search for the Nomad eSIM shop via this affiliate link and activate before you fly, then turn it on when you land in Bangkok. Coverage on Koh Mak is solid for the AIS-backed plans.
Where to Eat Near the Ferry and Beaches
Koh Mak’s food scene is small but reliable. The east coast near Ao Soun Yai has a cluster of family-run Thai places serving ₹229-₹343 (~80-120 THB or ~$2.37-$3.56) plates of pad thai, som tam, and grilled fish. For Indian food, three resorts on the island keep kitchens open to non-guests and serve recognizable vegetarian options.
A backpacker favourite near the pier: Chacha Beach Café & Restaurant (rated 5, beachfront, casual atmosphere). For something later in the evening, ណាក់ណាក់ស៑ុប&Pizza24h does late-night pizza and Khmer bites. If you want Indian food, Giant Summit Restaurant (rated 4.7) serves a diverse menu with Indian dishes and mountain views, and Zazen blends Thai and Indian flavours in a more elegant setting.
Common Transit Mistakes Indians Make on Koh Mak
Mistake 1: Leaving your passport as scooter deposit What people do: Hand over the passport as the rental deposit because the shop asked for it. What happens: Your passport is held for the entire rental period, often 24 to 72 hours. If you have an emergency or need to extend the rental, you can’t get it back quickly. How to avoid it: Pay the cash deposit (₹5,718-₹8,577 (~2,000-3,000 THB or ~$59.35-$89.03)) instead, or leave a colour photocopy of your passport. Most shops accept either.
Mistake 2: Booking the last ferry of the day with no buffer What people do: Take the 16:00 speedboat from Koh Mak to Trat, expecting to catch the 17:30 bus back to Bangkok. What happens: Speedboats run late or get cancelled in rough seas, and you’ll sleep on the Trat bus station floor. How to avoid it: Always book the morning ferry back to the mainland and the daytime bus. The ferry is ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) and slow, but it’s the one that runs.
Mistake 3: Riding without an IDP and assuming “Thailand is laid back” What people do: Skip the IDP because Thai rental shops don’t ask for it. What happens: A checkpoint stops you, the fine is ₹1,429-₹2,859 (~500-1,000 THB or ~$14.84-$29.68) on the spot, and your travel insurance is now void for any medical bill that follows. How to avoid it: Get the IDP from your local RTO in India before flying. It costs around ₹1,000-₹1,200 (~$10.38-$12.46) including service charges and takes one afternoon.
Mistake 4: Assuming there’s a ferry to Koh Mak from Koh Chang directly What people do: Take a morning boat from Koh Chang expecting a same-day connection to Koh Mak. What happens: There is no direct Koh Chang → Koh Mak ferry on most days. You have to route through Trat, which adds 3 to 4 hours. How to avoid it: Either do Trat → Koh Mak or Koh Chang → Koh Kood → Koh Mak as two separate day trips.
Mistake 5: Forgetting the songthaew costs more than the scooter What people do: Skip renting a scooter because “the island is small.” What happens: You end up paying ₹572-₹858 (~200-300 THB or ~$5.94-$8.90) per trip for pickup-truck taxis, which adds up fast if you’re crossing beaches twice a day. How to avoid it: Rent the scooter for one day, see the whole island, and then decide.
Safety and Travel Advisories
Koh Mak is one of the safer eastern Thai islands. There is no significant political tension, no insurgency, and crime against tourists is rare. The main day-to-day risks are scooter accidents on wet concrete and sunburn on the west coast where shade is scarce.
Safety Alert: Always check the Indian Ministry of External Affairs travel advisory page (mea.gov.in) before flying, and the Thai government’s own tourism safety portal at tourismthailand.org. For road-safety context, the WHO Southeast Asia regional office publishes annual data on Thailand traffic incidents that is worth a glance.
For broader safety context on neighbouring islands, the Koh Kood transport guide covers the speedboat network in more detail, and the Koh Tao transport guide is a useful reference for how scooter-and-songthaew islands work in general.
Subodh’s Take
Skip the speedboat if you can. The slow boat from Laem Ngop costs ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39), and you get a proper look at the smaller islands on the way. Rent the scooter for the whole stay, pay the cash deposit instead of leaving your passport, and don’t try to be a hero with the IDP question: get one before you fly. Koh Mak rewards slow travel. The transport is part of that.
FAQ
How do you get to Koh Mak from Bangkok? Overnight bus from Ekkamai terminal to Trat (about ₹1,715 (~600 THB or ~$17.81)), then a songthaew to Laem Ngop pier (₹229 (~80 THB or ~$2.37)), then the slow boat ferry to Koh Mak (₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39)). Bell Travel also runs a combined van + ferry ticket from Khao San for around ₹2,573-₹2,859 (~900-1,000 THB or ~$26.71-$29.68).
Is there a ferry from Koh Mak to Koh Kood? Yes. Speedboats run from Ao Soun Yai on Koh Mak to Ao Yai or Khlong Hin on Koh Kood most days at 12:00 or 13:00, costing ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35) and taking about 60 to 90 minutes.
How much is scooter rental on Koh Mak? Honda Click 110cc scooters rent for ₹715 (~250 THB or ~$7.42) per day or ₹4,288 (~1,500 THB or ~$44.51) per week. Yamaha Mio is ₹858 (~300 THB or ~$8.90) per day. Honda PCX 150cc is ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) per day. A cash or passport deposit of ₹5,718-₹8,577 (~2,000-3,000 THB or ~$59.35-$89.03) is standard.
Do I need an IDP to ride a scooter on Koh Mak? Legally, yes. Thai rental shops on Koh Mak will not ask for one, but if you’re stopped at a Trat police checkpoint without an IDP showing motorcycle endorsement, the fine is ₹1,429-₹2,859 (~500-1,000 THB or ~$14.84-$29.68) and your travel insurance is void for any scooter-related medical bill. Get the IDP from your Indian RTO before flying.
How do you get from Pattaya to Koh Mak? Bell Travel runs a direct minivan from Pattaya hotels to the piers for around ₹1,287 (~450 THB or ~$13.35), then a ₹1,001-₹2,001 (~350-700 THB or ~$10.39-$20.77) ferry depending on speedboat or slow boat. Total door-to-door time is 5 to 6 hours.
Can I do a day trip from Koh Mak to Koh Kood? Yes, but it’s tight. The 12:00 or 13:00 speedboat takes about 60 to 90 minutes each way, leaving you 3 to 4 hours on Koh Kood before the return boat. Most travellers do this as an overnight rather than a day trip.
How much does the slow boat from Trat to Koh Mak cost? ₹1,001 (~350 THB or ~$10.39) per person. Speedboats are ₹1,429-₹2,001 (~500-700 THB or ~$14.84-$20.77) and cut the journey from 30 to 45 minutes down to about 20 to 30 minutes. The slow boat runs most days in high season, less frequently in low season.
