Bangkok to Trang and the Trang Islands — Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai by Train, Flight and Longtail
The quiet alternative to Krabi's islands. How to reach Trang by sleeper train or flight, which pier serves which island, and how the Emerald Cave and the island-hopping boats work in the dry season.
Trang is Krabi's quieter neighbour to the south, and its islands (Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, Koh Libong) are smaller, calmer and less developed than Phi Phi or Lanta. Trang also has one advantage Krabi lacks: a railway station, which makes the sleeper train a natural way to arrive.
Step 1: Bangkok → Trang
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight sleeper train | About 15–16 hours | Leaves Bangkok in the late afternoon or evening, arrives Trang in the morning; second-class air-conditioned sleepers |
| Fly | 1 h 20 min | A few flights a day, mostly from Don Mueang; airport 15 minutes from town |
| Overnight bus | About 12–13 hours | From Sai Tai Mai; arrives before dawn |
- Compare trains, flights and buses Bangkok–Trang: open 12Go
Step 2: Trang → the islands
The islands are reached from piers along the coast, about 45–60 minutes from Trang town or the station. Minivans and combined "van + boat" tickets do the whole trip.
Koh Mook (Emerald Cave, Charlie Beach, a fishing village) is reached by longtail from Kuan Tung Ku pier, about 30 minutes.
Koh Kradan (the best beach and snorkelling) and Koh Ngai are served by longtails and speedboats from Pak Meng pier or via Koh Mook; in high season the island-hopping speedboats running between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe also call here.
Koh Libong, larger and home to dugongs, is reached from Hat Yao pier.
Van + boat tickets Trang–Koh Mook and onward: open 12Go
What to expect
- The islands are quiet: a handful of resorts each, limited nightlife, patchy ATMs (bring cash), and generators or limited electricity on some.
- The Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) on Koh Mook is entered by swimming through a dark tunnel to a hidden beach; go early or late to avoid the tour-boat rush at midday.
- Longtails between the islands are easy to arrange through your resort for day trips and snorkelling.
Seasons
Andaman coast: November to April is dry with calm seas and all resorts open. From roughly May to October many island resorts close, longtails run only when conditions allow, and the sea is often too rough for snorkelling. Plan Trang's islands for the dry season.
Common mistakes
- Arriving by the morning train and expecting to be on Koh Kradan by lunch without a booked transfer. Piers are an hour away and boats do not wait; a combined ticket solves this.
- Bringing too little cash. Small islands have few or no ATMs.
- Visiting in the monsoon. Half the island is closed and the cave is unsafe in swell.
Summary
Take the sleeper to Trang, buy a combined van-and-boat ticket to your island, and choose Koh Mook for the cave and village atmosphere or Koh Kradan for the beach. Go between November and April, and carry cash.