Koh Chang vs Koh Kood: Which Is Better?
Koh Chang vs Koh Kood: easy all-rounder or quiet beach escape
Koh Chang and Koh Kood are the two biggest islands in Trat province, about an hour apart by speedboat. They suit very different holidays.
Koh Chang is the busy, easy option. It has a car ferry, lots of restaurants, nightlife and hotels at every price. Koh Kood is quieter and less developed. Many travellers think it has the best beaches in the Trat islands.
This guide compares them on getting there, beaches, nature, getting around, food, hotels and cost. It ends with a clear verdict.
- No source gives a daily budget for Koh Kood. I Am Koh Chang lists separate prices for rooms, food and scooters. I've used those. For Koh Chang, Visit Thailand Today puts a budget day at about ฿1,100 and a mid-range day at about ฿2,800.
- Songthaew prices on Koh Kood conflict. I Am Koh Chang gives ฿300 to ฿500+ in one place and ฿300 to ฿600+ in another.
- Koh Chang to Koh Kood boat prices vary by source. Explore Koh Chang (updated 19 October 2026) lists Boonsiri at ฿900 and speedboats at ฿1,000. Koh Chang Ferries lists speedboats at ฿1,200. Prices change by season, so check before you book.
- Halal food is very limited on both islands. I found no halal restaurants on Koh Kood. A HalalBooking resort listing on Koh Kood says there's "no halal food provision in the property or nearby places." Koh Chang has a few Muslim-friendly options on White Sand Beach, such as Taste of India and Alaturka. None are certified.
- ATM information on Koh Kood is inconsistent. I Am Koh Chang names different ATM locations in different sections. It advises bringing enough cash.
- Two of the comparison articles are opinion pieces. Explorer Tom (August 2026) and Shipped Away (October 2026) don't give baht prices.
Koh Chang vs Koh Kood at a glance
| Factor | Koh Chang | Koh Kood |
|---|---|---|
| Size and feel | Thailand's second-largest island, busier and more developed | Thailand's fifth-largest island, about 25 km long, quiet |
| Getting there from Bangkok | Wins. 999 bus ฿329 plus ferry ฿90 | Bus and boat combo ฿1,100 to ฿1,150 |
| Mainland boat | Wins. Car ferry about 30 to 45 minutes, runs all year | Passenger boats only, ฿600, about 1 hour |
| Total travel time from Bangkok | Wins. About 5 to 6 hours by bus and ferry | About 7 to 8 hours by bus and boat |
| Beaches | Good. White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae | Wins. Ao Tapao, Ao Phrao, Klong Chao, clearer and quieter |
| Waterfalls | Klong Plu and Than Mayom, ฿200 park fee | Wins. Klong Chao and Klong Yai Kee, free |
| Things to do | Wins. Snorkel trips, mangroves, Bang Bao, island hopping | Mostly beaches, kayaking and waterfalls |
| Nightlife | Wins. Lonely Beach bars and fire shows | Very quiet |
| Restaurants | Wins. Many Thai and international restaurants and night markets | Fewer options, more spread out |
| Getting around | Wins. Songthaews, scooter ฿200 to ฿300 a day | Scooter almost essential, ฿300 to ฿350 a day |
| Muslim-friendly food | Slight edge. A few options on White Sand Beach | None found |
| Budget room per night | Wider choice at every price | About ฿1,000 to ฿1,800 |
| Low season boats | Wins. Car ferry runs all year | Fewer boats from mid-May to mid-October |
| Ideal stay | 3 to 5 nights | 3 to 4 nights |
| Best for | Families, first-timers and budget travellers | Couples, honeymooners and beach lovers |
Cost row highlighted. Koh Kood room prices from I Am Koh Chang.
Getting there
Boats to Koh Kood leave from Laem Sok Pier in Trat
Koh Chang is easier to reach. The 999 bus from Bangkok's Ekkamai or Suvarnabhumi costs ฿329. The car ferry adds ฿90. The whole trip takes about 6 hours. You can also fly Bangkok Airways to Trat in about an hour. The car ferry runs all year.
Koh Kood takes longer. All boats leave from Laem Sok Pier, about 30 km from Trat. There's no car ferry. Explore Koh Chang lists these options:
- Bus and boat combo from Bangkok: ฿1,100 to ฿1,150 per person with Boonsiri, Seudamgo or Koh Kut Express
- Public bus to Trat: ฿330, then a songthaew to the pier
- Laem Sok to Koh Kood: ฿600, about 1 hour, with Boonsiri, Seudamgo or Koh Kut Express
- Private transfer from Trat Airport to Laem Sok: ฿1,500 by SUV
I Am Koh Chang says the trip from Bangkok takes 7 to 8 hours.
Verdict: Koh Chang is cheaper and faster to reach.
Beaches
Ao Tapao, the longest beach on Koh Kood's west coast
Koh Kood wins. Shipped Away calls it "without a doubt" the winner for beaches. Explorer Tom also rates Koh Kood's beaches higher overall.
I Am Koh Chang's favourites:
- Ao Tapao: the longest beach on the west coast
- Ao Phrao: a long stretch of white sand, often called one of the island's top three beaches
- Klong Chao: the main hub, with a river and restaurants
- Bang Bao Bay: sheltered and good for families and snorkelling. This is a different place from Bang Bao on Koh Chang.
Koh Chang's beaches are good but busier. Explorer Tom's favourite is Kai Bae. North White Sand Beach has the best sand.
Verdict: Koh Kood for beaches.
Nature and waterfalls
Klong Chao, the largest waterfall on Koh Kood
Both islands are green and jungle-covered. Explorer Tom says there's no clear winner for nature.
Koh Kood's waterfalls are free, according to I Am Koh Chang:
- Klong Chao Waterfall is the largest on the island.
- Klong Yai Kee Waterfall is quieter, with a short walk and a wide swimming pool.
Koh Chang's Klong Plu and Than Mayom waterfalls charge a ฿200 national park fee. Koh Chang also has the Salak Khok mangroves and more organised tours.
Verdict: a draw on nature. Koh Kood's waterfalls are free. Koh Chang has more to do.
Nightlife and restaurants
Lonely Beach, the heart of Koh Chang's nightlife
Koh Chang wins clearly. It has the bars and fire shows of Lonely Beach, plus night markets and many restaurants. Explorer Tom calls Koh Kood "very quiet" at night.
On Koh Kood, I Am Koh Chang lists local Thai dishes at ฿80 to ฿160 and seafood mains at ฿180 to ฿250. Many village restaurants only take cash.
Verdict: Koh Chang for food choice and evenings out.
Getting around
A scooter is almost essential on Koh Kood
Koh Chang has shared songthaews along the west coast. Visit Thailand Today lists scooter rental at ฿200 to ฿300 a day.
On Koh Kood, a scooter is almost essential. I Am Koh Chang lists rental at ฿300 to ฿350 a day. Songthaews aren't metered and cost ฿300 or more per trip.
Verdict: Koh Chang is easier without a scooter.
Halal food and Muslim-friendly travel
Neither island is easy for halal food. On Koh Chang, Taste of India and Alaturka on White Sand Beach are the best Muslim-friendly options. They aren't certified.
On Koh Kood, I couldn't find any halal restaurants. Koh Kood Resort on HalalBooking offers alcohol-free rooms and bidets. Its listing says there's no halal food nearby.
Verdict: Koh Chang is easier. On Koh Kood, stick to seafood and vegetarian dishes. Ask about pork and bring snacks.
Hotels and cost
Koh Kood is more expensive overall. Shipped Away says it has fewer budget hotels and slightly pricier food. I Am Koh Chang lists these nightly rates:
- Budget: ฿1,000 to ฿1,800 a night
- Mid-range: ฿2,500 to ฿6,500 a night
- Luxury: ฿8,000 to ฿20,000 or more
Koh Chang has the widest choice, from simple bungalows to beach resorts. Visit Thailand Today puts a budget day at about ฿1,100 and a mid-range day at about ฿2,800.
Verdict: Koh Chang is cheaper and better for budget travellers.
Which should you choose?
Choose Koh Chang if:
- It's your first trip to the Trat islands.
- You're travelling with kids or on a budget.
- You want restaurants, nightlife and tours nearby.
- You don't ride a scooter.
Choose Koh Kood if:
- You want the best beaches and peace and quiet.
- You're on a honeymoon or a romantic trip.
- You're happy to stay at your resort most of the time.
Can you do both? Yes. Boonsiri runs from Bang Bao on Koh Chang to Koh Kood for ฿900, taking about 1.5 hours. Explorer Tom suggests 9 to 12 days to enjoy both.
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Bring cash to Koh Kood. ATMs are few and can run out.
- Book the combo ticket from Bangkok to Koh Kood. It includes your hotel transfer on the island.
- Go between November and April. Island-hopping boats run less often, or not at all, from June to September.
- Plan your meals. Halal food is very limited on both islands, so bring snacks.
- Hire a scooter on Koh Kood only if you're confident riding. Roads are steep and winding.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving at Laem Sok after the last boat. The latest departure is mid-afternoon.
- Booking a Koh Kood budget room far from the beach without a scooter.
- Expecting nightlife on Koh Kood.
- Planning to island-hop between Koh Chang and Koh Kood in June.
Sourced from Explorer Tom Koh Chang or Koh Kood, Shipped Away Koh Chang vs Koh Kood, I Am Koh Chang Koh Kood Travel Guide 2026, Explore Koh Chang Getting to Koh Kood, Koh Chang Ferries Boats to Koh Mak and Koh Kood, Visit Thailand Today Best Islands Near Koh Chang, Visit Thailand Today Koh Chang vs Koh Samet and HalalBooking Koh Kood Resort.