Koh Kradan lies off the coast of Trang province, a short boat ride from the mainland. Every journey ends on a boat, and most begin in Trang, which has the nearest airport and railway station. From there it is roughly an hour by road to the piers at Pak Meng or Hat Yao, and roughly 30–60 minutes by boat to the island. In the high season you can also arrive on island-hopping boats from Koh Lanta and the islands to the north and south.
Timetables and prices change with the season — confirm the day before, and expect fewer boats (and rougher seas) from about May to October.
The options, compared
| Route | Time (approx.) | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trang Airport → minivan/taxi → Pak Meng or Hat Yao → boat | 2–3 h | All year (fewer boats May–Oct) | Flights from Bangkok |
| Trang railway station → minivan/taxi → pier → boat | 2–3 h | All year | Overnight train from Bangkok |
| Koh Lanta → speedboat or island-hopping ferry | ≈1–2 h | Mainly high season (≈Nov–Apr) | Travellers coming from Krabi and Lanta |
| Koh Lipe / Koh Ngai / Koh Muk → island-hopping boat | Varies | Mainly high season | Island-hoppers on the Andaman coast |
| Kuan Tung Ku pier → private speedboat or longtail | ≈30–45 min at sea | All year, weather permitting | Groups and flexible timing |
1. Getting to Trang
By air: Trang Airport (TST) has flights from Bangkok. The airport is a short drive from town, and many island transfers can pick up there directly. By train: overnight trains run from Bangkok to Trang railway station — a classic, comfortable way to arrive. By bus: buses and minivans link Trang with Bangkok, Krabi, Hat Yai and other southern cities.
2. Trang to the piers
The usual departure points for Kradan are Pak Meng and Hat Yao, both on the coast west and south-west of Trang — roughly an hour by minivan or taxi. Kuan Tung Ku pier is used mainly for Koh Muk and private charters. Resorts and travel agents in Trang sell combined van-and-boat tickets, which is the simplest option.
3. The boat to Kradan
Depending on the season and operator, you will cross by shared longtail, speedboat or ferry. Crossings take roughly 30 minutes by speedboat and longer by longtail. There is no proper pier on Kradan’s east beach, so you usually step off into shallow water or transfer to a smaller boat — pack in a soft bag and keep valuables in a dry bag. Ferry operators such as Tigerline have run services calling at Kradan in season; check current schedules directly, as routes and frequencies change.
4. From Koh Lanta and the other islands
From roughly November to April, island-hopping speedboats and ferries run along the Andaman coast, linking Koh Lanta with the Trang islands (Koh Ngai, Koh Muk, Kradan) and, further south, Koh Lipe. From Lanta, the direct speedboat takes around an hour. Services thin out or stop in the monsoon.
5. Private transfers
For families and groups, a private speedboat from Kuan Tung Ku or a private longtail from Pak Meng can be good value and lets you choose your time. You can also book private road transfers from Trang Airport to the piers.
Arriving on Koh Kradan
- Landing: expect wet feet. Boats nose onto the beach or anchor offshore; resort staff often help with luggage.
- Park fee: Kradan is within Hat Chao Mai National Park, and a park entrance fee may be collected at the pier or on arrival. Keep the ticket.
- Getting around: on foot. There are no roads or vehicles; resorts are spread along the east beach.
- Leaving: book your onward boat the day before, especially in peak season, and allow a generous buffer before any flight or train.
