Cheap flights to Trang

Quick summary

The quiet Andaman

The islands of Trang, away from the southern crowds

A secondary town on the Andaman coast, Trang remains little known internationally, despite crystal-clear sea and more than 40 islands and islets off its 199 km of coastline. The islands of Trang offer what Phuket and Krabi have sometimes lost: uncrowded beaches, sea caves and clear water for snorkelling.

The town itself, with around 60,000 inhabitants and some 840 km south of Bangkok, has a strong identity built on three pillars: the Hokkien Chinese heritage left by 19th-century immigration, its role as the pioneer of rubber growing in Thailand, and a cuisine famous across the country.

A base rather than a goal

You stay in town for the food and temples, then head out by day to the islands from the coastal piers, around forty kilometres away.

From Pak Meng

Four islands, four reasons to board

The coastal village of Pak Meng and its pier are the main departure point for day trips to the islands: snorkelling, exploring sea caves and, with luck, spotting dugongs.

Pak Meng Pier

The pier, with its Thai-style turrets and long jetty, opens onto mangroves that fill with water at high tide. Next to it, Pak Meng beach unrolls a crescent of sand about 5 km long, fringed with pines, pleasant at the end of the day.

Between the islands

As the boat moves away from shore, the water turns turquoise and clear between islands covered in tropical forest; the coral beds can be glimpsed from the surface, and boats stop for snorkelling.

Piers and excursions

Three main piers serve the islands: Pak Meng (the busiest), Ban Chao Mai and Kuan Tung Ku. Day or half-day trips call at several islands; private longtails reach more remote ones. Trips run mostly from October to May or so, as the sea is rougher in the heart of the monsoon.

National park and dugongs

Koh Kradan is part of Hat Chao Mai National Park; Koh Libong shelters one of Thailand's last herds of dugongs. Sightings are possible but never guaranteed, and a respectful distance from the animals must be kept.

Why watch Trang with SniperAir

You don't need to compare prices every day

Four islands

The islands not to miss

Crossing times range from under an hour to about an hour and a half depending on the island, the boat and the sea; check with the boat on the day and leave a comfortable return slot before dark.

History and culture

Royal port, rubber and tin

A strategic port

Trang appears in state chronicles from the reign of King Rama II, as a strategic port.

Thailand's first rubber tree

In 1890 Governor Phraya Ratsadanupradit launched wide-ranging reforms modernising infrastructure. In 1899 he planted the country's first rubber tree: Trang became the cradle of the Thai rubber industry, a source of lasting prosperity.

Chinese immigration

In the 19th and 20th centuries tin mining along the Andaman coast also enriched the region, driven by large-scale Chinese immigration, mostly Hokkien, to work in mines and plantations. Old Chinese shrines and Malay mosques still bear witness to this blending.

Traditional performance

Southern Thailand has its own performing arts: nora (manora), a dance-drama, nang talung, shadow theatre, and likay pa, a popular theatre. They are mostly seen at local festivals rather than at fixed times.

Getting to Trang

Trang airport

Approximate times based on Wikivoyage and Wikipedia; schedules change by season. We do not quote fares.

From the airport to the centre

Allow about a quarter of an hour: a very cheap city bus links the airport to the railway and bus station, and a taxi, per person or shared, is available at the exit.

Via Hat Yai

The nearby airport of Hat Yai, with more services, is an alternative: after a short ride to the minibus station, a minibus reaches Trang in a little over two hours.

By train and road

From Bangkok the night train takes about 15 hours for roughly 850 km (evening departure, mid-morning arrival depending on the train); air-conditioned buses take about 12 hours from the Southern Terminal.

Useful distances

Trang and its surroundings in numbers

These distances are rounded. For the islands, the crossing time adds to the trip to the pier: allow a full day for an excursion.

Museums and monuments

Shrines, caves and waterfalls rather than big museums

Trang has no internationally known museum: heritage is found mostly in the town itself, its old Chinese shrines, its temples and the shophouses left from the rubber and tin era, and in small local exhibition spaces with varying hours. Ask the local tourist office for current exhibitions.

Shrines and temples

The town's Chinese shrines and Malay mosques illustrate the region's cultural blend; visiting is free or nearly so, with respect for local customs (modest dress, discretion during ceremonies).

Tham Le Khao Kop

A cave with about 4 km of stalactites and stalagmites explored in a rowing boat, south of town, among rice fields and mangroves.

Ton Te waterfall

About forty kilometres from town, one of the province's tallest falls, surrounded by forest, best visited in the rainy season.

Food and drink

Roast pork, dim sum and southern coffee

Trang's great pride is its roast pork, moo yang, prepared with local herbs and roasted whole until the skin is crisp. It is traditionally served with dim sum and kopi, southern coffee: a unique food pairing inherited from local Chinese culture.

A Chinese-style breakfast

In the town-centre cafes, breakfast is dim sum, fried dough sticks and sweet black coffee, served in open-fronted rooms facing the street.

Cakes and coffee

Trang cake, unfrosted, comes in orange, coffee or three-flavour versions; the local coffee and shrimp paste round out the list of regional products. These specialities are celebrated at the Cake Festival in August and the Roast Pork Festival in September.

Night markets

The night market and the Cinta walking street, with around fifty to a hundred stalls depending on the evening, are the best places to taste everything, from rice dishes to pad thai and fruit juices. In October, the vegetarian festival fills the town with meat-free meals.

Getting around

Getting around Trang and to the islands

In town, tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis serve the centre, and two-wheelers can be rented by the day. Cheap city buses link the station and the bus terminal, about 4 km away.

To the coast

Vans leave roughly hourly for Pak Meng beach; they do not run late, so arrange a taxi or private car for the return if you come back in the evening.

Between the islands

Day boats leave from the three main piers; private longtails can be hired for farther islands, with the fare to negotiate before departure. Life jackets are provided on board.

Between towns

Inter-town vans in the province leave when full. From Hat Yai, the minibus takes a little over two hours.

Budget and safety

An inexpensive destination

Trang is generally described as cheaper and less developed for tourism than Phuket or Krabi: meals in restaurants and markets, minibuses and small hotels remain very affordable, and accommodation ranges from a plain fan room to a mid-range hotel. Boat excursions are the main expense, along with the flight.

Traveller advisories

As anywhere in southern Thailand, check your government's official advice before travelling: the situation varies by province, especially in the far south. This is a general note and does not replace the current advisories of your foreign ministry.

At sea

Follow the instructions of boat crews and the national park, do not approach dugongs and do not touch coral; the sea is rougher in the heart of the monsoon.

When to go to Trang

Climate by season and best time

The best time

Boat trips are most reliable from about October to May, and above all November to April. The climate is tropical monsoon, with annual rainfall of around 2,250 mm: always pack a light rain jacket and sun protection.

By length of stay

What to do in Trang depending on how long you stay

In pictures

Trang in pictures

You might also like

Similar destinations

Thailand

Krabi

Discover

Thailand

Phuket

Discover

Thailand

Hat Yai

Discover

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Trang