Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

South Thailand: New Ferry Service Between Trang and Langkawi

A ferry service has been launched between the southern Thai province of Trang and the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi, opening up access to some of the region's best beaches and diving spots. Presently, the service is open only to Thais and Malaysians but ferry operators are hopeful of international traffic being allowed if the route proves successful.

The Thai-Langkawi Ferryline Ltd. inaugurated the route on 7 December, 2003. The ferry, which has a seating capacity of 150+, operates one round-trip per day only on weekends. The two-hour trip departs from Ta-se Pier in Trang at 08.00 hrs. and returns from Langkawi Island at 15.30 hrs.

Round trip tickets are 660 baht for adults and 460 baht for children aged 3 - 12 years old. One-way tickets are half those prices. All fares exclude a 100 baht border-crossing levy. Travellers have to send a copy of their national ID cards to the company two days in advance of the trip.

The company also offers two tour packages include a return one-day trip for 1,900 baht per person and a two-day one-night trip for 2,300 baht per person.

Langkawi and Trang are two of the most beautiful coastal areas in the Andaman Sea. With a well-developed tourist infrastructure, Langkawi is a popular holiday resort for domestic Malaysian travellers, who can now cross over into Thailand as a result of the new ferry service.

In turn, Trang is rapidly emerging as a popular Thai resort, especially the 50 or so small islands off its western coast, known for their pristine coral reefs, and rich bird and mammal wildlife. The best time for sea travel is during October to May. Thai Airways International serves Trang with daily flights, and three extra flights on weekends.

In 2002, domestic Thai visitor arrivals to Trang rose by 8.48% to 440,798 person-trips with an average length of stay (ALS) of 2.78 days and an average expenditure of 1,621 baht per person per day. International visitor arrivals to Trang in 2002 were up by 26.68% to 49,505 person-trips with an ALS of 3.65 days and an average expenditure of 1,932 baht per person per day.

Langkawi is also accessible by boat from Satun province in Thailand, a shorter trip of only 45 minutes.