I had a wonderful time in Khao Lak. During my few months of travel around Thailand, I traveled to Khao Lak from Khao Sok and from Khao Lak to Krabi. In this article, I share with you how to get to Khao Lak and how to get around.
Khao Lak is a peaceful beach getaway located in Southern Thailand just north of the more famous Phuket. The city is known for its long, beautiful and less crowded beaches as well as proximity to Similan Islands and Surin Islands.
Khao Lak does not have an airport. If you want to fly, you need to take a flight to nearby Phuket Airport or Krabi Airport. Phuket Airport is around 1 hour drive by car, while Krabi Airport is further away, more than 2 hours drive by car.
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How to Get to Khao Lak from Khao Sok
Khao Sok is located very close to Khao Lak, only 60 minutes away (around 1 hour drive). From Khao Sok, you can easily book a shared minivan to get to Khao Lak. Many travel companies offer pick up at your hotel in Khao Sok, and drop off at hotel in Khao Lak.
I booked my ticket with a travel agency located near the Minivan Station at Klong Sok village. You can book at any tour agency in the main village, ask your hotel to help, or book online at 12go.asia. It can be cheaper to book in person sometimes, but booking in advance online will secure your seat.
If you have a good budget or you travel with a group, you can consider renting a private taxi for more comfort. There are plenty of taxis willing to do this.
How to get to Khao Lak from Krabi
Depending where you are staying, the journey between Khao Lak and Krabi is around 2-3 hours by car. You can book a shared minivan or private taxi from local travel agencies, ask your hotel to help, or at 12go.asia.
They have options for pick up at a hotel in Ao Nang, pick up at Krabi Airport, or you need to travel to a departure point such as Krabi Bus Terminal or the office of the transport company.
I didn’t travel from Krabi to Khao Lak but did the opposite way, travel from Khao Lak to Krabi. I booked my van ticket online at 12go.asia. The company running this tour is Black Tiger Tour.
Everything went smooth, except a bit of confusion at the beginning. The ticket said to wait at Khao Lak McDonalds but it is actually on the opposite side of the road where minibus stop.
I also expect it is a small van as per their description but it is a minibus. Anyway, If you are unsure, just ask locals, and double check the ticket with the drivers. Only me on the big minibus with one driver and his assistance.
The driver dropped me off at a gas station after 2.5 hours and I was transferred to a minivan to get to my hotel in Ao Nang. It was an additional 20 minutes drive to get to my final destination in Ao Nang.
If you want a direct pick up from a hotel in Krabi/Ao Nang and drop off at a hotel in Khao Lak, you can book directly with local agencies. The price is more expensive but is convenient if you want them to pick you up at your hotel.
How to get to Khao Lak from Bangkok
Bangkok to Khao Lak By Air
The quickest way to get to Khao Lak from Bangkok is to take a flight to Phuket Airport, then take a taxi to reach Khao Lak. It is around a 1,5 hour flight and another 1.5 hour of travel from the airport to Khao Lak.
The shared van is around 500-600 baht, you can check it here. You can also book a private transfer. There is also a bus stop to Khao Center located 4 kms away from the airport, but I don’t recommend this for first-time travelers. Taking a minivan right at the airport is a better option.
You can also fly into Krabi Airport, but it is around a 2.5 hour drive from Khao Lak. From Krabi Airport, you can take a minivan or taxi to get to Khao Lak.
Bangkok to Khao Lak By Bus
The bus journey from Bangkok to Khao Lak is around 15 hours. There are lots of buses departing from Khao San Road and at the Southern Bus Terminal. You can look at the schedule and book it online here. You can consider taking a night bus if you want to save money on accommodation.
Bangkok to Khao Lak By Train
If you are train travelers, you can take a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then take an additional transfer from Surat Thani Train Station to Khao Lak. It is around 12 hour train ride starting from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in Bangkok and stopping at Surat Thani Train Station.
I recommend taking the 1st or 2nd class sleeper cabin for more comfort, especially if you travel during night time. I don’t recommend class 3 class hard seats, as your back is gonna be hurt as it is a long journey. You can check the schedule and book it online at dticket.railway.co.th.
From Surat Thani Train Station, you can take a 4 hour bus ride to the center of Khao Lak. THe bus runs a few trips per day, starting from 6.20 am to 2.30 pm. You can check the schedule and book it online here.
How to get to Khao Lak from Phuket
Phuket to Khao Lak By Bus
The bus departs from Phuket Bus Terminal 2, near Phuket Town. The bus ride is around 2,5 hours, you can check the schedule here. 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport operated this route.
There are also some buses departing from Phuket Bus Terminal 1, which is located closer to the Old town. This bus station is convenient for travelers staying in the old town.
Phuket to Khao Lak By Minivan
Taking a minivan is a more comfortable option than taking the bus. It is also cheaper than taking a private taxi. You can book tickets with local agencies or online.
Most minivan companies offer pick up at the hotel in popular areas in Phuket such as Patong, Karon, or Kata Beach, and drop off at your hotel in Khao Lak.
Phuket to Khao Lak By private transfer, taxi
Taking a private taxi is the most comfortable option to travel from Phuket to Khao Lak. It is best suited for those who travel with family or as a group. You can easily book private transfers in person at local travel agencies or online.
Best ways to get around Khao Lak
Walking
If you stay in popular tourist areas such as Nang Thong Beach or Bang Niang Beach, you can easily walk to many tourist amenities such as restaurants, bars, convenience stores, and massage shops.
Other areas such as Khuk Khak Beach or Bang Sak Beach don’t have lots of amenities compared to Nang Thong or Bang Niang area, but you still have easy access to beaches, and some restaurants.
Renting a motorbike
Renting a motorbike is one of the best ways to explore Khao Lak. It will give you lots of freedom to explore many places at an affordable price. It is only around 250 baht/day.
I even ride my rented motorbike to Samet Nangshe viewpoint, which is located 80 km from Khao Lak. The attractions in Khao Lak are also spread out, so it is easier to explore the beaches, national parks, waterfalls, and temples on a bike.
I stayed at We HOSTEL@ Khao Lak and rented a motorbike from them. The motorbike was not in its best condition but it did its job. The road in Khao Lak is in good condition, the main road area is paved while some smaller roads to waterfalls and some hidden beaches are dirt roads.
I recommend reading reviews of the shop carefully before renting one. Most shops require a passport or cash as a deposit. Never leave your passport there as it can have a big risk if something happens. It is also recommended to have a valid driver licence and insurance before renting a scooter..
Using tuk tuk, and local taxis
There are lots of tuk tuk and local taxis in popular tourist areas of Khao Lak such as around Khao Lak Center, Bang Niang Market, and the beach areas. You should always bargain the price with drivers if using one.
I used Uber-like Apps such as Grab, Bolt, and InDrive a lot in other parts of Thailand and found it a convenient way to get around without a bargain price with the driver. I didn’t use these services in Khao Lak, but many people said these services do not exist in Khao Lak.
So if you plan to use a taxi or tuk tuk to get around, be sure to negotiate with the driver.
Explore Khao Lak on a guided tour
There are lots of tours that you can take to explore Khao Lak and its surroundings. The Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Trips to Similan Islands, and the Surin Islands are the most popular tours to consider.
You can also consider taking tours to Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Sanctuary Tours, as well as Bamboo Rafting & Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
See more:
- Best Places to Stay in Khao Lak
- How to Spend 3-5 Days In Khao Lak Itinerary
- 22 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak
These are some of the best ways to reach Khao Lak from Bangkok, Phuket, Khao Sok, and Krabi. I have also shared how to get around this coastal town. I hope you found some helpful information from this guide of transportation in Khao Lak.