Let’s look at how to get to Khao Sok National Park from Bangkok, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, and Khao Lak. I’ll also give some recommendations on how to get around Khao Sok, including renting a scooter, taking an organised tour, or walking.
Khao Sok is a popular stop for tourists when traveling to the Southern region of Thailand. It is known for its beautiful Cheow Lan Lake, and biodiversity. You can go trekking, spot wild animals, stay in a floating bungalow, and take a boat tour along Cheow Lan Lake.
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How to Get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani
Surat Thani is a major transport hub in South Thailand to access popular destinations such as Khao Sok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. It has an airport, a train station, and a bus station, making it easy for direct access from big cities in Thailand such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok
It is around 100 km between Surat Thani airport and Khao Sok. The most comfortable way to get to Khao Sok is to take a private transfer, but it can be expensive, and best suited for those traveling as a group or family. You can book a private taxi online or use Grab at the airport.
Another cheaper option is to use a taxi/shared minivan to get to Surat Thani Town and use a bus/ shared minivan to get to Khao Sok. There are more direct minivan options from Surat Thani Town to Khao Sok. The distance between the airport and town center is 30 km.
If you want to secure your travel, you can book tickets online with Phantip Travel. They have a travel desk at the airport, you can ask them for support if you don’t book a ticket in advance. On their website, they don’t have a direct option from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok, so you can book two tickets.
- Bus from Surat Thani Airport to Surat Thani Town runs many trips daily from 8am to 7.30pm. The journey is 1 hour. If you are in a rush, book a private taxi to get to Surat Thani town center.
- Minivan from Surat Thani Town to Khao Sok Minivan Station runs frequently from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. The journey is around 4 hours. The van terminates at Khao Sok Minivan Station, but if you want them to drop you at your hotel, you will pay additional cash for them.
Surat Thani Train Station to Khao Sok
It is a two hour bus/minivan ride from Surat Thani Train Station and Khao Sok. You can book a ticket online at 12go.asia with Phantip Travel or 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport. Bus runs from 6.30 am to 2.30pm every day.
| Departure time | Arrival time | Company |
| 6.30 am | 8.30am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
| 7.20am | 8.20am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
| 9.20am | 11.20am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
| 9.30am | 11.15am | Phantip Travel (minivan) |
| 10.20am | 12.20am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
| 12.10am | 14.10am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
| 14.20am | 16.20am | 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport |
Surat Thani Bus Station/ Town Center to Khao Sok
There are many bus and minivan options running between Surat Thani Town Center/ Bus Station to Khao Sok. You can easily book tickets with one of several transport companies such as Phantip Travel, Future Travel & Service, and Sapthaweephol Tour & Travel.
Tickets can be booked online or at the bus station. Surat Thani Bus Station is located at Talad Mai Road 31 Alley, close to Phantip’s office.
How to Get to Khao Sok from Koh Samui
There are several companies that offer combo ticket van+ferry transfer between Koh Samui and Khao Sok. They are Phantip Travel, Raja Ferry, and Call Me Taxi. You can check the schedule, prices and book online at 12go.asia.
I traveled from Koh Samui to Khao Sok using Phantip’s services. I had a motorbike, so I booked the ticket at their office near NaThon Pier. The tickets include pick me up from the hotel in Lamai, ferry ride from Nathon Pier to Donsak Pier, a bus transfer from Donsak Pier to Surat Thani Town, and minivan transfer from Surat Thani Town to Khao Sok.
The driver picked me up the next day, then checked in at their office in Nathon with lots of tickets (ferry ticket, bus ticket, van ticket). Everything went smooth except a little chaotic when trying to get to the right bus at Donsak Pier. They have many buses going different directions, you need to ask around until finding the right bus to go to Khao Sok.
The bus stopped at Phantip’s Office in Surat Thani Town, and we were transferred to another van to get to Khao Sok. You can use the toilet and buy some snacks here.
The van terminated at Minivan Office in Khao Sok at the beginning of Klong Sok, the main village of the area. If you want the driver to drop off at your hotel, you pay extra money. In my case, it was 50 baht.
How to Get to Khao Sok from Khao Lak
Khao Lak is located very close to Khao Sok, only 60km away. You can easily travel between these two destinations by private taxi or shared minivan. The minivan office is located very close to Khao Sok town center, you can buy a ticket in person here.
You can also buy tickets from many travel agencies on the main road, or even from your accommodation. There are online options, but you might have to pay a little extra compared to booking in person.
I booked a ticket the day before my departure at Khao Sok minivan office. The driver picked me up at my hotel in Khao Sok and dropped me off at my hotel in Khao Lak.
Everything was smooth, it was just the driver was a bit late. It can be a normal thing in Thailand, so you just need to wait and call the company to confirm if they are still coming.
How to Get to Khao Sok from Bangkok
Bangkok to Khao Sok by air
Surat Thani is the closest airport to Khao Sok National Park. Other nearby airports are Phuket International Airport and Krabi International Airport.
Taking a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani airport is the quickest way to reach Khao Sok. The flight is around 1 hour. From Surat Thani Airport, you can use a private taxi to Khao Sok or use a minivan of Phantip Travel to Surat Thani town where you can take another minivan to Khao Sok.
Bangkok to Khao Sok by train
Khao Sok does not have a train station, the closest train station is in Surat Thani. If you prefer taking the train ride, you can take the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to Surat Thani Train Station. The train journey is around 11 hours.
The best ticket to buy is the 2nd class sleeper train because it is more comfortable than class 3 and 2nd class seating and it is cheaper than 1st class. If you opt for the 2nd class sleeper train, be sure to book well in advance as it is a very popular option.
There are many buses and vans departing from Surat Thani Train Station to Khao Sok. You can check the schedule and book tickets online here.
Bangkok to Khao Sok by bus
Taking the direct bus is an economical way to reach Khao Sok from Bangkok. The journey is around 15 hours. Many buses depart from the famous Khao San Road of Bangkok.
If you choose a night bus, you can save a night on accommodation. The night bus departs early in the evening from Bangkok and arrives in the morning in Khao Sok.
You can book the bus ticket at the local travel agency in Bangkok or online at 12go.asia.
Best Ways to get around Khao Sok
Walking
Klong Sok is the main village in Khao Sok area. It is a long stretch of a street that is lined with travel agencies, resorts, hostels, bars, and restaurants. At one end of the street is the minivan bus station and another end of the street is the entrance to the National Park.
If you stay in Klong Sok village, you can easily walk to restaurants and convenience stores. The National Park is within walking distance from the hotel, allowing you to do trekking and night safari easily on foot.
Guided tour
Taking a guided tour is a convenient way to explore Cheow Lan Lake, especially if you don’t plan to rent a motorbike. Most visitors choose one night or two night packages to the lake, while some choose to just take a day trip.
You can book a tour online on a website like Viator, but it can be cheaper to book directly with local agencies or your accommodations.
I booked a day tour for the trip to my resort. It was high season and was very crowded with lots of boats and tourists. If you don’t like crowds, I recommend avoiding the peak tourist season, which is typically from November to April.
Probably staying in a night on the lake will give you more privacy at night and early morning compared to the day trip.
Other guided tours that are worth considering booking are trekking tours and night safari tours. If you like hiking, trekking tours are the must. Many parts of the National Park are only accessible by local guides.
You can book the night safari directly at the park, and I highly recommend it. I paid 500 baht and have a private guide.
Motobike
Renting a motorbike gives you more flexibility to explore Khao Sok. You can see less crowded places at your own pace. There are several motorbike rental shops in Klong Sok village. Be sure that you have a valid licence and insurance before renting.
Most places in Khao Sok require a passport as a only deposit, so take it in consideration before renting a scooter too. There is a big risk if something happens to your passport.
See more:
- Best places to Stay in Khao Sok
- How to Spend 2-4 Days In Khao Sok Itinerary
- 9 Exciting Things to Do in Khao Sok
These are some of my recommendations on how to get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani, Bangkok, Khao Lak, and Koh Samui. I have also shared ways to get around Khao Sok, including walking, taking guided tours, or renting a motorbike. I hope you will have a great vacation in Khao Sok.