If you’re heading to Khao Lak for that much needed family holiday – then how awesome! It’s such an awesome place. But now you’re probably trying to work out how to get to Khao Lak. I was the same when I recently decided to go there. But the good news is – it’s actually relatively easy.
No matter where you’re coming from, it’s best to make your way to Phuket. Getting from Phuket town or from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak is the most convenient way to reach this stunning beachside destination. However, it’s also possible to reach Khao Lak from other locations within Thailand.
In this guide, I’ve detailed the various options for getting from Phuket to Khao Lak – whether you’re coming from the airport or another Phuket beachside destination.
I’ve also included briefly how to get to Khao Lak from a few other Thailand locations.
Please note that the information below on how to go to Khao Lak was correct at the time of publishing but is subject to change at any time – so please use this as a guide only and be sure to double check everything before you go.
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Getting From Phuket Airport to Khao Lak
At 83km, Phuket is the closest airport to Khao Lak. In addition, given its a popular tourist destination, it tends to have the most frequent and cheap flights, so it’s a cost effective way of getting to Khao Lak.
If you’re flying from overseas, many countries even have direct flights to Phuket, saving you from having to fly into Bangkok if you don’t plan on spending time in the capital city.
Below, we cover the different options to help you work out how to get to Khao Lak from Phuket Airport.
Public bus
There is no public bus from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak. So from the airport, you’ll either need to take a bus to the Phuket Bus Terminal 2 (not to be confused with Phuket Bus Terminal 1, which is 6km away) in Phuket Town or take a shared or private transfer (see details below).
If taking the bus, just know Phuket Bus Terminal 2 is around an hour’s drive in the opposite direction to Khao Lak- so you are backtracking quite a lot.
Plus, there is no direct route. The closest you can take a bus from the airport to Terminal 2 is by taking a bus to Phuket Merlin – which is still 4km from the bus station – so from here, you’ll need to walk or take a taxi.
From the bus terminal, you can take any bus going to Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani, but tell the driver you would like to stop in Khao Lak.
The bus from Phuket to Khao Lak takes around 2-3 hours and costs about 260 THB per person.
The other option is from the airport, to make your way to the main road, about 5kms away. So you’ll either need to walk or get a taxi here. From here, board one of the buses headed to Takuapa, Ranong, or Surat Thani as they pass through Khao Lak.
You can book your bus tickets here.
Shared minivan
A shared minivan is convenient for getting to Khao Lak from Phuket Airport.
A shared minivan departs from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak a few times daily, costing around 600 THB per person. This trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
You can book your shared minivan tickets here.
Private taxi service
Getting to Khao Lak from Phuket by private taxi is the easiest and most convenient way.
From Phuket Airport, this costs 1400 -2000 THB (depending on where you’re going in Khao Lak), and the journey will take approximately 1 to 2.5 hours.
If booking a private transfer – we recommend Khao Lak Airport Transfer – this is who we used for all our private transfers while in Khao Lak and had a great experience. They are also among the cheapest you’ll find.
We don’t earn a commission from them (we do if you book through Get Your Guide), but we still recommend them anyway.
Getting from Phuket to Khao Lak
If you’re already in Phuket, having spent some time at one of the beachside destinations – below are the different methods of transport for getting to Khao Lak.
Public bus
If you’re already in Phuket, taking the Phuket bus to Khao Lak may be worth your while.
As stated above, the buses from Phuket to Khao Lak leave from Bus Terminal 2. How you get there will really depend on where you’re staying in Phuket. The cheapest way is probably to get a shared minivan from a central point to the bus station.
From the bus terminal, you can take any bus going to Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani, but tell the driver you would like to stop in Khao Lak.
The bus from Phuket to Khao Lak takes around 2-2.5 hours and costs about 260 THB per person.
You can book your bus tickets here.
Shared minivan
If you’re coming from one of the beachside areas in Phuket, a minivan will cost around 1000 THB per person and take about 3.5 to 4 hours.
You can book your shared minivan here.
Private taxi service
From one of the beachside areas in Phuket, a private taxi service costs 2200 -2600 THB (depending on where you’re going in Khao Lak), and the journey will take approximately 1 to 2.5 hours.
If booking a private transfer – we recommend Khao Lak Airport Transfer – this is who we used for all our private transfers while in Khao Lak and had a great experience. They are also among the cheapest you’ll find.
We don’t earn a commission from them (we do if you book through Get Your Guide), but we still recommend them anyway.
How to get to Khao Lak from other Thailand locations
Other common places to come to Khao Lak from include Bangkok, Krabi, Surat Thani or Khao Sok National Park.
In addition to Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani have airports you could fly into and take ground transportation from there to Khao Lak.
So do your research on flights from wherever you’re coming from and choose one of those destinations to start from.
I recommend checking flights on Skyscanner first, then booking with the airline directly.
How to get from Bangkok to Khao Lak
Below, we cover different options for how to get to Khao Lak from Bangkok.
Plane
In terms of how to get from Bangkok to Khao Lak, as mentioned above, there are no direct flights from Bangkok to Khao Lak, so you’ll need to fly into Phuket, Krabi, or Surat Thani.
Research the best flights you can get online and choose whatever destination works best for you.
Once you work out what airport you will fly into, check below for directions to Khao Lak from Krabi or Surat Thani or above for Phuket.
Train
There isn’t a direct Bangkok to Khao Lak train, but you can get a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then make your way to Khao Sok.
Trains depart from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station each evening and arrive at Surat Thani Phun Pin Station early in the morning. The train takes almost 13 hours and fares start from 1000 THB per person.
See below on how to get from Surat Thani to Khao Lak.
Another option for getting to Khao Lak from Bangkok by train would be to take the train from Bangkok to Chumphon. Trains leave every few hours in the afternoon and evening from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station. The journey takes around 8-10 hours and tickets start at 939 THB per person.
From Chumphon, you can take a bus to Khao Lak – which takes 7 hours and costs from 650 THB per person.
You can book your train tickets here.
Public bus
A direct bus from Bangkok to Khao Lak leaves from Khao San Montanatip, Bangkok and takes 16.5 hours.
The Bangkok to Khao Lak bus leaves once daily in the evening, and fares are around 1000 THB per person.
The bus stops at the McDonalds in Khao Lak, which is in the town centre. From there, you’ll need to make your own way to your hotel.
You can book your bus tickets here.
How to get from Krabi to Khao Lak
Krabi is another destination that often has direct flights from overseas, so this could be another option if you wish to bypass Bangkok. There are also regular flights into Krabi from Bangkok, so if you can get a cheap flight, this may be a good option.
Below, we cover different options for how to get from Krabi to Khao Lak.
Public bus
There is no public bus from Krabi to Khao Lak.
Shared minivan
Getting from Krabi to Khao Lak by minivan is possible, with shared minivans departing regularly throughout the day from Krabi Town and the bus terminal. These minivans take around 2.5 to 4 hours and fares are from 400 THB per person.
The minivans stop at the McDonald’s in Khao Lak, which is in the centre of town. From there, you’ll need to make your own way to your hotel.
No vans leave from the Krabi Airport, so you’ll need to make your way into town first. There are only two minivans going from the airport to town each day, which costs 150 THB per person and takes just 20 minutes.
Otherwise, a taxi will cost around 500 THB to get you from the airport to the bus station – you can then take the minivan to Khao Sok from there.
You can book your shared minivan tickets here.
Private taxi service
You can also take a private taxi service from Krabi Airport or Ao Nang Beach. This will cost around 2600 to 2800 THB. The trip takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
If booking a private transfer – we recommend Khao Lak Airport Transfer – this is who we used for all our private transfers while in Khao Lak and had a great experience. They are also among the cheapest you’ll find.
We don’t earn a commission from them (we do if you book through Get Your Guide), but we still recommend them anyway.
How to get from Khao Sok to Khao Lak
A holiday covering both Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Park is a nice combination, and this is exactly what we did when we visited (read our Khao Sok guides here).
Below, we cover different options for how to get from Khao Lak to Khao Sok National Park.
Public Bus
Buses leave from Khao Sok to Khao Lak multiple times a day. This trip takes around 2 hours and costs 260 THB per person.
You can book your bus tickets here.
Shared minibus
A few shared minivans depart from Khao Sok each day for Khao Lak. This trip costs 500 THB per person and takes just 1 hour.
You can book your shared minivan tickets here.
Private taxi service
You can also take a private taxi from Khao Sok National Park to Khao Lak. This will cost around 1200 to 1400 THB. The trip takes about an hour.
If booking a private transfer – we recommend Khao Lak Airport Transfer – this is who we used for all our private transfers while in Khao Lak and had a great experience. They are also among the cheapest you’ll find.
We don’t earn a commission from them (we do if you book through Get Your Guide), but we still recommend them anyway.
How to get from Surat Thani to Khao Lak
Below, we cover different options for how to get from Surat Thai to Khao Lak.
By public bus
If you are arriving at Surat Thani by plane and wish to take the bus to Khao Lak, you will need to make your own way to the bus station or train in town, as there is no direct bus from Surat Thani to Khao Lak from the airport.
You will find shared vans heading into town outside the front of the airport for around 110 THB per person.
Buses leave a few times daily from the bus terminal or train station. The journey to Khao Lak is around 4 to 4.5 hours, and fares cost 370 THB per person.
You’ll be dropped off in the centre of town in Khao Lak, so you’ll need to make your own way to your hotel from there.
You can book your bus tickets here.
Shared minivan
There is generally no shared minivan option from Surat Thani to Khao Lak.
Private taxi service
The most convenient way to get to Khao Lak from Surat Thani Airport is via a private taxi. This costs around 3400 THB; the journey will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
If booking a private transfer – we recommend Khao Lak Airport Transfer – this is who we used for all our private transfers while in Khao Lak and had a great experience. They are also among the cheapest you’ll find.
We don’t earn a commission from them, but we still recommend them anyway.
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I hope you found this guide on getting to Khao Lak helpful. Other guides that you might find helpful include things to do in Phuket with kids, things to do in Khao Lak with kids, things to do in Bangkok with kids or things to do in Khao Sok with kids.