Looking at combining a family holiday to Phuket and Khao Sok – but not sure how to get from Phuket to Kaho Sok National Park. Then read on – we’ve got you covered!
You’ve seen the gorgeous floating bungalows over the lake and you’re keen to take the kids there – but now you’re wondering how to get to Khao Sok National Park from Phuket.
That’s OK – I was in the same boat as you and had to do a fair bit of research online to find the best way to get to Khao Sok National Park. So I’ve created this guide to help others understand how to visit Khao Sok National Park from Phuket.
I’ve also created a range of other guides to plan your trip to Khao Sok National Park, including:
Please note that the information below on how to go to Khao Sok National Park from Phuket 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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How to get from Phuket to Khao Sok National Park
The first thing I found when researching how to get to Khao Sok from Phuket is that it can be a little tricky. However, after spending some time there myself, I can assure you it’s well worth the effort.
And the good news is, if you’re coming from Phuket – then this is one of the easiest ways for getting to Khao Sok National Park.
There are no flights to Khao Sok National Park, and while at 143km, Phuket is not the closest airport to Khao Sok National Park (Surat Thani is). However, it has the most frequent and cheap flights and is often the best airport to fly into to get to Khao Sok National Park.
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, I provide a detailed guide on how to get from Khao Sok to Phuket using a range of transportation methods.
Public Bus
There is no public bus from Phuket Airport to Khao Sok National Park. 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 Sok – 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.
If you’re already in Phuket, taking the Phuket bus to Khao Sok National Park may be worth your while. From the Terminal 2 bus station, you take a bus via Khao Lak with a 20 minute stopover in Takua Pa en route to Khao Sok National Park. The entire journey takes around 4 hours and costs 370 THB per person.
You can book your bus tickets here.
A shared minivan departs from Phuket Airport to Khao Sok Village a few times daily, costing around 1000 THB per person. This trip takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
If you’re already staying in Phuket, you can arrange a shared minivan to pick you up from your hotel and take you to Khao Sok Village for around 1100 THB per person. This trip takes about 4 hours.
You can book your shared minivan tickets here.
Private taxi service
The most convenient option for getting from Phuket to Khao Sok, particularly if you have kids and luggage in tow, is to take a private taxi from Phuket directly to your hotel at Khao Sok Village.
From Phuket Airport, a private vehicle will cost around 3000 THB for the car, and the journey will take about 2.5 hours.
From Phuket town, a private vehicle will cost around 3100 THB, and the journey will take approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
We used Khao Lak Airport Transfers by Mr Ton Taxi – who you can find here on FaceBook. We paid 2600 THB for a car with two people and highly recommend them (not affiliated with them in any way!).
You can book your private taxi service here.
Phuket to Khao Sok National Park tour
If the above seems all too complicated and you only have time for a day trip to Khao Sok National Park, then you can book a Phuket to Khao Sok National Park tour.
Click here to view a range of different tour options.
Khao Sok National Park bus stop
If you are coming by public bus or shared minivan to Khao Sok, it’s worth noting that, in most cases, you will be dropped off at the Khao Sok bus stop. The bus stop is not really a bus station but rather a stop on the main road.
The bus stop is on the junction of the main road and the village’s main street leading up to the National Park. Depending on where your hotel is, it could be a short or fairly long walk.
You can make your way to your hotel either on foot, tuk tuk or by taxi. However, some hotels will meet you there and transfer you to the hotel for free – so be sure to look first to see if there are any signs for your hotel.
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I hope you found this guide on getting to Khao Sok National Park helpful. Other guides that you might find helpful include where to stay in Khao Sok Village or the best things to do in Khao Sok National Park with kids.