How to get to Khao Lak in 2026: A comprehensive Guide

The easiest way to get to Khao Lak is to fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT), the closest airport, about 81km south of Khao Lak, and take a private transfer or taxi north. A pre-booked private car from Phuket Airport costs around 1,300-1,500 baht and takes roughly one hour. If you are coming from Bangkok, a short flight to Phuket followed by that transfer is the fastest option overall.

If you’ve decided to spend some time in Khao Lak on your next trip to Thailand, the next question is how to actually get there. There are several ways to make the trip, and the right one depends on your budget, how much luggage you’re carrying, and how much time you want to spend on the road. I’ve done this route more than once, so here’s what you need to know to pick the option that suits you.

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There are three main gateways to Khao Lak: Phuket Airport is the closest and usually the easiest, Krabi Airport is a solid backup if your flights work out better that way, and Surat Thani, reachable by train from Bangkok, suits anyone travelling overland or on a budget. I’ve broken down each route below, including some I’ve driven myself, so you can work out which one fits your trip.

khao Lak Transfer Times

How To Get To Khao Lak From Phuket

Khao Lak sits north of Phuket along the Andaman coast, about 81 kilometres away. Below, I’ve covered every way to make the trip, from private transfers to local buses, so you can pick what suits your budget and how much luggage you’re carrying.

Phuket International Airport

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is one of the largest and long-standing airports in Thailand, receiving both domestic and international flights from across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe. It’s also the closest airport to Khao Lak, being roughly 81 kilometres south of Khao Lak Centre, which makes it the most practical choice for most travellers heading to this part of the Andaman coast.

Taking a Taxi to Khao Lak from Phuket Airport

Phuket Airport has a steady stream of taxis waiting right outside its terminals, but those are set up for short runs around the island, not the trip to Khao Lak. For Khao Lak, you’ll need to arrange your ride ahead of time, either through your hotel, a travel agent, or a pre-booked transfer app. Ignore any of the eager drivers who approach you the moment you land offering to negotiate a Khao Lak fare on the spot.

On average, a private car (aka private taxi) booked to pick up from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak will cost you around 1300 -1500 baht for a regular sedan, or 2000 baht for an SUV and another 500-800 for a private mini van.

TIp: If you are not using an e-sim, be sure to purchase a SIM card at one of the airport vendors here.

Private Transfers from Phuket Airport

Booking through your hotel is the easiest option if you want to get straight there without any extra hassle. Most hotels and resorts around Khao Lak can arrange a driver to meet you at arrivals and take you straight to their door, though prices vary from property to property, so check with your hotel directly for their rate.

Booking independently is usually cheaper. A number of transfer companies operate this route and will have a driver waiting with a name sign when you land, no queuing, no negotiating. You just confirm the booking in advance and go straight to your car on arrival.

Renting a car at Phuket Airport

If you are used to driving overseas or come from somewhere that drives on the left-hand side of the road (hello Aussie’s and Brits) you might want to consider renting a car for your trip to Khao Lak.

Many car rental companies have desks at the airport. While you can sometimes get away without a booking, I never recommend it, especially if you are visiting in high season or arriving very early or very late in the day. I think pre-booking your car is worth the peace of mind. It’s also usually quite a bit cheaper. We have rented multiple times with Budget and always had good experiences.

Renting a car for a week will cost about 4000 THB a week for a sedan and 6000 a week for an SUV insurance will add about 500 THB a day, well worth it as we found out!

Taking a Bus to Khao Lak from Phuket Airport

Yes, there is a direct bus from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak! It’s a relatively new service so many travel guides still like the old trip which left from a road side stop a few kilometres from the airport.

Rungkit Tour runs a coach bus directly from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak, no need to find your own way to a separate bus station first. The trip takes about one hour and twenty minutes, and the bus drops passengers at their hotel in Khao Lak rather than leaving you at a roadside stop. Tickets are about 250 baht, though it’s worth checking the current price when you book since fares can shift.

A few things to know before you go:

• Buses run several times a day, roughly every two to three hours from mid-morning into the evening.
• Get to the boarding point at least 30 minutes before departure.
• There’s no extra charge for baggage.
• Departure times can run late, so build some slack into your plans, especially if you’ve got a connecting flight or booking to make.

I haven’t taken this particular service myself yet, so confirm details when you book.

How To Get To Khao Lak From Krabi

Krabi is a solid alternative to flying into Phuket. I’ve driven this route myself, most recently earlier this year from Ao Nang. Below I’ve covered the trip from Krabi Airport as well as driving from Ao Nang, plus taxis, private transfers, shared vans, and the public bus, so you can work out which one suits your trip.

How To Get To Khao Lak From Krabi Airport

Krabi International Airport (KBV) is the second closest airport to Khao Lak, with 132km of road separating the two.

Taking a Taxi to Khao Lak from Krabi Airport

The airport at Krabi has several taxi kiosks set up, ready for you as soon as you’ve collected your luggage. Taxi prices for the trip to Khao Lak run from 4,200 to 5,500 baht, depending on the size of the car and how many people are travelling with you.

The journey takes about two hours, and you’ll see a good stretch of Southern Thailand’s countryside along the way.

Taking a bus to Khao Lak from Krabi Airport

Krabi Airport has a bus station outside that can take you to the Krabi Bus Terminal for the low price of 80 baht. From there you can jump onto a new bus that will take you straight to Khao Lak Center for 160 baht. All-in-all the bus journey to Khao Lak will take roughly six and a half hours, making it the most affordable but most time-consuming way to visit Khao Lak.

Renting a car at Krabi Airport

Driving from Krabi to Khao Lak (Ao Nang route)

If you’re staying around Ao Nang rather than flying straight into Krabi Airport, the drive to Khao Lak is easy and scenic. It’s about 148 kilometres and takes roughly two and a half hours.

The main road is Route 4, also called Phetkasem Road, which is well maintained and busy for most of the way. There are plenty of spots worth stopping at along the route, so it’s worth building in extra time if you want to break up the drive.

Tip: Be sure to stop off at Phangnga view point en-route for spectacular views of this incredible landscape.

The drive to Khao Lak will take roughly two hours, that’s double the amount of time it would take from Phuket Airport, but with the quieter highways and the long, winding roads, you’ll be able to enjoy the views without worrying about any big city traffic.

How To Get To Khao Lak from Surat Thani

If you’re on a budget or like slow travel, the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani is worth considering. The full trip takes about 13 hours, and it makes several stops along the way, including:

• Hua Hin: Known for its spectacular beaches, night markets and golf courses, Hua Hin is where the city meets the sea.
• Chumphon: Often considered the gateway to Southern Thailand, Chumphon is a port city with a relaxed coastal vibe.
• Surat Thani: The final stop before you head towards Khao Lak. Surat Thani is a vibrant city with bustling night markets and a variety of local attractions.

You can do the trip in one go, or break it up over a few days and get a taste of different parts of Thailand along the way.

Tip: Surat Thani has some of the best street food in Thailand, including a unique Pad Thai from Tha Chang that gets served up in a deliciously thick sauce packed with flavour.

Taking a bus to Khao Lak from Surat Thani

The bus to Khao Lak can be boarded outside Surat Thani Train Station. It’ll take between four to five hours to arrive in the Khao Lak area and should cost 270 baht per ticket.

The buses are kept in good condition and most have A/C available so the trip should be a comfortable one. Just keep in mind that the stop for Khao Lak is ‘Nang Thong Supermarket’, as Khao Lak doesn’t have a stop under its name.

Getting to Khao Lak from the Airports nearby is one thing, but what if you want to get to Khao Lak from other areas around the country? Don’t worry, there’s a bus for all occasions.

Getting to Khao Lak By Bus From Across Thailand

Bus to Khao Lak from Bangkok

Bangkok has a Southern Bus Terminal called ‘Sai Tai Mai’. There’s a bus that sets off from there and takes you across the country to Phuket Town.

It leaves Bangkok in the evening and takes around 12 hours to get to Phuket, stopping in Khao Lak along the way.

The stop for Khao Lak is called ‘Nang Thong Supermarket’, keep that in mind to avoid confusion as there won’t be a stop that actually says ‘Khao Lak’.

The price for a ticket is 970 baht, and the bus is a comfortable air-conditioned 24-seat coach, complete with cushioned seats.

Bus to Khao Lak from Chumphon

Chumphon Bus Terminal is found in West Chumphon and offers a couch journey to Phuket Town, making a stop in Khao Lak on the way there.

Once again, the bus stop for Khao Lak will be called ‘Nang Thong Supermarket’, you’ll be wanting to get off there as it’s located directly in the centre of Khao Lak. Tickets cost 270 baht and the coach journey takes roughly six hours.

How to get to Khao Lak from Koh Samui

I’ve done this route myself, taking the car the whole way. It’s just under 300 kilometres and takes close to six hours in total, including a 90 minute ferry crossing.

Start with the car ferry from Nathon Pier or Lip Noi Pier on Koh Samui to Donsak Pier on the mainland, a crossing of about an hour and a half. From Donsak, take Highway 44, also called Asian Highway 123, heading southwest. This is a shortcut that cuts across the base of the peninsula and skips Phuket traffic entirely, saving around 45 minutes compared to the longer route. From there, merge onto Highway 4 heading north and northwest through Phang Nga province, which takes you straight into Khao Lak.

If you don’t have your own car, the alternative is a passenger ferry to Donsak Pier followed by a bus to Khao Lak. This takes longer overall and depends on how well the bus connects with your ferry arrival. I don’t have firsthand experience with that option, so it stays general rather than detailed.

Alternatively, opt for a combination of ferry and bus service. Take the ferry from Koh Samui to Donsak Pier, followed by a bus ride to Khao Lak.  

Key Takeaways

• Closest airport: Phuket International (HKT), 81 km south.
• Fastest route: fly to Phuket, transfer to Khao Lak (1 hour drive).
• Pre-booked private car from Phuket Airport: 1,300-1,500 baht.
• Bangkok overnight bus: 970 baht, about 12 hours.
• Bus stop name: ‘Nang Thong Supermarket’, not ‘Khao Lak’.
• Krabi Airport is 132 km away, a two-hour drive.
• Car rental from Phuket Airport: from around 4,000 THB per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

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