Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by Sam
Getting to Khao Sok National Park is pretty straightforward, with plenty of options for buses, taxis, and minivan transfers, whether you’re coming from Phuket, Krabi, or as far as Bangkok. The trip is well worth it for the chance to experience the incredible karst scenery and emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake, where you can even spend the night in a floating bungalow. There are tons of other amazing things to do in Khao Sok too, including jungle hikes, night safaris, and tubing adventures. Having made our own way to the national park, we’ve put together this guide to the easiest ways to get there. Here’s how to get to Khao Sok National Park.
How To Get to Khao Sok From Phuket
Bus or Minivan
The cheapest way to get from Phuket to Khao Sok National Park is by bus or shared minivan transfer. There are regular services between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM every day, typically departing from either Phuket Bus Terminal 2, the Old Town, or Phuket Airport.
Buses from Phuket to Khao Sok normally take 3–4 hours, and will drop you off either at the national park entrance or at the Khao Sok Bus Stop, which is slightly outside of the village. If your drop off point is the bus stop, it’s best to arrange a taxi via your accommodation so that you don’t have to walk into Khao Sok Village while carrying all of your bags.
As of 2025, the cost of a bus from Phuket to Khao Sok is around 360–500 baht, but prices do vary.
Minivan transfers may take slightly longer, as you’ll often have to wait while you pick up other passengers, which adds time at the start of the journey. Shared minivan transfers cost a little more, usually around 500–800 baht, but we think it’s worth paying extra to be picked up from your hotel and then dropped off at your accommodation in Khao Sok.
We recommend booking through the 12Go website, as it’s easy to compare the departure times and prices all at once, but you can also book through travel agencies or directly with your accommodation.
Click here to browse departures from Phuket on the 12Go website!
Taxi
The quickest way to travel to Khao Sok from Phuket is by taxi, but expect to pay a little more for the convenience. It takes approximately 2½ hours from the airport or 3 hours from the Old Town, and obviously gives you the flexibility to decide exactly what time you want to go.
Prices start from around 2,500–3,500 baht for a one-way taxi. The easiest way to book in advance is via 12Go, but if you’re happy to sort it nearer the time, you can find a travel agent in Phuket or ask your hotel if they can arrange a taxi for you.
Click here to book a taxi from Phuket through 12Go!
If you’re planning to head straight to Khao Sok from Phuket Airport, we recommend taking a taxi so that you don’t have to wait around for a transfer after your flight. Alternatively, you can find great rental car deals through Discover Cars and drive to Khao Sok yourself, but as there’s not much need for a car once you’re there, it’s normally best to take a taxi instead.
Day Trip to Khao Sok From Phuket
It’s also possible to visit Khao Sok on a day trip from Phuket, though we’d personally recommend staying at least a night if you have the time. Day trips cost around 3,000–5,000 baht and typically include a long-tail boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake, lunch at a floating restaurant, a jungle hike, the chance to explore a cave, and more!
It normally works out as better value to make your own way there and take tours from Khao Sok itself, but you can book day trips online via Get Your Guide if you’re happy to spend a little more for the convenience.
Click here to book an amazing day trip from Phuket through Get Your Guide!
How To Get to Khao Sok From Krabi
Minivan Transfer
There are currently no direct buses from Krabi to Khao Sok, so the cheapest way to get there is by a shared minivan transfer. Transfers are available from both Ao Nang and Krabi Town, with most leaving between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM, though there are a few later services as well.
The journey time is around 3½–4 hours and prices tend to be around 400–500 baht (as of 2025), but some operators are a bit more expensive. You can book transfers online in advance via 12Go, as well as through travel agents and hotels in Krabi or Ao Nang.
Click here to book your transfer online in advance!
Taxi
The quickest and easiest way of getting to Khao Sok from Krabi is via taxi, which takes around 2½ hours from Krabi Airport, the Old Town, or Ao Nang. Prices are typically around 2,500–3,000 baht for a one-way taxi from any of those spots.
Sometimes it’s possible to get taxis slightly cheaper if you book once you’re in Ao Nang or Krabi, but some drivers may charge a higher rate, so we recommend booking in advance.
Click here to book a taxi from Krabi through 12Go!
Day Trip to Khao Sok From Krabi
You can also take day trips to Khao Sok from Krabi, but it’s a bit of a long day, as it’s a 2–3 hour drive each way. These day trips cost around 3,500–4,000 baht, and usually include a visit to Cheow Lan Lake and one of its floating bungalow hotels, a jungle trek, and more!
It’s easiest to book online via Get Your Guide, and you’ll normally have the option of free cancellation or a date change up to 24 hours before the tour, just in case your plans change.
Click here to check out a brilliant day trip from Krabi on Get Your Guide!
How To Get to Khao Sok From Bangkok
Train
Although there are buses from Bangkok to Khao Sok starting from around 700 baht, it involves an overnight journey that takes 14–16 hours, so it can be quite uncomfortable and difficult to sleep. If you want to reach Khao Sok using public transport, we recommend taking the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then getting a minivan transfer to the national park.
Overnight trains from Bangkok to Surat Thani take around 9½–10½ hours and start from as little as 300 baht. It’s worth paying extra to upgrade to a sleeper class, with tickets starting from 900–1,000 baht, so you can lie down and get a proper sleep.
Click here to book a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani!
As the trains run overnight, you’ll get to Surat Thani Train Station quite early in the morning. When you arrive, you can either take a minivan transfer or a taxi to reach Khao Sok.
Taxis can be arranged on arrival at the station, or you can try using Grab if a driver is available. Minivan transfers from Surat Thani Train Station to Khao Sok can be booked via Phantip Travel or on the 12Go website, with prices starting from approximately 250 baht per person.
Flight
If an overnight journey isn’t for you, then you can also fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani Airport and head to Khao Sok from there. Transfers can be arranged at the airport, either through Phantip Travel or via minibuses running to the national park, with prices around 350 baht as of 2025.
If you’re planning to visit Phuket or Krabi, it might make more sense to fly to one of those places first, stay for a few days, and then travel to Khao Sok. That way you’ll have the chance to check out some amazing spots like Koh Phi Phi or Ao Nang before you visit Khao Sok.
Like this guide on how to get to Khao Sok? Pin it!
