Summarize this article with:
Khao Sok is inland, in Surat Thani province, and there is no airport at the park. Almost everyone arrives by road, most often by minivan or a private transfer from Surat Thani, Krabi or Phuket, or as part of a tour that includes the pickup.
The figures below are typical ranges from the sources listed at the bottom of the page, checked in September 2026. Times depend on traffic and the operator; prices change, so confirm them when you book. Once you know how you are arriving, the national park guide covers fees and hours.
Getting to Khao Sok at a glance
| Road | Route 401 (Surat Thani – Takua Pa), park entrance at kilometre 109 |
|---|---|
| From Surat Thani | Minivan about 1 h 45 to 2 h 30, about 145 km; 370 THB (Phantip office in town) to 400 THB (airport) per person |
| From Krabi | About 160 km, 2 h 30 to 3 h 30 by minivan or taxi; shared bus or minivan 320–450 THB |
| From Phuket | Shared minivan 4 to 5 hours; a private transfer is the most comfortable |
| From Bangkok | About 780 km, 8 to 10 hours by road, or the train to Surat Thani (Phun Phin station) and then a bus or minivan |
| Surat Thani airport | 1 h 30 to 2 h from the park |
| Lake entrance | A separate entrance, roughly 65–67 km from the village of Khao Sok by road |
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From Surat Thani
Surat Thani, city and airport, is the closest big gateway: about 145 km from the park, and 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 by minivan depending on traffic. Sources quote 370 THB per person from the Phantip office in the city and 400 THB from the airport.
This is the natural route if you fly in. If you come by train from Bangkok, you arrive at Phun Phin station and continue by bus or minivan on the same road. For the city itself, see Thailand Voyager's Surat Thani guide.
From Krabi and Phuket
From Krabi the distance is about 160 km and the trip takes 2 h 30 to 3 h 30 by minivan or taxi. A shared bus or minivan costs roughly 320 to 450 THB per person.
From Phuket a shared minivan takes 4 to 5 hours, and a private transfer is the most comfortable option, particularly with luggage. Phuket is also a starting point for tours that include Khao Sok: they are listed on the tours page, and the pickup is part of the package.
| From | Distance | Typical journey | Shared price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani | About 145 km | 1 h 45 – 2 h 30 | 370 – 400 THB |
| Krabi | About 160 km | 2 h 30 – 3 h 30 | 320 – 450 THB |
| Phuket | Not stated in our sources | 4 – 5 h (shared minivan) | Not stated in our sources |
| Bangkok | About 780 km | 8 – 10 h by road | Not stated in our sources |
From Bangkok
Bangkok is about 780 km from the park, or 8 to 10 hours by road. The alternative is the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani (Phun Phin station), then a bus or minivan for the last leg. Flying to Surat Thani shortens the trip, and the airport is 1 h 30 to 2 h from the park.
The park lies on the axis between Phuket and Koh Samui, which makes it an easy stop between the two coasts. We found no verified journey time from Koh Samui, so this page gives none.
Village entrance and lake entrance
Khao Sok has two zones with separate entrances about 65–67 km apart by road: the land side (headquarters and the village) and the lake side at Cheow Lan. A ticket for one does not cover the other, so decide early which one you are travelling to.
Most lake visitors are collected from their accommodation by their tour operator. If you travel on your own to the lake pier, read the Cheow Lan Lake guide for the pier costs and the boat rates first.
Booking transport
A tour with pickup removes the transport question altogether, as several tours on the tours page include the transfer. Otherwise, ask your accommodation or an operator for a minivan or private transfer.
Whichever way you go, confirm the departure time and the pickup point with the operator, since schedules and prices change.
Times are ranges, not timetables
The durations and prices above are typical figures reported by the sources listed below, not a timetable. Confirm departure times and fares with the operator, and use official Thai sources for entry and health rules.
Last verified 29 September 2026
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
By shared minivan in 4 to 5 hours, or by private transfer, which is the most comfortable option. Tours from Phuket that include Khao Sok are also listed on the tours page.
About 145 km, or 1 h 45 to 2 h 30 by minivan. Sources quote 370 THB per person from the Phantip office in the city and 400 THB from the airport.
The distance is about 160 km and the trip takes 2 h 30 to 3 h 30 by minivan or taxi. A shared bus or minivan costs roughly 320 to 450 THB per person.
Yes. By road it is about 780 km and 8 to 10 hours, or you can take the train to Surat Thani (Phun Phin station) and continue by bus or minivan.
No. The lake has its own entrance, roughly 65–67 km from the village by road, and its own fees. See the lake guide.