Transportation in Khao Lak, Thailand

If you choose to travel to Khaolak by car directly from Bangkok, the journey is 800 kilometres and will take about 12 hours. If you fly to Phuket first which is the most common way, the flight takes 1 hour and 5 minutes, then traveling by car to Khaolak from Phuket International Airport takes between 1 and a half hours to 2 hours.

There are in fact many different ways to reach Khao Lak. You could fly from Bangkok to either Phuket or Surat Thani and then transfer here by public bus or private minibus/limousine. You could catch the train from Bangkok to the South and transfer in the same way from Surat Thani. Similarily, you could travel from Hatyai in the South and travel North to get off at either Phuket or Surat Thani.

Should you arrive by public bus from Hatyai or Krabi, you should get off before reaching the bridge to Phuket at Kok Kloi, where you can a bus change from Phuket to Surat Thani (via Takuapa) to get off at Khaolak. Travelling in Thailand is safe, fun and easy and getting here will be part of your vacation and not a chore.

Travel times (by taxi, bus, boat) from Khao Lak
Phuket Airport (taxi)	1/2-2 hours.
Phuket Town (bus)	2-2 1/2 hours.
Takua Pa (bus)	30-50 mins
Khao Sok (bus)	2 hours.
Surat Thani Airport (taxi)	3 hours.
Ko Samui (bus,boat)	4+1+1 1/2 hours.
Phang nga (bus)	1+1 h.
Krabi (bus)	1+3 h.
Ko Lanta (bus,boat)	4+2 h.
Ranong (bus)	4 h.
Chumphon (bus)	6 h.
Bangkok (787 km,bus)	1+11 h.
Thap Lamu-Similan (boat)	3-5 h.
Khuraburi-Surin Islands (boat)	4 h.

Destinations (from Khao Lak, in Kilometres)
To the North	KM
Chong Fah Waterfall(in N.p.)	8
Laem Pakarang (Coral Cape)	13
Bang Sak Beach	16
Nam Kaem (Ko Kho-Ferry)	26
Takua Pa (Yanyao)	30
Talad Takua Pa (Pakwib Road)	28
Khao Sok National Park (N.P.)	73
Rajjaprabha Dam (N.P.)	124
Surat Thani (H401)	187
Sri Phang Nga (N.P.)	55
Ao Koei Beach	98
Bang Baen (Laem Son N.P.)	165
Ranong (H4)	198
To the East
Lamru Waterfall (N.P.)	54
Hin Lad Waterfall (N.P.)	58
Sang Thong Waterfall	56
Sa Nang Manora Park	64
Phang Nga	64
Phang Nga Bay (Boats)	72
Ao Luk (Than Boke Khorani N.P.)	92
Krabi	132
To the south
Thap Lamu (for Similan Island)	14
Lam Pi Waterfall (N.P.)	28
Hat Chai Thale Thai (N.P.)	40
Khok Kloi (Bus Station)	51
Phang Nga Bay (Boats)	88
Phang Nga	87
Krabi	171
Phuket Airport	72
Phuket Town	106

By road
Car: There are different routes to get to Phang Nga:-
From Bangkok, take the Route 4 which passes through Prachuab Kirikhan, Chumporn, Ranong and goes to Phang Nga; the total distance is 788 kilometers, taking about 12 hours.

From Bangkok, go along Route 4 until reaching Chumporn province. Then from Chumporn, take the Route No.41 which passes Tha Chang district in Suratthani province. Afterwards, fork to Route No 401 on the right and go onwards to Ta Khun district in Suratthani. Then change to Route No.415 which goes through Tap Pud district to Phang Nga town.

From Phuket, use route 402, pass the parallel spans of Sarasin and Thao Thep Krasatri Bridges. You are now in Phang-Nga province. To go on to the provincial capital, go north to the town of Koke Kloy. Turn right (at Bangkok Bank), and follow Route 4 to Phang-Nga Town. You will pass Takua Thung along the way and cover a distance of 87 kilometres. Travel time is about 90 minutes.

Bus: Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave daily from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Phang Nga. The journey by bus takes about 12 hours.
Tel.0 2435 1199. From Phang Nga to Bangkok, you can take the bus at the Provincial Terminal in Phang Nga town.

By plane
Thai Airways does not offer a direct flight to Phang Nga. You have to take a flight to Phuket first and then take a bus to Phang Nga town; the total distance form Phuket to Phang Nga is about 58 kilometers. Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight from Bangkok Airways. An available route is Bangkok-Ranong flight which leaves four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Then take a bus to get to Phang Nga, the journey takes around 3 hours.

Getting around

On Land

Local bus: There are local buses commuting between Phang Nga town to its districts and neighbouring provinces: Phuket (87 kilometers), Krabi (86 kilometers), Trang (221 kilometers), Pattalung (283 kilometres), Hat Yai (375 kilometers), Songkhla (403 kilometres), Pattani (486 kilometres), Narathivas (581 kilometres), and Surat Thani (196 kilometres). There are also local buses leaving directly from the market in Phang Nga town to many piers in the province.

Vehicle rentals: There are motorcycle and bicycle rentals available in Phang Nga Town and also on the islands on which the community of local people are located on Yao Island among others. This is a good way to get around the town or islands in order to see the people's life and attractions on your own.