How to Get to Khao Sok National Park
Routes, Maps & Private Transfers to Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY TO KHAO SOK
Getting to Khao Sok is straightforward once you choose the right route.
Whether you’re travelling from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Khao Lak, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, this guide explains the main ways to reach Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake — including private transfers, flights, ferries, buses and shared transport.
Route 401 to Khao Sok
The main road connecting Surat Thani and Khao Sok.
Arriving in Khao Sok
The local road through Khao Sok village near the national park.
Flying to Khao Sok via Surat Thani Airport
The most convenient airport for reaching Khao Sok from Bangkok
and many domestic destinations.
Surat Thani Airport (URT) is one of the most convenient gateways to Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake. Direct domestic flights operate from Bangkok, with schedules and airlines varying by travel date.
From Surat Thani Airport, the drive to Khao Sok village takes approximately 1.5–2 hours, while Ratchaprapha Pier for Cheow Lan Lake is approximately 1 hour away.
If you are staying overnight at a floating resort, allow enough time between your flight arrival and your scheduled boat departure. Boat transfers on Cheow Lan Lake generally operate during daylight hours and individual resorts may have specific check-in arrangements.
Private airport transfers can be arranged from Surat Thani Airport directly to Khao Sok hotels or Ratchaprapha Pier.
SURAT THANI AIRPORT (URT)
Bangkok → Surat Thani: Approx. 1 hr 10–20 min flight
Airport → Khao Sok: Approx. 1.5–2 hrs by road
Airport → Ratchaprapha Pier: Approx. 1 hr by road
Best for: Khao Sok & Cheow Lan Lake
Flight schedules change throughout the year. Check current departure times directly with your airline before booking onward transfers or lake accommodation.
ARRIVING AT SURAT THANI AIRPORT?
Travel directly to Khao Sok or Cheow Lan Lake with a private transfer.
Getting to Khao Sok by Train
Via Surat Thani Railway Station
Surat Thani Railway Station is the main rail gateway for travelers heading to Khao Sok National Park. Overnight and daytime trains operate from Bangkok to Surat Thani, making train travel a practical option for visitors who prefer an alternative to flying.
Private pickup at Surat Thani Railway Station
From Surat Thani Railway Station, Khao Sok is approximately a 1.5–2 hour drive, depending on traffic and your accommodation location. Cheow Lan Lake and Ratchaprapha Pier are reached by a different route, so travelers heading directly to the lake should arrange their transfer accordingly.
Private transfers can be arranged directly from Surat Thani Railway Station to Khao Sok hotels or Ratchaprapha Pier. Your driver will meet you at the station and take you directly to your destination.
Train schedules can change, so we recommend checking your departure and arrival times before traveling, especially when coordinating a same-day tour, floating resort check-in, or boat departure.
SURAT THANI ↔ KHAO SOK
Private transfers connect Khao Sok with Surat Thani Airport, Surat Thani Town and Donsak Pier. This route is particularly useful for travellers arriving by air or connecting between Khao Sok and ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
SURAT THANI AIRPORT
~90 KM · ~1 HR 30 MIN
SURAT THANI TOWN
~110 KM · ~1 HR 45 MIN
DONSAK PIER
~140 KM · ~2 HR 30 MIN
Private transfers are available in both directions.
KHAO SOK ↔ CHEOW LAN LAKE
Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake are two separate areas of the national park, connected by a road journey of approximately 67 km. The drive between Khao Sok and Ratchaprapha Pier takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, making it easy to combine the rainforest and lake in the same trip.
TRANSFER AT A GLANCE
~67 KM
Road distance
~1 HR 15 MIN
Typical driving time
PRIVATE
Door-to-door transfer
Private transfers are available in both directions.
KRABI ↔ KHAO SOK
Travel directly from Krabi to Khao Sok by private vehicle. Transfers are available from Krabi Airport, Ao Nang and other hotels in the Krabi area, while Railay transfers combine a local boat connection with a private road transfer to Khao Sok.
TRANSFER AT A GLANCE
KRABI AIRPORT
~155 KM · ~2.5–3 HRS
AO NANG
~170 KM · ~3–3.5 HRS
RAILAY
BOAT + ROAD · ~3.5–4 HRS
PRIVATE VEHICLE • DOOR-TO-DOOR • FLEXIBLE PICKUP
PHUKET ↔ KHAO SOK
Khao Sok is easily reached from Phuket by private road transfers from Patong, Kata and Karon take around 3–3.5 hours from Khao Sok, while transfers from Patong, Kata and Karon take around 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic and your exact pickup location.
TRANSFER AT A GLANCE
PHUKET AIRPORT
~135 KM · ~2–2.5 HRS
PATONG / KATA / KARON
~180 KM · ~3–3.5 HRS
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Door-to-door · Flexible pickup
Private transfers are available in both directions.