THE GATEWAY TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Ratchaprapha Pier
Where Every Journey onto Cheow Lan Lake Begins
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
The Gateway to Cheow Lan Lake
Ratchaprapha Pier is where road travel ends and the lake journey begins.
Travelers arriving from Surat Thani, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Phuket or Krabi meet their guide or boat representative here before continuing across Cheow Lan Lake by longtail boat.
Whether you are visiting for a day tour or spending several nights at a floating resort, understanding how the pier works makes the beginning of your journey considerably easier.
How to Get to Ratchaprapha Pier
Road connections and approximate travel times from Khao Sok, Surat Thani, Khao Lak, Krabi and Phuket.
Ratchaprapha Pier, also commonly known as Cheow Lan Pier, is located in Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani Province. It is the main departure point for longtail boat journeys onto Cheow Lan Lake and can be reached by road from Surat Thani, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Phuket and Krabi.
For travellers with a scheduled floating resort transfer or lake tour, it is important to plan your road journey around your boat meeting time, rather than simply your hotel check-in time.
FROM SURAT THANI TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Surat Thani is the easiest transport hub for reaching Cheow Lan Lake. Travelers may arrive by flight, train or bus, but each arrival point is in a different location, so it is important to know exactly where your transfer starts.
FROM SURAT THANI AIRPORT
Surat Thani Airport is one of the most convenient arrival points for Cheow Lan Lake, especially if you are flying from Bangkok.
A private road transfer from the airport to the Ratchaprapha Pier area normally takes around 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic and the exact meeting point.
If you are staying overnight on the lake, check your required pier arrival time before booking a flight. Floating resorts and private tours do not all depart at the same time, and arriving too late may mean that you cannot reach your resort as planned.
Practical advice: For an overnight lake stay, an early or mid-morning arrival at Surat Thani Airport gives you more flexibility than an afternoon flight.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Surat Thani Airport → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿1,800
This booking is for the road transfer only.
FROM SURAT THANI TOWN
Surat Thani town is farther east than the airport and railway station.
The road journey to Ratchaprapha Pier is typically around 1.5 hours. Public vans may be available toward the Ratchaprapha Dam area, but schedules and drop-off points can change. Thailand's tourism authority also describes road connections from Surat Thani town toward Ratchaprapha Dam at around this travel time.
For travelers with luggage, children, a fixed boat departure or a specific floating-resort check-in time, a pre-arranged transfer is usually simpler because it can take you directly to the correct pier.
IMPORTANT: YOUR BOAT DOES NOT LEAVE FROM SURAT THANI
Your road journey ends at Ratchaprapha Pier. From there, you continue into Cheow Lan Lake by longtail boat.
The boat journey to your floating resort is separate from the road transfer and may take roughly
35 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the resort's location.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Surat Thani Towb→ Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿2,200
This booking is for the road transfer only.
FROM SURAT THANI TRAIN STATION
Surat Thani Railway Station is actually located in Phun Phin, outside Surat Thani city.
From the station, allow roughly 1–1.5 hours by private vehicle to reach Ratchaprapha Pier, depending on road conditions.
Overnight trains from Bangkok are popular with travelers heading to Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake, but train arrival times can change. If your lake boat has a fixed departure time, leave a reasonable buffer between the scheduled train arrival and your pier check-in.
Practical advice: Do not arrange your boat departure too tightly around the published train arrival time.
FROM DON SAK PIER TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Best for travelers arriving from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao
Don Sak is an important connection point between the Gulf islands and Cheow Lan Lake. If you are travelling from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, you can arrive on the mainland and continue west by road toward Ratchaprapha Pier without travelling into Surat Thani town first.
This makes Don Sak → Cheow Lan Lake a practical route when combining the islands with an overnight stay on the lake.
From Don Sak to Ratchaprapha Pier
After arriving at Don Sak, continue by road directly to Ratchaprapha Pier.
Allow approximately 2–2.5 hours by private vehicle, depending on your ferry terminal, traffic and road conditions.
There is normally no reason to travel into Surat Thani town first if you have a private transfer waiting at the ferry terminal. Going directly from Don Sak toward Ban Ta Khun and Ratchaprapha Pier is the more practical route.
Coming from Koh Samui
Regular ferry services connect Koh Samui with Don Sak. For example, Seatran's current published service between Nathon and Don Sak takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you plan to enter Cheow Lan Lake on the same day, choose an early ferry from Samui and check your floating resort's boat departure or check-in time before booking.
Do not calculate the journey using ferry time alone. You also need time to disembark, collect luggage, meet your driver and travel from Don Sak to Ratchaprapha Pier.
Coming from Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan also has ferry connections toward the Surat Thani mainland via Don Sak. Journey times depend on the operator and service; car-ferry services can take around 2.5 hours between Koh Phangan and Don Sak.
For a same-day connection to a floating resort, an early departure from Koh Phangan is preferable.
If the ferry reaches Don Sak later in the day, staying one night near Ratchaprapha Pier before entering the lake the following morning may be a better plan than trying to make a late boat connection.
Coming from Koh Tao
Koh Tao requires more careful planning because the sea journey is longer and routes vary by operator.
Some services connect Koh Tao → Koh Phangan → Koh Samui → Don Sak. A current 2026 Boonsiri service, for example, leaves Koh Tao at 08:00 and reaches Don Sak at 11:40.
That does not mean every Koh Tao ferry follows this route or timetable. Ferry schedules change, so travelers should check the actual mainland arrival point before arranging the road transfer.
For Koh Tao in particular, avoid booking a floating-resort boat based only on the scheduled ferry arrival. Allow enough time for the ferry connection and onward road journey.
Check Which Don Sak Pier You Are Arriving At
This is important.
Don Sak is not one single ferry terminal. Different operators use different piers in the Don Sak area, including Seatran and Raja Ferry terminals, with other passenger services using their own departure and arrival points.
When arranging a private transfer, send your operator:
Ferry company • Ferry number/time • Departure island • Scheduled arrival time
rather than simply saying “Don Sak Pier.”
This helps the driver meet you at the correct terminal.
Same-Day Lake Arrival or Stay Near the Pier?
If your ferry reaches Don Sak early enough, it is possible to continue directly to Cheow Lan Lake.
But remember that reaching Ratchaprapha Pier is not the end of the journey. If you are staying at a floating resort, you still need to travel into the lake by longtail boat.
For guests arriving from the islands later in the day, a more comfortable plan can be:
Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao → Don Sak → hotel near Ratchaprapha Pier
then
Next morning → Cheow Lan Lake
This avoids building a tight ferry–road–boat connection where one delay affects the entire itinerary.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Don Sak Pier → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿3,500
This booking is for the road transfer only.
FROM PHUKET TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Phuket and Cheow Lan Lake can be combined comfortably in the same trip, but allow enough time for the road journey. From Phuket, you travel north across the mainland and then east toward Ratchaprapha Pier in Ban Ta Khun.
Depending on where you start in Phuket, the drive normally takes around 2.5–3.5 hours, and longer should be allowed when traffic is heavy. Your own current transfer information also places Phuket–Cheow Lan Lake in roughly this range, depending on the pickup area.
From Phuket Airport
Phuket International Airport is the most convenient starting point in Phuket for travelling directly to Cheow Lan Lake.
The airport is in northern Phuket, so you avoid much of the additional driving involved when starting from Patong, Kata or Karon.
Allow approximately 2.5–3 hours for a private transfer to Ratchaprapha Pier under normal conditions. Your current route data puts Phuket Airport at approximately 140 km from the pier.
If you are flying into Phuket specifically for Cheow Lan Lake, check your flight arrival against your boat departure before booking. Remember to allow time for immigration if arriving internationally, baggage collection and meeting your driver.
Practical advice: Surat Thani Airport is closer to Cheow Lan Lake. But if Phuket fits your international flights or overall Thailand itinerary better, travelling directly from Phuket Airport is completely practical.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Phuket → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿4,500
This booking is for the road transfer only.
From Patong, Kata or Karon
If you are already staying in Phuket's main beach areas, allow more time.
From Patong, Kata or Karon, a private transfer to Ratchaprapha Pier is approximately 3 hours under good conditions, but we recommend allowing additional time rather than planning around the minimum driving time. Current route information places these beach areas at roughly 160 km from the pier.
Traffic leaving the southern and western parts of Phuket can add time, particularly during busy periods.
For an overnight Cheow Lan Lake package with a late-morning or midday meeting time, this normally means an early departure from your Phuket hotel.
Private Transfer or Public Transport?
For travelers going directly from Phuket to a lake tour or floating resort, private transfer is the simplest option.
It takes you directly from your hotel or Phuket Airport to Ratchaprapha Pier and avoids changing vehicles with luggage.
Public buses and minivans can be cheaper, but this is where travelers need to be careful: Khao Sok village and Ratchaprapha Pier are different destinations. Some public services from Phuket are designed around Khao Sok rather than the lake pier, which can leave you needing another transfer for the final section.
If you choose public transport, confirm the actual drop-off point, not simply whether the ticket says “Khao Sok” or “Cheow Lan.”
Can You Travel from Phuket and Enter the Lake the Same Day?
Yes. This is a common and practical route if you leave Phuket early enough.
For example:
Phuket hotel → Ratchaprapha Pier → longtail boat → floating resort
can all be completed on the same day.
However, the important time is your boat departure, not simply your arrival at Ratchaprapha Pier.
Some floating-resort programs have scheduled check-in or boat departure windows. Current programs on your site, for example, require guests to reach the pier around midday before travelling onward to the raft house.
If your Phuket pickup is late, traffic is heavy or your flight arrives around midday, do not assume a late private boat will automatically be available.
Phuket → Cheow Lan Lake → Next Destination
You do not need to return to Phuket after your lake stay.
A much better Thailand route for many travelers is:
Phuket → Cheow Lan Lake → Koh Samui / Koh Phangan
or
Phuket → Cheow Lan Lake → Surat Thani
or
Phuket → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi / Khao Lak
This avoids unnecessary backtracking.
If you are planning this type of route, bring your luggage to the lake and arrange the onward vehicle to meet you at Ratchaprapha Pier when your boat returns.
One Detail Travelers Often Miss
Reaching Ratchaprapha Pier does not mean you have reached your accommodation.
If you are staying on the lake, you still have a longtail-boat journey after the road transfer. Depending on the floating resort, that boat journey can add roughly 40 minutes to more than an hour to the day. For example, Panvaree currently gives an approximate 40–50-minute boat journey from the pier.
So when planning Phuket → Cheow Lan Lake, calculate the complete journey:
Hotel/Airport → road transfer → pier check-in → longtail boat → floating resort
—not just the driving time.
FROM KRABI TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Krabi is another practical starting point for Cheow Lan Lake, especially if you are travelling from Ao Nang, Krabi Town or Krabi Airport.
By private vehicle, the direct road journey to Ratchaprapha Pier is roughly 125–135 km depending on the starting point. Route estimates are around 2 hours from Krabi or Ao Nang in clear conditions, but for a lake departure we recommend allowing around 2.5–3 hours rather than planning around the minimum driving time.
From Krabi Airport
Krabi Airport is a convenient starting point if you are flying into southern Thailand and travelling directly to Cheow Lan Lake.
The direct road distance to the Ratchaprapha area is approximately 130 km, with route estimates of about 2 hours in clear conditions.
For an actual transfer, allow additional time for baggage collection, meeting your driver, traffic and a short stop if needed.
If you plan to stay at a floating resort on the same day, check the required pier arrival time before choosing your flight. A flight landing around midday may be too late for a resort with a scheduled boat departure.
From Ao Nang
Ao Nang is approximately 130 km by road from Ratchaprapha Dam, with direct driving estimates just over 2 hours.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Krabi → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿3,200
This booking is for the road transfer only.
For planning purposes, we recommend allowing around 2.5–3 hours from your hotel to Ratchaprapha Pier.
An early departure from Ao Nang makes it possible to travel directly to the lake and stay at a floating resort that same day.
A practical route is:
Ao Nang Hotel → Ratchaprapha Pier → Longtail Boat → Floating Resort
There is no need to travel through Surat Thani city when using a private transfer.
From Krabi Town
Krabi Town is slightly closer than some of the beach areas. The direct road distance to Ratchaprapha Dam is approximately 124 km, with driving estimates just under 2 hours in clear conditions.
Again, do not use the minimum driving time when you have a boat to catch. Allow a sensible buffer for traffic and stops along the way.
Private Transfer or Public Transport?
For a same-day connection to a Cheow Lan Lake tour, private transfer is considerably simpler.
Public transport is possible, but it is not necessarily direct. Current public-transport routing from Krabi and Ao Nang can involve travelling toward Surat Thani and changing vehicles before reaching Ratchaprapha Dam, turning a roughly two-hour direct road journey into a journey of five hours or considerably more.
This makes an important difference when your floating resort has a fixed boat departure.
If you use public transport, confirm:
Where the vehicle actually drops you off
Whether another connection is required
Your expected arrival time at Ratchaprapha Pier
Do not book based only on a ticket labelled “Krabi to Khao Sok.” Khao Sok village and the lake pier are different destinations.
Can You Travel from Krabi and Enter the Lake the Same Day?
Yes. For most guests travelling by private vehicle, this is a very practical route.
If your boat leaves around midday, leave Ao Nang or Krabi early in the morning and build in extra time.
Do not plan to reach the pier exactly when the boat is scheduled to leave. You may still need to meet your guide, use the restroom, organise luggage, complete check-in or pay national park fees before boarding.
Coming from Railay Beach?
This needs an extra step.
Railay has no road access, so you cannot be collected directly from your Railay hotel by car.
You first need to travel by boat from Railay to the mainland. Your private road transfer then begins from the agreed pier or pickup point.
If you are staying at Railay the night before your Cheow Lan Lake trip, tell your transfer operator which part of Railay you are staying in and where your boat will arrive on the mainland.
Do not calculate your departure time using only the Krabi–Cheow Lan driving time.
What About Koh Lanta?
If you are coming from Koh Lanta, treat it as a separate journey rather than simply “Krabi.”
The route involves leaving the island before continuing toward Cheow Lan Lake, so the total journey is substantially longer than from Ao Nang or Krabi Town.
For an overnight lake stay with a fixed boat departure, Koh Lanta → Cheow Lan Lake needs more careful timing than Krabi → Cheow Lan Lake.
After Your Cheow Lan Lake Stay
You do not need to return to Krabi.
For many travelers, a better route through southern Thailand is:
Krabi → Cheow Lan Lake → Surat Thani Airport
Krabi → Cheow Lan Lake → Don Sak → Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao
Krabi → Cheow Lan Lake → Khao Sok
or the reverse:
Koh Samui → Don Sak → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi
This is one of the advantages of Cheow Lan Lake's location: it can work as a stop between the Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand, rather than requiring a return journey to the place you started.
Remember the Final Boat Journey
As with every route on this page, reaching Ratchaprapha Pier is only the road portion of the journey.
Guests staying at a floating resort still continue by longtail boat. Your own resort data shows that the boat journey varies substantially by property, from roughly 35–40 minutes for some nearer raft houses to 65–80 minutes for more distant properties.
Plan the complete journey as:
Krabi / Ao Nang → Ratchaprapha Pier → Longtail Boat → Floating Resort
FROM KOH SAMUI TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Koh Samui and Cheow Lan Lake can be combined in the same trip without returning to Surat Thani town. The practical route is to take a ferry from Koh Samui to Don Sak, meet your driver on the mainland and continue directly by road to Ratchaprapha Pier.
For most travelers, think of the journey in three parts:
Koh Samui → Don Sak → Ratchaprapha Pier → Floating Resort
Ferry from Koh Samui to Don Sak
Several ferry services connect Koh Samui with the mainland.
For example, Seatran currently operates between Nathon Pier and Don Sak, with a crossing of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Raja Ferry also operates between Lipa Noi and Don Sak, with a similar crossing time.
The important detail is which ferry pier you use on Koh Samui and which terminal you arrive at in Don Sak.
When arranging your onward transfer, give the driver:
Ferry company • Departure pier • Departure time • Scheduled Don Sak arrival time
Do not simply say “ferry from Samui,” because different operators use different terminals.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Koh Samui → Ratchaprapha Pier
Koh Tao → Ratchaprapha Pier
Koh Phangan → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿8,000
This booking is for the road transfer only.
From Don Sak to Cheow Lan Lake
Once you arrive at Don Sak, there is no need to travel into Surat Thani town.
A private driver can meet you at the ferry terminal and travel directly toward Ban Ta Khun and Ratchaprapha Pier.
Allow approximately 2–2.5 hours for this road section, depending on the terminal, traffic and road conditions.
This makes the complete journey roughly:
Samui hotel → ferry pier → Don Sak → Ratchaprapha Pier
and, if you are staying overnight on the lake:
→ longtail boat → floating resort
Can You Travel from Koh Samui and Sleep on Cheow Lan Lake the Same Day?
Yes — but take an early ferry.
This is where the timing needs to be planned carefully.
If your floating resort requires you to reach Ratchaprapha Pier around late morning or midday, a later ferry from Samui may not leave enough time for the road journey and boat connection.
The correct way to plan is to start with your required Ratchaprapha Pier arrival time and work
backwards:
Boat departure
← Pier check-in
← 2–2.5 hr road transfer
← Ferry arrival at Don Sak
← Ferry crossing
← Transfer from your Samui hotel
This is much safer than choosing a ferry first and hoping it connects.
Don't Forget Your Samui Hotel Transfer
Koh Samui is a large island.
Your total journey does not begin when the ferry leaves. You also need to reach the correct ferry terminal from your hotel.
A guest staying near Nathon has a very different transfer from someone staying in Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut or Choeng Mon.
When arranging the complete journey, provide your exact Samui hotel name so the pickup time can be calculated correctly.
A Better Option for Late Ferry Connections
If the available ferry reaches Don Sak too late to comfortably connect with your lake boat, don't force the journey.
A practical alternative is:
Day 1: Koh Samui → Don Sak → hotel near Ratchaprapha Pier
Day 2: Enter Cheow Lan Lake in the morning
This is particularly useful if you have already booked a floating resort with a fixed boat schedule.
Koh Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Andaman Coast
Cheow Lan Lake also works very well as a stop between Koh Samui and the Andaman Coast.
Instead of:
Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Samui
you can travel:
Koh Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Khao Sok
Koh Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Khao Lak
Koh Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Phuket
or
Koh Samui → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi
This avoids returning east after your lake stay.
FROM KOH TAO TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Koh Tao is the Gulf island that requires the most careful planning when connecting to Cheow Lan Lake.
The sea journey is longer, and you need enough time after reaching the mainland for the road transfer to Ratchaprapha Pier.
Check the Ferry Route Carefully
Not every Koh Tao service reaches the same mainland destination.
This is important because tickets may be sold to Surat Thani, while the actual journey can involve different piers and onward transfers.
For Cheow Lan Lake, a service that gets you to Don Sak early enough can be particularly useful because you can continue directly to Ratchaprapha Pier without going into Surat Thani town.
A Useful 2026 Connection
There is currently a particularly useful morning option.
Boonsiri announced an updated service on 31 July 2026 operating:
Koh Tao 08:00 → Koh Phangan 09:15 → Koh Samui 10:00 → Don Sak 11:40
This is a current 2026 timetable, but ferry schedules can change, so travelers should recheck it for their actual travel date.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Koh Tao → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿8,000
This booking is for the road transfer only.
Can You Reach a Floating Resort the Same Day?
This is where I would be more cautious than with Samui.
If you arrive at Don Sak around 11:40, you still need roughly 2–2.5 hours by road to reach Ratchaprapha Pier.
That puts the likely pier arrival in the afternoon.
For a private lake arrangement with a flexible boat departure, this may be possible.
For a floating resort with a fixed midday boat schedule, it may be too late.
Do not book it as a connection until the lake operator has confirmed that your boat can depart after you arrive.
The Safer Koh Tao Plan
If your floating resort has a fixed departure, the more reliable itinerary is:
Day 1: Koh Tao → Don Sak → hotel near Ratchaprapha Pier
Day 2: Ratchaprapha Pier → Cheow Lan Lake
This adds a night on land but removes the risk of a delayed ferry causing you to miss the resort boat.
If You Have a Private Boat
The situation can be different if your Cheow Lan Lake package includes a private longtail boat with a flexible departure time.
In that case, Koh Tao → Don Sak → Ratchaprapha Pier → Cheow Lan Lake may be possible on the same day.
But it should be planned as a coordinated connection rather than three unrelated bookings.
Koh Tao → Cheow Lan Lake → Phuket or Krabi
This can actually make an excellent south-Thailand route:
Koh Tao → Cheow Lan Lake → Khao Sok → Phuket
or
Koh Tao → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi
You cross from the Gulf side to Cheow Lan Lake once, then continue west rather than travelling back to Surat Thani or the islands.
FROM KHAO SOK TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Khao Sok village and Cheow Lan Lake are both associated with Khao Sok National Park, but they are separate areas connected by road.
From Khao Sok village, the journey to Ratchaprapha Pier is approximately 60-65 km and normally takes around 1 hour by private vehicle.
If You Are Staying in Khao Sok Village
Most accommodation around Khao Sok village is near the national park headquarters and the Sok River. To begin a Cheow Lan Lake tour, you need a road transfer east to Ratchaprapha Pier.
If your lake tour has a fixed departure time, arrange the transfer in advance and confirm whether pickup from your Khao Sok hotel is already included.
Allow some extra time rather than planning to arrive at the pier exactly at the boat departure time.
Private Transfer
For travelers starting a lake tour the same morning, a private transfer is the simplest option.
You are collected directly from your hotel and taken to the correct pier without intermediate stops. This is particularly useful when you have luggage, are travelling with children, or need to meet a private boat or guide at a specific time.
Public and shared transport can take longer because of additional pickups, drop-offs and connections. Current Khao Sok transport guidance specifically recommends avoiding public transfers when you have a lake tour starting the same day.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Khao Sok → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿1,600
This booking is for the road transfer only.
Shared Transfers
Some tour programs arrange shared transfers from Khao Sok village to the lake.
These can work well when the transfer is coordinated with your tour departure. However, do not assume that every shared minivan travelling through Khao Sok goes directly to Ratchaprapha Pier.
Some public services use the main Highway 401 corridor and may leave passengers around Ban Ta Khun, requiring another local transfer to reach the pier.
Can You Visit Khao Sok Village and Cheow Lan Lake on the Same Trip?
Yes — and they work well together.
Khao Sok village is better suited to jungle trails, river activities and the national park headquarters area, while Cheow Lan Lake is where you find longtail boat trips, floating resorts, caves and lake-based activities.
A common itinerary is to stay in Khao Sok first and travel to Ratchaprapha Pier the following morning for a 2 Days / 1 Night or 3 Days / 2 Nights Cheow Lan Lake stay.
Important if You Have Luggage
You do not need to return to Khao Sok village after your lake trip unless it is part of your itinerary.
For example:
Khao Sok → Cheow Lan Lake → Surat Thani
or
Khao Sok → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi / Phuket / Khao Lak
can be arranged as a continuous journey.
If you are staying overnight at a floating resort, ask your operator whether your main luggage should travel with you onto the lake or whether it can be stored before boarding the longtail boat.
FROM KHAO LAK TO CHEOW LAN LAKE
Khao Lak is a convenient place to travel from before visiting Cheow Lan Lake, particularly if you are combining the beaches of Phang Nga with an overnight stay at a floating resort.
From the main Khao Lak area to Ratchaprapha Pier, allow approximately 2–3 hours by private vehicle. The exact time depends on where your hotel is located;
Khao Lak is a long coastal area rather than a single town. Current route estimates put the road journey at roughly 128 km and just over 2 hours without significant stops, so using a wider 2–3 hour planning window is more sensible for guests with a boat to catch.
Your Hotel Location Matters
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Khao Lak → Ratchaprapha Pier
Private vehicle from ฿3,500
This booking is for the road transfer only.
When arranging the transfer, provide the exact hotel name, not simply “Khao Lak.”
Hotels around Nang Thong or Bang Niang will have a different pickup time from properties farther north around Khuk Khak, Pak Weep or Bang Sak.
This matters particularly when your floating resort has a fixed pier check-in or boat departure. Your pickup time should be calculated backwards from the required arrival at Ratchaprapha Pier, with some additional time allowed for road conditions.
Private Transfer
For guests entering Cheow Lan Lake on the same day, a private transfer is the most straightforward option.
The driver collects you from your Khao Lak hotel and takes you directly to Ratchaprapha Pier, where you meet your guide or continue by longtail boat to the floating resort.
There is no need to travel to Khao Sok village first.
This is an important distinction because public transport routes in this part of southern Thailand often use Khao Sok village as a connection point, whereas a private vehicle can travel directly to the lake side. Public-transport options can therefore involve a bus toward Khao Sok followed by another vehicle to the pier.
Can You Leave Khao Lak in the Morning
and Stay on the Lake the Same Day?
Yes. This is a practical route.
A typical travel day can be:
Khao Lak hotel → Ratchaprapha Pier → longtail boat → floating resort
Because the road journey is manageable, there is usually no reason to stay near the pier the night before if your pickup from Khao Lak is arranged early enough.
The important part is to work from your required pier arrival time, not from the floating resort's check-in time alone.
For example, if you need to meet your boat around late morning, an early-morning departure from Khao Lak gives you a sensible buffer.
Khao Lak and Khao Sok Are Not the Same Stop
This is another common source of confusion.
When searching for transport online, you may see services advertised as:
Khao Lak → Khao Sok
That does not necessarily mean the vehicle continues to Cheow Lan Lake.
Khao Sok village is on the western side of the national park, while Ratchaprapha Pier is farther east. A transfer that terminates at Khao Sok village still leaves you with another road journey before reaching the lake.
If booking independently, confirm that the destination specifically says:
Ratchaprapha Pier / Ratchaprapha Dam / Cheow Lan Lake Pier
rather than simply Khao Sok.
Travelling with Luggage
If you are staying overnight at a floating resort, you can normally travel from Khao Lak with your luggage and continue directly to the lake.
For a short 2D1N stay, however, taking a smaller overnight bag can be more convenient than carrying large suitcases onto a longtail boat.
Before leaving Khao Lak, check whether your particular package or floating resort provides luggage storage at the pier. Do not assume storage is included, because arrangements differ between operators and resorts.
After Cheow Lan Lake
You do not need to return to Khao Lak after your lake stay.
Cheow Lan Lake works particularly well as a connecting point in a southern Thailand itinerary. For example:
Khao Lak → Cheow Lan Lake → Surat Thani Airport
Khao Lak → Cheow Lan Lake → Don Sak → Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao
Khao Lak → Cheow Lan Lake → Krabi
or
Khao Lak → Cheow Lan Lake → Khao Sok
This can save several hours of unnecessary backtracking.
Allow for the Boat Journey Too
As with Phuket, the road transfer only gets you to Ratchaprapha Pier.
If you are sleeping on Cheow Lan Lake, you still have to travel by longtail boat from the pier to your floating resort. Depending on the resort, this can add roughly 35 minutes to well over an hour.
So when planning the day, think of the complete journey as:
Khao Lak Hotel → Ratchaprapha Pier → Boat → Floating Resort
rather than simply Khao Lak → Cheow Lan Lake.
AT RATCHAPRAPHA PIER
From Arrival to Boarding
What to expect when you arrive at Ratchaprapha Pier, from meeting your guide to getting ready for your journey onto Cheow Lan Lake.
01 — ARRIVE AT THE PIER
Meet Your Guide or Boat Representative
Arrive at the agreed meeting point before your scheduled departure. If your journey includes a private transfer, your driver will take you directly to the pier and help you meet your guide or boat representative.
02 — CHECK-IN & PREPARATION
Get Ready for the Lake
Your guide or representative will assist with the boat arrangements and any required national park procedures. Before boarding, there is time to use the restroom, buy drinks or snacks, and prepare anything you need for the journey.
03 — BOARD YOUR LONGTAIL BOAT
Luggage Travels With You
Most journeys use traditional Thai longtail boats. Your luggage can travel with you on the boat, although a smaller overnight bag is easier to handle for short floating-resort stays.
Keep passports, phones, cameras and other valuables protected from water.
Before You Board
A few practical things are worth knowing before you leave Ratchaprapha Pier, especially if you are staying overnight on Cheow Lan Lake.
01 — KEEP VALUABLES DRY
Protect Phones, Cameras & Passports
Longtail boats are open-sided and spray or rain can reach your belongings. Keep phones, cameras, passports and other valuables in a waterproof bag.
03 — PREPARE FOR THE BOAT RIDE
Sun, Rain & Wind
Bring sun protection and a light rain jacket. Weather on Cheow Lan Lake can change quickly, particularly during the rainy season.
02 — PACK LIGHT FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS
Your Luggage Travels by Boat
Luggage can travel with you, but a smaller overnight bag is easier to carry on and off the boat. Large suitcases can be left with your hotel or transfer provider when arrangements allow.
04 — USE THE PIER FACILITIES
Before Leaving for the Lake
Use the restroom and buy any drinks or small essentials you need before boarding. Facilities become much more limited once you leave the pier.
OVERVIEW
Understanding Ratchaprapha Pier
Ratchaprapha Pier sits beside Ratchaprapha Dam in Ban Ta Khun, Surat Thani, on the eastern side of the Khao Sok area. It is separate from Khao Sok Village and the National Park Headquarters, which are around an hour away by road.
The pier serves day trips, private lake journeys and transfers to floating resorts across Cheow Lan Lake. Once you leave the pier, travel across the lake is by longtail boat, with journey times depending on where you are heading.
For travellers staying in Khao Sok Village before or after the lake, it is important to treat the village and the pier as two separate locations when planning transfers and departure times.
WESTERN SIDE
Khao Sok Village & Park Headquarters
The main base for exploring Khao Sok on land, with the National Park Headquarters, accommodation and restaurants nearby.
-
Jungle trails
-
National Park Headquarters
-
Sok River activities
-
Hotels & village stays
EASTERN SIDE
Cheow Lan Lake & Ratchaprapha Pier
The main gateway to Cheow Lan Lake, where longtail boats depart for floating resorts and destinations across the lake.
-
• Longtail boat departures
• Floating resorts
• Lake attractions
• Routes deeper into Cheow Lan Lake
RATCHAPRAPHA PIER
Cheow Lan Lake Gateway
KHAO SOK VILLAGE
Park Headquarters
Boat Journey
Distances & Travel Times Across Cheow Lan Lake
Longtail boat journey across Cheow Lan Lake
Floating resorts are located across different parts of Cheow Lan Lake, so boat travel times vary considerably. Resorts closer to Ratchaprapha Pier can be reached in around 35–50 minutes, while those deeper inside the lake may take 60–80 minutes or longer depending on conditions.
Travel times are approximate and can vary with weather, lake conditions, boat type and route.