Where is Khao Lak?
Khao Lak is a stretch of resort coastline on the Andaman Sea in Phang Nga province. It runs along Phetkasem Road (Highway 4) and spans two districts: Bang Niang and Khuk Khak are in Khuekkhak subdistrict, Takua Pa district, while Lam Kaen and Thap Lamu are in Thai Mueang district.
Wikivoyage describes Khao Lak as a strip of coastal resorts about 20 km long. From south to north it takes in Nang Thong Beach, Bang Niang, Khuk Khak, Cape Pakarang, Pakweep Beach and Bang Sak.
Khao Lak–Lam Ru National Park sits beside Phetkasem Road, with the Chao Pho Khao Lak shrine as its landmark. It was declared in the Royal Gazette on 30 August 1991 as Thailand's 66th national park.
Phuket Airport (HKT) to Khao Lak
Phuket International Airport is the closest airport to Khao Lak. By road, take Highway 402 across the Sarasin Bridge into Khok Kloi in Phang Nga, then turn north onto Highway 4. Wikivoyage puts the distance from the airport at about 76–80 km, depending on where in Khao Lak you are staying.
Private transfer
Book ahead and a driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. It suits families and travellers with a lot of luggage. On this site you see the full price in Thai baht before you confirm.
Airport taxis and ground transport
- EVme VIP Taxi, Domestic Terminal, floor 1, open 24 hours, charges by the meter: 150 baht for the first 2 km plus a 100 baht airport fee set by the Ministry of Transport.
- Grab has a service point on floor 1 of the terminal, in the arrivals area.
- Several limousine and minibus operators have counters, and car rental companies include AVIS, Hertz, Europcar and Budget.
Public buses
The airport's transport list has no airport bus to Khao Lak. Airport Bus route 8411 goes to Phuket Town, and the Smart Bus serves Phuket's beaches.
Public bus route 436 Takua Pa–Phuket runs along Highway 4 through Ban Bang Sak and Ban Thung Maphrao, then along Highway 402 to Phuket Bus Terminal 1, according to the Royal Gazette. The notice does not give timetables or fares.
Bangkok to Khao Lak
Phang Nga province has no airport, so most travellers from Bangkok fly to Phuket and continue by road as described above. The Tourism Authority of Thailand gives the Bangkok–Phuket flight time as about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Transport Co. (Bor Kor Sor) bus
The Transport Co. runs buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) to its Khao Lak (Bang Niang) stop on the Bangkok–Takua Pa–Khok Kloi route. Its online booking system, checked on 30 September 2026 for travel on 10 October 2026, showed class M1B departures at 07:00, 17:00 and 18:00 for 725 baht. Arrival times were not shown.
The company also lists stops at Khao Lak (Nang Thong) and Lam Kaen/Thap Lamu Pier. Timetables and fares can change, so check the Transport Co. booking system before you travel.
Train
There is no railway to Khao Lak. Take the train to Surat Thani station, in Phunphin district, then continue west by road. Highway 401 links Surat Thani with Highway 4 near Takua Pa and passes Khao Sok National Park.
Krabi and Ao Nang to Khao Lak
Krabi International Airport (KBV) is another airport you can use to reach Phang Nga province, besides Phuket.
From Ao Nang
Khao Sok and Surat Thani to Khao Lak
Khao Sok National Park is in Phanom district, Surat Thani province. By road, follow Highway 401 west until it meets Highway 4 near Takua Pa, then head south into Khao Lak.
Getting around Khao Lak
Khao Lak's resort areas are strung along Phetkasem Road, so short trips follow this one road.
- Songthaews: Wikivoyage says Khao Lak has no metered taxis, so agree the fare with the driver before you get in.
- Grab: Grab lists Phang Nga province among its service areas but does not name Khao Lak itself. Check the app from where you are.
- Scooter rental: riders need a Thai licence or an International Driving Permit. Riders and passengers must wear helmets, and not wearing one carries a fine of up to 2,000 baht under Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act.
- Charter car with driver: useful for several stops in one day, such as waterfalls, viewpoints or Khao Sok.
Getting to the Similan and Surin Islands
The Mu Ko Similan National Park office is at Ban Thap Lamu, Lam Kaen subdistrict, Thai Mueang district, south of central Khao Lak. The park closes to visitors every year during the southwest monsoon, when the sea is too rough to be safe.
In 2025 the park closed from 16 May to 14 October and reopened on 15 October. Since 15 October 2025 every visitor must buy an E-Ticket: Thai nationals use their ID card number and foreigners use their passport number. Tickets can be bought in advance or on the day until 08:00. Dates can change each year, so check the national park department's announcement before you book a trip.
Mu Ko Surin National Park is in Khura Buri district, about 70 km off the coast. Its mainland office is near Khura Buri pier, and it also closes during the monsoon.
Seasons and the best time to travel
- The southwest monsoon covers Thailand from about mid-May to mid-October and brings rain to the coasts. Its start and end vary from year to year.
- Phang Nga's provincial statistics describe two seasons: rain from about May to December and hot weather from about January to April. The province is nicknamed "eight months of rain, four months of sun".
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand names November to April as the best months to visit the Similan Islands.
Travel essentials
- Tourist Police
- 1155
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and medical emergency
- 1669
- Fire
- 199
- TAT Call Center
- 1672
- Thailand uses UTC+7.
- Traffic in Thailand drives on the left.
Tsunami memorials and warnings
Police Boat T.813 at Ban Bang Niang is a 60-ton boat that was anchored one nautical mile offshore and was carried inland to the foothills by the 2004 tsunami. It is now a memorial. The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park is near the Ban Nam Khem coast, 7 km from Takua Pa district, and its wall carries the names of more than 1,400 people who died.
Andaman coast provinces have tsunami warning towers and hold evacuation drills every year. If you hear a warning of an earthquake at sea or a tsunami, leave the beach for high ground at once.
Estimated travel times from our service
These times come from the private transfer prices currently on sale with Khao Lak Taxi. They are estimated driving times, not guarantees; traffic and weather can make a journey longer.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Khao Lak from Phuket Airport?
Wikivoyage gives about 76–80 km, depending on where in Khao Lak you are going. The route is Highway 402 across the Sarasin Bridge to Khok Kloi, then north on Highway 4.
Is there a bus from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak?
The airport's transport list has no airport bus to Khao Lak. Airport Bus route 8411 goes to Phuket Town. Public bus route 436 Takua Pa–Phuket uses Phuket Bus Terminal 1 and runs along Highway 4 through Bang Sak and Thung Maphrao.
Can I take the train to Khao Lak?
There is no railway to Khao Lak. Take the train to Surat Thani station, then continue by road on Highway 401 past Khao Sok.
Is there a bus from Bangkok to Khao Lak?
Yes. The Transport Co. runs buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to its Khao Lak (Bang Niang) stop. On 30 September 2026 its booking system showed departures at 07:00, 17:00 and 18:00 for 725 baht. Check the latest timetable in the Transport Co. booking system.
When are the Similan Islands open?
The park closes every year during the southwest monsoon. In 2025 it closed from 16 May to 14 October and reopened on 15 October. Visitors must buy an E-Ticket. Check the national park department's announcement for the year you travel.