Thailand is a country full of lush nature and has something to offer for everyone. Whether you prefer to relax on idyllic beaches or lose yourself in lush forests, Thailand has something for you. Khao Sok National Park has a little bit of everything. With Cheow Lan Lake in the park, you can enjoy the water, limestone rocks, waterfalls and jungle. It is the perfect place to relax or encourage activities such as kayaking, caving, hiking or just contemplating the wildlife. If you are heading towards Khao Sok, your journey can start in Surat Thani. Many travelers fly in from Bangkok and want to know the best way to get to the park. Going from Surat Thani to Khao Sok is easy. Below are all the details.
Travel options from Surat Thani to Khao Sok
By road, the shortest route from Surat Thani to Khao Sok is 120 kilometers. While it may not seem like a very long distance, the journey is not particularly short as the road winds its way through rural areas. The asphalt is not always in good condition, so drivers have to drive at low speed, and ultimately the journey takes at least several hours. There are many buses, vans and taxis that run from Surat Thani to Khao Sok, with departures at different times of the day and different departure locations in Surat Thani.
From Surat Thani to Khao Sok by bus
Phantip van and bus in Surat Thani © kyozstorage_stock / Shutterstock.com
Normally, every tourist thinks about the bus when planning a trip around Thailand, and the same is true for the route from Surat Thani to Khao Sok. There are many buses every day and the tickets are very cheap. All in all, traveling by bus from Surat Thani to Khao Sok is easy, comfortable and cheap.
It is possible to book tickets almost every day directly with the bus company. But for greater peace of mind, we recommend booking in advance. You can take a look at the website 12Go.asia to find the different options available to get from Surat Thani to Khao Sok.
Making a reservation on this site is easy and instant, so your tickets will be secured in advance. You can buy tickets with Phantip, a reliable and reputable company. Although in the search results you will surely see that the journey is by bus, the truth is that almost all departures from Surat Thani to Khao Sok are by van or minivan. Vans are of course smaller than buses, so travelers have less legroom or luggage space. On the other hand, the journey can be more comfortable because the vehicle is more stable than the bus.
There are several departure locations to choose from from Phantip. The price of the ticket may vary by a few euros depending on the selected departure point. If you have arrived at Surat Thani Airport and want to go directly to Khao Sok National Park from there, you can choose this option. Departures are hourly between 9:15 AM and 4:15 PM. The journey time is scheduled for 2 hours and 15 minutes, with the van arriving at Khao Sok Van Station, which is located in the heart of the park.
Toyota vehicle commonly used as a passenger car in Thailand © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
It is also possible to take buses or vans from Surat Thani to Khao Sok in Surat Thani town itself, which is more convenient if you live downtown. Journey times are similar, around 2.5 hours, and the vans are about the same size, but the ticket is almost half the price of traveling from the airport.
Another option with Phantip buses is to buy a combination ticket in 12Go, which includes a taxi transfer from your hotel in Surat Thani city. This brings the cost up to the same price as a bus ticket from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok, but is very convenient and practical. There are fewer departure times to choose from, but it’s perfect if you don’t want to find your way to the bus stop. Collections are scheduled for 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30.
From Surat Thani to Khao Sok by taxi
If you want to travel comfortably and don’t mind spending more, the best option is to take a taxi from Surat Thani to Khao Sok. It can also be booked on 12Go. A taxi offers great flexibility and generally takes less time to complete your trip to Khao Sok National Park than a van or bus.
There are several taxi companies that offer this route, such as Phantip Charter, Andaman Taxis or Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman. You can request pick-up from anywhere in Surat Thani, such as your hotel, airport, or train station. All taxis will be able to take you to your hotel in Khao Sok National Park.
The biggest advantage of taking a taxi from Surat Thani to Khao Sok is that you can decide what time you want to be picked up to tailor the whole trip to your plans. This is a good option if you are traveling with more people as you can split the cost of the vehicle among everyone. Nine-seater vans are a good choice for large groups, while a four-seater SUV may be enough for small groups. There are also Comfort and Economy double taxis, but this may be the most expensive option to get from Surat Thani to Khao Sok.
The decision to travel by bus, van or taxi will depend on your preferred level of comfort and budget. Taxis offer the most flexible and convenient service at any time of the day, but are also the most expensive option. Since buses and vans have multiple departure locations and times, it may not be worth spending more on a private vehicle.