Located on the west coast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea, Khao Lak is not one city but several small villages known for their peaceful atmosphere and good diving spots. Although geared towards tourism, Khao Lak is not very developed, so it is an ideal place for couples or families looking for a relaxing place in Thailand. It is just 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Phuket Island, and while easy to get to, Khao Lak is nothing like Phuket’s bustling atmosphere. If you’re looking for a quiet place to spend a few days in Thailand or want to go scuba diving, read on to find out how to get from Phuket to Khao Lak.
Phuket is an island, but it is connected by a bridge to Khao Lak and the mainland
Travel options from Phuket to Khao Lak
Depending on where you are in Phuket, the distance to Khao Lak will be different. From the north of Phuket, it’s only 60 kilometers, but if you start your journey from Phuket Town, on the southern tip of the island, the distance increases to 110 kilometers (69 miles). It is 75 kilometers (46 miles) from Phuket International Airport. Regardless of the place of departure, there are two ways to get to Khao Lak: buses and taxis. Buses have the advantage of being cheaper, but not as flexible as taxis. A taxi can be booked from anywhere in Phuket and will take you to your hotel in Khao Lak, so each means of transport has its pros and cons.
From Phuket to Khao Lak by Taxi
A 9-seater van awaits travelers in Phuket
Let’s start by discussing taxis from Phuket to Khao Lak. The truth is that the only downside to taking a taxi is the price as it is much more expensive than the bus. However, if you are traveling in a group and you split the cost among all passengers, the price per person will be quite reasonable.
Taxis have many advantages over buses. While long-distance buses in Thailand can be very comfortable, those used on shorter routes were not designed with comfort in mind. The seats can be hard and there is less legroom than in VIP buses, as well as less space for luggage. That said, since the trip only takes a few hours, you might not mind sacrificing comfort to save some money. You will need to consider your options given your situation and budget.
Back to taxis, routes can be booked with some private companies to pick you up from Phuket and take you to your final destination in Khao Lak. The door-to-door service is undoubtedly the biggest advantage of a taxi, apart from speed and shorter journey time. You can choose from several vehicle sizes depending on the number of passengers, from a sedan to a nine-seater van.
Taxis offer a fixed rate per vehicle, so it doesn’t matter how many people are traveling as the price will be the same. Of course, the larger the vehicle, the higher the cost, but when splitting the price between nine people, the individual cost is quite affordable.
Use a booking site like 12Go.asia and you’ll see results from different taxi companies with different departure points in Phuket, including the airport, some coastal towns, and Phuket Town. It is very easy to buy tickets through this site because you know exactly what the final price is for traveling from Phuket to Khao Lak, unlike what happens when you take a taxi on the street. Depending on where you are departing from Phuket, a taxi ride can take anywhere from 80 minutes to 3 hours, so it can vary greatly. The good thing about taking a taxi is that you can book it for the time that best suits your plans and you won’t have to worry about sticking to fixed schedules like with buses.
Bus from Phuket to Khao Lak
© Natalia Sokolovska / Shutterstock.com
Taking a taxi from Phuket to Khao Lak has many advantages. Even the price is not an inconvenience if it is divided among several passengers. However, if you are traveling alone or with one person, taxis may be out of your budget. In this case, the bus becomes the best option.
If you’re used to traveling on your own, taking a bus in Thailand isn’t unbearable, but it’s still less comfortable than a taxi. To begin with, you need to know the route of the bus if you plan to take it anywhere along the route. For example, if you landed at Phuket airport and want to catch a bus to Khao Lak, you must first approach the main road which is 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the airport. There you will have to gesture to stop the bus. Watch out for the red buses going to Takuapa, Ranong or Surat Thani as they all pass through Khao Lak.
If you take the bus from Phuket Town, you will be able to find someone who speaks English to show you which bus is the right one. However, as these are local buses, tickets cannot be booked in advance or purchased through sites such as 12Go. On the contrary, you will have to buy a ticket on the same day you want to travel.
Although the buses are not very comfortable, most are air-conditioned and depending on the place of departure, a bus from Phuket to Khao Lak will take between 2 and 4 hours.
If you want a little more flexibility, there’s a third option: a shared van. They are cheaper than taxis but more expensive than buses. The biggest downside is that they usually don’t run until they’re full, but if you’re coming from Phuket airport and don’t want to look for a bus, this could be a good option.
As always, the transportation option you choose to get from Phuket to Khao Lak will depend on your budget and your plans. If you want to save money and are not in a hurry, taking the bus can be a good option. If you prefer to organize everything in advance, booking a taxi through 12Go will be the best alternative for you. Finally, if you want something in between, you can opt for a shared van to go to Khao Lak.