Surat Thani to Khao Sok
If you ever visit the south of Thailand, make sure to add Khao Sok National Park to your list. It’s a unique place that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. This stunning park is blanketed by some of the oldest evergreen rainforests on earth and boasts a myriad of captivating vistas including towering limestone mountains, plunging valleys, and awe-inspiring lakes. From exploring sweeping cave systems to spotting the wide variety of wildlife that call the park home, Khao Sok is sure to fulfill the dreams of any nature enthusiast.
How to Get from Surat Thani to Khao Sok National Park
It is easy to get to the Khao Sok National Park from neighboring Surat Thani town. It is a wonderful journey of 75 kilometers with plenty of sights to see on the way. It is one of the best ways to experience the diverse and lush landscapes of Thailand while being away from any major traffic or large towns. There are a few travel options, such as minivans, buses, and taxis. Read on and you’ll know exactly what you need to do.
Surat Thani to Khao Sok by Minivan/Bus
- Price: 290 THB
- Travel time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- AC: yes
This is the cheapest and the most popular way of travel. The cost per seat is just 290 THB.
This convenient service is provided by Phantip. These direct minibuses depart from the Phantip Travel office in Surat Thani Town and arrive at the Khao Sok van station. The whole journey by minivan takes around 2h 30m.
Sitting in wide comfortable seats, you’ll be in Khao Sok in no time! The journey is very comfortable and all their vans have air conditioning, so you don’t have to worry about the heat. On the contrary, sometimes the air conditioning is too strong, so grab a jacket just in case you get cold.
There are 11 departures throughout the day, with the first one at 07:30, and the last one at 17:30.
| Surat Thani Town | Khao Sok Van Station | Company |
| 7:30 | 10:00 | Phantip |
| 8:30 | 11:00 | Phantip |
| 9:30 | 12:00 | Phantip |
| 10:30 | 13:00 | Phantip |
| 11:30 | 14:00 | Phantip |
| 12:30 | 15:00 | Phantip |
| 13:30 | 16:00 | Phantip |
| 14:30 | 17:00 | Phantip |
| 15:30 | 18:00 | Phantip |
| 16:30 | 19:00 | Phantip |
| 17:30 | 20:00 | Phantip |
The only disadvantage of minivan travel is a low baggage allowance. Passengers are allowed to bring only 1 hand-carry luggage + 1 suitcase, and the total size of the luggage must be below 20 inches. This is due to the fact that there is no dedicated luggage compartment like on a large bus.
You can board the minivan by showing the e-ticket on your phone, there is no need to print it.
Surat Thani To Khao Sok by Taxi + Minivan
- Price: 400 THB
- Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- AC: yes
If you wish to be picked up from the hotel, you’re in luck, Phantip offers such a service. If you don’t feel like having the hassle of locating the Phantip office, then booking a taxi + minivan might be your best bet. The driver will pick you up directly from your hotel, except in Phunpin, Tha Thong Mai, Hautai, and Tha Rong Chang. After that, the minivan will take you to the Khao Sok van station.
With this option, you will enjoy a comfortable journey with an estimated time of 3h 30m – only slightly longer than what you would take if you used the minivan from the office services.
At 400 THB per person for your pickup and trip to Khao Sok, this is really great value for money!
If you take a minibus or taxi+minibus option, it will bring you to the Khao Sok Van Station, which is not actually a station, but an open space on the main road, with a ticket-selling booth. PS. we don’t recommend booking any tickets there, as they are too overpriced compared to booking online.
Surat Thani To Khao Sok by Taxi
- Price: 1,700 THB
- Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- AC: yes
Traveling to Khao Sok from Surat Thani is a breeze with a taxi. It’s the fastest option and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. It’s fairly priced at around 1,700 THB for the whole car, and you can easily book a taxi pickup from Surat Thani airport, train station, or any hotel in town. A taxi will take you directly to any hotel in Khao Sok.
The driver will already be waiting for you with a sign so that you can start your journey immediately. You have the option to rent any size of the car according to your travel needs – from small cars to even minibus taxis. This mode of transportation is great if you’re traveling with friends or family as it allows for more comfort and privacy compared to taking public transport. Plus, if you share the taxi costs among a few people the price is almost the same as traveling by minivan.
Is Khao Sok Worth Visiting from Surat Thani?
Absolutely! Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand’s best natural wonders. It’s one of the most impressive protected areas in the country, featuring lush jungle landscapes, limestone mountains, and sparkling lakes. You can view an array of unique wildlife during your visit, including wild buffalo, rare birds, and several species of water lizards. Elephants occasionally roam through the park, while monkeys and various other small critters can often be seen throughout.
With water-filled caves to explore and amazing canoeing experiences available, it’s worth staying at least one night in one of the park’s floating houses on the lake for an optimal visit. Whether you’re looking for sights or sounds, there is much Khao Sok National Park has to offer.
