Day Trips From Phuket by Road: Khao Lak, Khao Sok and Krabi, Distances and Transport

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is about 110 km from Phuket by one transport site, with minivans and buses taking roughly 2 to 4.5 hours depending on where you start, and private cars from about 1.5 hours. Reported fares are roughly US$7 to 29 per person by minivan or bus and US$40 to 150 per private car. There is no airport or train at Khao Lak, so everything is by road. Khao Lak is also the departure point for some Similan trips, covered in the Similan guide.

Khao Sok

Khao Sok National Park is described as about 145 km from the airport and 165 to 185 km from Phuket Town and the west-coast beaches, via Highway 4 past Khao Lak and Route 401 inland. A shared minivan is reported at about 1,000 baht per person from the airport and 2.5 to 3 hours, other sources quote US$10 to 32 per person and 2.5 to 5 hours, and private cars about US$70 to 150. Tour operators sell day trips, but the drive is long, so many visitors stay a night. Khao Lak to Khao Sok is about 60 km.

Krabi

A transfer site lists Krabi at about 163 km from Phuket with private cars from about US$114, and Ao Nang a little further. Many visitors reach Krabi by boat instead, see the island hopping guide. There is no train line connecting these places, so plan for road time.

Planning tips

• Check pickup and drop-off points because shared vans may collect from several hotels.
• Allow extra time in rainy season and holiday traffic. See the traffic guide.
• Compare with a boat day trip for a lighter drive.
• For onward travel see the onward travel guide.