How much does it cost to enter Khao Sok National Park?

Foreign adults pay 300 Baht and children 150 Baht in Thai cash at the park headquarters. The Cheow Lan Lake area charges a separate 300 Baht adult fee, plus a 40 Baht pier tax. You pay both if your trip covers both zones.

When is the best time of year to visit Khao Sok?

December through April brings the driest trails and a chance to spot the giant Rafflesia flower blooming. Skip September and October. Those months average 375mm of rain, which frequently triggers flash flood warnings and cave closures.

Can I fly a drone in Khao Sok?

Drones are banned inside the park boundaries without prior written permission from the wildlife department, which staff rarely grant. Flying without a permit risks confiscation and fines up to 100,000 Baht. Don't pack it.

Is Khao Sok National Park wheelchair accessible?

No. Jungle trails are unpaved, root-heavy, and muddy, while Cheow Lan Lake requires boarding long-tail boats without ramps. A few spots near the visitor center have step-free paths, but travelers using mobility devices should contact specific lake resorts like Panvaree directly to check accommodations.

How many days do I need for Khao Sok?

Plan for two or three days. Most visitors spend one night near the headquarters for river activities, then book one or two nights in a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake. Secure your lake accommodation months ahead if visiting between December and April.

Do I need to hire a guide to hike in Khao Sok?

You can walk the short nature trails near headquarters alone, but park rules mandate a licensed guide for remote routes like the 8.4-kilometer Sip-et Chan Waterfall trek. Guides run about 500 Baht for a half-day and 1,000 Baht for a full day.

What kind of shoes should I wear in Khao Sok?

Pack closed-toe hiking shoes or water shoes with serious grip. Trails get muddy year-round, and cave routes require wading through underground rivers. You can rent specialized grip shoes from local guides for slippery treks like Nam Talu Cave.

How to Get to Khao Sok — Directions & Transport

Q: How do I get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani?

Public buses and minivans leave Surat Thani town and the Phun Pin train station roughly every hour until 14:00. The 100-kilometer ride takes one to two hours and drops you at Khlong Sok village for 80 to 120 Baht.

How to Get to Khao Sok

Khao Sok sits in southern Thailand's Surat Thani Province, about 100 to 115 kilometers west of Surat Thani town. Most visitors arrive via a one- or two-hour public bus or shared minivan ride that drops passengers at Khlong Sok village, just down the road from the park headquarters.

Khao Sok National Park Headquarters, Highway 401, Khlong Sok village, Surat Thani Province, Thailand

Getting There

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Public Bus & Minivan from Surat Thani Town or Phun Pin Train Station

1-2 hours 80-120 Baht

Catch a public bus or minivan heading toward Takua Pa or Phuket. These depart from central Surat Thani and the Phun Pin train station roughly every hour until 14:00. The ride covers 100 to 115 kilometers. Expect it to take one to two hours. You'll get dropped off at Khlong Sok village on Highway 401, leaving you about two kilometers short of the national park headquarters. Walk the rest of the way or grab a local ride. Plan for a morning departure so you don't miss the afternoon cutoff.

+ Very affordable+ Hourly departures make morning scheduling easy - Service stops completely at 14:00- Drops you two kilometers from the headquarters

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Long-Distance Bus from Phuket

5-6 hours 140-180 Baht

Long-distance buses traveling the Phuket to Surat Thani route pass directly through Khlong Sok village. You have five daily departure options: 07:30, 08:20, 11:00, 12:20, and 13:30. The journey spans roughly 230 kilometers. It includes a stop in Takua Pa along the way. Expect to sit on the bus for five to six hours. Once you arrive in Khlong Sok, you're within walking distance of the main park entrance. That puts you right next to the local village accommodation.

+ Direct route without changing buses+ Multiple scheduled departures throughout the day - Long travel time- Subject to traffic delays along the highway

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Shared Minivan or Private Taxi from Krabi (Ao Nang)

3.5 hours 450 Baht (shared) or 4,500 Baht (private)

Shared minivans run directly from Ao Nang in Krabi to either Khao Sok village or the Cheow Lan Lake pier. The 180-kilometer trip takes three and a half hours. A seat in a shared van costs 450 Baht. If you want a specific departure time, hire a private taxi instead. Private cars cost around 4,500 Baht one-way. Tell the driver your exact destination when booking. The village and the lake pier are an hour apart by road, so getting dropped at the wrong one wastes a lot of time.

+ Direct connection to both the village and lake pier+ Shared vans offer a good balance of cost and speed - Private taxis are expensive for solo travelers- Shared vans operate on fixed schedules

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Private Transfer from Surat Thani Airport

1-1.5 hours 1,500-2,500 Baht

Surat Thani Airport has no direct public transport to Khao Sok. Taxis and pre-arranged transfers are your only direct options. A pre-booked private taxi costs around 1,600 Baht to the Cheow Lan Lake pier, or 1,900 Baht to Khao Sok village. The drive takes an hour to the lake and an hour and a half to the village, covering 70 to 100 kilometers. Booking your transfer ahead of time secures the ride before you land. It's the most convenient way to start the trip.

+ Fastest option straight from the airport+ Takes you directly to your accommodation - No public transport alternative available- Highest cost option if traveling alone

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Overnight Train from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong)

10-11.5 hours From 420 Baht

Overnight trains travel 650 kilometers from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station to Surat Thani's Phun Pin station. Evening departures leave at 18:30, 19:30, and 22:50. You arrive at Phun Pin between 06:00 and 08:00 the next morning. From the train station, you then connect to an hourly bus, minivan, or taxi for the final leg to Khao Sok. Prices start at roughly 420 Baht—though you'll pay more for a sleeper berth. This schedule gets you to the park early enough for a full day of hiking.

+ Saves a night of hotel accommodation+ Arrives early enough for onward connections - Requires a secondary transfer to reach the park- Takes over ten hours of travel time

Quick Reference

Swipe to see more

From	Mode	Time	Cost	Tip
Surat Thani town or Phun Pin train station	Public bus or minivan	1-2 hours	80-120 Baht	Catch these hourly departures before 14:00; they drop you at Khlong Sok village, about 2km short of the park headquarters.
Phuket	Long-distance bus	5-6 hours	140-180 Baht	Five daily departures run between 07:30 and 13:30, stopping in Takua Pa before dropping passengers at Khlong Sok village.
Krabi (Ao Nang)	Shared minivan	3.5 hours	450 Baht	Shared vans connect directly to either Khao Sok village or the Cheow Lan Lake pier. Private taxis run around 4,500 Baht if you want to skip the shared route.
Surat Thani Airport	Taxi	1-1.5 hours	1,500-2,500 Baht	Public transport does not run directly from the airport. Pre-book a private taxi to secure the 1,600 Baht rate to the lake pier or 1,900 Baht to the village.
Bangkok (Hua Lamphong)	Overnight train	10-11.5 hours	From 420 Baht	Evening trains arrive at Surat Thani's Phun Pin station between 06:00 and 08:00, timing perfectly with the morning buses heading toward the park.

Travel Tips

Bring Baht in Cash

Park gates and the Cheow Lan Lake pier don't accept cards. You need Thai Baht to cover the 300 Baht foreign adult fee at headquarters, plus another 300 Baht if you visit the lake. Officials collect these charges separately even on a combined itinerary.

Catch Early Surat Buses

Public minivans from Surat Thani stop running around 14:00. Arriving later means paying up to 2,500 Baht for a private taxi. The bus only costs 120 Baht.

Pre-book Lake Transport

Don't expect to walk up to the Cheow Lan pier and easily hire a long-tail boat during the December to April dry season. Boat availability is tight. Arrange your water transfer through your raft-house or a tour operator before you arrive.

Pack Proper Grip Shoes

Mud covers the jungle trails year-round, and the approach to Nam Talu Cave involves slippery rocks. Standard sneakers will struggle. Wear closed-toe trekking shoes or rent local grip shoes to handle the terrain safely.

Target the Shoulder Months

December through April brings peak crowds and fully booked floating bungalows. Skip the rush. Visit between May and early July instead to find available lake boats before the heaviest rains hit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani Airport?

Taxis and pre-arranged transfers are the only direct options, taking 1 to 1.5 hours. Expect to pay around 1,600 Baht to the Cheow Lan Lake pier or 1,900 Baht to Khao Sok village. Public transport doesn't run directly from the airport to the park.

Which bus goes from Phuket to Khao Sok?

Long-distance buses traveling from Phuket to Surat Thani stop at Khlong Sok village along Highway 401. The 230-kilometer ride takes 5 to 6 hours and costs 140 to 180 Baht. Departures leave Phuket at 07:30, 08:20, 11:00, 12:20, and 13:30.

How do I travel from Bangkok to Khao Sok?

Take an overnight train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station to Surat Thani's Phun Pin station. Trains depart at 18:30, 19:30, and 22:50, arriving between 06:00 and 08:00 the next morning. Tickets start around 420 Baht, and you can catch an onward bus or minivan to the park right from the station.

Where do the public buses drop you off?

Buses from Surat Thani and Phuket drop passengers in Khlong Sok village on Highway 401. You'll find this stop roughly two kilometers from the national park headquarters.

Can I take a shared minivan from Krabi?

Shared minivans run directly from Krabi and Ao Nang to both Khao Sok village and the Cheow Lan Lake pier. The 180-kilometer trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs 450 Baht per person. Private taxis cover the same route for around 4,500 Baht.

How often do buses run from Surat Thani town to the park?

Public buses and minivans depart Surat Thani town and the Phun Pin train station roughly every hour until about 14:00. The 100 to 115-kilometer route heads toward Takua Pa and takes one to two hours. Tickets cost 80 to 120 Baht.

Do I need cash when arriving at the park entrance?

You must pay the national park entrance fees in Thai Baht cash, as cards aren't accepted at the headquarters gate or the lake pier. Foreign adults pay 300 Baht for the headquarters area and another 300 Baht if visiting Cheow Lan Lake. You will also need around 40 Baht for the lake's pier fee.