How to Get From Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok National Park: Bus, Minivan & Transfer Guide
The road from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok National Park
Surat Thani Airport is the closest airport to Khao Sok National Park, about 120 km away. You can get there by shared minivan, public bus, taxi or private transfer. It takes about 1.5 to 4 hours depending on the option.
This guide compares every option with prices in baht, departure times and tips for Malaysian travellers.
- Minivan prices vary slightly by source. Thailandee lists the Phantip minivan from the airport at ฿300. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel (May 2026) says about ฿250 to the Khao Sok van station. It says ฿300 to be dropped closer to your accommodation.
- Public bus prices conflict. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says ฿120 to ฿150 from Surat Thani town. Backpackers Thailand and Visit Thailand Today say ฿280. The higher price may be for an air-conditioned bus.
- Taxi prices vary. Sources give ฿1,500 to ฿2,000 per car. One guide, Uncharted Lens, gives much higher prices of ฿2,500 to ฿3,500. It doesn't give a date or source for them.
- Minivan times differ. Thailandee lists airport departures at 08:15, 10:15, 12:15, 14:15 and 16:15. Khao Sok Riverside Cottages and Jungle Hostel say the last van leaves at about 16:15 to 16:30. Times can change, so confirm before you fly.
- I couldn't confirm a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani. ZborDirect only shows flights with stopovers. Check AirAsia or Batik Air for current routes.
- Two of the guides are written by Khao Sok hotels. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel and Khao Sok Riverside Cottages may promote their own transfers.
Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok: quick comparison
| Option | Price | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phantip shared minivan | ฿250 to ฿300 per person | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Budget travellers on daytime flights |
| Public bus via Surat Thani town | Taxi to town plus ฿120 to ฿280 bus | About 3 to 4 hours | Tight budgets with plenty of time |
| Airport taxi | ฿1,500 to ฿2,000 per car | About 1.5 hours | Groups and late arrivals |
| Pre-booked private transfer | ฿2,000 to ฿2,200 per van | About 1.5 hours | Families and heavy luggage |
Getting to Surat Thani Airport from Malaysia
Surat Thani Airport, the closest airport to Khao Sok
Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani (URT). I couldn't confirm a direct flight, so you may need to connect through Bangkok. AirAsia, Batik Air, Thai AirAsia and Nok Air all fly to Surat Thani.
Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says morning flights from Bangkok usually land around 09:00. That gives you time to catch a minivan.
Option 1: Phantip shared minivan (cheapest direct option)
Phantip minivans leave straight from the airport
The Phantip shared minivan is the easiest budget option. It leaves straight from the airport.
- Price: About ฿300 per person (Thailandee). Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says ฿250 to the Khao Sok van station, or ฿300 to be dropped closer to your accommodation.
- Departures from the airport (Thailandee): 08:15, 10:15, 12:15, 14:15 and 16:15
- Time: About 2 to 2.5 hours
- Where to buy: The Phantip booth in the arrivals hall, or online through 12Go
- Drop-off: The Khao Sok van station in Khlong Sok village, or near your accommodation
Good to know:
- Khao Sok Riverside Cottages says vans can be crowded, with limited luggage space.
- Backpackers Thailand says luggage is limited to one hand-carry bag and one suitcase under 20 inches.
- Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says you need to check in for the last van by around 16:15.
Option 2: Public bus via Surat Thani town (cheapest overall)
Buses to Khao Sok leave from Talad Kaset bus station
This is the cheapest option, but it takes the longest. You'll make at least one change.
Step 1Take a taxi or songthaew from the airport to Surat Thani town. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says this costs ฿200 to ฿400. It takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 2At Talad Kaset bus station, take a bus heading west towards Takua Pa. Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says buses run roughly hourly from early morning to late afternoon. The ride takes about 2 hours.
- Price: ฿120 to ฿150 (Khao Sok Jungle Hostel) or ฿280 (Backpackers Thailand and Visit Thailand Today)
- Drop-off: Ask the driver to stop at the Khao Sok bus stop on Route 401.
- Total time: About 3 to 4 hours
Good to know: Khao Sok Jungle Hostel says buses may wait until they're full before leaving.
Option 3: Airport taxi
A private taxi is the fastest option without booking ahead.
- Khao Sok Riverside Cottages: ฿1,500
- Khao Sok Jungle Hostel: ฿1,500 to ฿2,000 per car
- Backpackers Thailand: about ฿1,700 per car
- Time: About 1.5 hours
Good to know: Agree on the total price before you get in. Split between 3 or 4 people, the cost per person isn't much more than the minivan.
Option 4: Pre-booked private transfer
A private transfer is the most reliable choice for late flights
A pre-booked transfer is the most reliable choice, especially for early or late flights.
| Transfer | Seller | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok | Khao Sok Travel | ฿2,200 (private, 1 to 8 people) | View transfer |
| Surat Thani Airport to Cheow Lan Lake Pier | Khao Sok Travel | ฿1,800 (private, 1 to 8 people) | View transfer |
Khao Sok Riverside Cottages also lists private transfers at about ฿2,000 per car. Many Khao Sok hotels can arrange a transfer when you book your stay.
Best for: Families, groups, heavy luggage and flights landing after about 16:00
Going straight to Cheow Lan Lake
If you're heading straight to a floating bungalow, you can skip Khao Sok village. Khao Sok Travel's private transfer to Cheow Lan Lake Pier costs ฿1,800.
Viagotour's lake day tours also offer transfers from Surat Thani airport at 09:30, 10:30 and 11:30. Most raft house packages include transfers from Khao Sok village to the pier.
Which option should you choose?
Most buses and vans stop in Khlong Sok village on Route 401
- On a budget, landing before 16:00: Phantip shared minivan
- On the tightest budget, with time to spare: Public bus via Surat Thani town
- Landing late, or with a group of 3 or 4: Airport taxi
- Families or heavy luggage: Pre-booked private transfer
Tips for Malaysian travellers
- Book a morning flight so you can catch a daytime minivan.
- Pack light. Minivans have limited luggage space.
- Carry small notes for songthaews and taxis.
- Confirm times the day before, especially from May to October, when schedules change.
- Pre-book a transfer if you land after about 16:00, as the last minivan may have left.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Landing in the late afternoon and expecting a minivan. The last one leaves at about 16:15.
- Bringing a large suitcase on a shared minivan.
- Getting off the bus at the wrong stop. Ask the driver for Khao Sok.
- Not agreeing on a taxi fare before leaving the airport.
Sourced from Thailandee Buses from Surat Thani to Khao Sok, Khao Sok Jungle Hostel Surat Thani to Khao Sok, Khao Sok Riverside Cottages Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok, Backpackers Thailand Surat Thani to Khao Sok, Khao Sok Travel Transfer Service, Uncharted Lens Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok, Rome2Rio Surat Thani to Khao Sok, Visit Thailand Today Khao Sok Guide, Viagotour Khao Sok Lake One Day Tour and ZborDirect Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani.