There is no airport in Khao Lak, the only option to reach the beachfront destination is to fly into Phuket or Krabi International Airport and travel via road for about 3 hours to Khoa Lak. Phuket is located 47 miles north of Khao Lak and Krabi International Airport is 89 miles southeast of Khao Lak.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options to reach Khoal Lak from the airports including minibusses, taxis and rental cars are options to connect to Kao Lak.

From Phuket Airport the easiest way to reach Khao Lak is taking a taxi ride which costs around 1,100-1,800 baht depending on the time of day and traffic along the way. The taxi stands are outside the airport terminal right as you exit the doors.

There are minibusses available at Krabi to transfer passengers to Khao Lak which can be booked directly with prices starting at 1,300 baht. The service counters can be found outside the arrivals hall.

There are buses found on the main road (Highway 4) about 3 miles away from the airport that provides infrequent service to Khoa Lak. Take the bus headed to Takua Pa, Ranong or Surat Thani which all make stops in Khao Lak. The bus fares cost approximately 80-100 baht and the journey takes at least 2 hours.

From the Krabi International Airport, there are pre-paid, fixed-rate taxis available which can be booked at the taxi booth found inside the terminal. Taxis are lined up outside the international arrivals hall on the ground floor. Pricing is based on distance and duration.

There are several international rental car companies available at the airport including Avis, Hertz, National, Sixt, and Budget. The rental care booths are found inside the arrivals hall in both terminals.

The nearest train station to Khao Lak is situated on the east coast in Surat Thani which is 108 miles away and takes up to 3 hours to reach by bus. There are buses from Surat Thani to Khao Lak and vice versa, the first bust stop in Surat is the train station which is located 8 miles from the town center.

The main ways to get around Khao Lak are walking, cycling, driving or by taking a taxi, motorbike or boat ride. The whole region of Khao Lake runs for 12 ½ miles making it difficult to connect on foot and bicycle alone. Visitors can rent motorcycles from hotels, guesthouses and prices are based upon the duration of the rental and the type of motorcycle. Price estimates start around 250 baht for a day. Songthaews are the local pick-up truck taxis in town with two rows of seating in the bed of the truck. These run up and down the main road Rt 4 every 15 minutes or so, and prices start around 20 baht for a short ride.

Renting your car when visiting Khao Lak can be a good idea for a few reasons; the distance from the airports is quite far and the price of transportation can be expensive when traveling to the area, also having a car gives you the freedom to explore the region. There is not much in the form of public transportation options when visiting the beachside area so having a car allows you to visit the different beaches which are spread out and to discover other attractions that are not close by.

Khao Lak has very few taxis available, they are sometimes found outside shopping malls and hotels or can be ordered by phone. Prices should be negotiated before taking a taxi ride as the taxis are metered but not many drivers use the meter. The Grab Taxi App is an easier way to conveniently order a taxi through an app on your phone.

Khao Lak is a beachside destination with several interesting offshore islands that are well worth a visit. Taking a boat ride on the beautiful waters of the Andaman Sea is a great way to get out and explore the beauty of the area. The stunning Similan and Surin Islands lay just 40 miles offshore from Khao Lak featuring several world-renowned dive sites with some of Thailand`s best coral and fish diversity. The journey by boat can take 1-2 hours and day tours are offered by several companies.

Phang Nga Bay where scenes from the famous James Bond movie `The Man With The Golden Gun` were filmed is a great destination for a day trip from Khao Lak. The deserted island and beautiful bay offer the iconic rock formations that jut out of the crystal clear waters.

The shoreline of Khao Lak stretches for 12 ½ miles along the glistening blue waters of the Andaman Sea filled with stunning white sand beaches and endless water activities. Bang Niang is situated just 2 miles north of Khao Lak, it is the second most popular tourist area filled with a beautiful beach and beachfront accommodations, restaurants, and bars. Nang Thong Beach is the prime beach destination in Khao Lak offering a nice strip of beach situated close to shopping and dining options.

It is possible to walk around the beaches of Khao Lak and the beachside towns which offer shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities. Walking long distances between beaches and tourist attractions can be strenuous and tiring with the heat. There are very few (if any) sidewalks set up so walking between towns can be dangerous, especially at night. There are many interesting landscapes to explore when visiting Khao Lak with surrounding mountainous region where the sprawling National Park can be found and tropical rainforests filled with hidden waterfalls to uncover.

Khao Lak is a wonderful place to cycle and discover the stunning beachside and tropical landscapes. There are bicycles for rent and many are offered from hotels and guesthouses for free or a small fee. A daily rental might cost around 100 baht per day.

Khao Lak is not a dangerous city; there are very few incidents of violence, theft or harassment and tourist police do well maintaining the safety of the city. Travelers should still be cautious just as in any other city in the world, be aware of pickpockets in tourist areas and certain scam artists. Keep your bags and belongings close to you, especially at night.

Shopping opportunities in Khao Lak mainly consist of markets and souvenir shops. Although Khao Lak is a small beach town there are a few different varieties of shopping options for visitors to explore such as retail shops and supermarkets selling clothing and the usual day to day items and the popular 7/11 stores which are seemingly on every corner and open 24 hours. The markets are the place to shop and open in the early mornings and late at night brimming with hundreds of stalls selling all kinds of goods as well as delicious authentic street food.

Bang Niang Market is the oldest market in the area, held three days a week (M-W-Sa 6 am till dark) and is a lively place to visit first thing in the morning with all the fresh fish, seafood and produce being sold and locals picking up their fresh ingredients for the day. The market features three bars on-site where shoppers can stop in and buy a beer.

The Fresh Market is held daily from 4:30 am to 4 pm, a popular market place for restaurateurs who come here to purchase their meats, fish and produce for the day. There are specialty shops found around the market that specialize in butter, cheese, salami, olive oils, and fresh meats.

The Thai Baht is the currency used in Khao Lak and you will need to exchange your dollars to Baht. Try to avoid major banks and popular tourist areas as you tend to get the worst exchange rates. Super Rich is the most famous money exchange company in Bangkok with several branches across the city; you must have your passport with you to exchange money in Bangkok.

Tipping is not a common practice in Thailand and is not customary. There is no requirement to tip but small gratuities for great service are appreciated, and most restaurants and hotels will include a 10% service charge on your bill.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Thailand by clicking here Thailand

The food in Khao Lak features a wide range of international cuisine which includes delicious local Thai cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and Western dishes. There are a wide array of restaurants to choose from many located along the beaches servicing up delicious freshly caught fish and seafood and boasting breathtaking views of the beach and sea. The beach bars here are also popular spots to grab a seat and watch the sunset at; Nong Prew, Marlin and Baitong are three fantastic sundowner locations offering delicious tropical beachy cocktails! There is also a great selection of restaurants that can be found in town with some good ones located off Phetkasem Rd in Bang Thong such as Ben`s Restaurant which is a busy and popular place to go and dine on delicious wood-fired pizza and other classic Italian dishes. The markets in Khao Lak are an excellent place to sample some delectable dishes and interesting street food snacks.

Khao Lak`s nightlife scene mostly consists of bustling night markets and laid back beachside vibes. There are plenty of beachfront restaurants, bars, and clubs to sit back, relax and enjoy food and cocktails along with soaking up the tropical evening atmosphere. The Bang Niang Night Market is a lively place in the evening times filled with stalls selling souvenirs and scrumptious smelling street food with live music and entertainment. On Phetkasem Road is a large dance club named the Build Factory featuring indoor and outdoor seating areas, an upscale hangout with DJs and live bands. Ayisha Fine Art Fine Wine is a sophisticated bistro and wine bar venue decorated with a fine art gallery. This elegant establishment features a restaurant and jazz lounge with comfortable seating and a relaxed ambiance.

The official language spoken in Thailand is Thai, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend that you get a good English-Thai guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

In case of an emergency dial 191 for police, 199 for fire and 1699 for tourist police which can assist with emergencies.

Hospitals:

Bangkok - Phuket Medical Clinic tel. 66-81-370-3705

Andaman Hub tel. 66-76-486-799