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Khao Sok trades Bangkok's skyline for ancient rainforest: towering limestone karsts, emerald lake water and, if you stay overnight, gibbons calling at dawn. The park lies in Surat Thani province, away from airports and rail lines, so the trip needs some planning.
Bangkok to Khao Sok by bus
The overnight bus is the budget choice. On booking platforms, VIP 24, VIP, Express and bus-and-van combination tickets cost about $29 to $37 (November 2026), and the trip takes from about 15 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours.[1]
Bangkok to Khao Sok via Surat Thani
You can also go to Surat Thani and cover the last stretch by road. Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air fly from Don Mueang to Surat Thani in around 1 hour 5 minutes.[2] The railcar Special Express 43 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 07:30 and arrives in Surat Thani at 16:20.[3] From Surat Thani, minivans from Talat Kaset 2 run to the park hourly from 07:30 to 17:30 and take about 2.5 hours. By road, the park lies about 127 kilometres from Surat Thani along Highway 401.[4]
Bangkok to Khao Sok by private transfer
A private car or luxury van takes you door to door. On booking platforms, it costs about $321 to $438 per vehicle (November 2026) and takes from about 10 hours 30 minutes.[1] The vehicle can drop you at your lodge, which suits a group with heavy bags.
Comparing your options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight bus | About $29 to $37 | About 15h 30min to 16h[1] |
| Private transfer | About $321 to $438 per vehicle | From about 10h 30min[1] |
Tips for Bangkok to Khao Sok
- Tell the bus staff your stop: The park junction is on Highway 401 between Surat Thani and Takua Pa.[5]
- Bring a daypack: Keep your passport, phone and cash with you rather than in the luggage hold.
- Book a lodge ahead: Guesthouses near the park fill in the high season from November to March.
Timetable
| Bus Bangkok - Khao Sok $ 28.72โ37.31 15h 30m โ 16h | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Khao Sok $ 320.61โ437.85 10h 30m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Bangkok to Khao Sok, including current prices and schedules.
The overnight bus is the cheapest at about $29 to $37.
A private transfer is the fastest at from about 10 hours 30 minutes. Flying to Surat Thani takes about 1 hour 5 minutes, and then you need about 2.5 hours by minivan.
The bus takes about 15 hours 30 minutes to 16 hours, and a private transfer from about 10 hours 30 minutes.
Yes, to Surat Thani. The railcar Special Express 43 leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 07:30 and arrives at 16:20. From there, minivans run to the park hourly from 07:30 to 17:30.
Yes. Keep your passport, phone and cash in a small bag at your seat and choose a VIP or VIP 24 bus for more room.
Yes. A luxury VIP van is offered on this route at about $321 to $438 per vehicle.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: 12Go timetable: Bangkok to Khao Sok. Retrieved November 1, 2026.
- [2] AirAsia: Cheap flights from Bangkok Don Mueang to Surat Thani. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [3] State Railway of Thailand: SRT Timetable Matrix 2026 (Southern Line outbound), Hat Yai to Su-ngai Kolok branch. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
- [4] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Khao Sok National Park (Thai edition: fees by zone, how to get there). Retrieved October 20, 2026.
- [5] Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand: Khao Sok National Park. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.