By Air
From Bangkok, the easiest option for travel to Khao Lak
is by air to either of Phuket or Krabi International Airports,
then continue the trip overland (see below).
Daily flights from Bangkok to Krabi and Bangkok to Phuket
(and return) are conducted by Thai Airways in both high
and low seasons.
Flight schedules can be found on the Thai Airways web page
or by Tel: (02) 232 8000 (Bangkok office).
By Road
From Bangkok, travel via Highway 4 down through Prachuap
Khirikhan, Chumphon, Ranong to Phang-Nga province. Khao
Lak lies 30 kms past the town of Takua Pa on the main highway.
Travel time from Bangkok is about 12 hours. Daily bus services
running from Bangkok to Phang-Nga leave from the southern
bus terminal in Thonburi, and there are many private services
available from almost any travel agent and hotel tour desk
in the city.
From Phuket, take route 402, over the bridge to Phang-Nga
province. Turn onto Highway 4 and head towards Thai Muang
and Thap Lamu – Khao Lak lies just beyond at La On
Village.Travel time is about 90 minutes. Bus services from
Phuket to Phang-Nga town are also available hourly from
the Phuket bus terminal. The trip takes about 2 hours. From
Phang-Nga Town catch a local bus to Takua Pa and asked to
be set down at Khao Lak, or Ban La-on.
From Krabi , take Route 4 up to Phang-Nga, through the
town and continue on Route 4 through Takua Thung, Thai Muang,
up to Khao Lak. The trip can take up to 2 hours depending
on weather and road conditions. If going by bus from Krabi,
take one heading towards Phuket, and change at Kochloi to
a bus heading for Takua Pa and Ranong. Ask to be dropped
at Khao Lak or Ban La-on.
Getting Around
There are two basic categories of transportation in Khao
Lak: those that you steer, and those that someone else steers.
In the first category are cars, motorbikes, and bicycles.
Rental cars are available at the airports; sticking with
a known international company is suggested. Many hotels
can arrange for motorbike rentals, and some also have mountain
bikes available for those that prefer peddle power.
Choosing to let someone else do the driving is also popular.
Resorts away from the action will have shuttles running
at designated times – usually for a nominal fee. Local
taxi trucks are also an option. If you take the hotel’s
bus to town, this is often the most convenient way to return
– though you might have to negotiate front door service
for out of the way destinations.
Trips out to small islands off the main land are easily
made by longtail boat - arranged through agents at any of
the hotels and guesthouses in the area.
For ventures futher afield, local bus services will take
you to any district you want to go. The most convenient
method of travel around however is by songtaew or taxi truck,
easily hired from any town by the trip or for the entire
day. Jeep and motorbike rentals are also widely available. |
