Bus to Khao Lak - Phuket to Khao Lak Bus - Phuket airport bus to Khao Lak - Khao Lak Flights - Khao Lak Taxis - Train
Khao Lak is perfectly situated only one hour north of Phuket International Airport. Thus flying is one of the best options due to the many budget arilines. We are also on the main route between Phuket and Bangkok, so we have plenty of bus service.
If you prefer you can rent a car at Phuket airport or in Bangkok.
If you have not booked flights already, we have found these guys to have many of the best travel options available. Highly recommended.
Khao Lak is on the main North-South route between Phuket and Bangkok. Bus service is plentiful and easy.
If you come from either Phuket or Bangkok, just let the driver know that you wish to get off in Khao Lak at the Supermarket. (Yes, it's that small). That is the center of our town and quite close to our shop. If you are arriving from other parts of Thailand, you should be able to ask for Khao Lak (Pronounced Cow Lack). If it seems like you are getting a run around, ask for Takuapa (Pronounced Tock-oo-ah-pa) which is a main transit hub 30 km north of us. Frequent buses depart from there to our town.
From Phuket Town bus terminal - the touts will happily assist you onto the next bus. No more than 200 baht for Air-con bus. About 2 hours for 1st class, 3+ hours for others. Departures from 0700-1800.
The Airport is 5km from the main road. Once on the main road the bus top is about 600 meters South. of the junction. All heading North stop here. Just ask for Khao Lak. No more than 200 baht for Air-con bus. About 2 hours for 1st class, 3+ hours for others. Departures from 0700-1800. Do not try to get on buses after dark - there aren't any! Take a taxi...
These are called by many names - VIP, 1st Class, Luxury, Super VIP and many others besides. Generally Tourists buses are quite comfortable and will head on a pretty direct route to wherever you are heading. The routes are pretty clear, and you will usually depart from a main tourist area (Kho San Road) and arrive at a similar area. This saves you some steps, but you will not see the real Thailand and you will usually be dealing with "Travel Agents" who are trying o hustle you to book something (diving, hotels, mini-golf) with them at much higher prices than you would actually pay..Your trip will cost you as much as 3 times as much as you would pay for a government bus, for the same or lower quality. The drivers are all freelance and have little or no training. In addition there are frequent reports of thieves working the buses - especially on the Bangkok to Koh Tao/Samui buses
Government Buses
These are all blue or orange, with the destination and stops written on the front and sides. These are usually only available at Government Bus stations, though you may be able to hail one from a roadside stop. At Government Bus Stations you will often encounter people walking up to you to sell you tickets to the route you're going on. Sometimes these are the boys who work on the buses and are trying to fill empty seats (they get paid on how full the bus is). They may also be touts that are trying to divert you to a private company bus for a higher price as well as commission on hotel rooms and other expenses you will incur. Be cautious. They will not rob you, but they may not be what they seem.The primary toursit bus departs Khao lak at 17.00 it costs 700 baht (or more, depending on which travel agent you go to). There are no tourists buses direct from Bangkok. Expect to be dumped off in Surat Thani. From there they may or may not have arranged transport onwards to Khao Lak. Not worth it!
VIP BusesThe government VIP bus has larger seats (three across instead of four) that recline further. There is a restoroom on board as well as snack service and blankets served by the stewardess. There are also fewer stops along the way. Generally these are the long routes (more than 8 hours) and run at night to avoid traffic. These are the most comfortable buses in Thailand and a GREAT way to travel.
You will need to prepurchase your ticket for these. If a travel agent is purchasing one for you, he will adding a commision as these are a set price and non-negotiable. There is currently a system in place to order tickes online, but not in english. The
VIP bus runs once a day from Khao Lak to Bangkok, departing at 1730 it takes approx. 11 hours to get to BKK it costs 1030 Baht. The VIP from Bangkok to Khao Lak departs at 19:00 and arrives at 06:00. Same cost.
1st class buses
These buses are comfortable by any standards, with a toilet onboard, movies (usually a Thai version of old classics like Rambo or Predator or Terminator) and infrequent stops. The seats recline, but not all the way. You will stop at a roadside cafeteria for a meals. The First class departs Khao Lak at 19:00 and costs 625 Baht. First Class Bus from Bangkok to Khao Lak departs at 2030
2nd class buses These buses are still comfortable but are budget. There will not be a toilet on board, the seats will only partly recline and there will be more frequent stops. These are fine for day time rides, as you can see the country side and the frequent stops allow you to get out and stretch your legs and use the restrooms at the bus sations. People selling local treats wil also introduce you to Thai fast food. Not recommended for overnight journeys. Departs Khao Lak at 1700,1800 and 2000 costs 575 baht. Several times a day from Bangkok (the Phuket bus)
Here is the schedule of buses from Bangkok (the southern bus terminal). We are referred to as Tabramu?
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Phuket is a very large International Airport. Beside being a large European Tourist destination, you can easily arrange connecting flights from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Australia, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Peak season sees as many as 40 flights a day! With the rapid expansion of budget airlines in Asia, you should be able to fly at prices cheaper than the trains and just a little bit more than buses. Especially if you book at least 2 weeks ahead.
Phuket Airport is also only 75 KM South of Khao Lak! That's less than one hour away, as we are connected by a very scenic and rapid road. Please allow us to arrange your transit between Phuket Airport and Khao Lak.
International Flights
You may need to transfer in Bangkok. Make sure your connecting flight is at Suvarnabhumi Airport, not Don Muang. They are at least one hour apart! Air Asia flies from Suvarnabhumi, very few other local airlines do!
Phuket Immigration
If you fly International direct, please expect a long customs/immigration wait - as long as 1 hour! Phuket Immigration officers are notoriously grouchy.
If you arrive from a domestic flight you should be able to walk right out the door minutes after landing.
Asia has recently liberalized its airways and is now home to the world's best flight bargains. With direct flights to Australia for $200 and flghts to Hong Kong for as low as $60...travelling here is pretty easy and cheap!
{If you arrive in Bangkok and then are transferring to a domestic flight please allow at least 2-3 hours there for various immigration/customs checks - it rarely takes this long, but you never know.}
Inside the Phuket airport terminal there is a Burger King and a another small fast food joint. A couple of crap-shops and a very limited newstand are inside. So we've found it more entertaining and interesting to wait in the arrivals area.
As with most International Airports, you can easily rent cars (don't forget that we drive on the Left here!)
Regional Airlines:
Airasia
Bangkok Airways
Thai Airways
Nok Air (operations suspended)
Silk Air
Fireflyz
Budget Flights within South-East Asia, we Recommend...
Tiger Airways Based in Singapore
Silk Air
Budget arm of Singapore Airlines
Dragon air
Based in Hong Kong
Malaysia Airlines
Based In Kuala Lumpur
Jetstarasia
Based In Singapore
Both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore have opened new budget terminals, so we expect to see an explosion in air traffic in this area. Please ask us any of your question
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We have really strong feelings about this. See our blog here and here. The taxi drivers there are a bunch of weasels! We strongly encourage you to make reservations with Khao Lak Taxi. If you choose not to, then expect to pay between 1700 and 3000 Baht. The ride is only one hour (if they know where they are going) and it's a straight shot from the airport to here.
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We all love trains. Good fun, safe and fuel efficent. But! There are none to Khao Lak! The nearest train stop is Surat Thani, 180 Km East of us. From there connecting buses and taxi service can be arranged. Expect 200 Baht for bus and 3000 for taxi. Here is the Website for the Railways of Thailand.
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