Khao Sok National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in southern Thailand, with limestone peaks, jungle trails and the emerald Cheow Lan Lake. It is about 160 km north of Krabi by road, which makes the Krabi to Khao Sok trip an easy add-on to a beach holiday in Ao Nang, Railay or Koh Lanta.
This guide compares the ways to travel — shared minivan, private transfer and organised day tour — and explains where they pick up, how long they take and how to plan your nights in the jungle.
The most popular way from Krabi to Khao Sok is a shared minivan from Krabi Town or Ao Nang, which takes about 3.5–5 hours and stops at Khao Sok village. A private transfer takes about 2.5–3 hours. There is no train or airport at Khao Sok, so the journey is always by road.
- Distance
- About 160 km by road
- Shared minivan
- About 3.5–5 h
- Private transfer
- About 2.5–3 h
- Pickup points
- Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Krabi Airport
- Book
- Compare times and prices on 12Go
Book Krabi to Khao Sok
Compare minivans and private transfers on 12Go.
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Krabi to Khao Sok: transport options compared
| Option | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared minivan | About 3.5–5 h | Budget, solo travellers |
| Private car or van | About 2.5–3 h | Families, groups, luggage |
| Organised day tour | Long day, return included | A taste of the park without staying overnight |
Times depend on traffic, the number of pickups and the stop at the drop-off point. Minivans usually run in the morning and early afternoon; check the timetable for your date.
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By shared minivan
Shared minivans are the standard Krabi to Khao Sok option. Most pick up from hotels in Ao Nang or Krabi Town, or from a travel agency or the bus terminal, then drive north and drop you in Khao Sok village, near the park entrance and the main guesthouses. Some operators also pick up at Krabi Airport.
- Book a day or two ahead in high season.
- Be ready 30 minutes before the pickup window.
- Luggage space is limited: one main bag per person.
- Ask your guesthouse in Khao Sok to meet you at the drop-off point.
By private transfer
A private car or van is faster and door to door. It is worth it for families and groups, who can split the price, and it lets you stop at viewpoints on the way. Larger vans take around 9–10 passengers.
Private transfer from Ao Nang
Compare private cars and vans from Ao Nang to Khao Sok.
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Khao Sok day tours from Krabi
If you do not want to change hotels, a day tour from Krabi or Ao Nang includes return transport, a guide and usually a boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake. It is a long day — expect early pickup and a late return — but it is the simplest way to see the lake.
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What to do in Khao Sok
- Cheow Lan Lake — a reservoir surrounded by limestone cliffs; take a longtail boat trip or stay overnight in a floating bungalow.
- Jungle trekking — guided walks to waterfalls and viewpoints from the park headquarters.
- Canoeing and river tubing — gentle trips on the Sok River near the village.
- Night safari — guided walks to spot insects, frogs and other wildlife after dark.
- Caves — several caves can be visited with a guide; some close in the rainy season for safety.
How long to stay
Two nights is the sweet spot: one in Khao Sok village for trekking and the river, and one on Cheow Lan Lake.
From Khao Sok to Koh Samui and beyond
Khao Sok sits between the Andaman and Gulf coasts, so it is a natural stop on a coast-to-coast trip. From Khao Sok, minivans run to Surat Thani and on to the piers for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. See Krabi to Koh Samui for the direct route.
Where to stay before you leave
Most travellers start from Ao Nang or Krabi Town, where minivans pick up. Compare hotels in our where to stay in Krabi guide.
Hotels in Krabi
Compare Ao Nang and Krabi Town hotels on Agoda.
Tips for the journey
- Bring cash: there are few ATMs in Khao Sok village.
- Pack a light rain jacket and insect repellent.
- Pay the national park entrance fee at the gate; keep the ticket.
- In the rainy season (May–October), roads are fine but some trails and caves may close.
For park information, see the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Krabi to Khao Sok step by step
- Choose your option — shared minivan for budget, private transfer for speed, or a day tour if you will not stay overnight.
- Book — reserve your Krabi to Khao Sok seat a day or two ahead, especially from December to February.
- Confirm the pickup — check whether the van collects you at your hotel or at a meeting point in Ao Nang or Krabi Town.
- Arrange your first night — book a guesthouse in Khao Sok village and share your expected arrival time.
- Book the lake — Cheow Lan Lake tours and floating bungalows are usually arranged from the village the day before.
Sample plans
| Plan | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nights | Krabi to Khao Sok by minivan, river walk | Cheow Lan Lake, night on the lake | Return to Krabi or continue to Surat Thani |
| 3 nights | Arrive, night safari | Jungle trek and canoe | Lake overnight, then onward |
| Day tour | Early pickup, lake boat trip, return in the evening | — | — |
The Krabi to Khao Sok day tour suits travellers with limited time, but most people who stay at least one night say it was the highlight of their trip.
Best time to go
The dry season, roughly December to April, has the most reliable weather for trekking and lake trips. Khao Sok is one of the wettest areas in Thailand, so showers are possible at any time; from May to October, expect heavier rain, greener forest and fewer visitors. Leeches appear on trails after rain, so wear long socks on jungle walks.
What to pack
- Light rain jacket or poncho
- Insect repellent and leech socks
- Sturdy sandals or trail shoes
- Dry bag for phones and cameras on the lake
- Cash for park fees, food and tips
- A torch for the night safari
Travelling light
Leave large suitcases at your hotel in Ao Nang or Krabi Town if you plan to return the same way: minivan luggage space is limited and floating bungalows have little storage.
Whichever way you travel, the Krabi to Khao Sok journey passes rubber and palm plantations and limestone hills, and the change from beach to rainforest is one of the most striking contrasts in southern Thailand.
From Koh Lanta, Phuket and Khao Lak
Not starting in Krabi? From Koh Lanta, most travellers take a minivan to Krabi Town and connect there, or book a through ticket that combines both legs; allow most of the day. From Phuket and Khao Lak, the park is closer, and direct minivans run north along the coast road. If you are planning a loop, a common route is Krabi to Khao Sok, then Khao Sok to Surat Thani and the Gulf islands, finishing with a flight home from Koh Samui.
When you compare tickets, check the drop-off point: most services stop in Khao Sok village, but some leave you on the main road, a short songthaew ride from the guesthouses. Your accommodation can usually arrange a pickup if you share the operator name and arrival time.
More Krabi to Khao Sok tips
Booking your Krabi to Khao Sok transfer in the morning gives you the afternoon to settle in. A Krabi to Khao Sok minivan can be combined with an onward ticket to Surat Thani, so you can plan the whole loop in one go. Our Krabi to Khao Sok checklist: confirm pickup, carry cash and pack for rain.
Krabi to Khao Sok: FAQ
How long does it take to get from Krabi to Khao Sok?
About 3.5–5 hours by shared minivan, or about 2.5–3 hours by private transfer.
Is there a bus from Krabi to Khao Sok?
Minivans are the usual option. Some larger buses pass near the park on the main road, but minivans drop you closer to the village.
Can I visit Khao Sok as a day trip from Krabi?
Yes, on an organised day tour with return transport, but it is a long day. Staying one or two nights is more relaxing.
Where do minivans to Khao Sok leave from?
Most pick up at hotels in Ao Nang and Krabi Town; some also leave from the bus terminal or Krabi Airport.
Can I go from Khao Sok to Koh Samui?
Yes. Take a minivan to Surat Thani and connect to the ferry piers for Koh Samui.
Sources: 12Go route listings; Tourism Authority of Thailand; InsideSamui editorial research. Times are indicative. Last updated 13 November 2026.
Photos: Original: Vyacheslav Argenberg Derivative work: The Cosmon (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Wendy Harman (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and timetables quoted here were checked on 13 November 2026; they change by season and operator, so confirm when you book.