About 1½-2½ hours · Into the rainforest

Surat Thani to Khao Sok

From the transit city into one of the world's oldest rainforests - minivans run straight to the park gate and the lake pier.

Part of the guides for: Surat Thani · Khao Sok
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Minivans make it easy

Khao Sok is Surat Thani's other superpower: frequent minivans leave the railway station, the airport and the city for Khlong Sok village, where the treks, tubing and lodges cluster. For Cheow Lan's raft houses, book transport to the dam pier and let your lodge's longtail do the last, spectacular leg.

Khao Sok national park
Transport

Tickets & connections

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Route at a glance

Surat Thani to Khao Sok

  • Minivan to Khlong Sok village: about 1½-2 hours
  • Cheow Lan lake pier (Ratchaprapha dam): about 2-2½ hours
  • Direct vans from station, airport and town
  • Last vans leave late afternoon
Good to know

Good to know

  • Book raft houses ahead - the lake's beds are limited and popular.
  • Dry bags earn their keep on longtail transfers.
  • It's rainforest: an afternoon shower is part of the deal year-round.
  • Leeches on jungle treks are harmless - long socks end the debate.
Your options

Your options

Minivan to Khlong Sok village

The jungle-lodge hub at the park entrance. Vans meet the morning trains - the overnight sleeper from Bangkok connects perfectly.

Minivan to the lake pier

For overnight raft-house stays on Cheow Lan, aim for the Ratchaprapha dam pier by early afternoon - lodges bundle the boat transfer.

Day tours

Short on time? Full-day lake tours from Surat or Khao Sok cover the karst highlights and swim stops in one sweep.

Travel guides

Travel guides

Step-by-step transport guides for this stretch of the Gulf coast.

Part of the guides for

Surat Thani · Khao Sok