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Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park Transportation

Ferry & speedboat crossings
Travellers sit on a long bamboo raft crossing a calm green lake below jungle-covered limestone karst hills

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Destination overview

Khao Sok National Park Information

Getting to Khao Sok is easy and can be done in various ways. Flying might seem like the obvious option since Surat Thani has its own airport, which offers many flights to and from several places including Phuket, Bangkok, Krabi and Koh Samui. Surat Thani airport is also the closest airport to Khao Sok however, if you plan on spending some time in Koh Samui before heading to Khao Sok, it’s okay as Koh Samui also has an airport with frequent flights pretty much every day of the week and it’s not far from the Khao Sok National Park either, after landing in Koh Samui you can take a ferry ride to Donsak Pier then, a bus transportation to Khao Sok. Traveling by train is also applicable due to the existence of the Surat Thani Railway Station, with trains coming in every day from Bangkok among other places. Another option of transportation is the Minibus, which can only be caught from a few places including Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Donsak Pier and Surat Thani, there are also buses from Bangkok to Surat Thani. The last option but not least is the ferry, there are many ferry rides to Donsak Pier especially from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Calm emerald lake reflecting limestone karst cliffs and jungle-covered shores under a clear blue sky
Schedules & prices

Arrivals in Khao Sok National Park

6 scheduled services arriving in Khao Sok National Park today — pick one to choose your date and book.

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Popular stations & vehicles

Piers

Pickup & collection points

About Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park Information

Khao Sok National Park at a glance

Khao Sok National Park is one of Southern Thailand's best-known inland nature destinations, and it connects easily with the Gulf coast piers and island routes sold on this site. Located in Southern Thailand in Surat Thani Province. Khao Sok National Park is a wonderful place filled with the true undeniable essence of nature. It has the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world along with mysterious caves, amazing lakes, breathtaking valleys and splendid limestone mountains. The park has over 311 species of birds, 48 species of mammals in addition to species of reptiles and bats. The park is about 739 km2.

Because the park is a protected area rather than a city, travel here is usually part of a longer trip that starts on the coast or on one of the Gulf islands. We currently list 16 routes bookable routes serving Khao Sok National Park, with fares from ฿370.

How to get to Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is linked to the surrounding transport network through Surat Thani and Donsak on the mainland, and through the island hubs of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Journeys from the islands are sold as through-tickets that combine a sea crossing with an onward land leg, so you book once and travel on a single reservation.

From the mainland: Surat Thani and Donsak

Surat Thani is the main mainland gateway for this part of the country and the usual starting point for travellers arriving by air, rail or long-distance coach. Donsak is the pier area used for crossings between the mainland and the Gulf islands, and it also appears in connections towards the park. Both are useful staging points if you are building an itinerary around Khao Sok National Park.

From the Gulf islands

If you are already on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, your trip to the park normally begins with a crossing to the mainland followed by an overland transfer. Island departures are tied to sea conditions and pier timetables, so it is worth choosing an early departure when you want to arrive in daylight.

Popular routes to and from Khao Sok National Park

Return journeys are available on the same corridors, so the park works equally well as a stop between the Gulf islands and the Andaman side of the country.

Operators and services

Services to Khao Sok National Park are run by established regional companies, including several operators. Each operator sets its own departure points, transfer arrangements and luggage rules, and these are shown with the fare when you search. Where a route combines two legs, the connection is coordinated by the operator rather than left to you to arrange.

Practical travel information

Departure times, journey durations, vehicle types and pick-up points vary by operator and by season, so check the live results for your travel date rather than relying on a fixed timetable. If a listing shows a hotel pick-up or a meeting point, confirm it at the time of booking.

A few practical points to keep in mind:

  • Book ahead in the high season, when island departures and onward transfers fill quickly.
  • Travel light where possible — combined journeys involve changing between vehicles.
  • Allow buffer time if you have an onward flight or train from Surat Thani.
  • Bring cash for park entry and local services; card acceptance in the area is limited.

What to see and do

The park's headline attraction is its ancient evergreen rainforest, with limestone karst scenery rising above the valleys. Visitors come for lake trips, cave visits, jungle walks and wildlife spotting — the bird life alone runs to over 311 species, alongside mammals, reptiles and bats. Guided activities are arranged locally, and mornings are generally the best time for wildlife.

Book your journey to Khao Sok National Park

Compare all 16 routes connections, operators and fares from ฿370 in one place, then reserve the departure that fits your plans. Search availability for Khao Sok National Park and confirm your seat in a few steps.

Highlights

Khao Sok National Park Fauna

Fauna

Khao Sok National Park is a natural habitat to many amazing species of animals including over 25 species of bats, 311 species of birds, more than 45 mammal species and never-ending species of reptiles and more. Mammal species in the park include wild elephants, gibbons, mouse deer, bamboo rats and many more. You can also witness the majestic carnivores like the Clouded Leopard and the ferocious Tiger. And amazing Herbivores like the Gaur along with one of the cutest animals in the world which is the Elephant. With many more species to uncover and see in the Khao Sao National Park.

Panoramic viewpoint over turquoise reservoir with limestone karst islands and dense jungle, Khao Sok, Thailand

Flora

Khao Sok is known as one of the most bio-diverse areas due to the existence of more than 200 different species of flora per hectare. Its rainforest is part tropical rainforest and part tropical evergreen forest. Khao Sok has many special plants like the Buttress Roots which are roots that grow on specialist trees and mainly used to make boats, drums, and war shields. Rafflesia is another wonderful miracle, as they are the biggest flowers that could grow to 90cm. Other examples of marvelous Flora are Fig, Bananas, Pitcher Plant, Coconut palms, Liana, Bamboo among many others.
Calm emerald lake reflecting limestone karst peaks and forested shores under a blue sky with white clouds

Topography

Khao Sok National Park has one of the best topographies in Thailand and it has one of the oldest rainforests in the world. The park has 15% lowland scrub and limestone crag vegetation, 27% rainforest plains, 40% foothill rainforest and 3% 600-1000m rainforest. The park has not been relatively affected by the ice ages as it is small and has the sea on both sides, it didn’t suffer from drought unlike other places and still sustained its rainfall that keeps the forests in best form. Khao Sok is also known for its beautiful karst or limestone mountains
Green kayaks lined along a lake shore with floating bamboo raft houses and limestone hills behind

Activities

The park is not just a place to ponder and witness the beautiful nature and animals, it is a place where you can take your family and friends or even go solo and participate in some of the best activities there. Explore the magical rainforest on foot by jungle trekking with a guide taking you through amazing flora and fauna. Who doesn’t love chilling on a boat? Especially in Cheow Larn Lake or Sok River as you Kayak, Canoe or take a bamboo raft and experience the true serene nature of the park.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?

Phuket Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.

 

Ferry Samui :

FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

 

Bali Ferry :

We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.

What are the tourist seasons ?

Phuket Ferry :

Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.

 

Ferry Samui :

There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).

 

Bali Ferry :

Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.

Will bad weather affect my travels?

Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.

Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.

On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.

What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?

At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.

 

 

When will I receive my ticket confirmation?

After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.

On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.

What are the baggage allowances?

Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.

To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.

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