Surat Thani to Khao Sok Two hours to the jungle.
The short answer: buses and minivans leave Surat Thani town for Khao Sok from early morning until mid-afternoon and take about two to two and a half hours. A seat costs around US$5–7 on 12Go. A private car from the airport or the train station is quicker and drops you at your bungalow.
Below: the options compared with fares from 12Go on 6 November 2026, where in Surat Thani to catch them, and how to do the trip straight from the night train, the airport or Koh Samui.
Surat Thani to Khao Sok at a glance
Prices are the cheapest one-way fares 12Go listed on 6 November 2026, and they can include 12Go's booking fee.
| Option | How long | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | About 2 – 2.5 hours | Surat Thani town | From about US$5 | The lowest price |
| Minivan | About 2.5 hours | Surat Thani town (Phantip and others) | From about US$5–7 | More departures |
| Private car | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Airport, train station or your hotel | About 1,500–2,500 baht per car | Arriving by plane, groups, door to door |
| Ferry + van from Koh Samui | About 5.5 – 6 hours | Koh Samui | From about US$15–20 | Going straight from the island |
Compare live times and prices: Surat Thani to Khao Sok on 12Go.
Which one should you pick?
Take the bus or a minivan if you are already in Surat Thani town. They run all morning and into the afternoon, and they are cheap.
Book a private car if you land at Surat Thani Airport or get off the night train at Phun Phin. It saves you getting into town first, and for two or three people the cost per person is reasonable.
Buy a joint ticket if you are coming from Koh Samui, so the ferry and the van are booked together.
Where the buses and vans leave from
Most departures leave from Surat Thani town, from the Talad Kaset bus terminals and the travel company offices nearby. Phantip runs minivans from about 08:30 into the early afternoon, and 465 Surat Thani Phuket Transport and Phuket Bus and Van Travel run buses from about 05:30. On 6 November 2026 the last listed departures were in the mid-afternoon, so do not plan on arriving in town late and going on the same day.
Several of the buses are on their way to Phuket and drop you at Khao Sok, near the entrance to the national park. Tell the driver where you are staying when you get on.
From the night train or the airport
The night trains from Bangkok stop at Surat Thani station, which is in Phun Phin, outside the city, and arrive in the morning. From there, a private car is the simplest way on, or a ride into town for the bus.
From Surat Thani Airport, a private car to Khao Sok costs about 1,500 to 2,500 baht. For the train from Bangkok, see Bangkok to Koh Samui, which covers the sleeper trains to Surat Thani.
From Koh Samui
12Go sells ferry-and-van tickets from Koh Samui to Khao Sok: you cross to Donsak Pier and a van drives you on from there. Morning departures arrive around midday or early afternoon, and you do not have to change in Surat Thani on your own. See ferries between Samui, Phangan and Koh Tao for the island side.
When you get there
Day trips to Cheow Lan Lake, the reservoir with the floating bungalows, are sold by the tour offices and guesthouses in Khao Sok and include the drive to the pier. See our Cheow Lan Lake and Khao Sok National Park pages.
Booking Surat Thani to Khao Sok on 12Go
12Go lists the buses and minivans from Surat Thani town, private cars from the airport and the train station, and joint tickets from Koh Samui on one page.
A few reviews on 12Go mention late departures on this route, so leave some slack if you have something booked the same afternoon. Prices on 12Go can include a booking fee.
Surat Thani to Khao Sok FAQ
How long does it take from Surat Thani to Khao Sok?
About two to two and a half hours by bus or minivan, and about one and a half to two hours by private car.
How much is the bus from Surat Thani to Khao Sok?
From about US$5 to US$7 on 12Go on 6 November 2026, depending on the company.
Is there a bus from Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok?
The simplest option from the airport is a private car, about 1,500 to 2,500 baht. Otherwise, go into Surat Thani town and take a bus or minivan from there.
Is there a train to Khao Sok?
No. The nearest station is Surat Thani (Phun Phin); from there you continue by road.
What time is the last bus to Khao Sok?
On 6 November 2026 the last departures listed on 12Go left Surat Thani in the mid-afternoon, around 14:45.
Last checked: 6 November 2026. Bus, minivan and joint-ticket times and fares from 12Go; journey times cross-checked with GoAsia (October 2026) and phuketferry.com; private car fares from 12Go's route page. Timetables change, so check before you travel.