Khao Lak Travel Guide: Located 80 km north of Phuket, Khao Lak offers stunning scenery and beaches. A popular destination for divers, the town sits on a breathtaking coastline (affected by the 2004 tsunami) and is nestled amidst a natural mix of forests, cliffs, and waterfalls. Quieter and less crowded than neighboring Phuket, Khao Lak is close to the Similan Islands and Surin National Parks. Lovers of the sea, cliffs, and picture-perfect landscapes will be thrilled with a multi-day stay. Visitor numbers are increasing annually, making Khao Lak an attractive alternative to Phuket. For all the information you need on getting around Khao Lak, see our "Getting Around Khao Lak" section.

Accommodation in Khao Lak: Finding a room in Khao Lak without a reservation can be a bit tricky, especially in budget accommodations where rooms cost less than 600 baht per night. While there are many quite luxurious hotels in the area, you can also find small guesthouses and even dormitories. The Monkey Dive Hostel is THE place to be for backpackers. It's often fully booked during peak season, so it's recommended to book online in advance. However, there are other accommodations nearby with simpler rooms at similar prices. You'll find several budget-friendly options (cheap for the region) in the same area. Find accommodation in Khao Lak. Choose a destination: Amphawa Ayutthaya Bang Saphan Bangkok Buriram Cha Am Chachoengsao Chaiyaphum Chanthaburi Chiang Dao Chiang Khan Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chonburi Chumphon Dan Sai Hat Yai Hua Hin Kalasin Kamphaeng Phet Kanchanaburi Khao Lak Khao Sok Koh Chang Koh Jum Koh Kood Koh Lanta Koh Larn Koh Lipe Koh Mak Koh Phangan Koh Phayam Koh Phi Phi Koh Samet Koh Samui Koh Sichang Koh Tao Koh Wai Krabi Lampang Lamphun Loei Lopburi Mae Hong Son Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Si Thammarat Nan Nang Rong Nong Khai Pai Pak Chong Pattaya Phang Nga Phang Nga Phayao Phetchabun Phetchaburi Phitsanulok Phrae Phuket Prachuap Khiri Khan Pranburi Railay Ranong Ratchaburi Rayong Roi Et Samut Songkhram Sangkhlaburi Sattahip Sukhothai Surat Thani Surin Tak Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani all categories from 300 THB from 300 to 500 THB from 500 to 1000 THB from 1000 to 2500 THB from 2500 THB 5000 THB plus 5000 THB // Select prices that are not available in the city ("All prices are only available now") function findAccommodationCategories(citySelect) { var option=citySelect.options[citySelect.selectedIndex]; var price=parseInt(option ? option.getAttribute("data-price") : 0,10) || 0; var categories=citySelect.form.elements["categories"]; if(!categories) return; for(var i=0;i<categories.options.length;i++) { var val=categories.options[i].value; categories.options[i].disabled=!(val=="all" || val=="-" || (Math.pow(2,parseInt(val,10))&price)); } } (function() { var forms=document.querySelectorAll("#form-accommodations form"); var form=forms[forms.length-1]; if(form && form.elements["cities"]) findAccommodationCategories(form.elements["cities"]); })(); My Recommendations I am often asked which accommodations I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations for Khao Lak: Sarojin Hotel (9.6/10) Book now More details Manathai Khao Lak Hotel (8.4/10) Book now More details La Flora Resort & Spa Khao Lak Hotel (9.1/10) Book now More details Hotel Rukcozy Hotel (9.0/10) Book now More details The Mouth Resort Hotel (8.7/10) Book now More details View all accommodations in Khao Lak

Practical information about Khao Lak: Please note that there are very few affordable accommodations directly on the beach. Most are located in the town.

How to get to Khao Lak? Khao Lak is located about 75 km north of Phuket. The easiest way to reach Khao Lak is to travel to Phuket and then take a taxi or bus on Highway 4 (5 minutes from the airport). Buses to Takua Pa, Ranong, or Surat Thani stop in Khao Lak (Phuket – Khao Lak, approximately 2 hours). Alternatively, you can travel to Surat Thani and take a bus to Khao Lak (near the train station). From Bangkok, buses run to Surat Thani from the South Bus Terminal (Saï Taï Mai). There are also daily minibuses from Krabi to Khao Lak; check with local travel agencies. [arrow_circle_right] See all travel options to Khao Lak

My selection of tours & activities in Khao Lak: Surin Islands Tour: Discover Thailand's Snorkeling Paradise (English-speaking tour) Take a day trip to the Koh Surin Islands. They are slightly less touristy than the Similan Islands, but are just as stunning in terms of beaches and snorkeling spots – some even find them more beautiful. Enjoy a wonderful day on the beach and snorkeling. Details & booking: Similan Islands Snorkeling Trip from Khao Lak (English-speaking tour) Discover the beautiful beaches of the Similan Islands with their turquoise waters and white sand, straight out of a picture book, and snorkel with a mask and snorkel at some of Thailand's most famous snorkeling spots. Hotel pickup and lunch included. Details & booking: Phang Nga Bay Day Trip by Boat from Khao Lak (English-speaking tour) Take a sailing trip in the stunning Phang Nga Bay and visit the famous James Bond Island. You will also take a canoe trip (rowboat provided) in this extraordinary location, which boasts some of Thailand's most beautiful seascapes. Along the way, you'll discover a small floating village and a temple inside a cave inhabited by a colony of monkeys. Details & Booking More Tours & Activities in Khao Lak

What's the best way to get around Khao Lak? Khao Lak essentially consists of a section of one main road with a few side streets, so public transport is limited. However, songthaews (shared taxis) can be found on both sides of the road at the bus station. They offer their services as taxis. There are also motorcycle taxis, which are mainly concentrated around the market (opposite the August 13th tsunami memorial).

Other sights in Khao Lak: 813 Tsunami Memorial Park – A monument commemorates the tsunami in Thailand in December 2004, which devastated Khao Lak and washed police boat 813, the centerpiece of the memorial, over a kilometer inland. Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park – Here you can take interesting tours, and, most importantly, it's home to our favorite beach in Khao Lak! Koh Panyee Island – The island and its mostly floating village are very touristy. It welcomes all the tourists who visit the bay and James Bond Island, but once the tourist crowds have left, it's a beautiful place. You can rent a bungalow to enjoy the unique atmosphere before and after the arrival of the tourist groups. Takuapa Old Town – Takuapa is located about 30 kilometers from Khao Lak. The town, which was once one of the most important trading centers in southern Thailand thanks to tin mining, has a pretty historic center with well-preserved and restored houses in the old Sino-Thai style. The pedestrian zone is also highly recommended on Sundays! The Ao Tho Li viewpoint is significantly less well-known and therefore less crowded than the neighboring Samet Nangshe viewpoint. While it offers a slightly less ideal view of Phang Nga Bay, as it's located to the right of the most scenic part, it's still a very good alternative for those who prefer a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. Accommodation is available in tents or simple bungalows.

How do you ask for directions to Khao Lak in Thai? I want to go to Khao Lak / Yak pai thi Khao Lak. Where is Khao Lak? / Khao Lak yu thi nai?