How far is Khao Lak from Phuket?
Khao Lak is on the mainland in Phang Nga province, north of Phuket. From the airport there is one road: Highway 402 over the bridge off the island, then north on Highway 4 (Phet Kasem Road). Distances and times from the OSRM router on OpenStreetMap data, without traffic:
| From → to | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| HKT airport → Khao Lak village | 69.7 km | 65 min |
| HKT airport → Nang Thong Beach | 75.7 km | 70 min |
| HKT airport → Bang Niang Beach | 78.6 km | 75 min |
| Phuket Old Town → Nang Thong | 100.8 km | 93 min |
| Phuket Bus Terminal 2 → Nang Thong | 97.0 km | 87 min |
| Patong Beach → Nang Thong | 104.1 km | 98 min |
The airport sits at the north end of Phuket, so it is closer to Khao Lak than Patong or Phuket Town.
Taxi and transfer
This is the simplest option, especially with luggage or children:
- Airport taxi and minivan counters. The fares AOT publishes cover Phuket destinations only: Phuket Town THB 650, Patong 800, Rawai 900, Kata 1,000 per vehicle. Khao Lak is not on the list, so ask for the price at the counter before you get in
- Pre-booked transfer. Hotels and tour operators offer them; confirm the price and the meeting point when you book
- Grab and Bolt. The app shows the fare and the car before you confirm. How they work in Phuket is in our Phuket taxi guide
Where the counters are and what else the airport offers is covered in our Phuket Airport guide.
Driving yourself
The route is straightforward: Highway 402 from the airport, over the bridge to the mainland, then Highway 4 all the way to Khao Lak. You can pick up a car at the airport; licence and rental rules for foreigners are in our Phuket car rental guide.
Bus
The Phuket Smart Bus does not go to Khao Lak: it links the airport, the west coast beaches, Rawai and Phuket Town. Long-distance buses from Phuket’s bus terminal run north on Highway 4, but we could not find an official timetable or fare to Khao Lak as of October 2026. If you go by bus, check departures at Bus Terminal 2 and ask to be dropped at your beach: the terminal is 97 km from Nang Thong.
Back to the airport
The drive from Khao Lak to the airport takes 65-75 minutes without traffic. Add your airline’s check-in time and a weather buffer: from May to October Khao Lak averages 21-24 rainy days a month on TMD normals. For beaches and seasons, see our Khao Lak page.
Related: Khao Lak from Phuket as a day trip: the route.
FAQ
How long is the drive from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak?
65-75 minutes without traffic. OSRM routing gives 69.7 km to Khao Lak village, 75.7 km to Nang Thong Beach and 78.6 km to Bang Niang Beach. There is one road: Highway 402 over the bridge to the mainland, then north on Highway 4.
How much is a taxi from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak?
We found no official fare. The airport operator (AOT) publishes minivan prices only to Phuket Town, Patong, Rawai and Kata. Ask the counter for the Khao Lak price before you get in, or lock it in when you book a transfer. Grab and Bolt show the fare in the app before you confirm.
Is there a bus from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak?
The Phuket Smart Bus does not go there; its routes stay on the island. Long-distance buses from Phuket run north along Highway 4, but we could not find an official timetable or fare to Khao Lak as of October 2026. With luggage straight off a flight, a car is the more reliable choice.
How do I get from Patong to Khao Lak?
By car: Patong Beach to Nang Thong Beach is 104.1 km, about 1 hour 40 minutes without traffic on OSRM routing. The road crosses the island and passes the airport, so allow more time during the day. From Phuket Old Town it is 100.8 km, about an hour and a half.
How early should I leave Khao Lak for my flight?
The drive itself is 65-75 minutes without traffic. Add the check-in time your airline asks for, plus a buffer for weather: from May to October Khao Lak averages 21-24 rainy days a month on TMD normals.
Is Khao Lak in Phuket?
No, Khao Lak is on the mainland in Phang Nga province, north of the island. That is why it takes an hour or more from anywhere in Phuket. More about the resort itself on our Khao Lak page.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: HKT airport to Nang Thong Beach
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: HKT airport to Khao Lak village
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: HKT airport to Bang Niang Beach
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Patong Beach to Nang Thong Beach
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Phuket Old Town to Nang Thong Beach
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to Nang Thong Beach
- OSRM. HKT airport to Nang Thong road steps (Highways 4031, 402, 4)
- AOT, Phuket Airport. Transport: Smart Bus, Airport Bus, taxis, limousines, Grab
- Phuket Smart Bus. Routes and timetable
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