Khao Lak from Phuket: how to drive there and what to see in 1–2 days
Khao Lak is a resort town on the Phang Nga mainland coast, 90 km (about 1.5h by car) from Patong. It has over 10 km of near-empty beaches, a waterfall minutes from the parking lot, and a tsunami memorial right on the shore — things Phuket itself barely has left. Come by car and plan a full day or an overnight stay; national park entry starts at 100 ฿.
Khao Lak: what it is and why go
Khao Lak isn't an island or a single beach — it's a string of quiet villages on the Phang Nga mainland coast, 90 km (about 1.5h on a straight road) from Patong and just 65 km (around 50 min) from Phuket airport. People come for what the densely built-up island barely has left: a 10-km beach strip with no loungers or touts, a waterfall minutes from the parking lot, and a tsunami memorial right on the shore.
The drive one-way takes 1.5–2 hours, so it's worth setting aside a full daylight day for Khao Lak — or better, staying overnight. That way you can walk the beaches at sunset, hike to the waterfall before the tour buses arrive, and check out the park viewpoint without rushing back in one day.
What to see in Khao Lak
Khao Lak stretches almost 15 km along Phet Kasem Road through several villages — Khuk Khak, Nang Thong, Bang Niang, Bang Sak. Every beach here is noticeably quieter than Phuket's: long white sand, few people even in high season, and calmer water than the island's west coast.
- Nang Thong and Bang Niang beaches — long, nearly empty, fine sand and clear water
- Sai Rung waterfall in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park — 5–10 min walk from parking, swimmable
- The park viewpoint — views of the Andaman Sea and, on clear days, the Similan Islands
- Tsunami memorial "Police Boat 813" in Bang Niang — a patrol boat swept 2 km inland by the 2004 wave, free entry
- Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park — a memorial with victims' names, 25 km north, for those giving Khao Lak two days
Getting there from Phuket
Khao Lak is on the mainland, off Phuket island, and you can only get there by car. MC BIKE's scooters are tied to Phuket, and insurance doesn't cover leaving the island, so a scooter is off the table for this trip no matter what. Cars are different: mainland trips — Phang Nga, Krabi, Khao Lak — we approve in advance, and full insurance stays valid for the whole journey.
There's one route, no surprises: Highway 4 (Phet Kasem Road) north past the airport, no ferries or detours. From Patong and Kamala it's about 90 km and 1.5h, from Chalong and Rawai about 110 km and 2h, and quickest from the airport — around 50 min. If you're planning this trip, browse the car catalog and book for at least 3 days so you're not rushing there and back in one.
Parking and entry: what it costs
Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park — with Sai Rung waterfall and the viewpoint — is open daily 8:00–16:30, entry 100 ฿ for adults and 50 ฿ for kids, parking at the entrance 20 ฿ per car. The Boat 813 memorial in Bang Niang is free, open 8:30–16:30, closed Mondays and Tuesdays; parking nearby is free. On the beaches themselves, entry and parking are free almost everywhere — park along the road without blocking access for locals.
Trip tips
The best time for Khao Lak is the dry season, November to April, when the sea is calm and swimming is safe. In the rainy season (May–October) open beaches get waves and currents, so check the beach flags before going in. Khao Lak is never crowded, but by noon tour buses from Patong and Kamala start arriving at the waterfall and memorial — for peace and quiet, come at opening, around 8:00–9:00.
Map pin
Don't take a bike to Khao Lak — rental rules keep bikes on Phuket island, and insurance doesn't cover this trip. For a group or family, the [Toyota Veloz](/cars/toyota-veloz) at 1,800 ฿/day works best: seven seats and a trunk for beach gear and towels cover a full day in Khao Lak. For two, a compact Yaris Ativ at 1,100 ฿/day is enough — the 3-day minimum car rental lets you combine the mainland trip with a day on the island itself.
