The nearest airport to Khao Lak is in Phuket, about 75kms to the south. Although Phuket is an international airport, most of the flights arrive from Bangkok, so if you are arriving from abroad, you’ll probably fly into Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi Airport first.

From Phuket Airport there are private minivans which regularly make the run to Khao Lak. Hiring a taxi from the terminal will end up being very expensive and trying to take a public bus will prove to be extremely difficult.

If you are already in Thailand, the best way to get to Khao Lak is on a VIP air-con bus. Your destination will be Phuket, but check to see if your bus goes past Khao Lak, in which case they will drop you off in town. Khao Lak is one of those towns where you can walk just about everywhere, since most visitors tend not to stray far from their resorts. Red trucks, which serve as group taxis, can be found along the little town centre on the main road if you want to get out to a national park or other beach. Better still, rent a Honda Dream motorbike or a jeep and go it alone.