🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The first thing to get your head around before planning is that Phang Nga is a long province stretching north to south, and the main bases sit in completely different zones. Khao Lak is the main hub for visitors (long beaches, plenty of resorts, and the launch point for Similan-Surin tours). Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai sit out in the middle of Phang Nga Bay and are reachable by boat only. Takua Pa, the old town, lies further north of Khao Lak, while Phang Nga town is over on the inner bay side, near the Phang Nga Bay (James Bond) piers. Your travel plan really comes down to which zone you're basing yourself in.
Which airport to fly into — Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV)
Phang Nga has no airport, so you'll fly into a neighbouring province and continue by road. Pick based on which zone you're heading to. Phuket airport (HKT) sits south of Khao Lak and is the main gateway for the Khao Lak-Takua Pa-Koh Yao side. Krabi airport (KBV) is handier if you're visiting the eastern Phang Nga Bay side or carrying on to Koh Yao via the Krabi piers.
- Phuket (HKT) → Khao Lak — around 80–90 km, roughly 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min by car. This is the most-used route, since Phuket airport is at the very north of the island, right by the Sarasin Bridge that crosses into Phang Nga.
- Phuket (HKT) → Bang Rong pier (for Koh Yao) — around 25–30 km, roughly 30–40 min by car. This is the main pier most people use to catch boats out to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
- Krabi (KBV) → Khao Lak — further out at around 150 km; buses and minivans take roughly 3–4 hrs. Most people only pick this route when the Krabi flight is much cheaper.
- Krabi (KBV) → Phang Nga town / Phang Nga Bay — around 80–90 km, roughly 1 hr 30 min by car. Handy if you're cruising Phang Nga Bay over by Koh Panyee and Khao Tapu.
Straight talk
If your target is Khao Lak or Koh Yao, flying into Phuket is clearly quicker and more convenient, and there are far more Phuket flights to choose from. Only pick Krabi if the fare is cheap enough to be worth the extra time on the road, or if you're tacking on a Krabi trip anyway.
From Phuket airport up to Khao Lak — minivan, taxi, bus
The Phuket–Khao Lak run is a popular route with several options to suit your budget and group size. It's all on the main highway, the roads are in good shape, the signage is clear, and it takes about an hour and a half.
Shared Minivan
The cheapest option if you're travelling solo or as a pair, sharing the ride with other passengers. There's a ticket counter inside Phuket airport, vans run on scheduled departures, and they drop off at resorts around Khao Lak. The ticket covers one bag.
Airport taxi (whole car)
The taxi counter is right outside the terminal, with a fixed flat rate for the whole car seating 3–4 people. It runs straight to your hotel with no waiting for a departure time — good for small groups or late arrivals.
Private Transfer
Book online or through an app before you fly, and the driver waits at the arrivals gate with a name sign. The price is fixed with no haggling, and you can pick a sedan or van to match your group. Good for families or anyone with lots of luggage.
Public bus
The cheapest option, but you'll have to finish the journey yourself. Buses run north from Phuket airport or the bus terminal, dropping you at Khao Lak or with a connection at Khok Kloi. Good for budget travellers who aren't in a hurry and don't have much luggage.
Straight talk
You can hail a Grab from Phuket airport up to Khao Lak, but over a distance like this the price usually isn't much different from the counter taxi, and a car can be hard to find late at night. If you're a bigger group or have a lot of luggage, a pre-booked transfer is the most worry-free — no gambling on whether a car turns up.
Thap Lamu pier — gateway to the Similans and Surins
Thap Lamu pier sits just south of Khao Lak and is the main pier on the northern Andaman side for boats out to the Similan and Surin Islands. Almost every dive and snorkel tour leaves from here, and most come as package tours with pick-up from your Khao Lak hotel — so you don't necessarily have to make your own way to the pier.
- Thap Lamu → Similan Islands — around 70 km; speedboats take roughly 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs. A one-day round-trip snorkel tour runs around ฿1,800–3,500 per person, including lunch and snorkel gear.
- Thap Lamu → Surin Islands — further out at around 100 km; speedboats take roughly 2 hrs 30 min to 3 hrs. Full-day tours cost a little more than the Similans.
- Island closure season — the Similan-Surin Islands National Park closes during the monsoon, roughly mid-May to mid-October every year. No boats run in this window, so plan for November–April.
- Park fees — there's a separate national park entry fee, with foreigners paying more than Thais. Check with your tour whether it's already included in the price.
Insider tip
The sea is usually calmer in the morning than the afternoon, and Similan-Surin tours leave at the crack of dawn, so plan to get up early and line your stomach before boarding. If you get seasick, bring something for it — you'll be on a fast boat across open water for an hour or more, and the swell can pick up depending on the weather.
Boats to Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai
Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai sit out in the middle of Phang Nga Bay and are reachable by boat only. The most popular departure point is Bang Rong pier in northeast Phuket (around 30–40 min by car from Phuket airport). You can also catch boats from the Krabi piers or Ao Nang.
- Bang Rong → Koh Yao Noi (speedboat) — the quickest at around 30 min, roughly ฿400 per person. Several departures a day, around 07.50–17.00.
- Bang Rong → Koh Yao Noi (longtail boat) — cheaper but slower at around 1 hr, roughly ฿300 per person. Good if you're not in a rush.
- Koh Yao Noi ↔ Koh Yao Yai — the two islands sit side by side, with a short hop of around 15 min between them, or you can charter a longtail to cross.
- From Krabi / Ao Nang — there are speedboats to Koh Yao Noi from here too, handy if you fly into Krabi or are already travelling around Krabi.
Straight talk
On Koh Yao there are no city-style taxis or Grab. The main way to get around is renting a scooter (around ฿250–350/day) or taking the island's songthaews and tuk-tuks. Many resorts will pick you up from the pier if you give them notice — I'd book the transfer in advance, it's far easier.
Car & scooter hire — driving yourself
Phang Nga is a province where the sights are spread out and public transport is thin on the ground, so if you want the freedom to hit several spots, hiring a car and driving yourself is the best value — especially for running between Khao Lak, Takua Pa and the waterfalls. The main roads are in good shape, but some stretches are winding hill climbs with trucks about, so drive with care.
Car hire at Phuket airport
The most convenient way to drive Phang Nga yourself — pick the car up at Phuket airport and head straight north. There are both big chains and local outfits. Good for families or groups with lots of luggage; book ahead in high season.
Car hire in Khao Lak
Plenty of rental shops and resorts in Khao Lak offer car hire. Good if you're staying in Khao Lak and only want to rent for the days you head further afield, rather than hiring for the whole trip.
Scooter in Khao Lak
Scooter rental shops line the main road through Khao Lak. Good for buzzing around the beaches, restaurants and nearby spots — 110–125cc automatics are easy to ride.
Larger scooter (PCX/NMAX)
More comfortable and steadier over distance, good for heading out to spots beyond town like the waterfalls or Takua Pa, or for riding two-up.
Worth knowing before you hire
Carry an International Driving Permit — there are police checkpoints along the way, and they will fine you for real if you don't have one or aren't wearing a helmet. Before taking the vehicle, shoot a photo or video all the way round it as proof of its condition, and check whether the rental includes insurance. The hill roads get very slippery in the rain, so it's safer to take it slow.
Buses, minivans and Grab in Phang Nga
If you're not driving yourself, getting around Phang Nga mainly means buses, minivans and intercity songthaews. Grab exists but isn't dense — it's hard to find outside the main tourist areas and late at night.
- Phang Nga town ↔ Phuket — buses run roughly hourly between 07.00–18.00, around ฿80–90 per person, taking about 1 hr 30 min.
- Phang Nga town ↔ Takua Pa — buses run roughly hourly, around ฿80 per person.
- Khao Lak ↔ Takua Pa — short-hop songthaews and buses, around ฿40 per person, taking about 35 min.
- Reaching Khao Lak by bus — you'll usually need to take a Phuket-route bus and get off at Khok Kloi or Khao Lak directly, so allow time for the connection.
- Grab — there's a bit of it in Khao Lak and the town, but you'll wait a while and struggle to find a car outside the main areas. Short local hops run around ฿100–200 a ride.
Insider tip
For buses and songthaews, keep small notes and coins handy to pay — drivers don't take transfers and can't easily break a large note. If you're hitting several spots in a day and not driving yourself, chartering a songthaew or minivan for the whole day works out better value and saves the waiting — always agree the price before you get in.
Quick summary — what to use when
Solo, on a budget
Fly into Phuket + shared minivan up to Khao Lak + a Similan tour with pick-up included + longtail or speedboat to Koh Yao from Bang Rong.
As a couple / small group
Fly into Phuket + counter taxi or pre-booked transfer + a scooter to explore Khao Lak + a package island tour.
Family / lots of luggage
Fly into Phuket + hire a car at the airport and drive yourself + book a pier transfer over to Koh Yao + a speedboat tour with pick-up and drop-off.
Plan your whole Phang Nga trip — where to stay, what to see, and how to get there
See the Phang Nga travel guide →