🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
From Ranong town to Phang Nga town is around 230 kilometres — about 3.5 hours if you drive straight through. But the charm of this route is that there's something to stop for along the way, so it's better to break it into stages than to power through in one go. This plan splits it over three days: day one picks up Ranong's morning highlights then eases south, day two takes on Khao Lak and Thap Lamu, and day three closes out at Phang Nga Bay before everyone goes their separate ways. If you have less time, trim it to 2 days and 1 night — just pick the legs you most want to keep.
Who this plan is for
- Self-drive travellers who want a one-way route they don't have to backtrack on — drive in one direction and you're done.
- People already in Ranong who want to add Phang Nga's beaches onto the same trip.
- Nature and beach lovers who enjoy waterfalls, forest and limestone islands out in the bay.
- Anyone with 3 days or more who doesn't want to rush, and would rather stop to eat and take photos along the way.
Before you set off
This stretch of the Andaman coast gets a lot of rain. The clear-sky, calm-sea window is November to April. The Surin and Similan island groups only open from mid-November to mid-May — outside that the national parks are closed and you can't go out to the islands at all. If you're set on an island day, check the parks' latest opening and closing dates before you plan around them.
Book the activities in your Ranong trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The route and distances at a glance
The whole trip runs mainly on Phetkasem (Highway 4). You head south from Ranong through Kapoe, cross into Phang Nga province at Khura Buri district, then work your way down through Takua Pa and Khao Lak to Phang Nga town. The main stops line up along the road like this:
- Ranong → Khura Buri — about 120 km, roughly 1 hr 40 min driving. This is the first town across the Phang Nga line, and the pier for the Surin Islands is here.
- Khura Buri → Khao Lak/Thap Lamu — about 85 km, roughly 1 hr 15 min, passing the old town of Takua Pa on the way.
- Khao Lak → Phang Nga town — about 60 km, roughly 1 hr, turning onto the inland road toward Phang Nga Bay.
- Total route — about 230 km; roughly 3 hr 30 min if you drive straight through, but this plan spreads it over 3 days.
Day 1 — A Ranong morning, then an easy drive to Khura Buri
No need to rush on day one. Grab breakfast and the Ranong highlights that sit right on the road south, then drive at an easy pace and overnight around Khura Buri, or carry on to Takua Pa. It depends on whether you plan to head out to the Surin Islands the next day.
Ranong → Kapoe → Khura Buri
About the Surin and Similan island trips
Boats to the Surin Islands leave from Khura Buri pier, around 50 minutes to an hour out. The Similans leave from Thap Lamu pier at Khao Lak. Both only open from mid-November to mid-May, and you can book day trips out and back. If you're set on an island day, set aside a full day for it and push the Khao Lak section to the following day.
Day 2 — Takua Pa old town, plus Khao Lak and Thap Lamu
This is the beach day of the trip. In the morning, stop by Takua Pa old town, which has Sino-Portuguese buildings a bit like Phuket's but with fewer people, then head into Khao Lak in the afternoon for the long beach and sunset. If you want to go out to the Similans, swap this in as a full day instead.
Old town → Khao Lak beach → Thap Lamu
Khao Lak and the tsunami memory
Khao Lak was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami. There's the memorial to Police Boat T.813, which the waves carried hundreds of metres inland from the sea, and a small museum to visit. Many people stop here to understand the area's story, not just for the beach.
Day 3 — Phang Nga Bay, Ko Tapu, Ko Panyi, then onward
On the last day you take the inland road into Phang Nga town and board a boat to see Phang Nga Bay — a sheltered sea ringed by oddly shaped limestone peaks. The highlights are Ko Tapu (James Bond Island) and Ko Panyi, a fishing village built out over the water. End the trip here and carry on to Phuket or Krabi if you like, since they're both close by now.
Phang Nga Bay → Ko Tapu → Ko Panyi
About the Phang Nga Bay boats
Boats out to Phang Nga Bay come as group tours or as private longtail charters. If there are several of you, a charter works out better value and lets you set your own schedule — prices start around THB 1,980 per boat for 2 people and go up with the group size. The tide affects whether you can pass through some of the caves, so ask the boatman about timing before you agree, so you don't miss anything.
Where to eat along this route
Eating along this route is fun, because it takes in Ranong's food, southern dishes in Takua Pa, and Khao Lak seafood. These are the places and dishes people talk about most at each stop — slot them into the plan by meal. All prices are rough estimates, and it's worth checking opening days before you go.
Sam Si Seafood (Bang Sak, Khao Lak)
A seafood spot on the main road in the Bang Sak area, strong on fresh ingredients and bold southern flavours. The dishes people order most are crab fried rice, seafood tom yum and fish fried with fish sauce — an easy lunch stop as you drive into Khao Lak.
Krachang Khao Lak (floating seafood)
A newer floating seafood restaurant at Thap Lamu pier, done up in a cafe style with views of mangroves, sea and mountains. Good for a relaxed dinner in the breeze, with fresh seafood since it's right by the pier.
Cotton Cafe (La Vela Khaolak)
A cafe in the beachfront La Vela resort, known for its croissants and bakery. Good for ducking out of the afternoon sun with a coffee and a sea view during your Khao Lak day, in a nicely designed setting.
Valhalla Cafe (Khao Lak sea-view cafe)
A newer sea-view cafe that many people rate as the best view in Khao Lak. It's not large and seating is limited, and it gets busy in the evening — if you want a good view spot, go before the sun's gone.
Southern food in Takua Pa old town
The old-town quarter of Takua Pa has southern restaurants and local coffee shops set in old buildings — yellow curry, khua kling, southern fried noodles, bold home-style flavours at fair prices. Good for breakfast or lunch before you head into Khao Lak.
Seafood and made-to-order in Khura Buri
Khura Buri is a small fishing district with made-to-order restaurants and seafood at local prices in town. Good for a day-one lunch as you drive south, before you reach Khao Lak.
Seafood restaurants on Ko Panyi
On Ko Panyi, out in Phang Nga Bay, there are seafood restaurants for lunch during the boat tour — fresh catch from the waters around the island, in a floating-village setting you won't find elsewhere. Prices are set for tourists, though.
Ranong dim sum breakfast (before you set off)
Before leaving Ranong to head south, start the morning with dim sum at a well-known spot like Ranong Ocha — prawn har gow, siu mai, steamed buns and a hot Ovaltine. A breakfast that sets you up for the long drive.
Souvenirs from Ranong and Phang Nga
Before leaving Ranong, pick up roasted cashews, shrimp paste and dried shrimp for the road. Phang Nga has skewered shrimp, chilli pastes and processed seafood around Khao Lak and Phang Nga town — save these for the end of the trip.
Where to stay each night
Since this is a one-way drive, your stay doesn't have to be in the same place the whole trip — base yourself where the day's sights are, and it'll flow best. Spend the first night around Khura Buri or Takua Pa, and the second night on Khao Lak's long beach.
Night 1 — Khura Buri/Takua Pa
Small, affordable stays in town, good for an overnight on the way through. If you're heading out to the Surin Islands the next morning, pick somewhere near Khura Buri pier for an easy early start.
Night 2 — Khao Lak beachfront
Khao Lak has beachfront resorts across a range of levels — like La Vela or The Haven, with big pools and beach views. A good place to settle in and enjoy the sea breeze before Phang Nga Bay.
Onward from Phang Nga
End the trip at Phang Nga Bay and carry straight on to Phuket or Krabi, since they're close. If you'd rather spend another night in Phang Nga town, there are hotels there too — quiet and good value.
A rough budget per person
- 2 nights' accommodation — a twin room split two ways runs around THB 500–1,500 per person per night, depending on level; the Khao Lak beachfront night is higher.
- 3 days of food — around THB 800–1,500 if you have seafood and a cafe or two along the way.
- Fuel and tolls — about 230 km; fuel works out to roughly THB 500–800 per car for the whole trip, split by the number of people.
- Phang Nga Bay boat — a longtail charter is around THB 1,980–3,500 per boat, which comes to a few hundred per person once split.
- Surin/Similan island trip (if you do it) — a day trip out and back is around THB 1,800–3,000 per person, including park fees.
- Souvenirs — up to you, starting in the low hundreds.
Driving this route safely
The Ranong–Phang Nga stretch of Phetkasem switches between two lanes and four, with winding hill sections and frequent rain. Fill up before leaving the bigger towns, as petrol stations are spread out in places. Avoid driving at night — there's little street lighting and plenty of trucks — and allow time to stop and rest every 1–2 hours to stay safe.
Want to get to know Ranong in depth before you go? See all the sights and the full city guide.
See all Ranong attractions →