Khao Lak or Phuket: which place suits you?
Khao Lak is a long strip of coast around 80 kilometres north of Phuket airport, with no real town and rainforest right behind the beaches. Phuket is the big island with an old town, nightlife and many beaches.
Khao Lak and Phuket compared
| Khao Lak | Phuket | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | South, Andaman Sea | South, Andaman Sea |
| Character | Long beaches north of Phuket | Beaches, old town and islands |
| Best time to visit | December to March, with January and February the driest. | December to March, with January and February the driest. |
| Getting there | Fly to Phuket, then a good hour and a half north by car | Its own international airport, daily flights from Bangkok; around 14 hours by bus |
| Rain over the year | Takua Pa station, approx. 5 km away | Phuket station |
| Highlights |
|
|
- dry under 60 mm
- changeable 60 to 150 mm
- rainy season over 150 mm
Bars: rain per month from January to December. Weather figures: Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), climate averages 1981 to 2010, rounded. All monthly figures are on the weather page: Khao Lak and Phuket.
How to decide
Choose Khao Lak if you …
- are looking for peace and quiet: most hotels have large gardens, and in the evening you are more likely to sit on the terrace than in a bar.
- want to go to the Similan Islands: the boats leave from Ban Thap Lamu pier south of Khao Lak, the season runs from 15 October 2026 to 15 May 2027, and foreigners pay 500 baht entry.
- want rainforest nearby: Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park starts right behind the coast, and Khao Sok is around 80 kilometres away.
Choose Phuket if you …
- want an old town, markets and going out: Phuket Town and the Bangla Road in Patong are on the island.
- need a private hospital: there is none in Phang Nga province, while Bangkok Hospital Phuket is on Phuket.
- want to get around without a car: on Phuket there are the Smart Bus, Grab and Bolt; in Khao Lak Grab is only available in places and is unreliable.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Khao Lak from Phuket airport?
Depending on the beach it is 75 to 87 kilometres, so a good hour and a half by car. At the official taxi counter a car for up to three people costs 1,800 baht to Nang Thong and Bang Niang, and 2,000 baht from Khuk Khak northwards (as of 2026).
When is the best time to visit?
For both, December to March. In Khao Lak, January and February are the driest; from May to October it rains much more than on Phuket, most in September. On Phuket around 360 millimetres fall in September.
How safe is swimming?
From May to October there are strong currents at the beaches of both places. In Khao Lak there is no lifeguard on any beach, and on Phuket not everywhere. When the red flag is up, stay out of the water.