Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Khao Lak?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Khao Lak?

Most visitors spend five to seven days in Khao Lak when visiting. The idyllic area offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the food.

This series of villages runs along the coast of Thailand and offers a laid back beach setting that is perfect for couples or families. It's filled with natural beauty, less developed beaches, and turquoise blue waters. It's also an excellent dive and snorkel destination.

Do you have one or two days to visit Khao Lak? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Khao Lak?

One day is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Khao Lak. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the food. To genuinely appreciate the idyllic area, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 5 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, As a popular area, Khao Lak offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Khao Lak

The beautiful beaches await you in Khao Lak, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. They offer a laid back and peaceful setting with white sand, turquoise water, and tropical marine life. Some of the best beaches include Bang Niang Beach - which is one of the most popular, Nang Thong Beach - which is one of the most beautiful, and Coconut Beach - which is one of the most idyllic.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Local Reef Snorkelling and Deserted Beach ($84)
  • James Bond Island Adventure Tour from Khao Lak including Sea Canoeing & Lunch ($75)
  • Cruising on a comfortabel boat in Phang Nga Bay - The "Must-Do" Tour Khao Lak ($134)

Khao Lak is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and breathtaking natural landscapes make this a truly beautiful destination.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Cruising on a comfortabel boat in Phang Nga Bay - The "Must-Do" Tour Khao Lak ($134)
  • Khaolak : Half day James Bond Island by Longtail Boat ($42)
  • Full Day Similan Trip from Khao Lak by Speed Boat ($98)

The public transit in Khao Lak is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the area quite easily and affordably. Transportation comes in the form of tuk tuks, Songthaew (pick up trucks), taxis, and public buses. There are also VIP buses and minivans as well.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Khao Lak?

Khao Lak is a small area that is quite popular with tourists. Given only a weekend, you will likely be rushed to lounge on the beach, admire the wonderful scenery, explore the underwater world, and taste delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the area offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for five to seven days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

The beach at Khao Lak, Thailand The beach at Khao Lak, Thailand

How to spend 2 days in Khao Lak

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Khao Lak, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the area has to offer.

Don't miss Khao Sok National Park during your trip to Khao Lak, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There's a range of southern Thai classics that include seafood, curries, grilled meats, and even vegetarian options. You'll also find an abundance of western food restaurants that serve everything from pizza to burgers.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School ($56)
  • Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt from Khao Lak ($54)
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class from Khao Lak ($67)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Khao Lak, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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