Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalows: Are They Worth It?

Khao Sok National Park floating bungalows are one of the best things to do in southern Thailand, and Cheow Lan Lake is the reason why.

I’ll be honest, I went in expecting a nice afternoon out and left wondering why this isn’t talked about more. Bamboo huts and proper resort-style bungalows sit right on the lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs that look like something out of a film set, and you can visit for the day or book a night on the water depending on your budget and your patience for basic plumbing.

This post covers what they actually cost, which ones are worth booking versus skipping, and how to get yourself there without overpaying for a transfer you could arrange cheaper.

I lost my GoPro cover while swimming around the lake near the bungalows, which tells you two things. One, the current is stronger than it looks. Two, I was having far too much fun to notice until it was gone.

Whether you’re travelling solo or as a couple, there’s a version of this that works for you. The budget bamboo huts suit backpackers who don’t mind sharing a bathroom.

The resort-style floating villas suit couples wanting a proper splurge.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my Privacy Policy.

How To Book The Floating Bungalows

You can book a floating bungalow to get the best experience of Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake.

Save

You can book the floating bungalows in two different ways:

• Online

We use Booking.com, Agoda, and Hotels.com to book all of our rooms wherever we go. On Booking, you will get some upgrades the more you book with them, and discounts like free airport transfers. So that’s why I like them.

Rarely, if ever, have we had an issue, so I trust all of these. There are several floating bungalows listed, which are helpful.

You can also book a stay in the bungalows via this blog post.

• Book Through Your Hotel

When we visited Khao Sok, our hotel reception had dozens of leaflets with different tours, including one in Khao Sok National Park and also to Cheow Larn Lake with an overnight stay in the bungalows included.

Save

We booked our day tour at the reception without issue.

You can walk into a random hotel and see what they offer if your accommodation doesn’t have anything, which would be unlikely because tours are the hotel’s biggest money maker.

From my tour experience, they picked us up at our guesthouse and brought us to the lake. But keep in mind that during high season, it can be more difficult to find availability.

There is an additional National Park fee and a foreigner fee to pay once inside the park. Meals were included on my day tour, but you should check at the time of booking if you will also get meals included.

To ensure you get a spot, you can book well in advance right here.

CHEOW LAN LAKE | KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK | 1 DAY TOUR

The Best Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalows

The Khao Sok floating bungalows vary in design, quality and cost.

Budget:

• Phutawan Rafthouse
• Krai Son Lake House
• Khaosok Eco Raft
• Phae Saichol
• Klong Ka Lakehouse
• Orchid Lake House

Phutawan Rafthouse looks like a great choice. Nice food, and the surroundings are beautiful. I enjoyed swimming outside the bungalows, and the food was tasty.

After months of travel in Asia, I actually think accommodation is not the most important thing.

However, this is the exception. When you want to visit Cheow Lan Lake and are considering staying at the floating bungalows, I would splurge on this and here’s why. A little more money and you’ll have a far better quality floating bungalow.

Some places listed are not floating bungalows but still decent options to visit the lake.

Mid-Range:

• Praiwan Raft House
• Nang Prai Raft House
• Khao Sok Smiley Lakehouse
• Phupha Waree
• Keereethara Raft House

The top pick here is Praiwan Raft House. While you do have to share a bathroom, it is right beside a restaurant and bathroom facilities. The room is said to have a comfy bed, and you will have only a fan to keep cool.

Book A Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalow Experience Now

Luxury:

• 500 Rai Floating Resort
• Elephant Hills – The Lake Camp
• Panvaree Resort
• Panvaree The Greenery
• 360 Issara Floating Resort
• The Laguna Chiewlarn
• Keereewarin

Do not mix up Panvaree Resort and Panvaree The Greenery. If you want a cheaper option, choose the Resort. This is not an actual floating bungalow, but found above the restaurant. But for the best views and more spending available, choose the Greenery.

360 Issara Floating Resort looks very modern. However, some people complained online that in summer the air con was not strong enough.

Khao Sok floating bungalows run from basic fan-only huts around 800 THB ($24.15/€21.08/£18.07) a night to luxury resorts above 2,500 THB ($75.46/€65.88/£56.47).

Budget rooms normally mean having a shared bathroom and mattresses on the floor. In comparison, luxury rooms will likely have air conditioning, private bathrooms and lake views. Panvaree The Greenery is easily the best for views, and Praiwan Raft House is likely the best value mid-range option.

I do recommend booking several months ahead for high season, from November to April, when the best rooms sell out early.

Read About Panvaree Resort To Plan Your Trip

Khao Sok Floating Bungalows – My Experience

We travelled from Bangkok via a minivan to Khao Sok National Park.

Save

The long journey took well over ten hours, but it was completely worth it once I woke up and was surrounded by tall limestone rock formations on every side.

This is southern Thailand at its best.

We visited the floating bungalows on a day trip, exploring the area and having lunch right beside the lake. As we zipped across the lake with the loud engine of the longtail boat, the water cooled my face as we went very fast.

It was so hot I couldn’t wait to jump into the lake and cool off.

Save

Even without staying the night, it was easy to see why people build entire trips around sleeping out on the water here.

What makes it even more special are the surroundings. The clearest of turquoise water, the greenest of vegetation, and the peaceful sounds of nature all around.

I did look out for some elephants, which can be found in the park, but sadly didn’t see any, just some monkeys. The moment we hopped off the boat, I felt like we were missing out by not staying the night.

Waking up out here must be something else entirely.

Phutawan Rafthouse

This place was special, but not the most impressive floating bungalow to choose from.

Save

The bungalows were oval-shaped, modern, and looked newly built, though quite small.

I looked inside to see what they were like. I was impressed. They are basic with little space around the beds.

The mattress sits on the floor, and there are four windows with drapes. Some of the bungalows are extremely basic and only have a fan to keep cool at night, which could be a problem when it’s very hot.

We were able to eat lunch at the restaurant, which provided food and a large space for group tours to eat, which was great.

In the end, I would revisit, but maybe I would choose a more developed floating bungalow for comfort.

Khao Sok National Park Entrance Fee

There is a fee to enter the park.

Save

The cost is 200 Baht per person ($6.02/€5.27/£4.54), plus another 20 Baht ($0.60/€0.53/£0.45) if you are a foreigner. Just make sure you bring some cash and have it to hand to avoid any embarrassment along the way.

You cannot pay to enter the lake with a card.

Opening Hours

The opening hours are normally 08.00 AM to 05.00 PM.

It is recommended to take a tour so you can avoid any problems with opening and closing times.

Cheow Lan Lake Tour Options

There are several tours you can choose from in Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake.

They can be arranged from most hotels in and around Khao Sok National Park and from further afield. You can even book them online.

Some examples include half-day and full-day Cheow Lan Lake tours, trekking tours, Tubing tours, canoeing, Elephant bathing, hot springs and overnight stays at Khao Sok floating bungalows.

But I recommend booking well in advance to avoid any disappointment when you arrive in the high season:

• From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: A day trip from Khao Lak includes Cheow Lan Lake and a visit to Nam Rad Emerald Pool.
• Khao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake: Go privately around the lake and see it in peace. Includes photo stops and swimming time.
• From Khao Lak or Phuket: 2-Day Cheow Lan Lake Tour: This 2-day overnight excursion means you’ll stay in a raft house and includes meals too.

Our Cheow Lan Lake Tour Experience

We explored Cheow Lan Lake on a tour.

Save

The pickup truck collected us in the morning at 08.30 AM, and a little under an hour later, we arrived at Ratchaprapha Dam. From there, we zipped out on the water on a long-tail boat, which included life jackets.

The water seemed not to move as we blazed our way north. We overtook other boats that were either slower or had broken down.

But not us, thankfully.

The tour itself costs 1,500 Baht with additional park fees. We first stopped off at Phutawan Raft House. We ate here, then rented a kayak and explored the lake for about 45 minutes.

Save

After we came back, we got to swim for about forty minutes or so. There are toilet facilities here and a place to sit and relax from the hot sun.

This was one of my favourite activities in Thailand in six months.

We heard wildlife in the jungle from the kayak.

Floating alone in the water, just the two of us for a big distance, was unique and memorable.

Save

Later, we visited Pra Kai Petch Cave and Khao Sam Kloe.

Khao Sam Kloe is the famous picture of the three limestone cliffs commonly found when searching the lake online. Pra Kai Petch Cave was so much fun to explore with deep, wooden ladders and a crocodile statue.

The latter was the ultimate picture I had in mind of Thailand with limestone cliffs, clear water and wildlife all around.

What To Do In Khao Sok National Park?

Khao Sok National Park Jungle Trek

We also did a jungle day trek (there are night options too).

Save

All of these experiences were worth the money. Seeing monkeys swing through the trees (one even threw poop at us), snakes sleeping on the trees, and the jungle buzzing from the wildlife was great.

We were allowed to swim in a safe setting directly in front of the Khao Sok National Park floating bungalows.

Others were able to walk back into their bungalows to dry off or sit at the door watching what was happening outside.

Khao Sam Kloe

If you are staying a night at the floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park or just visiting on a day trip, then you need to see Khao Sam Kloe.

Save

Also known as the three brothers, these three limestone formations beautifully pop up from the lake, and our boat swung around so we could all get pictures.

Getting To Khao Sok National Park

You can get to Khao Sok National Park in several ways.

Save

If you come from the south, like Phuket (3-hour drive) or Khao Lak (1-hour drive), you can have a much easier time getting there, if I am honest.

Coming from Bangkok or the north is much longer.

Most travellers end up staying in Khlong Sok before they enter the park because it’s a great base, and they use a bus/minibus to get there from surrounding towns and cities.

Khlong Sok has loads of options for every traveller, whether budget, mid-range, or luxury. When I visited, I stayed at The Royal Bamboo Lodge. I recommend this place because it has good wifi, a very good breakfast, and a swimming pool included. The rooms were elevated off the ground and were made from bamboo, hence the name.

We were also only 300 metres from the park entrance.

By Minivan/Bus

Countless bus companies take people from Bangkok to Khlong Sok with a few stops for food and the toilet.

Save

At Surat Thani, you may need to switch to a minibus as travellers break up into smaller groups and go to different locations within southern Thailand.

This is exactly what happened to us. A short wait at a bus stop in Surat Thani, and we jumped into a minivan, and another hour and 40 minutes will take you to Khlong Sok.

We did have to wait a few hours, which dragged on the trip, but this can happen on such long trips in Thailand, though rarely.

The cost for a bus from Bangkok to Khao Sok ranges from 1,100 ($33.00/€28.95/£24.80) to 1,600 THB per person ($48.03/€42.11/£36.09). We had to pay an extra 100 Baht ($3.00/€2.63/£2.25) to get a small minibus to your hotel in Khlong Sok.

This was a surprise to us as we were told the ticket included everything, but we weren’t really upset about it as the fee is minimal.

By Plane

There are many airports where you can get to Khao Sok.

Save

I recommend flying from Bangkok and Chiang Mai, to Surat Thani International Airport, but not flying from Phuket, as the flight and minivan will take around the same time, whereas a shared minivan will take you here in 3 hours alone.

Should you fly directly into Surat Thani, I suggest you stay overnight close by, rest and recover from the jet lag and the following day travel to Khao Sok. There are bus services that you can take from the airport and head for the national park, making life easier.

You can get flights from Bangkok from as little as $85.00, Chiang Mai from $100.00-$150.00.

Surat Thani Airport: You can get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani Airport in about 2.5 hours via bus. The distance is 109 KM.

Phuket Airport: Takes about 3.5 hours, and the distance is 190 KM.

Krabi Airport: 138 KM from the park and takes about 3 hours.

By Train

You can get an overnight or day trip train from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

Save

Surat Thani’s Phun Phin train station is where you need to go from Bangkok; however, the train station in Surat Thani is about 16 kilometres from Surat Thani town centre.

You will be able to book a taxi from the town centre or train station to go the final leg to Khao Sok National Park.

Then you can get a minibus to your final destination. The train leaves from Krung Thep Aphiwat in the north of the city and takes around 10 and a half hours.

You can book your tickets online in advance, and certainly not the day before, in case it’s full.

Save

On 12Go, fares range from 420 THB ($12.58/€11.00/£9.42) at the cheapest up to 880 THB ($26.31/€23.00/£19.70) at the top end, so you will need to choose. The lower prices tend to be basic fan seats, while the higher ones get you air conditioning and a sleeper bed, which is worth paying for on an overnight journey of this length.

But be aware that there are different classes, where some include a fan only, and some have AC. Stops along the southern route usually include Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Chumphon.

Train journeys that I have done in Vietnam of this duration can be exhausting, especially in the evening, as it’s hard to sleep well overnight.

I would recommend flying to save time and feel better physically.

Directions to the Park

Tourists usually enter the park via two entrances:

• Khao Sok National Park HQ – WG8H+75M, Khlong Sok, Phanom District, Surat Thani 84250, Thailand

The park headquarters is here, and you can access the jungle trek tour from here. There are a few cafes close to the entrance, and when I visited, there were plenty of families and couples coming in and out.

• Cheow Lan Pier (Ratchaprapha Pier) – XRGC+V52 Unnamed Rd, Khao Phang, Ban Ta Khun District, Surat Thani 84230, Thailand

This is where you can explore the lake on the boat and visit the floating bunaglows It. You must pay the entrance fee to gain access to the park here too. Hundreds of people arrived here and made their way to the ticket office and then the boat.

Tours arranged beforehand typically don’t include the entrance fees, so ensure you have cash in hand to pay for these fees.

What To Pack

It is best to visit Khao Sok National Park and be prepared.

Save

Assuming you want to visit the scenic jungle, lake, and landscape and do it safely, bring the following items:

• Camera – I’ll be honest, leave the proper camera at home, your phone is more than enough out on the water.
• Power Bank – to get many pictures if the battery runs out. Just bring a waterproof bag to carry it in in case it falls into the lake.
• Water Bottle – always handy to have.
• Sunscreen – skin protection. An absolute must if you have pale skin like me.
• Sunglasses – eye protection.
• Swimwear – for kayaking and swimming in the lake.
• Waterproof bag – protects the camera from rain.
• First Aid Kit – just in case you get hurt.
• Insect Repellent – lots of mosquitoes in the jungle. When I visited, they were always present in the morning and evening.
• Long trousers – keep legs covered from bites.
• Long tops – keep arms covered.
• Light Rain Jacket – it can rain heavily.

I would not bring my sandals or drone unless I had permission to fly.

Travel Insurance For Thailand

Do not travel without insurance.

Save

Thankfully, when I needed to get blood tests, medication and see the doctor and nurse in Khao Lak, a 2-hour drive from Khao Sok, I was covered under Safety Wing. They reimbursed me within hours once I got all my paperwork in.

I could not recommend them enough.

Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalows: Was It Worth It?

Yes, the floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park are epic.

The park has so many fun and adventurous activities for people to do; it’s a great place to spend a few days, especially as a digital nomad.

Though the floating bungalows are a unique and fun way to spend time in the park, really, the park and Cheow Lan Lake are the main attractions. A Cheow Lan Lake tour is totally worth doing. Considering the cost and what’s included, it’s a no-brainer to see the best the region has to offer.

Here you can kayak, swim, snorkel and explore the rainforest. Getting the speedboat around the clear turquoise water is honestly like moving in slow motion. The water glistens but doesn’t move. The karst landscape stands tall around you.

I can’t think of another place in southern Thailand that offers all of this in one day.

If you liked this post, then you will enjoy our Southeast Asia Packing List to ensure you bring all you need to Thailand and download my free Thailand ebook to help plan your trip.

Any questions, just ask.

Thanks for reading,

James

---

FAQs

How Much Are The Floating Bungalows In Khao Sok National Park?

You can choose different budgets for the floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park. There are budget, mid-range, and luxury options. In the low season, you can pay between 800 and 1,200 Baht, while in the high season, prices range from 1,200 to 1,800 Baht. I also saw one overnight lake experience advertised for 2,500 Baht. Keep in mind that depending on where you stay, you will likely share a bathroom, have cold showers, and have basic facilities.

Do Khao Sok Bungalows Have Electricity?

You can have access to electricity, but don’t think you’ll be able to stream on your laptop Netflix all night with it plugged into the outlet. During the day, you’ll have a limited supply and will have to share the charging area with others. Budget and mid-range, forget about it. Even Panvaree The Greenery only gets electricity after 05.00 PM

How Do You Book Khao Sok Floating Bungalows?

When I visited, you could book a stay in the Khao Sok floating bungalows from a local provider, which included the tour that I did. Especially for the budget options. Mid-range and Luxury options can be booked online on Booking.com and Agoda.

• My Two Weeks In Cambodia Itinerary (From Someone Who Spent Nearly A Month There)
• How To Visit Angkor Wat In 2026
• Best Restaurants In Siem Reap: Where To Eat And What To Order
• Where To Stay In Siem Reap In 2026 (Neighbourhoods And Hotels)
• 3 Days In Siem Reap, Cambodia (And What I’d Skip)