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Surat Thani is the gateway to both the rainforest of Khao Sok and the islands in the Gulf of Thailand. This loop from Surat Thani Airport takes in both: a night on Cheow Lan Lake, the car ferry to Koh Samui with your hire car, the quiet beaches of Khanom and the great temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
At a glance
- Start and finish
- Surat Thani Airport
- Distance
- About 750 km, plus two ferry crossings
- Days
- 7
- Driving per day
- Mostly 1 to 3 hours
- Ferry
- Car ferry Don Sak to Koh Samui, about 1.5 hours each way
- Best time
- January to August
The route day by day
The loop starts inland in Khao Sok and ends on the Gulf coast. Distances are by road; the times are driving time without stops or ferries. The map shows the route, the ferry crossing and the numbered stops.
Day 1: Surat Thani Airport to Khao Sok
About 110 km and 2 hours west on Route 401. The road runs through rubber plantations and past ever higher limestone cliffs to the village at the entrance of Khao Sok National Park (1). In the afternoon, walk along the river from the park headquarters or float down it on a tube.
Day 2: Cheow Lan Lake
About 65 km and 1.25 hours to the dam, then by boat. Leave the car at the car park by the pier at the dam of Cheow Lan Lake (2) and take a longtail boat between the limestone peaks to a floating raft house for the night. In the evening and early morning, with mist on the water, the lake is at its best. Book ahead in high season.
Day 3: Cheow Lan Lake to Koh Samui
About 150 km and 2.5 hours to Don Sak, then the car ferry of about 1.5 hours. Leave the lake in the morning and drive east to Don Sak pier (3). Drive onto the car ferry to Koh Samui; you pay the fare at the pier. Hire cars may go on the car ferries within Thailand, so you have your own car on the island. The ferry arrives on the west coast of Koh Samui, 30 to 45 minutes from the beaches on the north and east coast.
Day 4: Around Koh Samui
The ring road around the island is about 50 km. Start in the north at the Big Buddha (4) and Fisherman's Village in Bophut, then follow the coast south to Lamai, with the rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai (5), and inland to the Na Muang waterfalls. See car hire in Koh Samui for more about driving on the island. With an extra day, take a boat trip from Koh Samui to the Ang Thong Marine Park.
Day 5: Koh Samui to Khanom
The car ferry back to Don Sak, then about 30 km and half an hour to Khanom. Khanom (6) is a long bay with few visitors, seafood restaurants and limestone hills behind the beach. Early in the morning, look out for the pink dolphins that live in the bay.
Day 6: Khanom to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani
About 240 km and 3.5 hours in total, the longest day of the loop. Drive south along the coast to Nakhon Si Thammarat, about 1.5 hours. Wat Phra Mahathat (7), with its tall white chedi, is one of the most important temples in southern Thailand. The city is also known for its shadow puppets: at the workshop of Suchart Subsin you can see the leather puppets being made. In the afternoon, drive north to Surat Thani (8) for the night market.
Day 7: Chaiya and back to the airport
About 90 km and 1.5 hours. Drive north to Chaiya (9), where the old chedi of Wat Phra Borommathat dates back more than a thousand years, and visit the forest monastery of Wat Suan Mokkh nearby. From Chaiya it is about 30 minutes to Surat Thani Airport.
Starting on Koh Samui
Flying into Koh Samui instead? Start the loop on the island. Pick up the car at Samui Airport, take the ferry to Don Sak and drive the loop from Khanom, ending with the ferry back to the island.
Car hire for this road trip
Pick up the car at Surat Thani Airport when you land and return it there at the end of the loop. You take the same car across to Koh Samui on the ferry. Car hire in Surat Thani has the other pick-up points and more about driving there.
Car hire prices at Surat Thani Airport
From, total for 7 days
| Pick-up point | Small | Mid-size | Large / SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surat Thani Airport | €195 | €278 | €398 |
Total for a 7-day rental, fully insured with everything included. Rates vary by car, availability and how far ahead you book. Updated 12 November 2026. About this price
Included in the price
- Collision damage and theft cover
- Damage to windows, tyres, roof and undercarriage
- Lost or damaged keys and towing after an accident or breakdown
- Third-party liability, topped up to €10 million
- Unlimited mileage
- Local taxes and airport fees
- Fair fuel policy: return the car with the fuel level you picked it up with
What to bring
- Driving licence
- Your own licence held for at least 1 year (3 years for selected cars), plus an International Driving Permit.
- Credit card
- In the main driver’s name. The desk holds the deposit on it.
- Deposit
- About €136 to €545 (5,000 to 20,000 baht), depending on the car.
- Driver age
- From 21 on selected cars, from 25 on the others. Each car shows its age limits before you book.
- Additional driver
- Included with every car.
Driving on the Gulf coast
The rules for all of Thailand are under Driving in Thailand. On this route, these are the things to know.
The car ferry to Koh Samui
The car ferries from Don Sak to Koh Samui run regularly through the day. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure and queue in the lane for cars; the fare for the car and driver is paid at the pier, passengers pay separately. In rough weather, crossings can be delayed, so do not plan the ferry on the same day as your flight home.
Long, quiet roads
Outside the towns, traffic is light and the main roads are good. The road to Khao Sok has some steep and winding stretches. Fill up in the towns and plan to arrive before dark.
National park fees
Khao Sok and Cheow Lan Lake are in a national park with an entrance fee. Bring cash; raft house packages often include the fee.
Best time for the Gulf coast
January to August is the drier time on the Gulf coast, while the Andaman side has its rainy season. October to December is the wettest period, with the most rain in November. Khao Sok is green all year, with more rain from May to October.
Frequently asked questions
How much does car hire cost for the Gulf coast road trip?
Car hire at Surat Thani Airport starts at €195 a week for a small car, €278 for a mid-size car and €398 for a large car or SUV, fully insured with everything included. You pick up and return the car at Surat Thani Airport. Updated 12 November 2026.
Do I need a credit card?
Yes, a credit card in the main driver’s name. The desk holds a deposit on it: about €136 to €545 (5,000 to 20,000 baht), depending on the car.
Can I take a hire car on the ferry to Koh Samui?
Yes. Hire cars may go on the car ferries within Thailand. You pay the ferry fare at the pier; the crossing from Don Sak takes about 1.5 hours.
How many days do I need for this road trip?
7 days covers the loop with a day on Koh Samui. Add a day for a boat trip to the Ang Thong Marine Park.
Can I start the loop on Koh Samui?
Yes. Pick up the car at Samui Airport, take the ferry to Don Sak and drive the loop from there, back to the island at the end.
When is the best time for the Gulf coast?
January to August. The wettest months are October to December.