Minivan/bus + ferry (via Phuket)
Best balance of price, comfort, smooth transfers via Phuket piers
Taxi/car + speedboat
Fastest option, shortest travel time, direct transfer to pier
Private transfer + ferry
Hotel pickup included, flexible timing, easy door-to-door journey
Direct transport
No direct route, always requires transfer via Phuket and boat
Quick answer: Travelling from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai involves a combination of land and sea transport, typically a van or private car ride to Phuket followed by a ferry or speedboat transfer to the island. This journey offers flexibility depending on your budget and schedule, with options ranging from shared vans to private car hires. Planning ahead is recommended to secure the best timings and prices. You can book tickets from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai online.
At a glance:
- 📍 Distance: approx. 140 km via Phuket
- ⏱️ Travel time: ~3–6 hours by van + ferry/boat | ~3–5 hours by private car + ferry/boat
- 💰 Price range: US$ 17–55 per person (van + ferry) | US$ 55–120 per vehicle (private + ferry)
- 🚍 Van + Ferry: Land transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket, then ferry/boat to Koh Yao Yai
- 🚕 Private Car + Boat: Taxi or private car from Khao Lak to Phuket, then boat/ferry to Koh Yao Yai
Last updated in April 2026
From Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai you can get by van, bus, car + boat/ferry.
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- The travel distance from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai (via Phuket) in Thailand spans approximately 140 km and can be covered by van/car + ferry or boat. The most popular transportation option from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai involves bus/van + ferry via Phuket. This cost-effective method typically ranges from $17-55 per person and takes approximately 3-6 hours, including a stopover in Phuket. Vans and buses usually arrive at Phuket Airport or Phuket town, where various ferries or speedboats depart for Koh Yao Yai. Ferry services operate from Bang Rong Pier, Ao Por Pier, Yamu Pier (Yamoo Pier), and Rasada Pier in Phuket.
- Another transport option from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi involves private car/taxi + ferry/boat, also via Phuket. This method takes approximately 3-5 hours and costs about $55-120. There are no direct flights from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai, this island has no airport. Booking tickets or a private car from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi via Phuket is easily accessible online.
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- Koh Yao Yai (or Ko Yao Yai) is the larger of the two main islands in the Ko Yao archipelago, situated in southern Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay within the Andaman Sea. Although Koh Yao Yai is a sizable island, it remains less visited compared to other destinations in Phang Nga Bay, such as Koh Phi Phi. The island lacks an airport and railway connection, making air or train travel impossible. Access to Koh Yao Yai is primarily from Phuket, with various piers and ports offering ferry and boat services from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai. Travelers typically journey from Khao Lak to Phuket first, then take a boat to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi. It’s advisable to review the local weather conditions in our article on Weather in Koh Yao Yai. From Phuket, travelers can also journey to destinations like Krabi or Koh Samui.
| Transfer Mode – Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Van/Bus + Ferry | 3–6 hours | $17–55/pp |
| Taxi/Car + Ferry | 3–5 hours | $55–120 |
How to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai?
1. BUS + BOAT from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai
👉 Bus + boat transfer via Phuket is the cheapest and most popular way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai.
- ✔️ Best for: budget travelers and those comfortable with a transfer in Phuket
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–5 hours (depending on transfer time and chosen pier)
- ✔️ Cost: low to moderate (separate tickets for bus and boat)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium (standard bus + speedboat or ferry)
- ✅ Best Option: Combine bus to Phuket Bus Terminal with a speedboat from Bang Rong Pier or Thiensin Pier
- 💡 Tip: Book tickets online in advance to secure good connections.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Allow some buffer time in Phuket for a smooth transfer.
The cheapest and most popular option for transportation from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai for ordinary travelers is a bus and boat transfer via Phuket. This transportation option has 2 steps, first the journey from Khao Lak to Phuket by a classic larger bus and then the speedboat / ferry to Koh Yao Yai.
The bus and boat transfer from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai can take a total of about 3-5 hours, depending on how long you stay in Phuket and also from which port you use the boat transfer to Koh Yao Yai. Closer to Phuket town is Thiensin Pier, further from the city is the more used Bang Rong Pier.
1. BOOK BUS TICKET to Phuket ➜
Buses leave from Opposite Khao Lak Center or Nang Thong and arrive at Phuket Bus Terminal 1 or 2. You can see all the information and location of the stations when searching and booking tickets online. In the second step, from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai you can use boats from Koh Yao Sun Smile, Suwimol Speedboat, See Sea Blue Marine, Tigerline Travel, Green Beach Travel or Green Planet.
The boat transfer from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai only takes about 30-40 minutes, if you use a private transfer to the pier in Phuket or then to your hotel on Koh Yao Yai, this time may vary and it may take longer, for example 1.5 hours. Boats depart from Bang Rong Pier and Thiensin Pier and arrive at Chong Lard Pier, Baan Laem Yai Pier and Klong Hia Pier.
If you would like to use this transport option, you need to look for a separate ticket for the bus to Phuket and a separate ticket for the boat from Phuket to Koh Yao. In this case, you will have more offers from different companies. You can easily find and buy tickets to Phuket and Koh Yao Yai online in advance.
2. BOOK TICKET to Koh Yao Yai ➜
| Bus Company | Departs in Khao Lak | Arrives in Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| 465 Surat Thani Phuket Trans. | 11:10 | 12:40 |
| 465 Surat Thani Phuket Trans. | 17:30 | 19:30 |
| 465 Surat Thani Phuket Trans. | 10:00 | 12:00 |
| 465 Surat Thani Phuket Trans. | 15:50 | 17:50 |
| Phuket Plus | 06:30 | 09:00 |
| Phuket Plus | 09:20 | 12:00 |
| Phuket Bus and Van Travel | 10:00 | —- |
2. MINIVAN + BOAT from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai
👉 Minivan + boat transfer via Phuket is a faster and more convenient alternative to bus travel from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers who prefer door-to-pier service and fewer transfers
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3.5–4 hours (direct transfer to pier + speedboat)
- ✔️ Cost: $35–42 per person (combined ticket)
- ✔️ Comfort: medium to high (smaller minivan + speedboat)
- ✅ Best Option: Combined minivan and boat ticket with operators like Call Me Taxi and Koh Yao Sun Smile
- 💡 Tip: Book the combined ticket online in advance for a smooth transfer.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Choose hotel pickup and drop-off to save time and effort.
Another and similar option for transport to Koh Yao Yai from Khao Lak, like the bus and boat trip, is a trip by a smaller minivan / minibus and a boat via Phuket. This combined transport to Koh Yao Yai from Khao Lak is offered by Call Me Taxi, which operates smaller minivans with the support of 12go.asia and connecting boat connections from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai, e.g. from Koh Yao Sun Smile.
The advantage of this option is that you will arrive directly to the pier by minivan, from where you can then transfer directly to Koh Yao Yai by speedboat, which saves you time. Transport by minivan and speedboat from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai takes about 3.5-4 hours, but the stated travel time may vary slightly.
Transfer by minivan and boat from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai will cost you a total of $35-42/pp in the form of a combined ticket. In terms of price, this is therefore a more expensive transport option than the classic larger bus and boat via Phuket. The advantage of this option is that you can depart from your chosen location and arrive at your chosen location on Koh Yao Yai and the disadvantage is a higher price of transfer.
If you use the cheaper option of this transport, you will arrive at Chong Lard Pier on the island of Koh Yao Yai. If you want to use the combined transfer by minivan and boat to Koh Yao Yai, you can purchase and search for just one ticket for both travel routes. You can easily search for and purchase this ticket online in advance.
| Service | Departs in Khao Lak | Arrives in Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Call Me Taxi | 14:30 | 15:30 |
| Call Me Taxi | 08:30 | 10:30 |
| Call Me Taxi | 10:30 | 12:30 |
| Call Me Taxi | 14:30 | 16:30 |
| Call Me Taxi | 16:30 | 18:30 |
| Phuket Bus and Van Travel | 09:30 | 11:00 |
3. TAXI / CAR + FERRY from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai
👉 Private taxi/car + boat via Phuket is the most comfortable and flexible way to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai.
- ✔️ Best for: travelers seeking comfort, privacy, and flexible departure points
- ✔️ Travel time: ~3–4 hours (1.5–2 hours by car + boat transfer)
- ✔️ Cost: $45–120 per car + boat ticket (higher overall cost)
- ✔️ Comfort: high (private modern car + speedboat)
- ✅ Best Option: Private taxi to Bang Rong Pier with a connecting speedboat to Koh Yao Yai
- 💡 Tip: Book car and boat tickets online in advance for best availability.
- 🌏 Extra tip: Ideal for groups to split costs and travel more comfortably.
A more expensive but relatively more convenient option for transportation from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai is a private car/taxi transfer to Phuket and then a boat transfer to Koh Yao Yai. This transportation option also has 2 steps and the advantage is that you choose your departure point in Khao Lak and your arrival point in Phuket.
You can then go straight to the pier from where you can then take a speedboat to Koh Yao Yai. Private transfers by modern car and with a driver from Khao Lak to Phuket are offered by companies such as Call Me Taxi, 465 Phuket Surat Thani Transport, Andaman Taxis, Bangkok Taxi24, Kanokwan Travel, Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman, Happy EV Taxi, AEC 168 Transport and Travel, Thailand Travel Taxi, Gosafe Transport, Easyride Services, Smile on Transport or NNS Luxury Limousine.
1. BOOK TAXI / CAR to Phuket ➜
These companies operate on this route classic smaller vehicles or larger SUVs and minivans that are suitable for group travel. A private car/taxi transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on the travel route, where you are going from and where exactly you are going.
The fare to Phuket from Khao Lak ranges from $45-120. These cars can take you to places like Bang Rong Pier, Kata Karon, Patong, Phuket Airport or Phuket town. You will see all the information about the departure and arrival points when you search and book these transfers online.
Then you have to separately search and buy a ticket for the boat transfer from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai. You can easily search for and book a car to Phuket and a ticket for the boat transfer online well in advance.
2. BOOK TICKET to Koh Yao Yai ➜
❓ FAQ + Tips – Travel route from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai:
1. How to book tickets to Koh Yao Yai from Khao Lak?
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- You can book tickets to Koh Yao Yai from Khao Lak on 12go.asia ➜
- You can also search another tickets, e.g. Khao Lak > Phuket, Phuket > Koh Yao Yai…
2. What is the travel time from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai?
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- Travel by minivan / bus + ferry from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai (via Phuket) takes about 3-6 hours.
- Travel by taxi + ferry from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai (via Phuket) takes about 3-5 hours.
3. What is the travel distance from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai?
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- Travel distance from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai is about 140 km by van/car + ferry or boat via Phuket.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai?
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- Travel by minivan or bus + ferry from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai (via Phuket) costs about $17-55/pp.
- Travel by taxi / car + ferry from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai (via Phuket) costs about $55-120.
5. What is the permitted weight of your backpack on the ferry?
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- You can take a backpack weighing up to 20 kg to the boat or ferry, check this information before you book tickets.
6. Is there an airport on Koh Yao Yai Island?
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- No, the closest airport is in Phuket, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi have no airports, there are no flights.
7. Where to book hotel / beach resort in Koh Yao Yai or Phuket?
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- Accommodation in Koh Yao Yai is a bit limited. The most widest range you can find in Phuket.
- Search and book your hotel or resort in Phuket with up to 60% discount > Book resort / hotel in Phuket ➜.
8. Is there also another travel route how to reach Koh Yao Yai?
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- You can travel by private minivan or car from Khao Lak to Krabi and from Krabi you can take a ferry or speedboat to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi. Travel by ferry from Krabi to Koh Yao Yai takes about 1 hour.
9. Where to travel from Koh Yao Yai or Phuket?
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- There are ferries or speedboats to Koh Phi Phi or Krabi. Koh Phi Phi is the most visited island close to Krabi.
- Check and read this article: How to go from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi.
10. Which are the most popular and nice islands in Thailand?
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- There are a lot of various interesting, nice and also isolated or tourist islands in Thailand. Most of them are in the Gulf of Thailand or Phang Nga Bay. Read this article: The Best Islands in Thailand.
💡 Practical Travel Tips for Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai
These practical tips are based on firsthand travel experience and insider knowledge for the journey from Khao Lak’s serene coastline to the peaceful island of Koh Yao Yai — a trip combining scenic road travel with a calm boat ride.
1. Use Pak Bara or Bang Rong Pier as Your Main Departure Points
From Khao Lak, travelers typically transfer to either Pak Bara Pier (near Satun) or Bang Rong Pier near Phuket for ferries to Koh Yao Yai. Pak Bara is less common but can be quieter; Bang Rong offers more frequent boats and faster connections.
2. Arrange Private Transfers for Convenience and Flexibility
While public transport options exist, private taxis or minivans connecting Khao Lak to the ferry piers make the trip smoother, especially with luggage or if traveling in a group.
3. Check Ferry Schedules and Weather Conditions in Advance
Ferry services to Koh Yao Yai may be limited and weather-dependent, especially in the rainy season. Confirm boat times ahead and have backup plans in case of cancellations.
4. Pack Light and Bring Water-Resistant Bags
The boat ride can expose luggage to spray or rain, so packing light and using waterproof covers helps protect your belongings and eases handling during transfers.
5. Plan for a Relaxed Arrival and Island Transport
Koh Yao Yai is laid-back with limited public transport. Arrange a scooter rental or taxi pickup ahead of time to reach your accommodation smoothly from the pier.
6. Consider Timing Your Trip to Avoid Peak Tourist Seasons
Koh Yao Yai remains peaceful year-round, but ferry services and road transport can be busier during holidays. Traveling on weekdays or off-peak times can enhance your experience.
Tip: Taxi, minivan, and ferry tickets from Khao Lak to Koh Yao Yai can be searched and booked online in advance, helping you secure your preferred departure time and comfortable connections — especially useful during busy travel periods.