Khao Sok National Park Floating Bungalows: What to Expect

What Are Floating Bungalows in Khao Sok?

The floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park are not actually “floating” but are small bungalows on stilts above the water, set in the shallow areas of Cheow Lan Lake. 

They are typically built with bamboo or wood and connected by walkways. Some bungalows have private decks, while others share communal spaces.

Electricity is often limited to a few hours in the evening, and bathrooms are usually shared.

Types of Floating Bungalows (Budget, Mid Range & Luxury)

The type of floating bungalow you stay in varies drastically based on the level of the tour you book. 

Options range from luxury bungalows with full beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private decks to basic bamboo huts with thin mats, open windows, and communal facilities.

Note: There are two main ways to book floating bungalows in Khao Sok:

1. Book directly with the floating bungalow
   This option only includes the lake stay. You’ll need to arrange your own accommodation in Khao Sok town (the mainland) before and after your bungalow stay.
2. Book an accommodation + tour combo through a hostel or hotel in Khao Sok town
   This option includes your accommodation in town, and the hostel or hotel organizes your floating bungalow tour for you.

The budget options we recommend are accommodation + tour combos.

You book your hostel first, then contact them to arrange the floating bungalow tour (at an additional cost) after your stay is confirmed.

The mid-range and luxury options we recommend are booked directly with the floating bungalows, and do not include accommodation in Khao Sok town.

Who Each Type is Best For (Solo, Budget, Couples, Families)

Luxury bungalows are best for families and couples who are looking to really treat themselves! There are plenty of options to choose from and we discuss our favorites in the next section.

During our visit, we were on a budget so booked a basic bungalow. In hindsight we would’ve allocated more of our budget to this part of our Southeast Asia itinerary and picked a more comfortable stay.

If you’re happy to spend less money and still enjoy this unique experience, then a basic bungalow will be perfect!

This option is also great for solo travelers as you’ll likely share a bungalow with another solo traveler and hopefully meet some great people.

Best Floating Bungalows in Khao Sok (Recommended by Real Travelers)

We go through all the options in depth below, but here’s a quick overview of each floating bungalow option with all the essential info so you can compare.

	Budget Option #1	Budget Option #2	Mid-Range Option (OUR PICK)	Luxury Option
Bungalow/Accomodation Name	Coco Khao Sok Hostel	Smiley Tours	Comfy Family-Run Raft House	500 Rai
Price range (per person)	$74 USD	$80-110 USD	$133 USD (for couple or friends), $210 for solo room	$585 USD
Group size vibe (small group vs big group)	100+ people, Large bus full of backpackers taken to same bungalows	Still large group, but not as chaotic	Up to 20 people	Small groups
Bathroom type (shared vs ensuite option)	Shared toilets divided by gender	Shared toilets divided by gender	En suite toilets for in the deluxe and family rooms	En suite toilets superior rooms
Electricity windows	No electricity	No electricity	Electricity between 6pm and 6am	Electricity between 6pm and 9am
Who it’s for	Budget travelers on a very tight budget. This is the lowest price	Budget travelers who have just a bit more $$ and want a group experience	Couples, friends, families or solo travelers who want a real bed and elevated experience	Travelers looking to splurge on a once on a unique Thailand experience
Our honest downside	Too many guests for number of bungalows	Massive groups are still a con	Not a good deal if you are staying solo	VERY expensive for the quality of service (in our opinion)

Best Budget Tours (Great for Backpackers and Solo Travelers)

Budget Option #1

• Book with: Coco Khao Sok Hostel
• Cost: 2,500baht ($74 USD) per person

Best for:

• Budget backpackers who need the cheapest option
• If you want to stay in the hostel running the tour (convenient)
• You want a big, social group experience

Skip if:

• You are not ok with VERY basic bungalows
• 100+ people arriving together is your worst nightmare

This hostel is located in Khao Sok town. They offer overnight tours to Cheow Lan Lake that you can book upon arrival.

We did this tour. Here’s what’s included:

• Round trip transportation to the lake
• Lunch and dinner (day one), breakfast and lunch (day two)
• Night safari and caving
• Sunrise wildlife spotting tour

If you’re on a super tight budget or a solo traveler, book your tour through Coco Hostel.

Note: If we were about 10 years younger this would have been the PERFECT tour. It included everything you want and was a lot of fun.

That being said, we would have preferred a slightly more boutique tour. There were a ton of people in our group and we would have loved to have learned more about the area while there.

We think you can spend a little more for a significantly more personal experience.

Additional Costs

Even though any tour you take will be (mostly) all inclusive, there are a couple extra fees you may have to pay to the National Park. Make sure you have enough cash for:

• A 500 Baht National Park + Cheow Lan Lake entrance fee (you will need this regardless of the bungalow you book)
• Snacks you want to purchase on the way to or from the park

Your accommodation or tour guide will let you know if there are any additional expenses you will need cash for before you head out.

How to Book a Floating Bungalow in Khao Sok (Without the Confusion)

Before you book a floating bungalow, you need to decide a few things:

• Your ideal comfort level
• Prefered lake area (optional) and the crowd level you’re ok with
• Which city to arrange transport from (and how long it will take)
• How far ahead to book if you want a mid range or luxury bungalow
• How much cash you need for park fees, snacks, etc.
• What to pack in your overnight bag (leave large luggage on the mainland)

Once you have all that figured out, you’re ready to book!

What’s Included In A Floating Bungalow Tour?

If you book a tour, every part of your visit is included in the cost. You’ll receive:

• Round-trip transport from Khao Sok town to the dock (about 1 hour)
• A longboat ride to and from the bungalows (about 1 hour)
• A floating bungalow for the night
• All meals (as listed for each tour)
• Activities like jungle hikes, sunrise wildlife-spotting boat rides, and tubing on the lake
• A local guide

Booking Through Tour Operators vs. Direct Booking

You can book a floating bungalow directly through the national park at a much cheaper price. However, this means:

• You’ll need to arrange and pay for your own water taxi to the bungalows.
• You must bring your own food.
• Activities like jungle hikes and wildlife boat tours are not included.
• National park bungalows book out quickly, and reservations require careful planning.

While you’ll save some money booking directly, we don’t think it’s worth the hassle. The ease of having all food, activities, transport, and accommodation taken care of is worth the extra cost for us.

TOP TIP: There is a warning on the Khao Sok National Park webpage noting a shortage of boats for self-service travelers. The park recommends booking a tour to guarantee a spot.

How to Get to Khao Sok Town (From Popular Tourist Cities)

You can reach Khao Sok by minivan, bus, or private transfer from several cities across Southern Thailand. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Khao Lak to Khao Sok

• Shortest travel time.
• Great for jungle extensions or quick overnight stays.

Phuket to Khao Sok

• Well-connected by minivans, tour shuttles, or taxis.
• Best if you’re flying into Phuket or starting from the west coast.
• Decide if you should go to Phuket or Krabi before you arrive in Khao Sok.

Surat Thani to Khao Sok

• Best for travelers arriving by train or flying from Bangkok.
• Vans often wait at the train station for arriving passengers – no booking needed.

Our Route to Khao Sok (+ Pro Tips for Booking Transport)

We took the overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, then hopped in a waiting minivan to Khao Sok town. It was super easy – there were signs and drivers ready to direct passengers toward the right vehicle.

On the way back, we booked a van to Krabi through our accommodation, which was cheaper and more flexible than anything online.

TOP TIP: Short journeys within Thailand are better to book on the spot rather than with 12Go. There will be more options at a cheaper price in person.

How to Get to the Floating Bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake

Once you’ve arrived in Khao Sok, your tour will handle all transportation to and from the floating bungalows.

• Expect to be picked up from your accommodation and driven to the Cheow Lan Lake pier.
• From there, you’ll transfer by long-tail boat to your floating bungalow.

🛶 If you’re on a budget tour, be prepared for crowds and a bit of waiting – we were one of many groups queuing for the boats.
🚤 On a midrange or luxury tour, the transfer is usually smoother, less crowded, and more comfortable.

Things to Do While Staying in a Floating Bungalow

What you do in Khao Sok will depend on the floating bungalow you book.

But at the end of the day, no matter how nice your bungalow is, you’re still on the same lake so the itineraries are pretty similar.

Your days may look something like:

Day 1: pickup, pier, boat ride, lunch, free time swim, kayak, or hike, sunset, dinner, maybe nighttime wildlife safari

Day 2: sunrise safari, breakfast, activity, return

Wildlife Spotting

Our FAVORITE thing we did in Khao Sok was the sunrise wildlife tour. We woke up early to hop on a longboat and quietly cruise around the lake with a local guide. 

He pointed out gibbons leaping between trees and calling to each other, hornbills flying above, and even spotted an elephant hiding in the trees on the shore for us.

Unfortunately the elephant never came out to see us, but we sat holding our breath waiting until it was time to return to the bungalows.

Other travelers have told us they did see elephants in the park, so it’s really all about luck!

Next time we visit, we want to stay an extra night in Khao Sok Village after the tour for a night time wildlife safari. This is the safari we have saved.

Hiking and Cave Exploration

Another popular activity is a  group trek through the Khao Sok jungle.

If you are visiting Khao Sok with a budget tour, be aware that you’ll be trekking with a large group, which means you likely won’t see any wildlife.

We chose to just stick around the bungalows and maximize our time on Cheow Lan Lake (prioritizing our peace – no regrets!!) but we heard the trek was still worth it if you really enjoy hiking.

If we had visited with a smaller group, or were staying 2 nights in the floating bungalows, we probably would have gone on the trek as well.

Watching Sunset and Sunrise

Sunset, and ESPECIALLY sunrise, were so, so gorgeous on Cheow Lan Lake. We woke up extra early before our wildlife tour to watch the sunrise.

Seeing the colorful longboats reflecting on the completely still lake with the colors of the sunrise over the mountains around us was one of the most special mornings of our entire 3 weeks in South Thailand.

Relaxing and Swimming

Khao Sok National Park has no cell service, so it’s the perfect opportunity to unplug, relax, and spend some time swimming in a beautiful lake. 

Our bungalows had floaties to relax in as well as plenty of space on the dock to sunbathe and read a book. We fully appreciated the chance to disconnect and have everything taken care of for us for a couple days!

TOP TIP: Beer is sold in Khao Sok National Park, but it’s very pricey. Khao Sok isn’t a huge party destination.

Best Time to Visit Khao Sok Floating Bungalows

Dry season in Koh Sok National Park is between December and April. Rainy season is between June and October.

You can visit the Khao Sok floating bungalows in any season, but there are pros and cons to both dry and rainy seasons.

Dry Season

Pros:

• Better weather for swimming, trekking, and relaxing
• More options for tours running means more freedom in your itinerary

Cons:

• More expensive
• Bigger crowds (though it’s still not that busy)

Rainy Season

Pros:

• More likely to see wildlife
• Less expensive
• Less busy than high (dry) season
• The jungle is lush and green and waterfalls are flowing

Cons:

• You may be stuck in the rain your whole trip
• Budget accommodation may not be super waterproof

What to Pack for Your Floating Bungalow Stay

Most Khao Sok floating bungalow stays are just 1–2 nights, and since space is limited on the long-tail boats and in the bungalows, you’ll only bring a small day pack.

👉 Your main luggage will stay at your guesthouse in Khao Sok town – all accommodations offer this as a free service.

Here’s exactly what we recommend bringing:

Clothing & Footwear

Keep it light and functional — you won’t need much.

• 1 outfit for day one (light and breathable)
• 1 clean outfit for day two
• Pajamas or something to sleep in
• Swimsuit
• Flip flops or crocs (for walking around bungalows and getting in/out of boats)

Essentials for the Lake & Jungle

This is where you’ll thank yourself for packing smart:

• Quick dry towel
• CASH – Bring small bills for kayak rental, snacks, beers, or tips
• Dry bag – Protect your phone and valuables during boat rides and in case of rain
• Head torch or flashlight – Many bungalows have limited lighting
• Earplugs (optional) – Jungle sounds at night are very real

Sustainable Travel at Khao Sok: How to Visit Responsibly

Tourism has transformed Khao Sok National Park into a new hot-spot in Thailand, but with that comes a responsibility to respect the existing community and environment. 

Minimizing Your Impact on the Lake

Imagine crystal-clear waters, undisturbed and pristine. Keeping it that way means packing out any trash and using reef-safe sunscreen that won’t harm aquatic life. 

Every little action adds up, and these are super easy ways to have less impact.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Bungalows

Some floating bungalows prioritize sustainability by using solar power and minimizing plastic waste. Staying at these eco-conscious accommodations helps preserve the beauty of the lake for future travelers.

Be mindful of the tours you choose as well—avoid those that disturb wildlife or contribute to environmental degradation.

👉 We like to book through platforms that have already vetted experiences for good practices, and lately, Seek Sophie has been one of our favorites.

Respecting Local Wildlife & Ecosystems

As you take wildlife tours or hike through the jungle, remember you’re a guest in nature. 

Keep noise levels low to avoid disturbing animals, and never feed or touch wildlife. Observing from a respectful distance ensures their natural behaviors remain undisturbed.

Helpful Tips for Visiting Khao Sok National Park

Booking & Budgeting Advice

• Book a mid-range or higher-end tour if you want to guarantee your bungalow type.
  On budget tours, you don’t get to choose your floating bungalow – it’s assigned when you arrive. If you want to be sure about having a private deck, better views, or a specific room style, upgrade your tour level.
• Factor in small extra costs.
  While most tours are all-inclusive, you may still need cash for drinks, kayak rentals, or tips. A few hundred baht can go a long way and save you stress.

What We Wish We’d Known Before Our Stay

• The bathrooms are shared – but they’re gender-separated.
  This caught us off guard. You won’t have an en-suite bathroom, but facilities are basic and clean enough. Pack flip-flops and don’t forget your headlamp.
• The power cuts off at night.
  Most floating bungalows only run electricity for a few hours in the evening. Bring a flashlight or head torch – your phone might not last if you’re using it for everything.
• Food is simple and set – bring snacks if you’re picky.
  Meals are included but usually Thai-style and fairly repetitive. There are no stores once you’re out on the lake, so if you have dietary restrictions or just want a snack between meals, pack it ahead of time.

FAQs About Khao Sok Floating Bungalows