# How much does an overnight at Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok cost, and do you need a tour to stay on the lake? > Cheow Lan Lake raft houses run 2,500-3,100 baht per person for a 2-day tour, or 7,000+ for luxury. Why you cannot book a room without a boat package. - Source: https://clevertourists.com/resources/khao-sok-cheow-lan-lake-floating-bungalow-guide - Authors: Evan & Clara, Clever Tourists (first-hand, from years of travel across 20 countries) - Published: 2026-08-12 Every accommodation on **Cheow Lan Lake** is a floating raft house reachable only by boat, so **you cannot book a room independently** — you book a tour that includes the boat transfer. A standard 2-day/1-night package runs **2,500 to 3,100 baht per person**; mid-range raft houses **3,500 to 5,500 baht**; luxury floating resorts **7,000 to 12,000+ baht**. On top, budget **300 baht** national park entry and **20 to 40 baht** pier fee, in cash. ## The price tiers, and what you get **Budget / bamboo raft houses (2,500 to 3,100 baht per person, 2D1N):** open-air bamboo huts, thin mattresses on the floor, shared and sometimes very basic bathrooms, no Wi-Fi, electricity for limited hours. This is the version most backpackers book, and it is genuinely atmospheric. **Mid-range (3,500 to 5,500 baht):** sturdier wooden structures, private bathrooms, better beds, sometimes 24-hour power. **Luxury floating resorts (7,000 to 12,000+ baht):** air conditioning, en-suite western bathrooms, private kayaks, proper balconies. Panvaree and 500 Rai are the names that come up. Almost every package includes the **long-tail boat transfers, three or four meals, a local guide, a morning and evening wildlife boat safari, and a jungle or cave hike**. That is why the per-person price looks high until you add up what is in it. **Mandatory extras not usually included:** national park entry **300 baht** for adults (150 for children) and a pier or municipal fee of **20 to 40 baht**. Bring roughly **340 baht** in cash for these plus drinks. ## How the two days actually run **Day 1:** meet at the **Cheow Lan Lake pier** at the Rajjaprabha dam around **09:00 to 10:00**. Long-tail boat out, stop at **Khao Sam Kloe** — the three limestone pillars that are the lake's signature image — then on to your raft house for lunch. Afternoon is swimming, kayaking, or a guided jungle trek and cave visit. Sunset wildlife cruise, then dinner. **Day 2:** early morning boat safari around **06:30 to 07:00** for mist and wildlife, breakfast, free time to swim, then the boat back to the pier, arriving around **11:30 to 13:00**. The **Nam Talu cave** section is normally closed from **1 June to 30 November** for monsoon safety, which affects what the guides can offer in the wet season. Ask what is running before you book if the cave is the reason you are coming. ## Getting there Cheow Lan Lake is about **an hour east of Khao Sok village** (Khlong Sok), and the village is where most people stay the night before. • **From Surat Thani** (airport or train station): minivans and buses to Khao Sok or straight to the Rajjaprabha dam pier, roughly **1.5 to 2 hours**. • **From Phuket:** about **3.5 to 4 hours** by shared minivan. • **From Khao Lak:** about **1.5 to 2 hours**. • **From Krabi or Ao Nang:** shared minivans, bookable through local agencies or 12Go. We came to Khao Sok from Mae Hong Son via Surat Thani in January 2023 and stayed four nights, which is more than the lake itself needs — the village is a good base for the national park trails as well. ## Booking, packing and what to expect **Book ahead in the dry season (December to April).** That is peak, and the good raft houses go first. In the shoulder and wet season you can usually arrive in the village and book a 2D1N lake tour for the next day from any guesthouse or tour shop. **Pack light.** Most village accommodation stores large bags for free while you are on the lake; take a small overnight pack. A **dry bag** is not optional — long-tail boats throw spray and tropical downpours arrive without warning. **Cash only.** There are no ATMs on the lake, and no card machines at the pier. Bring enough baht for park fees, drinks, snacks and kayak deposits. **Sleeping on a raft house is not quiet.** Long-tail engines run past at all hours, the raft moves gently, and the wildlife is loud. That is the experience, not a flaw, but light sleepers should bring earplugs. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much is an overnight at Cheow Lan Lake? 2,500-3,100 baht per person for a standard 2-day/1-night floating bungalow tour, 3,500-5,500 for mid-range and 7,000+ for luxury floating resorts. ### Can you book a floating bungalow without a tour? No. All accommodation on the lake is reachable only by boat, so bookings include the transfer, meals, guide and boat safaris. ### How do you get to Khao Sok from Surat Thani? Minivans and buses run from Surat Thani airport or train station to Khao Sok or directly to the Rajjaprabha dam pier, taking 1.5 to 2 hours. ### What extra fees are there on top of the tour? National park entry of 300 baht per adult and a 20-40 baht pier fee, both in cash. Budget about 340 baht plus spending money. ## Official sources - [Khao Sok National Park](https://khaosoknationalpark.org/) - [Tourism Authority of Thailand: Khao Sok](https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/khao-sok-national-park)