How to Get to Koh Lanta: Routes From Krabi, Phuket and Bangkok

Quick answer: how to get to Koh Lanta

Fly into Krabi Airport, then take a minivan across the car ferry. Published guides say Koh Lanta has no airport of its own, so every route ends with a ferry or bridge crossing. Confirm flight options on the Airports of Thailand site before you book. Boats from Krabi take about 2 hours but are reported unavailable from roughly May to October. Where a fare or schedule is not confirmed below, the table says so. Check current fares and times with the operator before travel.

From Krabi Airport or Krabi Town

Krabi is the main gateway, and you have three workable options. A private minivan fits about 6 people at a fixed price, so splitting it helps a group. Public vans cost less but run crowded and hot. Both cross on a car ferry that costs little, though vehicle queues can add waiting time. Boats leave from Krabi Town, the passenger pier, Ao Nang and Phi Phi. From Ao Nang, a free pickup takes you to Nopparat Thara Pier, where boats depart. Boat crossings take about 2 hours at about 400 Baht. Speedboats add hotel pickup and drop-off. They are the fastest and priciest choice, so confirm the crossing time when you book. Door to door, the sequence runs airport, then pier or ferry, then the island, then your hotel. Our Krabi to Koh Lanta guide covers that leg in more detail. Details on boat services sit in the Koh Lanta ferry guide.

• Minivan plus car ferry: all-year, door-to-door, queue risk at the crossing
• Passenger boat: about 2 hours, about 400 Baht, not available roughly May–October
• Speedboat: hotel pickup and drop-off, fastest, most expensive

From Phuket

Phuket looks close on a map. Straight-line distance to Koh Lanta is about 90 km, but the road route runs about 240 km. Plan 5–6 hours either way. Boats are the other option, and sea conditions decide whether they run at all. A standard ferry is cheapest and slowest, with a stopover at Phi Phi of about one hour. A speedboat or high-speed ferry takes no more than 2 hours. Spending a night or two on Phi Phi splits the trip and avoids 5 hours on the water. Our Phi Phi versus Koh Lanta comparison helps you judge whether the detour fits your plans.

From Bangkok

Bangkok to Krabi by bus takes about 12 hours and costs about 800 Baht, according to published guides. Buses leave from Southern Bus Station or Khaosan Road. Treat that fare as dated and check it. For trains, consult the State Railway of Thailand for current services. Flying to Krabi costs more but saves most of a day. Overland saves money and costs you an evening and a night. Either way, you finish with the Krabi to Lanta leg above. Our Bangkok to Koh Lanta guide compares the full journey.

Which route should you pick?

Match the route to your constraint, not to the shortest number on a timetable. These picks come from the figures above.

• Lowest budget: public van with the car ferry, or the boat at about 400 Baht in season
• Fastest: Krabi Airport, then a speedboat with hotel pickup
• Seasickness-prone: minivan over the car ferry, which avoids open water
• Families with luggage: private minivan, since the fare is fixed for about 6 seats
• Late arrival: ask operators for last departures and keep a buffer, since no times are confirmed here
• Rainy season: road route only, because boats are reported unavailable roughly May–October

Season and weather

Sea conditions turn boat travel into a seasonal decision. Reports say boats do not run from around May to October, when the sea is rough. Check forecasts from the Thai Meteorological Department before you commit to a boat day. If a departure is cancelled, switch to a minivan with the car ferry from Krabi. Book hotel pickups with flexible terms where possible. Our Best Time to Visit Koh Lanta: Month-by-Month Guide page explains the wider seasonal picture.

Last mile: pier or ferry landing to your hotel

Saladan holds the main pier, along with food stalls and travel agencies. From there, pickup trucks and taxis carry you onward. Island taxi rides run about 50–200 Baht depending on the route. Hotels at Long Beach or Klong Nin sit farther from the pier than a stay near Saladan, so budget more time and money for them. Quieter areas cost more to reach still. Ask your hotel for a transfer quote before you arrive. Our guide to getting around Koh Lanta covers taxis and scooters.

Mistakes to avoid

Most problems come from timing, not distance. A Phuket transfer of 5–6 hours or a Bangkok bus of about 12 hours leaves little slack for a tight connection. Once you are on the island, plan your first days with our 8 Things To Do In Koh Lanta: Planner By Days, Season guide.

• Booking a tight onward flight after leaving the island
• Arriving after the last boat or van, whose times you must confirm with the operator
• Assuming boats run year-round, when they are reported unavailable roughly May–October
• Skipping the final transfer budget, where taxis run about 50–200 Baht