Phuket to Koh Lanta is a popular next step after a few days on Thailand’s biggest island. There are two ways to do it: a ferry across the Andaman Sea, often with a stop or change at Koh Phi Phi, which runs mainly in the dry season, and a van that drives around the bay through Phang Nga and Krabi provinces and crosses to Lanta on a car ferry, which runs all year.
This guide compares both, with prices shown by 12Go on 13 November 2026, plus tips on piers, luggage and timing.
Quick answer: from November to April, take the ferry for the scenic route (often via Phi Phi). Year-round, the van with hotel pickup is the reliable choice. 12Go lists Phuket to Koh Lanta from about ฿743.
- Ferry
- Mainly Nov–Apr
- Van
- Year-round
- From
- About ฿743 (12Go)
- Ferry arrives
- Saladan pier
- Van arrives
- Your hotel
Phuket to Koh Lanta: Ferry or Van?
| Ferry | Van | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Mainly dry season | Year-round |
| Route | Across the sea, often via Phi Phi | Around Phang Nga Bay by road + car ferry |
| Pickup | Hotel transfer to the pier often available | From your Phuket hotel |
| Drop-off | Saladan pier | Your Lanta hotel |
| Best for | Scenery, a Phi Phi stopover | Monsoon months, luggage, families |
Most travellers going from Phuket to Koh Lanta in the high season choose the ferry because it is scenic and can include a stop on Phi Phi. Outside the dry season, or if you prefer door-to-door transport, the van is the dependable option.
Phuket to Koh Lanta by Ferry
Ferries from Phuket to Koh Lanta leave from Rassada pier on Phuket’s east coast. Some services call at Koh Phi Phi on the way, where you may stay on board or change boats; others run more directly. The boat lands at Saladan pier in the north of Koh Lanta, where taxis wait.
Because they follow the dry-season timetable, ferries from Phuket to Koh Lanta can stop running between about May and October. When they do operate in shoulder months, the sea can be rough. Check the live schedule before planning around it.
Break the Journey on Koh Phi Phi
A neat way to travel from Phuket to Koh Lanta is to split it: Phuket to Phi Phi, two nights on the island, then Phi Phi to Lanta. You see Maya Bay and the viewpoints without backtracking. See Phuket to Phi Phi, where to stay in Phi Phi and Koh Lanta to Phi Phi.
Phuket to Koh Lanta by Van
Vans from Phuket to Koh Lanta collect passengers from hotels and drive north-east around Phang Nga Bay into Krabi province, then south to the car-ferry piers and across to the island. It is a long day on the road, typically most of a day including pickups, a rest stop and the ferry queue, but it runs whatever the weather.
Change in Krabi?
Some van tickets from Phuket to Koh Lanta involve a change of vehicle in Krabi. This is normal; your luggage is moved for you. Keep your ticket handy.
Phuket to Koh Lanta Prices
On 13 November 2026, 12Go listed Phuket to Koh Lanta from about ฿743 and Koh Lanta to Phuket from about ฿732. Ferry and van fares differ, and hotel transfers to the pier may be included or charged separately. Compare the live options for your date.
Compare Phuket to Koh Lanta options
See ferries, vans and private transfers side by side on 12Go.
Private Car or Speedboat
For groups, a private car from Phuket to Koh Lanta avoids pickups and changes, and you can stop on the way at viewpoints over Phang Nga Bay. Private speedboat charters also exist and are fast in calm seas, but they are expensive and weather-dependent.
Arriving on Koh Lanta
Ferries arrive at Saladan; agree the taxi fare to your beach before setting off. Vans usually drop at your hotel. See where to stay in Koh Lanta to choose your beach and the Koh Lanta travel guide to plan your stay.
Koh Lanta to Phuket
The trip back from Koh Lanta to Phuket follows the same options. If you have a flight from Phuket International Airport, check whether your van can drop off at the airport and leave a generous buffer for traffic and the ferry queue. In the dry season, the ferry back to Phuket lands at Rassada pier, a drive from the airport.
Phuket to Koh Lanta: Practical Tips
- Book a day or two ahead in peak season, more around New Year.
- Take motion-sickness tablets for either the sea or the winding roads.
- Keep a dry bag for the boat and small cash for the taxi from Saladan.
- In the monsoon months, assume the van is the only option.
Coming from somewhere else? See how to get to Koh Lanta for every route, including Krabi Airport and Ao Nang.
Phuket to Koh Lanta by Season
| Months | Ferry | Van | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | Starting up | Yes | Confirm the first sailing date |
| December–February | Yes | Yes | Peak season, book ahead |
| March–April | Yes | Yes | Calm seas, hot weather |
| May–October | Usually suspended | Yes | Use the van; expect rain |
Season matters more than anything else on this route. If you are travelling from Phuket to Koh Lanta between May and October, plan on the van; any boat that does run may be cancelled at short notice in rough weather.
Phuket Piers and Pickups
Most ferries from Phuket to Koh Lanta depart from Rassada pier, near Phuket Town on the east coast. Many tickets include a shared minibus from hotels in Patong, Kata, Karon and other beach areas to the pier, collecting passengers early. If your ticket does not include pickup, allow time for a taxi across the island, as traffic around Phuket Town can be slow in the morning.
Before you leave the hotel
- Check the pickup window on your ticket and be in the lobby early.
- Keep passports and valuables in a small bag you carry on board.
- Eat breakfast first: food on the boat is basic.
Phuket to Koh Lanta with Children
With young children, the van from Phuket to Koh Lanta is often easier because it avoids piers, ramps and seasickness, and drops you at your hotel. If you choose the ferry, pick a calm month, sit near the middle of the boat where motion is lowest, and bring snacks and entertainment for a long morning.
Which Option Is Right for You?
| You are… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Travelling in December–April and love the sea | Ferry |
| Travelling in May–October | Van |
| Carrying lots of luggage | Van or private car |
| Wanting to see Phi Phi on the way | Ferry with a Phi Phi stopover |
| A group of four or more | Private car |
Whatever you choose, booking Phuket to Koh Lanta on a single ticket through 12Go keeps the pickup, the ferry or van and any change in Krabi together, which makes it easier to sort out problems if a leg is delayed.
What to Expect on the Way
On the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta, the view is the highlight: limestone islands rising out of the sea, then Phi Phi’s cliffs, then the long green coast of Lanta. Boats usually have an air-conditioned cabin and open decks. The van route passes rubber and palm plantations, small towns and, in Phang Nga province, glimpses of the karst landscape inland. Vans normally make one short stop for toilets and snacks. Whichever way you go from Phuket to Koh Lanta, you will reach the island by early or mid-afternoon if you leave in the morning.
Phuket to Koh Lanta: FAQ
How long is the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta?
Several hours, depending on the route and whether it stops or changes at Phi Phi. Check the duration on each listing.
Is there a ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta all year?
No. Ferries run mainly in the dry season, roughly November to April. Vans run year-round.
Is it better to go from Phuket to Koh Lanta by van or ferry?
The ferry is more scenic and can include Phi Phi; the van is reliable year-round and drops you at your hotel.
How much does Phuket to Koh Lanta cost?
12Go listed fares from about ฿743 on 13 November 2026.
Sources: route and fare data from 12Go Asia, checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Rittigai (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Steven Belcher from Oakland, United States (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Marcin Konsek (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Disclosure: InsideSamui may earn a commission when you book through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and timetables quoted here were checked on 13 November 2026; they change by season and operator, so confirm when you book.