Ao Nang to Koh Lanta is one of the easiest hops on the Andaman coast. You can go by shared van, which picks you up at your hotel and crosses to the island on a short car ferry, or, in the dry season, by boat from the Nopparat Thara pier area, often with a stop at Railay. Both options end on Lanta in a few hours.
This guide explains how each option works, when boats run, what to expect at pickup and arrival, and how to book. Prices were checked on 12Go on 13 November 2026.
Quick answer: for Ao Nang to Koh Lanta, take a shared van year-round (hotel pickup, drop-off at your Lanta hotel) or a ferry in the dry season, roughly November to April. 12Go lists the route from about ฿405.
- Distance
- About 2–3 h by road
- Van
- Year-round
- Boat
- Mainly Nov–Apr
- From
- About ฿405 (12Go)
- Arrive at
- Hotel (van) or Saladan pier (boat)
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta: Van or Ferry?
| Shared van | Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Year-round | Mainly dry season |
| Pickup | From your Ao Nang hotel | From the pier (transfer often included) |
| Drop-off | Your Lanta hotel | Saladan pier |
| Ride | Road + short car-ferry crossings | Open sea, scenic, can be rough |
| Luggage | Easy, in the vehicle | Carried on board; ramps and steps |
Most travellers going from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta pick the van for convenience: no pier, no luggage on ramps, door to door. The boat is the scenic choice in calm weather and a good option if you want to see the coast and the islands on the way.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta by Van
Shared minivans run from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta several times a day. The driver collects passengers from hotels around Ao Nang and Nopparat Thara, drives south through Krabi province, and crosses to Koh Lanta Noi on a car ferry before taking the bridge to Koh Lanta Yai. Most vans then drop passengers at hotels along the west coast.
Expect the van journey from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta to take around two and a half to three hours, depending on pickups and the queue at the ferry. In peak season, queues at the crossing can add time, so do not book a tight connection on arrival.
Tell the driver your hotel
When you book Ao Nang to Koh Lanta, enter your Lanta hotel name exactly. Resorts in the far south sometimes charge extra or require a short taxi from a drop-off point.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta by Ferry
In the dry season, a passenger ferry links Ao Nang to Koh Lanta, usually leaving from the Nopparat Thara pier area and often calling at Railay on the way. You may be collected from your hotel and taken to the pier. The boat lands at Saladan pier in the north of Koh Lanta, where taxis and motorbike sidecars wait to take you to your hotel.
Boats running from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta are seasonal and weather-dependent. From around May to October, the south-west monsoon makes the sea rougher and the route is often suspended; use the van instead.
Railay to Koh Lanta
Railay has no road, so the dry-season boat is the simplest way to reach Lanta from there: boats heading from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta often stop off Railay to collect passengers by longtail. 12Go lists Railay to Koh Lanta from about ฿350. In the monsoon, take a longtail to Ao Nang first and continue by van.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta Prices
On 13 November 2026, the lowest fare listed by 12Go for Ao Nang to Koh Lanta was about ฿405, with Koh Lanta to Ao Nang at a similar price. Private transfers cost more but can be good value for a group. Prices move with the season and the operator, so check the live price for your date.
Check Ao Nang to Koh Lanta times
Compare vans, ferries and private transfers with live prices on 12Go.
How to Book Ao Nang to Koh Lanta
- Choose your date and compare departure times on 12Go.
- Pick van or ferry depending on the season and your luggage.
- Enter your Ao Nang hotel for pickup and your Lanta hotel for drop-off.
- Save the e-ticket and the operator’s phone number; pickup times are usually confirmed the day before.
- Be ready in the lobby 15 minutes before the pickup window.
Booking Ao Nang to Koh Lanta a day or two ahead is enough most of the year. Around Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, book earlier.
Arriving on Koh Lanta
If you came by van, you will normally be dropped at your hotel. If you came by boat, taxis wait at Saladan pier; agree the fare before you set off. Not sure where to base yourself? Read where to stay in Koh Lanta and the Koh Lanta travel guide.
Koh Lanta to Ao Nang
The return works the same way in reverse: vans collect from hotels on Lanta and drop off in Ao Nang, and in season the ferry runs back toward Railay and Nopparat Thara. If you are flying out of Krabi rather than returning to Ao Nang, see Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta for direct airport vans.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta: Practical Tips
- Take motion-sickness tablets for the winding roads or the boat.
- Keep water and snacks; stops are short.
- Carry small cash for the taxi from Saladan if you arrive by boat.
- In the monsoon months, plan for the van and allow extra time.
Planning a wider trip? Many travellers go from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta and then on to Koh Phi Phi: see Koh Lanta to Phi Phi and how to get to Koh Lanta for every route.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta by Season
| Months | Van | Boat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | Yes | Restarting | Check the first sailing dates |
| December–February | Yes | Yes | Peak season, book a day or two ahead |
| March–April | Yes | Yes | Calm seas, hot weather |
| May–October | Yes | Often suspended | Monsoon; use the van |
The van is the constant in every season, which is why most guides recommend it for Ao Nang to Koh Lanta. The boat is a bonus in the dry months rather than something to rely on.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta with Children
With young children, the van from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta is usually easier: one vehicle, no stairs or ramps, and air-conditioning. A private transfer is worth considering for families of four or more, as you can stop when you need to and set the departure time. If you choose the boat, ask whether life jackets in children’s sizes are available.
Make a Stop on the Way
If you have time, you can break the journey from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta with a night in Krabi Town, which has markets, the riverside and good-value hotels. Others combine a stay on Railay with the seasonal boat south. Travellers with more time sometimes stop on the quiet islands of Koh Jum or Koh Siboya between the mainland and Lanta, reached by boat or a short longtail from the mainland piers.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta vs Krabi Town to Koh Lanta
The two routes are very similar: vans from Krabi Town follow the same road south, and in the dry season a ferry also runs from Krabi’s pier. If you are staying in Krabi Town rather than at the beach, see Krabi to Koh Lanta. From Ao Nang, the main difference is pickup: vans collect from beach hotels, so you avoid a trip into town.
Which should you choose?
- Staying at the beach: book Ao Nang to Koh Lanta directly.
- Staying in Krabi Town: book from Krabi Town.
- Landing at the airport: book the direct airport van to Lanta.
Ao Nang to Koh Lanta: FAQ
How long does it take from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta?
Around two and a half to three hours by van, depending on pickups and the car-ferry queue. Boats in season can be similar or a little quicker.
Is there a ferry from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta?
Yes, in the dry season, roughly November to April. In the monsoon months, take the van.
How much is Ao Nang to Koh Lanta?
12Go listed fares from about ฿405 on 13 November 2026; check live prices for your date.
Can I go from Railay to Koh Lanta?
Yes. Seasonal boats collect passengers from Railay; 12Go listed the route from about ฿350.
Sources: route and fare data from 12Go Asia, checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Steven Belcher from Oakland, United States (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Rittigai (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Vaclav Zrno (CC BY 3.0, 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.