How to get to Koh Lanta depends on where you start and when you travel. The island has no airport and no bridge to the mainland, so every route ends with either a short car-ferry crossing (for vans and taxis) or a boat to Saladan pier. In the dry season you can choose between the two; in the monsoon months the van route is the dependable one.
This page compares every way to reach the island, with starting prices from 12Go checked on 13 November 2026, and links to a detailed guide for each route. For the island itself, see our Koh Lanta travel guide.
Quickest from abroad: fly to Krabi (KBV), then take a shared van to Koh Lanta (12Go lists fares from about ฿350). Most scenic: the ferry from Koh Phi Phi (from about ฿599). From Phuket: ferry in season or van year-round (from about ฿743).
- Nearest airport
- Krabi (KBV)
- Main pier
- Saladan
- Van crossing
- Car ferry + bridge
- Boats run
- Mainly Nov–Apr
- Book via
- 12Go
How to Get to Koh Lanta: All Routes Compared
| From | Starting price* | Main modes | Route guide | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krabi Town | from ฿405 | Van, ferry | Krabi to Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Krabi Airport (KBV) | from ฿350 | Van, taxi | Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Ao Nang | from ฿405 | Van, ferry | Ao Nang to Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Railay Beach | from ฿350 | Ferry, van | — | Check times → |
| Koh Phi Phi | from ฿600 | Ferry, speedboat | Phi Phi ↔ Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Phuket | from ฿743 | Van, ferry | Phuket to Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Bangkok | from ฿1210 | Flight + van, bus | — | Check times → |
| Koh Samui | from ฿1755 | Ferry + van | Koh Samui ↔ Koh Lanta | Check times → |
| Koh Tao | from ฿1146 | Ferry + van | Koh Tao ↔ Koh Lanta | Check times → |
*“From” prices are the lowest fares shown on 12Go’s route pages on 13 November 2026. They change by date, operator and season.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Krabi Town
For most people, how to get to Koh Lanta starts in Krabi Town, the most common starting point. Shared vans pick up from hotels and the bus terminal and drive south, crossing to the island by car ferry. In the dry season a ferry also runs from Krabi’s pier to Saladan. Full details, piers and operators are in Krabi to Koh Lanta ferry and van.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Krabi Airport
If you are wondering how to get to Koh Lanta quickly, flying into Krabi International Airport is the fastest way to reach Koh Lanta from Bangkok or abroad. Shared vans and private taxis leave from the airport and go straight to hotels on the island, so you avoid a stop in town. Book in advance for late arrivals; shared vans run to a timetable.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Ao Nang and Railay
From Ao Nang, vans run year-round with hotel pickups, and in season a boat leaves from Nopparat Thara pier, often calling at Railay on the way. From Railay itself there is no road access, so the dry-season boat is the simplest option; out of season you take a longtail to Ao Nang first.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Koh Phi Phi
Ferries and speedboats link Tonsai pier on Phi Phi with Saladan on Koh Lanta, mainly in the dry season. It is the easiest island-to-island hop in the region. Times, operators and tips are in Koh Lanta to Phi Phi, which covers both directions.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Phuket
If you are working out how to get to Koh Lanta from Phuket, you can take a direct ferry in the dry season, often via Phi Phi, or a van that drives around the bay through Krabi province. The van takes longer but runs year-round and picks up from hotels.
How to Get to Koh Lanta from Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Tao
From Bangkok, the quickest option is a domestic flight to Krabi followed by a van; overnight buses and train-and-bus combinations are cheaper but take much longer. From the Gulf islands, combined tickets connect the ferry to the mainland with a van across to Lanta; see Koh Samui to Koh Lanta and Koh Lanta to Koh Tao. From Hua Hin, see Hua Hin to Koh Lanta.
How to Get to Koh Lanta: Van or Boat?
| Van (with car ferry) | Boat to Saladan | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Year-round | Mainly November–April |
| Pickup | Hotel pickup common | Pier to pier, transfers extra |
| Drop-off | Your hotel on Lanta | Saladan pier |
| Comfort | Road + short crossing | Sea views, can be rough |
| Best for | Monsoon months, luggage | Island hopping from Phi Phi or Railay |
How the van route crosses
Vans drive onto a short car-ferry crossing to Koh Lanta Noi, then use the bridge to Koh Lanta Yai, the main island. Queues at the ferry can add time in peak season.
Arriving on Koh Lanta
Whichever way you choose for how to get to Koh Lanta, boats dock at Saladan in the north. Taxis and motorbike sidecars wait at the pier; agree the fare before you set off, especially for the south of the island. Vans usually drop off at hotels along the west coast. Still choosing a base? See where to stay in Koh Lanta.
Book your transfer to Koh Lanta
Compare vans, ferries and taxis with live times and prices on 12Go.
How to Get to Koh Lanta by Season
The single biggest factor in how to get to Koh Lanta is the season. In the dry months, roughly November to April, you can choose boats or vans on almost every route. In the monsoon months, from around May to October, many passenger boats stop and the van route with the car-ferry crossing becomes the main way on and off the island.
| Route | Dry season (Nov–Apr) | Monsoon (May–Oct) |
|---|---|---|
| Krabi Town / Airport | Van or ferry | Van |
| Ao Nang / Railay | Van or boat | Van (longtail to Ao Nang first from Railay) |
| Koh Phi Phi | Ferry or speedboat | Limited; often via Krabi |
| Phuket | Ferry (often via Phi Phi) or van | Van |
| Koh Lipe | Speedboat south | Usually not running |
Schedules change every year, so treat this as a guide and confirm on the booking page before you plan how to get to Koh Lanta on a tight connection.
How to Get to Koh Lanta Step by Step
1. Pick your starting point
Most international travellers fly into Krabi; others arrive from Phuket, Phi Phi or the Gulf islands. Your starting point decides the options in the table at the top of this page.
2. Choose van or boat
Vans pick up from hotels and drop off at your Lanta hotel; boats are faster on some routes and more scenic but end at Saladan pier. In the monsoon, the choice of how to get to Koh Lanta is made for you: take the van.
3. Book the right ticket
Book through 12Go to see operators, departure times and pickup details side by side. Check whether hotel pickup is included and whether a combined ticket covers every leg.
4. Plan the last mile
From Saladan pier, take a taxi or motorbike sidecar to your hotel and agree the price first. Vans usually drop off at the door.
How to Get to Koh Lanta on a Budget
The cheapest way to reach the island is a shared van from Krabi Town or Krabi Airport, with lowest fares on 12Go around ฿350–405 on 13 November 2026. Ferries from Phi Phi start around ฿600, and longer combined routes from Bangkok or the Gulf islands cost more. Private taxis are the most expensive option but can be good value for a group of three or four.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking a late flight into Krabi and assuming a boat to the island the same evening — vans run later than most boats.
- Forgetting that boats from Railay land on the beach: pack light or use a van.
- Planning a Phi Phi to Lanta boat in the monsoon months without checking that the route is running.
- Not leaving a buffer before an outbound flight: queues at the car ferry can add time in peak season.
Travelling with luggage
If you have large suitcases, the van is easier than boats: luggage goes in the vehicle and you are dropped at your hotel. Boat transfers often involve steps, ramps and sometimes wading.
After You Arrive
Once you know how to get to Koh Lanta, the next decisions are where to sleep and what to do. Read where to stay in Koh Lanta to choose your beach and things to do in Koh Lanta to plan your days.
Check transfer times for your dates
Compare vans, ferries and private transfers on 12Go.
Other Ways to Get to Koh Lanta
From Trang Airport
Trang airport, south-east of the island, is a less-used alternative to Krabi. Flights from Bangkok are fewer, but vans and taxis connect Trang with Koh Lanta by road and the car-ferry crossing. It can be useful if Krabi flights are full or expensive on your dates; compare total journey time before choosing it as your way of how to get to Koh Lanta.
From Koh Lipe and the southern islands
In the dry season, speedboats run north from Koh Lipe with stops at islands such as Koh Bulone, Koh Mook and Koh Ngai before reaching Lanta. It is a long but beautiful island-hopping day. In the monsoon these boats usually stop, and the overland route via Trang or Pak Bara is the alternative.
By private car or self-drive
If you rent a car in Krabi or Phuket, you can drive to the island yourself: follow the road south to the car-ferry piers, cross to Lanta Noi, then take the bridge to Lanta Yai. Ferries charge per vehicle and run through the day. Driving gives you flexibility once you arrive, as public transport on the island is limited.
How to Get to Koh Lanta with Kids
With children, the easiest way of how to get to Koh Lanta is a private transfer or a shared van with hotel pickup: no changes, no luggage on boat ramps, and air-conditioning all the way. Bring snacks and motion-sickness tablets for the winding sections. Boats are fun in calm weather, but check the operator allows car seats or has life jackets in children’s sizes.
How Long Does It Take?
Journey times depend on pickups, queues at the car ferry and the sea. As a rough guide, allow around two to three hours by van from Krabi Airport or Krabi Town, a little longer from Ao Nang with pickups, one to two hours by boat from Phi Phi, and most of a day from Phuket by road. Check the duration shown on each 12Go listing before you decide how to get to Koh Lanta on a tight schedule.
Returning to the mainland
The same routes work in reverse. If you are flying out of Krabi, choose a van that drops at the airport and leave a buffer of several hours for queues and traffic.
How to Get to Koh Lanta: FAQ
Is there an airport on Koh Lanta?
No. The nearest airport is Krabi International Airport (KBV).
Can you reach Koh Lanta by road?
Yes. Vans and cars cross on a short car ferry to Koh Lanta Noi, then a bridge to Koh Lanta Yai.
Do boats to Koh Lanta run all year?
Most passenger boats run in the dry season, roughly November to April. In the monsoon months, use the van route.
What is the cheapest way to get to Koh Lanta?
A shared van from Krabi Town or Krabi Airport is usually the cheapest option.
Sources: route and fare data from 12Go Asia; bridge and district background from Wikipedia. Checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: Steven Belcher from Oakland, United States (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Karelj (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons); Till Niermann (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); No machine-readable author provided. Neitram assumed (based (CC BY-SA 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.