Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta is the most common way to reach the island, because Koh Lanta has no airport of its own. From the arrivals hall at Krabi International Airport (KBV), shared vans and private taxis drive south, cross to the island on a short car ferry and drop you at your hotel. The whole trip usually takes a few hours.
This guide compares the options from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta, explains what happens at the airport and the ferry crossing, and gives prices shown by 12Go on 13 November 2026.
Quick answer: book a shared van from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta (12Go lists it from about ฿350), or a private taxi for families and late flights. Vans run year-round and drop off at hotels on the island.
- From
- Krabi Airport (KBV)
- To
- Your Lanta hotel
- Shared van from
- About ฿350 (12Go)
- Crossing
- Car ferry + bridge
- Season
- Year-round
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta: Your Options
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared van | Fixed departures, several drop-offs on Lanta | Solo travellers, couples, budgets |
| Private taxi / car | Driver meets you, goes straight to your hotel | Families, groups, late arrivals |
| Van to pier + boat | Seasonal combination via Krabi piers | Rarely worth it from the airport |
For most people, Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta by shared van is the best balance of price and convenience. A private car makes sense for three or more people, with lots of luggage, or if your flight lands late.
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta by Shared Van
Shared vans from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta leave at set times through the day. After you collect your bags, find the operator’s desk or meeting point in arrivals (the location is on your ticket), and the driver will call passengers when the van is ready. The route heads south through Krabi province to the car-ferry pier, crosses to Koh Lanta Noi, then takes the bridge to Koh Lanta Yai.
On the island, drivers drop passengers at hotels along the west coast in turn. Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta by van usually takes around two to three hours, depending on traffic, queues at the crossing and the number of drop-offs.
Book the right departure
Choose a van that leaves at least an hour after your scheduled landing to allow for delays and baggage. If your flight is late, contact the operator straight away.
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta by Private Taxi
A private taxi from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta costs more than a seat in a shared van, but you leave when you are ready and go straight to your hotel. You can book at the taxi counter in arrivals or in advance online. Pre-booking is safest for night arrivals, as counters and vans thin out in the evening.
The Car-Ferry Crossing Explained
Every road trip from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta includes short car-ferry crossings. Vans drive on, passengers usually stay in or next to the vehicle, and the crossing takes only a few minutes. Ferries run frequently through the day and into the evening, but in peak season the queue of cars and vans can add waiting time. Once across, the bridge links Lanta Noi with Lanta Yai, the main island.
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta Prices
On 13 November 2026, 12Go showed shared transfers from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta from about ฿350, with the return trip at a similar price. Private cars cost more and are priced per vehicle. Prices can change with demand, so check the live fare for your date before travelling.
Book Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta
Compare shared vans and private transfers with live times on 12Go.
Arriving Late at Krabi Airport
If your flight lands in the evening, there may be no shared van left from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta. Options: pre-book a private taxi, or spend the night in Krabi Town or Ao Nang and take a morning van. Krabi Town is close to the airport and has inexpensive hotels; see Krabi airport transfers for options.
Arriving on Koh Lanta
Most vans from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta drop off at hotels along the west coast. Resorts in the far south or up steep side roads may ask you to switch to a local taxi at the main road. Check with your hotel. Still choosing a beach? See where to stay in Koh Lanta.
Koh Lanta to Krabi Airport
The return from Koh Lanta to Krabi Airport works the same way: vans collect from hotels and drive back across the car ferry. Leave plenty of time before your flight, especially in peak season when the crossing gets busy. Many travellers choose a van that arrives three to four hours before departure.
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta: Tips
- Withdraw some Thai baht at the airport ATM before leaving.
- Keep your hotel address and phone number handy for the driver.
- Take motion-sickness tablets if you get car-sick: parts of the road wind through hills.
- In peak season, book your transfer when you book your flight.
- With small children, ask for a private car; shared vans rarely have child seats.
For every other way to reach the island, see how to get to Koh Lanta.
Shared Van or Private Car? A Quick Decision Guide
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Solo or couple, daytime flight | Shared van |
| Family with small children | Private car |
| Group of three to four | Private car (cost per person is close) |
| Landing after dark | Private car or a night in Krabi |
| Tight budget, flexible schedule | Shared van |
The right way to go from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta depends on group size and timing more than price. A shared van is the cheapest per person; a private car is often the better deal for families once you divide the cost.
What the Journey Looks Like
- Landing: collect bags and head to arrivals.
- Meeting point: find the operator desk or driver with your name.
- Drive south: about an hour and a half through Krabi province, with palm and rubber plantations.
- Car ferry: a short crossing to Koh Lanta Noi, plus waiting time.
- Bridge and island road: across to Lanta Yai and down the west coast to your hotel.
Knowing the stages helps you judge delays: most of the variation from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta comes from waiting at the meeting point and the ferry queue, not the driving.
Alternative: Fly into Trang
Trang airport, to the south-east, is another option when Krabi flights are full or expensive. Road transfers from Trang also reach Lanta via the car ferry. For most international travellers, though, Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta remains the simplest route because Krabi has more flights and more transfer departures.
Good to know
Whichever airport you use, the island’s main pier and village, Saladan, is in the north, close to where the road arrives. Hotels on Klong Dao and Long Beach are the quickest to reach; the south of the island adds time.
Luggage, Surfboards and Dive Gear
Shared vans have limited space at the back, and large items such as surfboards, bikes or dive bags may not fit if the van is full. If you travel heavy, mention it when you book Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta, or choose a private car. Most operators accept one large suitcase and one small bag per person without extra charge, but rules differ, so check the ticket conditions. Strollers usually fit if folded.
Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta: FAQ
How far is Krabi Airport from Koh Lanta?
The road trip from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta takes around two to three hours including the car-ferry crossing.
Is there a direct bus from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta?
Shared minivans run directly to hotels on the island; there is no large public bus.
How much is a taxi from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta?
Private cars are priced per vehicle and cost more than shared vans; compare live prices on 12Go or at the airport counter.
Can I take a boat from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta?
Only by first going to a pier on the mainland in the dry season. From the airport, the van is simpler.
Sources: route and fare data from 12Go Asia; airport details from Wikipedia. Checked on 13 November 2026.
Photos: Karelj (Public domain, Wikimedia Commons); Steven Belcher from Oakland, United States (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Till Niermann (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Stefan Fussan (CC BY-SA 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.