To get to Koh lanta is easy and inexpensive. You can journey there by several ways and several methods. You can fly or catch a train or a bus directly from Bangkok to Krabi or Phuket then take a transfer to Koh Lanta as belowed. Moreover, it could be a good idea to stay at Phuket or Krabi for several nights before arriving Koh Lanta. 

From Krabi to Lanta

Starting from November through until April boats leave twice daily from Klong Chi Lard Pier, about 5 kilometres outside of Krabi town. Please note that the old Chao-Fa Pier in Krabi Town itself is no longer used. The boats arrive in Saladan on the northern tip of Koh Lanta about 2 hours later.

If you have already booked with a particular resort, an open pick-up truck or minibus will be waiting at the pier to take you there. This is a free service offered by all Koh Lanta's resorts.

From May to October the boats from Krabi to Koh Lanta do not operate due to strong winds and high waves in the monsoon season. For this time period, minibuses take over public transportation between Krabi and Koh Lanta. The van station is within a tour office, just 30 meters walk from Vogue Department Store (Krabi's downtown).

 Note:

• Price: 300 baht per adult person Children under 12 half price
• Operates daily from November until April (exact start/stop dates are vary)
• Please note that the ferry stops briefly at sea near Koh Jum to transfer passengers to the island)
• Please check for schedule changes locally, before traveling.
  

Note:

• Price: 250 baht per adult person Children under 12 half price
• Driving time is only 1 hour, the rest is queing time of two car ferries which depend on the traffic.
• The schedule is every one hour but may delay and waiting incase many seats available.
• Operate daily and whole year.
• Please check for schedule changes locally, before traveling.

From Phuket / Phi Phi to Koh Lanta

Most visitors to Koh Lanta who are traveling from Phuket, arrive by boat via Koh Phi Phi. The service only runs during high season, from November to April only. There are two boats scheduled every day, both leaving Phuket at 13:00. The first boat journeys via Koh Phi Phi, the second directly to Koh Lanta.

Phuket pier is located just a few kilometres outside of the main town.

The ferry timetable is subject to change when the weather is bad, therefore please check locally, or with this website, before making your journey.

Note:

• Price: Phuket to Phi Phi island 350 baht per adult person Children under 12 half price
  
• Price: Phi Phi island to Koh Lanta 300 baht per adult person Children under 12 half price
• Operates daily from November until April (exact start/stop dates are vary)

Please check for schedule changes locally, before traveling.

Drive from Phuket to Koh Lanta

You can quite easily drive from Phuket to Ko Lanta, enjoying the stunning view of Limestone Mountain and the tropical rainforests of Southern Thailand on the way. The journey takes roughly 4 hours without stopping, but there are many beautiful places of interest to sightsee en route, so many people prefer to take a slower drive and enjoy the scenery.

From Phuket, take the highway to Phang-Nga (HW no.402) around 80 kms to hit the T-junction, just turn right (Turn left to Phang-Nga city) the signed board shown to Krabi and Trang. Keep driving for another 22 kms until the Thap-Pood district and turn right onto road no. 4 ( Phetkasem Rd ). Continue for another 23 kms through the Ao Leuk area until you reach the big junction. If you are taking a more leisurely journey, you can turn right and drive for another 10 kms to visit Thanbok Koranee National Park.

From Ao Leuk Junction, keep going straight on for 40 kms to Krabi Town and turn left. On the road after 30 kms – on the right hand side - is the Ao Nang area with Nopharat and Ao Nang beaches, and the shell fossil cemetery. If this doesn't appeal to you, keep straight on for Krabi.

At the big T-junction with traffic lights, the signposts indicate a left turn to Trang and Had Yai straight on. Drive past Krabi Town (passing another big T-junction) and after approximately 10 kms, there is a left turn for Noppharat Thara National Park (Huay To Fall) and Tham Sua Temple if your time permits. Continue straight past Krabi Airport on the left - another 10 kms takes you past Nua Klong District and it's just 43 kms more to Klong Thom District . Pass Klong Thom and lookout for the right hand turn to Ko Lanta after just 8 kms, be careful not to miss it! Lookout for the signpost directing you to Ko Lanta National Park and Ko Rok.

Keep straight on for another 28 kms and you'll come to the first car ferry. This ferry runs across to Ko Lanta Noi, taking half an hour to an hour depending on traffic. After the first ferry, follow the road around for 4 kms until you see the signpost marked TO THE CAR FERRY - TURN LEFT. Turn down this road and drive for 3 kms until you reach the second ferry to Ko Lanta Yai. This ferry runs for just a short journey and docks at Saladan Town .

The ferry costs 50 baht for a car and 10 baht per person. It starts operating at 07:00 and finishes at 22:00 every day.

From Trang to Koh Lanta

For traveler come up from Malaysia or take train down from Bangkok, Trang is only the access point to Ko Lanta with the distance about 140 kilometers and takes approximately 2 hours by minivan, including passage on the two car ferries.

A public minivan service operates throughout the year, with buses leaving daily during 10:00 to 15:30 on every one hour. The minivan station is within a tour office opposite the train station.

Returning trip is easily to book with your resort stayed which the driver will pick you up directly from your place. The ticket has no seat number and the van may be delay incase not full passenger.

Note:

• Price: 250 baht per adult person Children under 12 half price
• Driving time is only 1 hour, the rest is queing time of two car ferries which depend on the traffic.
• The schedule is every one hour but may delay and waiting incase many seats available.
• Operate daily and whole year.

From Bangkok to Koh Lanta

By Flight
Flying into Krabi : The airport nearest to Ko Lanta is in Krabi. It is possible to get a connecting flight, but sometimes difficult as fewer airlines fly to Krabi. Once landed in Krabi, you can get connection to Ko Lanta by ferry and mini-van.

Flying into Trang : The second nearest airport to Ko Lanta is within the Trang Province . It‘s about 90 kms distance, approximately 2 hours, to get to Ko Lanta by mini-van.

Flying into Phuket : Getting a flight to Phuket airport is the third closest to Ko Lanta, but offers the chance for comfortable, scenic drive to reach the island. The journey covers a distance of about 250 kms and takes roughly 4 hours. During the high season (mid-October to mid-March) there is a ferry service connecting the two islands that runs via Ko Phi Phi. The trip takes approximately 4 hours and tickets cost around 700 baht per person.

By Train
Train into Trang
There are two trains running daily from Bangkok to Trang. The service was a state-owned business previously, so don't expect a classy service – however, the standard of cleanliness is good and the price fair.

The first class train has separate cubicles with 2 seats in each one. The seats convert to beds at night with hygienically packed pillow and sheets provided. The lower berth is priced at around 1,400 baht and the upper at 1,200 baht.

The second class carriages come with a choice of Air-con or fan. The seats convert to beds as in first class, also with pillow and sheets supplied. The lower bed price is around 700 baht, the upper around 600 baht. The Fan cabin price is slightly cheaper than that for Air-con.
There is restaurant cabin on the train supplying food and drink - you can order the food to be brought to your seat or stretch your legs and walk to restaurant cabin. The prices are fair for standard fare. To experience some local flavour, try buying the food from the vendors who step aboard at different stations, and the fruit-sellers at the windows.

There is no online or telephone booking system for tickets, they can only be purchased at train stations. Advance purchasing is possible and recommended as Air-con seating is always fully booked.

By Bus
Bus into Krabi
There are four bus stations on each corner of Bangkok . If you are traveling South, go to the Sai Tai station (Sai means Route and Tai means South). It's located about 30 kms from the city centre, on the southern outskirts. A taxi from down town should cost around 200 baht.

There are a few companies offering an Air-con bus service to Krabi, with two kinds of buses available - one with 36 seats at the cheaper price of about 600 baht, and the other with 24 seats, which is roomier and costs around 800 baht.

There is normally no need for advance booking – in fact tickets can usually be purchased as late as just a few hours before departure. The notable exceptions are on special Thai holidays and long holidays. The bus service starts around 17:00 daily.

Bear in mind, the bus will get to Krabi at 05:30, but the ferry to Ko Lanta does not start until about 10:00. You will need to wait somewhere for around 4 hours.

Koh Lanta has one paved road running from Ban Saladan (the main town) along the length of the West coast, then turning across the island and following the East coast southwards.

The unpaved roads are generally in pretty good condition, but can deteriorate quickly in rainy season, becoming more difficult to negotiate without a 4 wheel drive.

The main form of transport on the island is small motorcycle or scooter. These can be rented by the day, week or month at any resort or travel agency - you can expect to pay around B250 per day plus petrol.

Even though there is little traffic, please keep to the left, drive with care and go slowly enough to enjoy the views!

Many visitors return home with a “Thai tattoo” on their leg – a small scar left by the burn mark from a motorcycle exhaust – remember they get hot! If you have a flat tire, you'll probably find a small 'patch tire' shop nearby that will fix it quickly and cheaply.

A safer way to explore the island, particularly for families, is by Jeep. Small Jeeps area available for rent by the day or week through most travel agents on the island. The average price in tourist season is around 1,200B per day. Booking in advance is recommended as there is a limited supply of jeeps on the island.

A limited Song-Thiew service is in operation, offering cheap transport available along the main road, in the back of pick-ups fitted with canopies & benches. Motorcycle taxis and tuk-tuks can be hired easily in Ban Saladan and along the West coast of the island.

Resort transport runs from most resorts to the Pier in Ban Saladan, meeting the ferry and minibus arrivals & departures daily, at 8 am, midday and late afternoon.