Getting to Ko Lanta, Thailand, by train, car, mini van or boat

There are several ways to reach Ko Lanta. Here are a few travel tips.


Getting to Ko Lanta by train:
The nearest train station to Ko Lanta is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok. The distance from Bangkok to Krabi is approx 950 km or about 12 -14 hours by train.

Route: Phetburi - Prachuabkirikhan - Chumporn - Phang Nga - Krabi = 946 km.

All the travel agents in Krabi Town can arrange passenger vans for further transport to Ko Lanta. See below.

Getting to Ko Lanta by car:
Ko Lanta does not have roads connecting it directly to the mainland, but is served by car ferries. Take road 4206 off highway 4 about 20km south-east of Krabi airport. Drive to the end of the road, where there is a car ferry from Baan Hua Hin to Ko Lanta Noi. From the pier here, turn right and follow the "ferry" signs to the second car ferry to Ko Lanta Yai. Ferries operate 07:00-22:00.

There are plenty of car taxi and minivan taxi services from Krabi and the nearby airport. A seat in a ten person minivan from the airport to Ko Lanta costs about 250 baht. These minivans usually don't have much room for luggage (although they can usually find room for one or two large suitcases together with backpacks for the rest of the passengers) so if you're not traveling light you might need to get a private taxi.

This is what the divemasters do. A private minivan taxi will usually be quoted as 2500 baht. It's possible to bargain a few hundred baht off this price but not much more or the tolls will consume too much of the price. Car taxis cost about the same.

When travelling to/from Ko Lanta in the afternoon by road, allow 2–3 hours for the journey as the queues for the vehicle ferries can be lengthy. The passenger ferry which leaves Ko Lanta pier (high season) at 08:00 and arrives at Krabi pier at 10:00 is quicker.

Getting to Ko Lanta by boat:
From Ko Lanta to other islands:

Private companies on Ko Lanta operate boat services to many destinations.

- Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi: 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., 350 baht
- Ko Lanta – Krabi: 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., 300 baht (apparently, in high season, at least 400 baht)
- Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Phuket: 1.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., 700 baht
- Ko Lanta – Ko Phi Phi – Krabi: 9.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m., 700 baht

Ferry services run from Krabi, Ao Nang and from Phuket via Ko Phi Phi to Ko Lanta Yai's Saladan pier. Ferry services are subject to weather and to demand: many will not run at all during the monsoon season and at a reduced frequency during the low season. Many ferries have limited room for luggage. Often the ferries dock alongside each other, meaning that to get on and off passengers must clamber onto and across other boats with their luggage.

Services from Krabi are run by P.P. Family Co (+66 75 630 165) and depart Krabi pier at 10:30 and 13:30, taking 2 hours to reach Ko Lanta (200 baht including free pickup from Krabi hotels). There's a transit bus from Krabi town center for 10 baht.

Services from Ao Nang are run by Ao Nang Travel and Tour (+66 75 637 730) and depart at 10:30 (280 baht).

Ferries depart from Ko Phi-Phi at 11:30 and 14:00, and take 1 hour. If travelling from Phuket in a single day, you will need to leave Phuket on the 08:00 ferry to transfer to the 11:30 ferry. Tickets to Ko Lanta are 200 baht from Ko Phi-Phi and 450 baht from Phuket.

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Based on a work at Wikitravel.org & Traveldudes.org.