Getting to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta has no airport. You get here by ferry from other islands or by road with a car ferry crossing from the mainland. The nearest airport is Krabi International Airport (KBV), about 70 km from Saladan Pier. 
Choosing Your Airport
Most visitors fly into Krabi (KBV), roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from the island. It has direct connections from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, and seasonal European routes. Trang Airport is a less obvious but sometimes useful alternative, sitting about 3 to 3.5 hours from Koh Lanta by road. It tends to suit travellers arriving from southern Thailand, Koh Lipe, or Malaysia, and occasionally has cheaper fares. If you are flying from Bangkok, note that the city has two airports with different airline groups. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) handles Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways flights to Krabi; Don Mueang (DMK) serves AirAsia, Nok Air, and Lion Air. Transferring between the two airports can take up to three hours, so plan carefully if you are on a connecting international flight.
From Krabi Airport
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The majority of visitors arrive via Krabi, and transfers are well organised. Shared minivan/shuttle is the cheapest option. These vans depart when full and include the car ferry crossing. The last shared departure from the airport is around 1 pm, so if you are flying from Bangkok, take a morning flight. Bags go on the roof and it can be a tight fit inside. - Price: 300-450 THB per person
- Journey time: 2-3 hours depending on the car ferry wait
Private minivan (up to 8 passengers) is available year-round, including in low season when shared shuttles may be less frequent. It is the practical choice if you arrive after the shared departure window closes or are travelling with a lot of luggage. - Price: 3,000-5,600 THB for the vehicle
Rental car is an option if you want flexibility on the road. You will need an International Driver's License, which must be obtained in your home country before travelling. The rental itself is available at the airport from standard agencies, and the route south is straightforward. All road transfers follow the same route south from the airport, cross to Koh Lanta Noi by car ferry, drive across Noi, and then cross the Siri Lanta Bridge onto Lanta Yai. Travel agencies, hotel desks, and online booking platforms in Krabi all sell combined tickets.
By Ferry
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All passenger ferries arrive at Ban Saladan Pier on the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai. From Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier or Chaofa Pier): Multiple operators run in high season. - Journey time: 1.5-2 hours
- Price: approximately 400-600 THB
From Phuket (Rassada Pier): The main daily service departs Phuket at 08:00, stops at Koh Phi Phi at 09:00, and arrives at Koh Lanta at 10:00. The return departs Lanta at 15:00, stops Phi Phi at 16:00, and reaches Phuket at 17:00. - Price: approximately 1,500 THB (Phuket to Lanta; speedboat fares from Lanta are typically 1,400 THB, see ferry schedules article)
- Note: a second Phuket departure at 13:30 goes only as far as Phi Phi and does not continue to Lanta
- If leaving from a Phuket hotel, ferry tickets typically include pickup and transfer to Rassada Pier
From Koh Phi Phi (Tonsai Pier): Phi Phi sits on the Phuket-Lanta route, which makes it easy to break the journey and spend time there. Book accommodation on Phi Phi well ahead as rooms fill quickly. - Journey time: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Price: 400-800 THB
Main operators include Andaman Wave Master, Tigerline Ferry, Bundhaya Speed Boat, Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club, Chaokoh Ferry, and Songserm (seasonal).
By Road (Car Ferry)
If you are driving or taking a private vehicle from the mainland, there is one car ferry crossing between the mainland (Hua Hin Pier, near Krabi Town) and Koh Lanta Noi. It runs from 5:00 am to midnight. - Price: 100 THB per car including the driver, 50 THB per additional passenger
From Noi, drive across the island and over the Siri Lanta Bridge onto Lanta Yai. New bridge (in progress): A bridge connecting Koh Lanta Noi directly to the Krabi mainland has been on the cards for years. The original target was end of 2025, but the project has slipped significantly: pile driving is now reported to begin in 2026 with completion pushed out toward 2029. When finished, it will eliminate the car ferry crossing and cut road travel time from Krabi Airport to roughly 60-90 minutes.
By Bus from Bangkok
A combined bus and ferry route links Bangkok directly to Koh Lanta for travellers who prefer not to fly. The overnight journey takes 12 to 15 hours. Buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal and include the ferry connection; you buy a single through-ticket. It is a long haul but works well as an overnight to save a night's accommodation cost, and it lands you on the island without a domestic flight.
From Koh Lipe
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Koh Lipe is a popular stopping point on the southern Andaman route, and if you are island-hopping north from there, Koh Lanta is the natural next destination. Speedboats connect the two islands directly in around two hours. The fare runs approximately 1,700-1,900 THB depending on operator and season; pick one with a convenient departure time. This route operates in high season only and is a straightforward way to connect the two islands without backtracking through the mainland.
Seasonal Availability
High season runs November through April. All ferry routes operate on full schedules and morning departures book up quickly, so reserve ahead. Low season (May to October) brings rough seas, suspended ferry services, and widespread hotel closures. October and May are shoulder months with some services still running but reduced.
Practical Tips
- Hit the ATM at Saladan Pier on arrival before heading south.
- Your hotel can usually arrange or recommend transfers from Krabi Airport.
- Ferry and minivan tickets are sold at pier offices, travel agencies, and online booking platforms.
- If connecting through Bangkok on two different airlines using different airports, allow at least three hours between flights.