LANTA

Ko Lanta is accessible from the mainland by car or passenger ferry. The passenger ferry operates during November - April only and is the most popular option during this time. During the off season and after the last passenger ferry has left, the only way to get to the island is to drive.

Arriving late in Krabi? Not sure if you will make it to Ko Lanta the same day?

What are your options if you will be arriving into Krabi Airport after the last passenger ferry for Lanta has left (in practice this means after 2pm)? You can either take a private transfer by road - book this in advance through your hotel, or take a taxi directly from the airport. The cost of either of these options will be around 2500 baht one way. Note: if you are more than 3 people, it is worth booking a hotel transfer as they will provide a minivan. Airport taxis are standard saloon cars, so a large group will be required to take more than one car, at 2500 baht each!

The other alternative is to stay one night on the mainland, either in Krabi Town, or in Ao Nang, and take the passenger ferry the following morning. As it is only one night, we would recommend staying in Krabi Town, as decent hotels are cheaper (from 950 baht per night). Ao Nang is more expensive, though there are 2 daily ferries from here, so you could spend part of the day exploring. For hotel options in both areas, please see our sister site Your Krabi.

Taxis from the airport to Krabi Town and Ao Nang cost 350 baht and 600 baht respectively (again, for a saloon car). Transfers from your hotel to the ferry pier in the morning are usually included in the price of your ticket if you buy in advance (on arrival) from your hotel tour counter or other ticket agent.

To drive to Ko Lanta from Krabi, head south on Route 4 in the direction of Trang. A few kilometres past Klong Thom, there is a signposted turning on the right (Route 4206) for Hua Hin pier, some 30km further at the end of the road.

(If driving from Trang, this sign will be on the left, a few kilometres after Klong Pon village, as you head north on Route 4 to Krabi.)

Once you get to the end of the road, you will come to Hua Hin pier. The crossing is made in two stages, first to Ko Lanta Noi, nearest the coast, then from the other side of this island to Ko Lanta Yai. When you arrive in Ko Lanta Noi, turn right and follow the road until you see a sign on your left for the next pier. For a car with two people, the cost (one-way) to Ko Lanta Yai is 113 baht. The last ferry leaves Hua Hin pier at 10pm every night.

All buses, taxis and minivan transfers to Ko Lanta will use this route - the journey time from Krabi Town is around 2 hours. A private taxi to Ko Lanta from Krabi International Airport costs 2500 baht. Your hotel may also provide minibus / boat transfers; please ask at the time of enquiry for the price. Join-in minibus services to Ko Lanta also leave daily from Ao Nang and Krabi Town, tickets (from 400 baht) can be bought in any tour agency - journey time minimum 3 hours.

If you are on foot the easiest way to travel to the Lanta Islands is by passenger ferry. You can take a taxi from Krabi Airport to the pier in Krabi Town for 350 baht, journey time approximately 15 minutes, or to the pier in Ao Nang for 600 baht, journey time 30 minutes. Boats to Lanta also leave from Ko Jum, Phuket and Phi Phi. A one way journey costs from 400 baht per person, see the schedule below for the current ferry times (updated February 2010):

Note Passenger ferries operate from November to April only. During 'low season' (May - late October), all passenger ferries stop operating and the only way to get to Lanta Island is via taxi or minibus service from Ao Nang, Krabi Town or Trang (see above).

From Krabi Town to Ko Jum/ Ko Lanta
11.00, 400 baht, journey time approx. 2 hours ( 1 hr 15 mins to Koh Jum).
Boats leave from Krabi Passenger Pier (transit bus from town centre 30 baht, from Ao Nang 50 baht).

From Ao Nang/ Railay to Ko Lanta
10.30, 15.30, 470 baht, journey time 2 hours 15 mins.
Boats leave from Nopparat Thara pier (free pick-up bus from Ao Nang Beach), going via Railay Wes / Tonsai beach.

From Ko Phi Phi to Ko Lanta
11.30, 15.00, 450 baht, journey time 1 hour 10 mins.
Boats leave from Ton Sai pier.

From Phuket to Ko Lanta
(Via Koh Phi Phi), 08.30, 900 baht (journey time approx 4 hrs)
(Via Ao Nang / Railay), 08.30, 13.30, 850 baht (journey time approx 4hrs)
Boats leave from Rassada pier. For transfers from your hotel, to the pier, contact your local travel agent.

Note that as there is yet no bridge joining Koh Lanta to the mainland, you can only leave or arrive on the island during the hours of (approx.) 6am to 10pm, while the car ferry services are running. The only way to leave after these hours is by private boat.

Passenger ferry times and prices from Ko Lanta to Ko Jum, Krabi Town, Ao Nang, Railay, Ko Phi Phi and Phuket.

to Ko Jum / Krabi Town
8.00, 400 baht, journey time 2 hours (45 minutes to Koh Jum).

to Ao Nang/ Railay, then Phuket
08.30, 13.30, 470 baht (to Ao Nang, journey time around 2 hours), 850 baht (to Phuket, journey time around 4 hours).

to Phi Phi, then Phuket
8.00, 13.00, 450 baht (900 baht for Phuket, change boats in Phi Phi).

Boats leave from the pier in Saladan Village.