If you’re thinking about moving on from Krabi and planning to visit Koh Lanta next, then you may be wondering how to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta.
These two stunning coastal destinations are so close to one another, but offer such a diverse experience. While Krabi is known for its epic limestone rock formations and nightlife, Koh Lanta is more relaxed, less touristy, and brimming with idyllic beaches.
Though nearby, there are many different ways to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta, depending on where you are in the Krabi region.
In this guide, we share the different ways you can get to Koh Lanta from Krabi, whether that be from Krabi International Airport, Krabi Old Town, Railay Beach or Ao Nang.
Distance From Krabi to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a short ferry ride across the water from the Krabi region, so many people assume it’s really close by.
However, Krabi is a huge region and has towns and locations that are popular for tourists to visit, so it’s not possible to put a definitive number on how far Krabi is from Koh Lanta.
It’s also worth noting that the district of Koh Lanta starts on the mainland of Thailand, across the water from Koh Lanta Noi (the small island in Koh Lanta), though this area and Koh Lanta Noi are service areas to connect to Koh Lanta Yai, which is where all the resorts and beautiful Koh Lanta beaches are.
However, as a guide, here are the distances from the most popular destinations in Krabi to Koh Lanta…
- Krabi International Airport to Sala Dan, Koh Lanta: 78km (48.4 miles)
- Krabi Old Town to Sala Dan, Koh Lanta: 87.6km (54.4 miles)
- Ao Nang to Sala Dan, Koh Lanta: 100km (62.1 miles)
- Railay Beach to Sala Dan, Koh Lanta: 46km (28.8 miles)
Below we will show you how to get to Koh Lanta from each of these destinations.
How To Get To Koh Lanta From Krabi International Airport?
If you’re not starting directly in Krabi, or are passing through, then you may be arriving at Krabi International Airport.
This is the most common way for people to get to Koh Lanta from Bangkok.
Getting from the airport in Krabi to Koh Lanta is really easy, and you have two options. You can either hire a car and drive yourself, or you can take the shuttle bus/taxi service from the airport.
The Shuttle Bus from Krabi International Airport to Koh Lanta
The great thing about the shuttle bus from Krabi Airport is that it picks you up from the airport and drops you off at your hotel in Koh Lanta.
You can book your shuttle bus in advance, or you can book a taxi service when you arrive. We recommend booking in advance using 12Go.asia, as it will work out cheaper and secure you a spot on the bus.
When we took the bus, we left 15 minutes early because the bus was full, and some travelers had to stay behind and take the next one (2 hours later) or get a taxi, which would have cost more.
The taxis and shuttle buses leave from outside Exit 15 at the Arrivals Hall at Krabi Airport.
If you book in advance, make sure to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time as they will leave early.
Hiring a Car and Driving to Koh Lanta
You may want to hire a car and drive yourself, as you’ll need to find a mode of transport to get around Koh Lanta anyway.
Most people rent scooters in Koh Lanta, but if you’re a family or group of four, then a car may be the easiest option.
If you decide to hire a car, you can find car rentals at Krabi International Airport and arrange this from the rental services in the arrival hall. Alternatively, you can book your car rental in advance using DiscoverCars.com.
Once you have your car rental, you will need to drive to Hua Hin Pier, located at this address.
Here you will find a car ferry service that takes you to Koh Lanta Noi. It costs 100 baht per vehicle and 50 baht per scooter or foot passenger.
The ferry operates from 7.00am until 10.00pm and departs every 30 minutes. The ferry journey time is only 20 minutes.
There is another pier on the island, but Hua Hin is the only pier that allows vehicles.
How To Get From Krabi Town Koh Lanta?
Getting from Krabi Old Town to Koh Lanta is easy and straightforward. You have two options to get to Koh Lanta from Krabi Town, by bus or by boat.
Boat from Krabi Town to Koh Lanta
Start your journey by hopping on a traditional long-tail boat from Krabi (Chaofa Pier).
The ferry is operated by Tigerline Ferries and it takes 2-3 hours to reach Sala Dan Pier on Koh Lanta.
The boat is the most picturesque way to reach Koh Lanta, but it only sails twice a day, and doesn’t run on Tuesdays.
Travelers have the option of getting the slow ferry or a speed boat. The timetables for each are as follows:
| Slow Ferry | Speedboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Time of Departure | 7.00am | 10.45am |
| Time of Arrival | 10.00am | 12.30pm |
| Journey Time | 3 hours | 1 hour 45 minutes |
Both ferries are passenger ferries only, which means you cannot take a vehicle.
You can either book your ferry ticket at the ticket office at the pier, or you can book online using DirectFerries.com. If you book at the ticket office, book at least one day prior to ensure your spot.
You must arrive at the ferry pier 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Note: Those arriving at Sala Dan Pier must pay a 10 baht environmental fee.
Read More: Things to Do in Koh Lanta Old Town
Bus from Krabi Town to Koh Lanta
The bus from Krabi Town to Koh Lanta is another option for those travelers who don’t want to wake up early or are traveling on a Tuesday.
The bus departs from Krabi Bus Terminal every day, on the hour, starting from 8.00am until around 4.00pm.
The buses take around 2.5 hours and the ticket price includes the cost of the ferry. The bus is a 14 seater bus and drops you off at your hotel in Koh Lanta.
Despite leaving from the bus station, it’s not a public bus, but a shuttle service provided by a travel agent. You should book your bus beforehand to ensure you have a seat, otherwise you may have to wait 1 hour for the next bus.
Alternatively, you can book a shuttle bus to pick you up from your accommodation in Krabi and take you to your hotel in Koh Lanta, which you can book using 12Go.Asia.
How To Get From Ao Nang to Koh Lanta?
Ao Nang is the furthest away from Koh Lanta in the Krabi Region, and as such there is only one way to get between the two destinations – by bus and ferry.
These are transfer buses and are operated by a travel agent, which you can book from a travel agent in the town or by using 12Go.Asia.
The buses depart every day, on the hour, at half past the hour, starting at 7.30am and the last one departs at around 3.30pm.
The bus takes 2.5 hours and picks you up from your hotel in Ao Nang and drops you off at your hotel in Koh Lanta. The price of the ticket includes the ferry from Hua Hin.
How To Get From Railay Beach To Koh Lanta?
Since Railay Beach is so remote and only accessible by boat, it makes sense then that you should expect to reach Koh Lanta from Railay Beach by boat.
There is one ferry that departs from Floating Pier East Railay each day at 10.15am, and drops you off at Sala Dan Pier on Koh Lanta at 12.30pm.
The boat is a speedboat and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to get from Railay Beach to Koh Lanta.
You can book your ferry from the travel agents on Railay Beach or you can book in advance using 12Go.Asia.
Alternatively, you can get a boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach, and then change onto another boat. However, the boat from Ao Nang to Railay takes around 30 minutes, and then you have to wait for the next boat.
Doing it this way will take longer and be more expensive, so we don’t recommend it.
How To Get From Koh Lanta to Krabi?
When you want to leave Koh Lanta, you need to decide where in Krabi you want to return to.
If you are planning to head to Krabi Old Town or Krabi International Airport from Koh Lanta, then you should book a shuttle bus service with either a travel agency on the island or by using 12Go.Asia.
If you want to visit Railay Beach, you can get a boat from Sala Dan Pier. You can see boat timetables below.
You may also want to visit another island nearby Koh Lanta, in which case it’s easy to book a boat from Sala Dan Pier directly.
It’s very easy to get from Koh Lanta to Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Jum, or even further afield such as Koh Lipe and Langkawi.
Getting From Krabi To Koh Lanta FAQs
How much is a taxi from Krabi to Koh Lanta?
Depending on where in Krabi you are taking the ferry from, you can expect to pay between 2500-3000 baht ($70-$80 USD).
What is the best way to get to Koh Lanta?
The best way to get to Koh Lanta is to arrange a shuttle bus service from either your hotel or the airport in Krabi in advance. This is the most convenient and cost effective way of getting to Koh Lanta.
Final Thoughts On Getting From Krabi to Koh Lanta
While reaching Koh Lanta is straightforward, the route you take will largely depend on where you are in the Krabi region.
You can decide between a boat or ferry service, or a shuttle bus and ferry service, depending on where you are and how much hassle you want relieved from your planning.
No matter where you’re coming from, the beauty of Koh Lanta will ensure that the journey is worth it.