Getting to Koh Lanta — Ferries, the Drive, and What to Expect

Koh Lanta sits off Krabi province in southern Thailand, and unlike Phuket or Koh Samui it has no airport of its own — every route in involves a drive and, most of the year, a short ferry crossing.

From Krabi

Krabi’s airport (KBV) is the usual entry point. From there it’s roughly two hours by road and ferry to reach the main beaches on the west coast. Minivan transfers run directly from the airport and from Krabi Town, and are by far the simplest option if you’re arriving with luggage and don’t want to manage the crossing yourself.

The ferry crossing

Two short car-ferry crossings connect the mainland to Koh Lanta Noi, and then Koh Lanta Noi to Koh Lanta Yai (the main island, where almost everyone stays). Each crossing takes a matter of minutes. In the dry season a bridge connects the mainland side, so a private car or taxi can sometimes avoid the first ferry entirely — but the final crossing onto Lanta Yai itself is still usually by boat.

During the rainy season (roughly May to October), sea conditions and demand both drop off, and some direct boat services from Phuket or Ao Nang reduce or stop running entirely. The mainland road-and-ferry route keeps running year-round.

From Phuket or Ao Nang (high season)

In the dry season, direct speedboat services connect Koh Lanta to Phuket, Ao Nang, and sometimes other islands like Koh Phi Phi. These are seasonal, weather-dependent, and worth booking a day or two ahead in the busiest months (December–February).

Getting around once you’re here

Lanta Yai is a long, narrow island — roughly 25km north to south — with one main road running its length. Most people rent a motorbike for the length of their stay; taxis and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cover the rest. If you’re renting long-term, see our rentals by area to get a feel for how far each beach actually is from Saladan, the main town.