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. By road, every route in crosses one short stretch of water by car ferry; in the dry season, direct passenger boats are an alternative.

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 crossing by road

The route for cars, minivans and motorbikes is:

1. Drive to the Ban Hua Hin pier on the mainland.
2. Take the short car ferry across to Koh Lanta Noi.
3. Drive across Lanta Noi to the Siri Lanta Bridge.
4. Cross the bridge onto Koh Lanta Yai, the main island where almost everyone stays.

The car ferry and the bridge run year-round — the bridge isn’t seasonal. What changes with the seasons are the direct passenger boats: during the rainy season (roughly May to October), sea conditions and demand both drop off, and some services from Phuket or Ao Nang reduce or stop running entirely.

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 with one main road down the west coast, and it’s about an hour’s drive from Saladan, the main town in the north, to the national park at the southern tip. Most people rent a motorbike for the length of their stay. See getting around Koh Lanta for driving times from Saladan to each beach.