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Getting to Koh Lanta: Ferries, Minivans, and the Two Crossings
There are no flights to Koh Lanta. No bridge from the mainland. No train station within two hours. Every person who arrives on this island does so by boat at Saladan Pier in the north, and most of them pass through two short car ferry crossings on the way. The journey is part of the point. By the time you arrive at Saladan, you are already somewhere that required genuine commitment to reach.
This guide covers every route from every departure point with current prices and the timing details that most transport guides leave out.
Understanding the Two Crossings
The "two crossings" appear in every Koh Lanta conversation and confuse almost every first-time visitor. Here is what they are.
Koh Lanta Yai (Big Lanta, the main island) sits separated from the mainland by two narrow channels. The road route from the mainland crosses both channels by short car ferry rather than bridge. Despite a bridge connecting Little Lanta to Big Lanta being completed in 2016, the two mainland crossings still operate by car ferry.
Crossing 1: Ban Hua Hin pier on the mainland to Koh Klang island. Takes approximately 10 minutes. Runs continuously throughout the day.
Crossing 2: Koh Klang island to Koh Lanta Noi. Takes approximately 10 minutes. Also runs continuously.
Each crossing costs 15 to 20 baht per person. Both are included in the price of shared minivans. Both crossings involve driving your vehicle or walking onto a flat car ferry, waiting for it to fill, and crossing a narrow stretch of mangrove-lined water.
During peak season from December to February, queues at the crossings can extend to 30 to 45 minutes per ferry. During low season they move within 10 minutes. The crossings are the reason journeys from the mainland can vary by an hour depending on the day and season.
Quick Comparison by Departure Point
From | Best Option | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Krabi Airport | Shared minivan | 350 baht | 2β2.5 hours |
Krabi Town / Ao Nang | Shared minivan or ferry (high season) | 300β450 baht | 1.5β2.5 hours |
Phuket | Speedboat via Phi Phi | 900β1,200 baht | 2.5β3 hours |
Koh Phi Phi | Ferry or speedboat | 350β450 baht | 1 hour |
Bangkok | Fly to Krabi + minivan | From 1,500 baht | 4β5 hours total |
From Krabi Airport: The Most Common Route
Krabi International Airport is the nearest airport to Koh Lanta and the arrival point for most international and domestic visitors. There is no ferry from the airport. All routes from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta are overland via the two car ferry crossings.
Shared minivan: 350 baht per person, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours depending on crossing queues. Minivans depart from the airport transfer area throughout the morning and early afternoon. The last shared minivan typically leaves around 4 to 5pm. If you land after 3pm, confirm departure times with the operators at the airport before assuming a shared minivan is still running.
Private transfer: 1,500 to 2,000 baht per vehicle for the entire journey. Faster and door-to-door from the airport to your specific hotel or beach. If you are arriving late, travelling in a group of three or more, or have significant luggage, the price per person for a private transfer becomes competitive with the shared minivan.
Critical note: If you land after 5pm, shared minivans will not be running. A private transfer is the only practical option. Book this in advance rather than negotiating at the airport.
From Krabi Town and Ao Nang
By Minivan (Year-Round)
Shared minivans depart from Krabi Bus Station throughout the morning and early afternoon, with the last departure around 4 to 5pm. The price runs 300 to 350 baht from Krabi Town, slightly higher from Ao Nang hotels where pickup services operate. The journey takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours including the two car ferry crossings.
Most travel agents and guesthouses in Krabi Town and Ao Nang sell minivan tickets with hotel pickup. This is the standard and most reliable way to reach Koh Lanta from Krabi year-round.
By Passenger Ferry (High Season Only)
From November to April, passenger ferries operate from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town on a scenic route that stops at Koh Jum before arriving at Saladan Pier. The ferry departs at approximately 11:30am, calls at Koh Jum at 12:30pm, and arrives Saladan around 1:45pm. A second service departs Krabi at 2:30pm, stopping at Koh Jum, arriving Saladan around 4:45pm. Cost is approximately 450 baht.
The ferry does not run from May through October. During low season the minivan is the only option from Krabi regardless of how you prefer to travel. This catches many visitors off guard who plan their itinerary based on high-season schedules.
Private Transfer
2,500 to 2,800 baht per vehicle from Krabi Town or Ao Nang. Faster than the shared minivan because the driver knows the crossings and can position the vehicle optimally for the ferries. Worth considering for groups of three or more where the per-person cost approaches the shared minivan rate.
From Phuket
There is no direct ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta. All boat routes from Phuket stop at Koh Phi Phi before continuing to Koh Lanta.
High-speed ferry via Phi Phi (High Season Only): From Rassada Pier in Phuket, high-speed ferries depart for Koh Phi Phi and continue to Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta. The full journey takes approximately 3 hours. Cost runs 900 to 1,200 baht. These services operate from November to April. In low season they stop entirely.
Speedboat: Faster at approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Phuket to Koh Lanta, including the Phi Phi stop. Cost is 1,200 to 1,500 baht. The speedboat ride is comfortable in calm conditions and rough in any swell. Check conditions before booking in shoulder season.
Overland via Krabi (Low Season): When the ferry services are not running, the only option from Phuket is a minivan or private car to Krabi followed by the standard overland crossing to Koh Lanta. Total journey time is 5 hours or more. The Phuket to Krabi leg by minivan costs 200 to 300 baht and takes about 3 hours.
From Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi to Koh Lanta is the most scenic route to the island and one of the most popular sequences for travellers island-hopping along the Andaman coast. The ferry takes approximately 1 hour and operates daily in high season, with services typically departing Phi Phi in the morning and early afternoon. Cost is 350 to 450 baht.
In low season the Phi Phi to Koh Lanta ferry frequency drops significantly and some services stop entirely. Confirm current schedules at the pier before assuming your preferred departure time is running.
From Bangkok
There are no direct flights to Koh Lanta. All Bangkok to Koh Lanta journeys require a connection.
Fly to Krabi then minivan: The fastest option. Flights from Bangkok to Krabi take 1.5 hours and cost 1,500 to 3,000 baht on budget carriers. From Krabi Airport the shared minivan to Koh Lanta adds 2 to 2.5 hours and 350 baht. Total journey from Bangkok: approximately 4 to 5 hours door to door.
Night bus to Krabi then morning transfer: Budget-oriented travellers take the overnight bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Krabi (approximately 9 to 11 hours, 600 to 900 baht), arrive in the morning, and connect to a minivan or ferry to Koh Lanta. This option saves on accommodation costs but adds significant travel time. It works for travellers who are not short on time and want to minimise cost.
Train to Trang or Surat Thani then minivan: The Southern Railway line runs from Bangkok to stations within connecting distance of Koh Lanta. The train to Trang or Surat Thani takes 12 to 14 hours overnight. From those stations a minivan to Koh Lanta runs a further 2 to 3 hours. This route suits travellers who prefer train travel and are combining Koh Lanta with other southern Thailand destinations.
Arriving at Saladan Pier
Saladan Pier is the only ferry arrival point on Koh Lanta. It sits in Saladan Village on the northern tip of the island, a small town with restaurants, convenience stores, dive shops, tour operators, and scooter rental stalls.
Taxis and tuk-tuks operate from the pier to hotels and beaches across the island. Negotiate the fare before getting in. The fare from Saladan to Klong Dao is around 100 baht. To Klong Nin it runs 200 to 300 baht. To the southern beaches including Kantiang Bay or Bamboo Bay, budget 400 to 500 baht.
Scooter rental is available near the pier at 200 to 300 baht per day if you prefer immediate independence. Collect the scooter at the pier and go directly to your accommodation without needing a separate taxi.
Low Season Warning
The passenger ferry services between Krabi and Koh Lanta, and the high-speed services from Phuket via Phi Phi, do not run from approximately May through October. During this period the overland minivan route via the two car ferry crossings is the standard method for all arrivals from the mainland. If you are planning a Koh Lanta trip between May and October, build the minivan journey into your expectations regardless of which direction you are coming from.
Where to Book
For minivans from Krabi Airport or Krabi Town, 12Go Asia is the most practical option for booking in advance. The platform covers shared minivans, private transfers, and ferry tickets on a single booking page and is the standard tool for Thailand transport reservations. Book minivans and ferry connections at 12go.asia.
For speedboats and ferries from Phuket via Phi Phi, both Bundhaya Speed Boat and Tigerline Ferry operate the route in high season. Bundhaya runs up to four sailings daily and allows direct booking through their official website at bundhayaspeedboat.com. Tigerline Ferry, operating since 2003 with over 40 vessels across the Andaman Sea, takes direct bookings at tigerlineferry.com.
Andaman Wave Master runs twice-daily high-season services between Phuket and Koh Lanta and books directly at andamanwavemaster.com.
To compare schedules and prices across all operators on a single page before deciding, Direct Ferries lists every Koh Lanta route with live pricing at directferries.com/koh_lanta_ferry.htm.
Booking ahead in peak season (December to February) is strongly recommended. Shared minivans and popular speedboat departures fill quickly and walking up on the day in high season is a gamble, especially on the last afternoon minivans out of Krabi.
Practical Summary
π₯οΈ Quickest from Krabi Airport: Shared minivan, 350 baht, 2β2.5 hours
π€ Most scenic overall: Phi Phi to Koh Lanta by ferry, 350β450 baht, 1 hour
βοΈ From Bangkok: Fly to Krabi + minivan, 4β5 hours total
π§οΈ Low season only option: Minivan via two car ferry crossings year-round
β° Last minivan from Krabi: Around 4β5pm. Book a private transfer if arriving late.
β All ferries arrive at: Saladan Pier, north of the island
Where to Go from Here
For where to stay once you arrive: Best Hotels in Koh Lanta 2026.
For which beach to head to from Saladan: Best Beaches on Koh Lanta.
For what to eat in your first days: Koh Lanta Food Guide.
For the full Koh Lanta destination overview: Koh Lanta Travel Guide 2026.
