Whether you’re in Krabi Town, arriving at Krabi Airport, or staying at one of the beach towns on the coast of Krabi Province, there are several different ways that you can travel from Krabi to Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta is an island (in fact it’s three islands, but more on that later), so getting there will involve a ferry ride. The island is very close to the coast of mainland Thailand, so a car ferry only takes a short amount of time. Because Koh Lanta is so easily accessible, it’s a popular choice for tourists who want to get a taste of Thai island life. Koh Lanta has beautiful beaches, limestone outcrops, and even rainforests.
Because Koh Lanta consists of three major islands it can get a little confusing. The first island is called Koh Klang and it’s right by the mainland, separated only by a small river which you’ll cross by a road bridge. The next island is Koh Lanta Noi, meaning Small Lanta, and it’s connected to Koh Lanta Yai by another road bridge. Koh Lanta Yai (Big Lanta Island) is where all the major tourist development is. This island boasts a long coastline with nine beautiful white sand beaches and plenty more attractions. For the purpose of this guide, when we refer to Koh Lanta we’re really referring to Koh Lanta Yai as this is where you’ll be heading on your travels between Krabi and Koh Lanta.
Travel by Road from Krabi to Koh Lanta
Traveling from Krabi to Koh Lanta is easy as there are lots of different possibilities for your journey. Koh Lanta is an island and getting there involves a ferry ride, however, because the ferry crossing is so short you’ll see that it’s barely mentioned in travel guides because it’s all part of the journey by road. So, bear this in mind. The other thing to bear in mind is the time of year you are traveling. You can get to Koh Lanta from Krabi by road right through the year, regardless of season, unlike the other two options discussed below.
So, what are your options for traveling by road from Krabi to Koh Lanta? Well, you can rent a car yourself if you’re comfortable driving and navigating Thailand’s roads. The benefit of having your own car is that you can run to your own schedule and make stops along the way if you want to. You’ll also have use of the car while you’re visiting Koh Lanta. Cars can be rented from Krabi Airport.
Catch a Taxi to from Krabi to Koh Lanta
If you’re arriving at Krabi Airport and don’t feel like driving yourself, there are a couple of options available. Book a Private minivan for up to 9 passengers or a normal 4-passenger taxi. These are great if you’re traveling with your family or friends as the cost will be split between the group. You pay for the taxi as a whole, not just for the seats you use, so whether you’re a couple or there are 9 of you, the price will stay the same. The nice thing is that you have the car all to yourselves. Make the most of the air conditioning and less cramped conditions compared to a public minivan (see below). And, when you arrive in Koh Lanta you can get dropped right at the entrance to your hotel. It is also possible to book private taxis for hotel pickups, not only from the airport.
Shared Minivan/Minibus from to Koh Lanta
Shared minivans can also be booked to pick you up at the airport, or from your Krabi hotel. The advantage is that these are cheaper but there are drawbacks – the public minivans are always crowded and tend to be hot. There is often not enough space for your luggage, which can be a huge problem. Add to this the fact that the minivan will then stop at lots of hotels for drop-offs in Koh Lanta and you can see why families prefer a private taxi!
Ferries from Krabi to Koh Lanta
Taking a ferry from Krabi to Koh Lanta is not going to be an option if you’re traveling in the low season. The low season starts in May and continues to late October. This is because of rough seas. If you’re visiting between November and April the passenger ferry is a very scenic way to travel from Krabi to Koh Lanta.
You can either catch a ferry from Krabi Town itself, or from the Krabi Passenger Pier. If you’re in Ao Nang you can get a ferry from the Nopparat Thara Pier and there are free pick-ups from Ao Nang Beach. The ferry crossing takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes from Ao Nang, and about 2 hours from Krabi Town.
Express Speedboat to Koh Lanta from Krabi
One other option you might like to consider for the high season is an express speedboat service. If you’re traveling to Koh Lanta from Krabi between November and April, this is the fastest way to get there. A combined ticket will include pickup by private minivan from Krabi Airport. You will then be driven to a speedboat pier where you will get on your speedboat for the 10 to 15-minute express ride to Koh Lanta Pier. Once there, you will be met and driven directly to your Koh Lanta hotel.
In all honesty, this route only saves you a short amount of time but, it’s a fun and thrilling way to get to Koh Lanta from Krabi!
How do you get to Koh Lanta?
The islands of Koh Lanta are just off the coast of Southern Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. Close to both Krabi and Trang, you can buy combined tickets to Koh Lanta for airport pickup by van or taxi if you search online at 12Go. Enter your departure point and you’ll see results for many different ways you can get to Koh Lanta, then book easily on their website.
How much is a taxi from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta?
It will cost you 2000 THB to book a private taxi from Krabi Airport all the way to your hotel in Koh Lanta. If you need a 9-person minivan, prices start at 2500 THB. The ride should take about 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
How long does it take to go from Krabi to Koh Lanta?
There are a few different ways to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta. You can take a minibus, a minivan, or a taxi. The journey usually takes between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the traffic.
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