How to get from Koh Lanta to Phuket
Arguably the most popular way to get from Koh Lanta to Phuket is by a bigger boat which departs daily from Sala Dan pier and brings you to the biggest of the Thai islands some 4 hours later. Yet a similarly popular and good option to be considered, especially in the low season, is travelling via Krabi by van and bus. That said, there are also direct highspeed ferries, van transfers and taxis plying this route. Travelling overland can take you anywhere from 5 hours up as the road distance between Koh Lanta and Phuket is about 240 km. Ferris can do a much faster job as they have to travel 100-120 km, depending on the route.
From Koh Lanta to Phuket by Ferry
There are several ferries that ply the route from Koh Lanta to Phuket, departing from the Ban Sala Dan Pier in Koh Lanta and docking at different piers on the island of Phuket.
From Ban Sala Dan, Koh Lanta to the Rassada Pier in Phuket, you can board a Satun Pakbara Club speedboat at 9.00am or 1.00pm and arrive an hour and a half later or the Tigerline Travel high-speed ferry which leaves at 3.00pm and docks at 4.45pm. For both ferries, tickets cost THB 1,500.
Tigerline travel also offers ferry services from the Koh Lanta Ban Sala Dan Pier to the Ao Por Pier, Phuket and Klong Hia Pier, Koh Yao Yai for the same price.
If you would like to dock at the Nam Chai Pier, Phuket, make your way to the Sala Dan Pier, Koh Lanta at 8.00am. Chaokoh Travel Center has a local ferry scheduled to leave at 8.00am and arrive in Phuket two hours and forty-five minutes later if there are no delays due to bad weather. You’ll require THB 1,000 for this trip.
Tigerline Travels also offers populat combination tickets from Koh Lanta to any hotel in Phuket, the Phuket Airport, and Bus Terminal. Scheduled departure times are 12.30pm and 3.00pm. Regardless of your drop off point, a ticket will cost you THB 1,750.
There is also at least one Sea Angel Cruise boat leaving Koh Lanta Ban Saladan Pier to any hotel in Phuket for THB 1,400 at 8.00am, but it calls to Koh Phi Phi en route what brings the total travel time to whooping 9 hours and thus is not recommended.
As mentioned above, a popular option is to take a larger express boat from Koh Lanta to Phuket which leaves at 1.30pm (check the departure time as it may vary). This boat takes onboard travellers heading to Krabi, Ao Nang, Railey beach and Koh Phi Phi, too. It takes 4 hours to get to Phuket this way and costs about THB600.
From Koh Lanta to Phuket by Taxi
Although expensive, this is the easiest and probably most comfortable way to get to Phuket from Koh Lanta rather than by sea which can be uncomfortable during stormy weather.
Recommended operators include Lanta Gardenhill or Andaman Taxi Service. Both have 3- and 9-passenger options and it is probably a better idea to opt for the latter and the price difference is not that big but level of comfort is higher. A 9-pax air-conditioned van from any hotel on Koh Lanta to the Phuket Airport will cost you THB 4,500 and to Patong, Karon, and Kata in Phuket for THB 5,300.
Note: Lanta Gardenhill does not allow for cancellations or refunds.
From Koh Lanta to Krabi town and then Phuket
If you easily get sea-sick and prefer to travel to Phuket overland, then you can make your way to Krabi town from Koh Lanta by van and then proceed to Phuket from there.
The cheapest option would be to take a van to Krabi first which costs THB300-THB400. Check Bus Cooperative of Krabi schedule – they operate frequent trips throughout the day from 7.30am and every hour after that until 2.30pm.
Vans bring you to the Krabi bus terminal from where big buses and vans to Phuket operate – you will not need to change the terminal. There is a great choice of direct and passing through buses to Phuket. All of them take about 4 hours and tickets should cost just under THB200. In Phuket, buses arrive to the Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town.
Vans from Krabi to Phuket cost more but there are options to be dropped-off right in the area you are staying. E.g. Jolly Travel offers van transfer to Kata and Patong beaches for THB500.
There are also option to get from Krabi to Phuket by ferry but taking into consideration the cost of the trip (from THB700) it does not seen very reasonable compared to overland transportation.
A taxi from Krabi to Phuket will cost you from THB2,700 for a 9-passenger van for the northernmost beaches like Mai Khao, Kamala or Surin; add extra THB800 for Patong, Kata or Karon.