How to get from Phuket to Koh Lanta
It is only 90 km between Phuket and Koh Lanta if measured as a crow flies but travelling overland brings the total distance between the two islands to about 240 km. Phuket, the largest and most popular of the Thai islands, is connected to Koh Lanta by buses, minivans, taxi and ferries. High-speed ferries and bigger express boats are quite popular on this route but can also be unreliable due to weather conditions. Also, highspeed ferries only operate during high seasons, mainly November through to April. During the low season, you have better chances relying on buses, minivans or taxis. Your preferred mode of transport will depend on the time you have, how much you want to spend, and what is available at the time.
From Phuket to Koh Lanta by Ferry
There are several companies that offer ferry services from Phuket to Koh Lanta. Two main piers on Phuket to board a ferry to Koh Lanta are Nam Chier and the Rassada piers.
At the Nam Chier Pier, a Chaokoh Travel Center ferry is scheduled to leave at 11.00am and dock at the Sala Dan Pier in Koh Lanta four and a half hours later if there are no delays along the way. Tickets cost THB 1,000.
From the Rassada Pier, you can board a Satun Pakbara Club speedboat at 8.30am or 12.30pm and alight in Ban Sala Dan, Koh Lanta one and a half hours later.
You can also use the Tigerline Travel high-speed ferry that leaves the pier for Koh Lanta Ban Sala Dan Pier at 9.00am. Whichever means you use, your ticket will cost THB 1,500.
Tigerline Travel, Sea Angel Cruise or Phi Phi Cruiser all offer an option to pick you up at your hotel in Phuket what adds to the cost of an ordinary ferry ticket THB200-THB250. Expect to pay for this combination service with the above mentioned providers THB 1,750, THB 1,400, and THB 1,200 respectively.
Tip: The Sea Angel Cruise ferry makes a stop at Koh Phi Phi and, therefore, arrives later than the rest. Phi Phi island entrance fee is 20THB.
Phi Phi Cruiser also offers an extra ferry that leaves at 12.00pm for the same cost. Soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and snacks are included in your ticket for the morning trips, not the afternoon trip.
Tigerline travel also offers joint van+ferry tickets from the Phuket Airport to the Saladan Pier and Koh Jum at a cost of THB 1,750.
Whether you are boarding a ferry from the pier or waiting to be picked up from your hotel, ensure that you are there 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
From Phuket to Koh Lanta by Taxi
Travelling from Phuket to Koh Lanta by taxi takes about 5 hours including a short ferry ride on a huge car ferry. Though more expensive, a taxi will get you to Koh Lanta safely and with less discomfort. Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman and Lanta Gardenhill mainly offer taxi services for this route. Lanta Gardenhill transport provides services from Karong, Kata, and Patang to any hotel in Koh Lanta for THB 5,300 and from the Phuket airport for THB 4,500.
Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman offers 3-pax and 9-passenger class taxis. A ticket from any hotel in Phuket to Koh Lanta will cost 5,100 for the comfort class taxi and 5,900 for the 9-passenger taxi. From the Phuket Airport, you’ll pay 4,700 for the comfort class and 5,700 for the 9-passenger taxi that will take you to your hotel of choice in Koh Lanta.
Note: Remember to indicate the terminal you are arriving at when booking for a Phuket Transfer Travel Andaman taxi from the airport. If you are using the domestic passengers terminal, make your way to exit gate NO.1 and exit gate NO.3 if you are using the international passengers terminal.
Up to 120 Minutes of free waiting time is included for transfers from the airport and 30 minutes of free waiting time for transfers from hotel. After this, an extra THB 300 will be charged for every 30 minutes.
From Phuket to Koh Lanta via Krabi
A more economical way to get from Phuket to Koh Lanta is to travel via Krabi. Buses from Phuket to Krabi depart regularly from Phuket Bus Terminal and take between 3 and 4 hours to arrive and cost under THB200.
Once you arrive in Krabi town, you can then board a minivan from Krabi to Koh Lanta. Bus Cooperative of Krabi minivans leave from the Krabi Bus Terminal and arrive in Koh Lanta three hours later. Minivan tickets only go for THB 360.
Tip: When using van service, you may want to consider paying for an extra seat on the van if you have huge luggage. This is because most vans only have limited space and there have been cases where passengers with large bags have missed their trips.