Koh Lanta sits about 70 km south of Krabi, reachable by a comfortable high-season ferry, a year-round minivan-and-car-ferry combination, or an island-hopping boat via the Phi Phi Islands. Each route has its moment: the direct ferry is the easiest option when it runs, the minivan-bridge route works in any season, and the island-hop via Phi Phi turns the journey into an adventure in itself.
The high-season direct ferry
A direct passenger ferry connects Krabi to Koh Lanta in high season — roughly November to April — departing from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town and arriving at Saladan Pier on the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai. The crossing takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the operator and sea conditions.
This is the most relaxed option when it runs: you board in Krabi Town with your luggage, sit back, and step off right at Saladan village, which is where most guesthouses, travel agencies and transport links on Koh Lanta are concentrated. Operators include Tigerline Ferry and several local ferry companies. Fares are inexpensive; book at the pier or through a Krabi travel agent. Krabi Town and nearby Ao Nang are worth a night in their own right; Visit Thailand's guide to Krabi covers the area.
The direct ferry does not run reliably during the Andaman monsoon (roughly May to October). In low season the sea can be too rough for the passenger boats, and services are either suspended or reduced to the point where you cannot rely on them for travel planning. For low-season travel, use the minivan route described below.
The year-round route: minivan via Hua Hin and the two car ferries
The overland route is the reliable all-season alternative, and while it takes a little longer, it passes through interesting scenery and involves a couple of short car-ferry crossings that are fun in their own right.
A shared minivan from Krabi Town (usually departing from near the bus terminal or arranged through guesthouses) heads south along the coast road, passing through the town of Hua Hin (not the famous beach resort of the same name — this is a small junction town in Krabi province). From there the road crosses onto Koh Lanta Noi (the smaller northern island) via a bridge, then continues south to a short car ferry crossing from Koh Lanta Noi to Koh Lanta Yai (the main island). In high season, some routings use a second small car ferry rather than the bridge on Koh Lanta Noi; conditions on the ground determine which way the driver goes.
The total journey from Krabi Town to your guesthouse on Koh Lanta Yai typically takes around 2 to 3 hours, including the ferry crossings. Minivans run year-round and drop passengers at their accommodation or at Saladan, making this a genuinely door-to-door service. It's also slightly cheaper than a speedboat and considerably more comfortable than the public bus option.
The island-hopping boat via Phi Phi
In high season, an island-hopping ferry runs from Ao Nang (near Krabi) south through the Phi Phi Islands and onward to Koh Lanta. This is operated by companies such as Ao Nang Princess and runs a route that calls at Phi Phi Don (Tonsai Pier) before continuing to Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta.
The full journey from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta via Phi Phi takes roughly 3 to 4 hours in total, depending on how long the stop at Phi Phi is. This suits travellers who want to break the journey, spend a few hours on Phi Phi (or a day or two — you can board an onward ferry the next day) and then continue south. It also suits those arriving at Ao Nang rather than Krabi Town, as they avoid the need to travel back to Klong Jilad Pier.
Note that this island-hopping service only operates reliably in high season (November to April). See our guide on Krabi to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta if you plan to break your journey at Phi Phi.
Arriving at Koh Lanta: Saladan Pier
Saladan Pier is on the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai, right at the entrance to Saladan village. This is the island's main hub for ferries, tour bookings and songthaew transfers. Most ferries from Krabi, Phuket and the other islands arrive here. Guesthouses along the west coast (Long Beach, Klong Dao Beach, Klong Khong) are a 10–30 minute songthaew or motorbike-taxi ride from Saladan, depending on how far south you are staying.
It's worth noting that Koh Lanta is long (roughly 30 km north to south), so pick accommodation that suits your onward plans. If you are planning to continue further south to Koh Lipe or the Tarutao islands, staying near Saladan keeps your logistics simple. For onward ferry connections, see our guide on Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe.
Monsoon season and low-season travel
The Andaman monsoon (roughly May to October) significantly affects ferry services in this part of Thailand. The direct Krabi–Koh Lanta ferry and the island-hopping boat via Phi Phi both suspend or severely reduce services in the wet season. The minivan-and-car-ferry route, however, runs year-round and is the standard option for low-season travellers. Koh Lanta itself is quieter in low season — many businesses close — but the island is accessible and popular with long-stay visitors who prefer the emptier beaches.
For a broader picture of Andaman ferry routes, see ferries to the Thai islands. If you are travelling from Bangkok to the region, our guide on Bangkok to Phuket covers the main overland and air options. And if you are bringing regular medication for your trip, check the rules on taking prescription medicine into Thailand before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from Krabi to Koh Lanta?
Yes, in high season (roughly November to April), a direct passenger ferry runs from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi Town to Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta in about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. This service does not run reliably in the monsoon season.
How do I get from Krabi to Koh Lanta in low season?
The year-round option is a shared minivan from Krabi Town, heading south via Hua Hin and crossing to Koh Lanta Yai by car ferry. The whole journey takes around 2 to 3 hours and drops passengers at their accommodation or at Saladan.
Can I stop at Phi Phi on the way to Koh Lanta?
Yes, in high season an island-hopping ferry runs from Ao Nang (near Krabi) via Phi Phi Don to Koh Lanta. You can break your journey at Phi Phi and continue to Lanta on a later departure.
Where do ferries from Krabi arrive on Koh Lanta?
All passenger ferries from Krabi arrive at Saladan Pier on the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai. Saladan village has transport onward to beaches along the west coast of the island.
Sources and further reading:
- Tigerline Ferry (tigerlinetravel.com) — high-season Krabi–Koh Lanta timetables.
- Ao Nang Princess (aonangprincess.com) — island-hopping ferry schedules.
- Thai Meteorological Department (tmd.go.th) — Andaman monsoon forecasts.