Krabi province is one of the most spectacular destinations in Thailand, however, your trip wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t pay a visit to Koh Lanta, one of the most beautiful islands in the Andaman coast where there is so much to see and enjoy!
Now, maybe you are wondering “How can I get to Koh Lanta from Krabi”? Well, it is very simple. Koh Lanta is very accessible by road or by sea, just continue reading and you will find out the best options of transportation and some extra information that will help you during your trip to Krabi and Koh Lanta!
Road/Overland from Krabi to Koh Lanta (Vice Versa)
There is no airport on the island itself, so if you have arrived at one of the nearby airports such as Krabi Airport or Trang Airport, here are some options to choose from depending on your preferred means of travel and budget.
The fastest way to Koh Lanta from these airports is the Express Transfer which combines a minivan and speedboat. With this option, you will be able to meet the minivan driver at the Arrivals of the Airport. From there you will be taken to an air-conditioned minivan and driven to the private speedboat pier where you will bypass the queue for the car ferry. The boat ride is just a short 15-minute trip where you can soak up the scenery before you arrive in Koh Lanta. Below are some examples of the prices and journey times from each airport.
Krabi Airport
The price is 2,045 baht per adult and 1,200 baht per child, children under 2 travel for free. The total journey time from Krabi Airport to your hotel is around 90 minutes if you are staying on the North of Koh Lanta, and around 2 hours if you are staying on the South of the island.
Trang Airport
The price is 2,450 baht per adult and 1,175 baht per child, children under 2 travel for free. The total journey time from Trang Airport to your hotel is around 2 hours if you are staying on the North of Koh Lanta, and around 2.5 hours if you are staying on the South of the island.
Taxi/Private Minivans
Traveling in a group or as a family? Then a Private Minivan could be a good option for you. Choosing this option will allow you tol be able to travel from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta in your own private minivan with air-conditioning for a price of around 3,000 baht, and the minivan can carry up to 6 passengers.
Just be aware that this is the cost for the whole group, so if you are traveling alone, then the Express Transfer may be a better option, but if there are 3-6 people in your group, then this can be a more suitable solution.
The total journey using the private minivan service is usually between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The time of the journey is dependent on whether there are queues for the car ferry. Please note that there is a small charge of 23 baht per person to cross using the ferry. This cost is not included with the private minivan hire.
The Koh Lanta car ferry operates daily between 06:00 till 22:00. From Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta the latest departure time is 20:15 (8.15pm) From Koh Lanta to Krabi Airport the latest departure time is 20:30 (8:30pm)
Public Vans
Public vans are usually the preferred choice for backpackers and those who are on a tight budget. Tickets are available in the arrival areas and priced at THB 360. The public minivan will wait until there are enough passengers to fill all seats before departing. Note that public minivans can be very hot and crowded, so if you want a more comfortable journey to Koh Lanta you may want to choose a more premium option. The public minivan crosses using the ferry and bridge to arrive at Koh Lanta and will then drop each guest at their hotel. This service is also available if you are traveling from Koh Lanta to Krabi. You will be picked up at your hotel at a fare of THB 400.
Rent a Car
If you are confident enough to drive by yourself and have a valid international driver’s license; then you may consider renting a car between Koh Lanta and Krabi. Renting a car is ideal for those families who are traveling with children. At the same time, it gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own leisure.
The Ferry!
Everybody knows that traveling by ferry is the best choice when it comes to having a fun travel experience. Be delighted by the best sceneries between Krabi and Koh Lanta and get the best pictures while you are enjoying a fresh drink or a snack.
Undoubtedly the journey from Krabi to Koh Lanta by ferry and vice versa is the best way to explore the islands as it offers you both quality and the best possible value.
The ferry departs from Krabi to Koh Lanta (Ferry Krabi Koh Lanta)
Kongka Pier or, KrabiTown at 11:30 or 14:00 arriving at Saladan Pier, Koh Lanta at 13:45. Klong Jilad Pier, Krabi Town at11:30 or 14:00 arriving at Saladan Pierin Koh Lanta at 16:15 being a total of two hours.
The ferry departs from Koh Lanta to Krabi (Koh Lanta to Krabi Ferry)
Saladan Pier at 8:30 and 11:30 arriving at Kongka Pier or Klong Jilad Pier, in Krabi Town at 10:30 and 13:30 The tickets have a cost of 400 THB and you can get them from Krabi Airport or in the piers from each island.
Unfortunately, the ferry might be unavailable from May to October, because of the bad weather conditions that occur during these months. For this reason, if you are planning to travel around these dates, you may want to choose one of the other means of transportation that we have listed.
Weather and Best Time to Travel
Everybody wants to have the best and most enjoyable holiday. However, bad weather conditions could affect this. Unlike Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, which are less humid and have a cooler climates, Krabi is still perfect enough to enjoy its beaches and other water activities.
The ideal time to visit Krabi is towards the end of January to March. During these months, the weather is almost perfect with sunny days and a rare chance of rain. During this time you also benefit from lower hotels rates as the off-peak is after Christmas and New Year.
Some people prefer to visit Krabi in the ‘rainy’ off-season, because it is cooler and less crowded, and cheaper, even though there is a higher chance of showers.
Booking a holiday during the monsoon months of May-November is riskier as the rainy season is unpredictable and inconsistent with days of sun and heavy showers.
What to do in Krabi
Small Excursions
Krabi is the ideal place to plan one-day excursions to dream beaches, which are surrounded by beautiful islands and are a great tourist attraction. Some of them are Koh Phi Phi, Chicken Island, or Phang Nga Bay.
Rafting
If you are looking for an extreme adventure, Krabi is one of the best places in Thailand to go rafting. There is a 5km route for beginners and a longer, more advanced course of 9km which is only open to adults. (The available length depends on the time of year – during February to April as the river can be too dry for the full-length run.)
No experience is required, as the guides who operate the rafts do all the work.
As rafting is an extreme sport, it only takes around 30-45 minutes, and because the transfer time is pretty long, most rafting tour packages include other activities to make it a full day of excitement. These range from elephant trekking, zip lining, quad biking and visits to the Ton Pariwat waterfall and Monkey Cave Temple.
The packages include a stop through the waterfalls where you can take a dip, starting from 1000 Baht.
Note - Pregnant women and children under 6 years are unable to take part in this activity.
Krabi Town
If you are planning to travel to Koh Lanta, stay one night in Krabi Town. This city is famous as a passage to the islands and also offers you sculptures, temples, flea markets, and landscapes to admire in this picturesque city.
Khao Khanab Nam
Two huge limestone formations that welcome the province of Krabi are considered the symbol of Krabi. Take a boat from the dock and head towards the 100-meter-high Mountains. When you get there, you can enjoy the natural attractions such as hiking and climbing to the top, and also explore the many caves and mangrove forests.
What to do in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a gorgeous island district that is located in Krabi Province on the Andaman coast. Famous for its long white sand beaches, mangroves, limestone outcrops, and rainforests.
You can be certain to find uncrowded beaches and the island offers excellent activities such as scuba diving, with stunning coral reefs and exotic marine life.
The tour of the 4 Islands
Travel around the best beaches in Thailand in one day and in your own private boat! The boat departs very early in the morning to visit the islands of Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, Koh Mook and Koh Chuek, which are located in the marine national park of Koh Lanta.
During this tour you can snorkel, kayak,andvisit stunning beaches with turquoise water. You can also visit the cave "Tham Morakot", better known as Emerald Cave. This cave in Koh Mook island ends at a “secret” lagoon, but to get there you must kayak or swim through an 80 meter long narrow cave. Eventually you’ll arrive at one of the most beautiful locations in Thailand.
This breath-taking beach is surrounded by towering cliffs that are covered with tropical vegetation and will leave you in awe.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the preferred activities for many tourists, and you can buy this package in the many agencies located in the hotels. It has a cost that varies between 750 and 1,500 baht, depending on the package that suits you. Moreover, these packages include a delicious Thai lunch. Unfortunately, you can only enjoy this activity during the months of November to April.
Diving
This island is not only beautiful on the outside, but also under the sea. You can become like a submarine and be amazed by the colourful fish and the numerous coral reefs that are hidden in the deep ocean. Some hotels have private diving centers (please note that diving is dependent on weather conditions).
Old Town
If you are tired of too much sun, beach, and sand, a walk through the old town of Koh Lanta is a good option for something different. The picturesque historic center is called Amphur Goewas. This has been the municipal center of Koh Lanta for a long time, and today it is a quiet town with pleasant locals that makes you feel welcome. Here you can find fish and shrimp farms and restaurants with delicious seafood dishes.The Old Town will offer you the best of the coastal culture of the area. Beautiful gardens and landscapes will take you back in time to an ancient Thailand.
Recap
Traveling from Krabi to Koh Lanta and vice versa is so easy due to the multiple transportation services. However, the fastest, safest, most affordable and fun option is by ferry, which also allows you to meet fellow travelers and take in the spectacular scenery that Thailand has to offer.
Please note that the Ferry is unavailable during the off-season between the months of May to October.