How to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta

Why visit Koh Lanta?

Koh Lanta is a laidback archipelago on Thailand’s southwest coast. It’s made up of 52 islands, but you’ll probably spend most of your time on the two main islands: Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi.

You can enjoy mostly empty beaches, visit different islands every day, chase waterfalls, and just be in awe of the beauty of unspoiled nature in Koh Lanta. Besides beach bumming, you can get lost in Mu Koh Lanta National Park, explore the island’s Old Town, or even practise the art of Muay Thai fighting.

There are 3 ways to travel the 835 kilometers (519 miles) from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. You can choose between the bus, train + minivan and flight + minivan. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 21 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight + minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train + minivan with tickets starting at 835 THB ($25).

Travelling by train from Bangkok to Koh Lanta can be a great adventure if you have the time to spend and want to take in the sights.

However, this option will take 13 hours 30 minutes to 19 hours 30 minutes and it involves a transfer in Surat Thani. First, you’ll need to take a train from Bangkok to Surat Thani. From there, you can book a bus that goes from Surat Thani to Krabi, where you will be transferred to a minivan going to Koh Lanta.

The nearest train station to Koh Lanta is Surat Thani Railway Station. You can book a second-class sleeper berth so that you don’t lose a day travelling.

These trains depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 18:30 and 19:30 and travel during the night.

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station

Third Class Seat Fan

Surat Thani Train Station

15:10

10h 1m

01:11

16:10

9h 39m

01:49

17:30

10h 36m

04:06

18:50

10h 8m

04:58

19:50

10h 33m

06:23

20:30

10h 46m

07:16

Thai Railway

From 262 THB ($7.80)

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262 THB ($7.80)

15:10

10h 1m

01:11

17:30

10h 36m

04:06

20:30

10h 46m

07:16

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• 24/7 customer support

309 THB ($9.20)

18:50

10h 8m

04:58

19:50

10h 33m

06:23

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• 24/7 customer support

359 THB ($10.70)

16:10

9h 39m

01:49

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There are four minivan companies operating on this route: Sapthaweephol Tour and Travel, Phantip 1970, 12Go Transport and Phangan Tour 2000. If you want to travel this route in one go, we recommend booking in advance to secure your tickets.

The journey takes about 4h - 7h 30m and you can expect to pay 574 THB ($17.10) for this leg of the journey.

Flying is the fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. However, Koh Lanta doesn’t have its own airport. The nearest airport to Koh Lanta is Krabi Airport.

This route description includes the 1.5-hour flight from Bangkok to Krabi as well as the 3-hour minivan/bus journey from Krabi to Koh Lanta. This bus ride includes the transfer on the ferry to Krabi.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

There are many daily flights going to Krabi from Bangkok. Low-cost carriers such as Air Asia, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai Lion Air offer flights departing from either Don Muang Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

All flights will land at the Krabi Airport (KBV). The cost of a one-way ticket starts at 700 THB ($21). Because Krabi is a popular tourist destination there are often many promotions, albeit they can still be high during the peak season.

For the best ticket price, check the Skyscanner link below.

More information can be found by visiting our route page from Bangkok to Krabi.

The Bus Cooperative of Krabi company offers minivan transfers from the Krabi Airport (KBV) to Koh Lanta.

These minivans depart as early as 08:00 until 16:30 with prices starting at 346 THB ($10.30) per person.

The minivan will drive onto the ferry and bring you to Koh Lanta within 2h - 2h 30m. The exact travel time is unpredictable because it depends on the length of the queue at Hua Hin Pier.

If you want to secure your transfer beforehand, we recommend booking your minivan ride online. This already includes a free drop-off to your hotel on the island.

Krabi Town - Any hotel

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Saladan Pier Koh Lanta

11:00

2h 30m

13:30

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Hat Yai World Tour

From 346 THB ($10.30)

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346 THB ($10.30)

11:00

2h 30m

13:30

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403 THB ($12)

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

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Instead of travelling by plane, you can travel by bus from Bangkok to Koh Lanta.

Several companies offer bus and ferry options from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. Combined prices start from 1,154 THB ($34).

The Lignite Tours which offers 4 night-time trips daily departs from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. On the other hand, the Transport Co. bus departs from Mochit Terminal.

Both bus stations are approximately 10 km from Bangkok city centre. However, Bangkok Southern Terminal (Sai Ta Mai) is more convenient to reach because it is connected to Bangkok’s metro system. By taxi, it will take you about 20-30 minutes to reach either of the two bus terminals from Bangkok city centre.

Both buses arrive at the Krabi Bus Terminal and the journey takes 11h - 16h 30m.

Minivans depart from the bus terminal in Krabi every two hours from 08:00 to 16:00. This is the same terminal as where the buses from Bangkok arrive.

The journey includes the ferry to Koh Lanta and you can buy your tickets at the bus terminal. The total travel time from Krabi to Koh Lanta is around 1h 30m - 4h 45m. Prices start from 315 THB ($9.40).

Krabi Town - Any hotel

Standard

Saladan Pier Koh Lanta

11:00

2h 30m

13:30

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Hat Yai World Tour

From 346 THB ($10.30)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

346 THB ($10.30)

11:00

2h 30m

13:30

Check on BookAway

• 24/7 customer support

403 THB ($12)

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

Check on BookAway