Koh Lanta is a long, narrow island south of Krabi, about 30 km from top to bottom. A single road runs down the west coast past a chain of sandy beaches, from busy Khlong Dao in the north to quiet bays near the national park in the south. It is calmer than Phuket or Koh Phi Phi, and it can be reached by road and car ferry, so it suits families, couples and divers who want space more than nightlife.
Where should you stay on Koh Lanta?
Pick a beach by how much you want to drive. The north has the most shops and transport. The south is quieter and more expensive, but you will need a scooter or taxis to get anywhere.
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Khlong Dao | Families, first visits | Long, flat beach near Saladan; shops, pharmacies, ATMs and the most tuk-tuks |
| Long Beach (Phra Ae) | Young travellers, remote workers | About 3 km of sand, beach bars and cafés; the island's liveliest stretch |
| Khlong Khong | Budget stays, parties | Cheapest area; rocks show at low tide; a scooter helps |
| Khlong Nin | Couples | Quieter, with bars on the sand and better swimming |
| Kantiang Bay and the south | Quiet, higher-end stays | Sheltered bay, fewer hotels; hilly road with long unlit stretches |
| Old Town | An afternoon or dinner | Stilted wooden houses on the east coast; no beach |
Saladan, at the northern tip, is where boats dock and where most practical errands are done. Without a scooter, Khlong Dao and the north end of Long Beach are the easiest bases.
How do you get to Koh Lanta?
There is no airport on the island. From Bangkok, fly to Krabi, which takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, then continue by road. Krabi airport is about 77 km from Saladan.
- Van from Krabi airport: about 2 to 2.5 hours and roughly ฿400–540, with departures from about 08:00 to 20:30. Vans drop at your hotel.
- Van from Krabi Town: about 2.5 to 3 hours, roughly hourly through the day.
- Private car: about ฿2,100–3,300 and around 2 hours door to door. Worth it if you land after about 20:00.
- Boat from Ao Nang or Railay: speedboats run all year, taking about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. More sailings are added from November to April.
- Boat from Koh Phi Phi: about 30 to 45 minutes by speedboat or around an hour by ferry. Sailings are fewer from May to October.
- Boat from Koh Lipe: about 3 hours by speedboat in season.
The road route uses a short car ferry from Hua Hin pier on the mainland to Lanta Noi, then the Siri Lanta bridge to Lanta Yai, where the beaches are. In December and January the ferry queue can add an hour or more. A bridge to the mainland has been contracted, but the ferry is expected to run until around 2029.
How do you get around Koh Lanta?
A scooter costs about ฿300 a day and makes the southern beaches easy to reach. Check your licence, helmet and insurance first, and take care on the unlit hills at night. Tuk-tuks run along the west-coast road, often priced per person and by distance, so agree the fare before you set off. Several trips in a day can cost more than a scooter.
What are the best beaches and things to do?
- Beaches: Khlong Dao for gentle, shallow water; Long Beach for space to walk; Kantiang Bay for a sheltered cove. Check warning flags, as swimming conditions change with the waves.
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park: at the southern tip, with a short trail to the lighthouse at Laem Tanod. It is a good place for sunset.
- Lanta Old Town: on the east coast, with stilted wooden houses, Chinese shrines, a mosque and waterfront restaurants.
- Koh Rok: the most popular snorkelling trip, with clear water and coral. Speedboat trips often add Koh Haa.
- Four Islands tour: usually Koh Ngai, Koh Muk with its Emerald Cave, Koh Kradan and Koh Chueak.
- Diving: Lanta is a base for Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, deep pinnacles with walls dropping to 60 m or more, where manta rays and whale sharks are sometimes seen. Koh Haa has caverns and coral gardens suited to beginners.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?
November to April is the main season, with dry weather and calm seas. December and January are busiest, and rooms fill up around Christmas. The diving season matches it, running from November to April.
May to October is the monsoon on the Andaman coast. The sea is rough, many bungalows close, and most boat trips stop. September and October are the wettest months. The Koh Rok visitor area normally closes from 16 May to 14 October. Vans run all year, but boats from Krabi Town only run from November to April.
What should you know before you go?
- Bring a card, but expect fees. ATMs are easy to find in the north, but each withdrawal carries a fee of about ฿250, plus your own bank's charge.
- Allow time for the ferry. In peak season, build the car-ferry queue into your plans for flights.
- Keep boat plans flexible. Rough seas can cancel any boat on the worst days.
Tip: if you will not rent a scooter, stay in Khlong Dao or at the north end of Long Beach and book boat trips with hotel pickup.
Facts checked October 2026. Van, ferry and boat times and fares are approximate and change with the season and sea conditions; check timetables before you travel. The car-ferry queue can add an hour or more in December and January.
Sources
Discover Thailand · Islands Edition
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