If the hustle and bustle and lively atmosphere of Phuket has you feeling overwhelmed, then you may be wanting to relax in the quiet atmosphere of Koh Lanta instead.
Getting from Phuket to Koh Lanta is very easy, and there are two ways in which you can do this; by speedboat or by bus and ferry
If you’re not sure which route is right for you, and how to go about doing this, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get to Koh Lanta from Phuket so you can decide which route is best for you.
Distance Between Phuket and Koh Lanta
The distance between Phuket and Koh Lanta is only around 74km (45.9 miles) across the Andaman Sea, however the route is not direct as you need to bypass the Phi Phi Islands when traveling by boat.
If you decide to travel by land, the route is much longer as you need to go around the entire Phang Nga Bay to reach the otherside.
The distance between Phuket and Koh Lanta by land is 245km (152.2 miles).
There are two ways to get to Koh Lanta from Phuket; by speedboat or by bus and ferry. There are no direct flights between Phuket and Krabi, the nearest airport to Koh Lanta.
Read more: How to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta
How To Get From Phuket to Koh Lanta by Speedboat?
The best way to get from Phuket to Koh Lanta is by boat, since it’s quick and convenient, departing at several times throughout the day.
This option tends to be more expensive than the bus, but it does save you a lot of time.
One thing to consider when taking the speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lanta is you need to get from your hotel to the pier, and from the pier to your hotel in Koh Lanta. The tickets for the speedboat do not include hotel transfers, so you need to arrange a taxi.
Fortunately, there is Grab in Phuket, so you can easily get a taxi to the pier. Also, there are taxis waiting at Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta, just next to the roundabout as you exit the pier.
Read more: 13 Amazing Things Phuket Is Known For!
The speedboat journey takes approximately 1.5-3.5 hours (the fastest way to get to the beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta!), depending on which pier you depart from in Phuket. The benefit of the speedboat is that you can enjoy the picturesque views of the Andaman Sea along the way.
There are a few speedboat operators for this route, but one of the most popular ones is the Satun Pakbara Club. They offer speedboat transfers from Rassada Pier in Phuket to Koh Lanta twice a day, with departures at 8.30am and 12.00pm. The journey time takes 1.5 hours and drops you off at Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta.
Another reputable speedboat operator is the Bundhaya Speed Boat, which is slightly more expensive and also has two departures per day: 8.30am and 10.00am. The journey time takes 1.5 hours and drops you off at Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta.
If you prefer to leave via Ao Por Pier in Phuket, you can catch a ferry with Tigerline Travel at 9.00am each day, though it takes 3 hours from this pier to Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta, as it’s located further north in Phuket.
When getting the speedboat to Koh Lanta, be sure to arrive at the pier 30 minutes before departure to check in and ensure speedy boarding.
You can book your tickets directly at the ferry pier, or by booking online using 12Go.Asia.
If you book directly at the pier, we recommend booking a day in advance to ensure your spot, as this is a popular route and gets booked up quickly.
Note: Those arriving at Sala Dan Pier must pay a 10 baht environmental fee.
How To Get From Phuket to Koh Lanta by Bus & Ferry?
If you would prefer to save money, then you can opt to take the bus and the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta, which is about a third cheaper than the speedboat.
The downside to the bus is that it takes about 6 hours and departs once per day at 11.00am, dropping you off in Koh Lanta around 5.00pm.
The bus departs from Phuket Bus Terminal 1 and drops you off at Na Lanta Restaurant in Saladan, Koh Lanta. From here, you can easily catch a taxi to take you to your resort.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer which picks you up from your hotel and drops you off at your hotel in Koh Lanta. This is the most expensive way to get between the two islands (around $100 per person) so we don’t recommend it.
You can book the bus in advance using 12Go.Asia, or you can book it using a travel agency in Phuket. You can sometimes pay extra for a hotel pickup, depending on where you are staying in Phuket.
Note: The bus can sometimes take longer than 6 hours due to traffic, and it will stop for quick toilet breaks but not for a full lunch, so bring plenty of snacks and water for the journey.
Getting To From Koh Lanta to Phuket
If you want to go the other way from Phuket to Koh Lanta, your best option is to get the speedboat from Saladan Pier to Phuket. You can book the boat directly from the pier, or you can book online using 12Go.Asia.
Most bus services from Koh Lanta to Phuket include a hotel pick up, since it’s a small island and easy for the buses to do.
See the below image for boat times from Koh Lanta to Phuket, as well as to other nearby destinations such as Koh Jum, Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang.
Getting To From Phuket to Koh Lanta FAQs
Can you get a ferry from Koh Lanta to Phuket?
You can get a passenger ferry, also known as speedboats, from Phuket to Koh Lanta, but there is no vehicle ferry. The only way to get to Koh Lanta by car is to drive and cross at the vehicle ferry pier in Hua Hin.
How much is the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta?
The price of the ferry varies depending on the operator you travel with and the time of year you visit. You can expect to pay around $40 USD for a one way ticket per person.
Final Thoughts On Getting From Phuket To Koh Lanta
While traveling between Phuket and Koh Lanta is straightforward, the route you take will largely depend on your budget.
We hope this guide helped you decide which route is best for you.