Thailand Guide
Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast
Arrival
The principal mainland gateways to Ko Lanta are Krabi, Phuket and Trang, all of which have good long-distance bus services, and airports; Trang also has a train station.
From approximately mid-October to mid-May there are ferries at least once a day, more during peak periods, to Ko Lanta Yai from Krabi (2hr 30min; B450), via Ko Jum (about 1hr; B450); from Ko Phi Phi (1hr 30min; B300), with connections from Phuket (4hr 30min; B750); and from Ao Nang(2hr 30min; B450) via West Railay (2hr; B450). In high season here are also speedboat services to Ko Lanta from Trang and the islands of Ko Hai, Ko Mook, Ko Lipe and Ko Bulon Lae. All ferries dock at Ban Sala Dan and are met by bungalow touts who usually transport you to the beach of your choice for free.
The alternative to the ferries is the overland route to Ko Lanta Yai – essential during the rainy season but increasingly popular at any time of year. This is the route used by minivans from Krabi town (hourly; 2hr; B200–300 depending on which beach you get dropped at); by taxis from Krabi airport (about B2500 per car); by minivans from Trang (4 daily; 3hr); and by anyone bringing their own vehicle. Access is via Ban Hua Hin on the mainland, 75km east of Krabi, from where a small ferry crosses to Ban Khlong Mark on Ko Lanta Noi, after which there's a seven-kilometre drive across to Lanta Noi's southwest tip, then another ferry over the narrow channel to the car-ferry port on Ko Lanta Yai's northeastern coast; both ferries run approximately every twenty minutes from about 7am to 10pm.