The fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is to fly to Krabi (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and continue by minivan or private car, about 2–3 hours including a short car ferry. The cheapest way is an overnight through ticket by bus and car ferry, about 1,080–1,885 THB and about 15.5–18 hours. For a door-to-door trip by road (close to 1,000 km, 12–13 hours of driving plus the ferry), Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Distance and travel time overview
"Koh Lanta" usually means Ko Lanta Yai, an island about 25 km long and 6 km wide. There is no bridge from the mainland. Every road trip, including a private car, uses a public car ferry from Hua Hin pier (Baan Hua Hin, on the mainland; not the resort town of Hua Hin) to Khlong Mak pier on Ko Lanta Noi. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. The Siri Lanta Bridge (opened in 2016) then joins Lanta Noi to Lanta Yai. Passenger boats arrive at Saladan pier at the north end of Ko Lanta Yai.
| Starting point | Distance to Koh Lanta | Typical time to the island |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok, by road | close to 1,000 km | 12–13 hours of driving, plus the ferry |
| Krabi Airport | about 60 km | about 2–3 hours by minivan or car |
| Krabi Town | about 80 km | about 3 hours by minivan |
| Trang Airport | about 90 km | about 2–3 hours by road |
Comparison of the options
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly to Krabi, then minivan or car | 1 h 20 min flight, then about 2–3 hours | airfare, then about 80 THB shuttle plus about 429 THB minivan | most travellers, all year |
| Fly to Krabi, then boat | 1 h 20 min flight, then about 2 hours | airfare, then the boat fare | dry season (mainly November–April) |
| Fly to Phuket, then boat | 1 h 25 min flight, then about 1 h 30 min to 4 hours | airfare, then about 843–1,690 THB | trips that include Phuket or Phi Phi |
| Through ticket (bus and car ferry) | about 15.5–18 hours | about 1,080–1,885 THB | budget travellers who want one booking |
| Overnight bus to Krabi, then minivan | about 12–15 hours, then about 3 hours | about 806–1,495 THB, then about 429 THB | budget, with a stop in Krabi |
| Fly or take the train to Trang, then minivan | 1 h 30 min flight or 13 h 25 min train, then about 3 hours | airfare or 244–1,976 THB, then about US$18–41 | Don Mueang flights; travellers who want a berth |
| Private transfer from Bangkok | 12–13 hours of driving, plus the ferry | Smile Taxi Service: ask for a quote | families, groups, heavy luggage |
Third-party prices and times were checked in September 2026 on operator pages and booking sites. Intercity bus fares were adjusted five times between April and September 2026, so confirm prices with the operator. Airfares are not given here: check with the airline.
Fly to Krabi, then a minivan or car to the island
Flights from Bangkok to Krabi
The flight to Krabi (KBV) takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Check which Bangkok airport is on your ticket:
- From Don Mueang (DMK): Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air.
- From Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia.
From Krabi to Koh Lanta by road
- Direct minivan from Krabi Airport: can be booked online; check the timetable and fare when you book.
- Minivan from Krabi Bus Terminal: about 10 minivans a day, roughly every hour from 07:45 to 16:45, about 3 hours, about 429 THB including drop-off at your hotel or resort. The minivan drives about 1 hour to Hua Hin pier, crosses on the car ferry, and continues over the Siri Lanta Bridge.
- Shared shuttles on booking sites: listed departures from Krabi run from about 07:00 to 20:30, for about US$10–25. Check the pickup point when you book.
- Private car: booking sites list private cars from Krabi to Koh Lanta from about US$59–97, taking about 2–2.25 hours.
The Krabi Airport shuttle bus goes to Krabi Bus Terminal (80 THB), Krabi Town (100 THB, about 25 minutes) and Ao Nang (150 THB, about 45 minutes); it leaves when it is full. For more about Krabi, see How to Get from Bangkok to Krabi.
Boats from Krabi and Ao Nang (mainly November–April)
Passenger boats to Saladan pier run mainly in the dry season and take about 2 hours. A September 2026 listing shows 2 boats from Nopparat Thara pier near Ao Nang, the first at 10:10 (about 1 hour 40–50 minutes), and one from the floating pier at Railay East at 10:30 (about 1 hour 10–20 minutes). Tigerline publishes separate high-season and monsoon-season timetables, so check the one for your dates.
Fly to Phuket, then a boat
The flight to Phuket takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. From Rassada pier in Phuket, a September 2026 listing shows 9 boats a day to Saladan pier:
- Ferry via Phi Phi: departs 08:30, arrives about 12:30, about 843–1,200 THB.
- Speedboats: depart 10:00, 12:00 and 14:30, about 1 hour 30 minutes, about 1,418–1,690 THB.
By road, Phuket Airport to Koh Lanta takes about 4–5 hours. To spend a few days on the Krabi coast first, take Smile's fixed-fare transfer from Phuket Airport to Ao Nang, then continue by boat in the dry season or by minivan from Krabi. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket and How to Get from Phuket to Krabi.
Overnight through ticket: bus and car ferry in one booking
A through ticket combines a bus or minivan from Bangkok with the car ferry, so you do not arrange the connection in Krabi yourself. A September 2026 listing shows 15 services a day, leaving Bangkok at about 18:40–19:00 and arriving at Saladan pier at about 10:15–12:00 the next day (about 15 h 30 min to 17 h 45 min). Prices are about 1,080–1,885 THB, depending on the operator.
Departure points depend on the operator: Montanatip leaves from 70-6 Thanon Tani (Tani Road), near Khao San Road. No minivans have left from Victory Monument since October 2016.
You need only one booking and no hotel that night, but you spend the whole night on a bus and arrive in the late morning or around noon.
Overnight bus to Krabi, then a minivan
Buses to Krabi leave mainly from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai); some operators use Mo Chit (the Northern terminal) or Thanon Tani near Khao San Road. A September 2026 listing shows 25 services a day, mostly in the evening:
| Operator | Departure | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|
| Transport Co. | 16:30 | about 806 THB |
| Montanatip | 19:00 | about 918 THB |
| Lignite | 18:40 | about 971 THB |
| Tara Tour | 16:00 | about 1,390 THB |
| Lampoo Ocean Travel | 18:00 | about 1,495 THB |
The trip to Krabi Bus Terminal takes about 12–15 hours. From the terminal, take the minivan to Koh Lanta (about 3 hours, about 429 THB).
Sai Tai Mai is in the far west of Bangkok. The nearest rail stations are Taling Chan (SRT Light Red Line) and BTS Bang Wa (about 10 km away); take a taxi from either and allow for evening traffic.
Fly or take the overnight train to Trang, then a minivan
Trang is about 90 km from Koh Lanta, and the trip from Trang is by road, not by boat.
Flights: Bangkok to Trang (TST) takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, from Don Mueang only (Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air).
Train: long-distance trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong. The station connects with the MRT Blue Line (Bang Sue) and the SRT Red Lines.
| Train | Departs Bangkok | Arrives Trang | Fares by class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express No. 83 | 18:50 | 08:15 | 284–1,976 THB |
| Rapid No. 167 | 20:30 | 11:00 | 244–790 THB |
Book on dticket.railway.co.th, the SRT D-Ticket app, at a station or through an agent, up to 90 days ahead.
Minivan to Koh Lanta: a tour agent opposite Trang station sells tickets. Booking sites list a limited number of departures at about 11:00–14:00, taking about 3 hours, for about US$18–41.
Private transfer with Smile Taxi Service
There is no fixed fare for a private car from your Bangkok hotel to your hotel on Koh Lanta (the car crosses on the car ferry). For a quote, send your pickup address, your Koh Lanta hotel, the date, and the number of passengers and bags on WhatsApp or LINE. Prices are per vehicle, not per person.
If you fly, Smile's fixed fares cover the road parts at each end:
| Route (one way) | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,100 THB |
| Bangkok to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,000 THB |
| Phuket Airport to Ao Nang Beach | 2,200 THB | 2,400 THB | 3,000 THB |
A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, and a van up to 7 and 5.
- Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi: book a sedan, SUV or van
- Bangkok to Don Mueang: book a sedan, SUV or van
- Phuket Airport to Ao Nang: book a sedan, SUV or van
- All Smile Taxi Service routes and fares
Included: expressway tolls (no meter); 60 minutes of free waiting at airport pickups, counted from the actual landing time, with your flight checked by a person; the driver's name, car and plate number before the trip. At Phuket Airport the driver meets you outside the arrivals exit.
On request: a name sign at the arrivals gate (+100 THB), a child seat (+100 THB), a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup, and an English-speaking driver (subject to availability; not every driver speaks English). Bangkok pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (Thonburi side) cost +100–200 THB.
Payment: cash (THB) to the driver at the end of the trip. The website takes no online payment and no deposit. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added.
Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Smile Taxi Service is rated 5.0 on Google and 5.0 on Tripadvisor, with 8,000+ passengers served and 54+ local drivers.
Practical tips for the Bangkok to Koh Lanta route
- Land by early afternoon if you continue by minivan from Krabi: the last listed minivan from Krabi Bus Terminal leaves at around 16:45.
- Allow time at the car ferry. Every road trip crosses at Hua Hin pier, and there can be a queue.
- In the rainy season, go by road. Seas are rougher from May to October; on the Andaman coast, August to October is the wettest period. If you plan a boat, check the day before that it is running.
- Families: a flight and then a private car avoids a night on the bus with small children.
- Bring cash. As of September 2026, Thai ATMs usually charge foreign cards about 220–250 THB per withdrawal, sometimes more.
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park (Laem Tanod, the southern tip) is open 08:30–16:30; foreign adults pay 200 THB and foreign children aged 3–14 pay 100 THB. Most of the park's smaller islands are closed from 16 May to 14 October, and Koh Rok is closed from 1 June to 30 September.
The return journey from Koh Lanta to Bangkok
- Through ticket: leaves Saladan pier at about 11:00–13:00, about 17–18.5 hours, about US$32–56.
- Minivan to Krabi, then a flight or bus: minivans run through the day. The Transport Co. 999 bus leaves Krabi Bus Terminal for Bangkok at 16:00 and 17:00 (about 12 hours).
- Boat to Krabi, Ao Nang or Phuket (high season): Tigerline's 2025–2026 timetable had boats leaving Koh Lanta at 10:30 and 13:30 for Krabi (Ao Nammao pier, one hour later) and Ao Nang, and at 10:00, 12:30 and 16:00 for Phuket via Phi Phi. Check the new season's timetable before you book a flight.
- Minivan to Trang, then the train: Rapid No. 168 leaves at 14:45 (arrives 05:10); Express No. 84 at 17:00 (arrives 07:05).
Smile's fixed fares for the way back: Ao Nang Beach to Phuket Airport 2,200 / 2,400 / 3,000 THB, Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok 600 / 800 / 1,100 THB, and Don Mueang to Bangkok 600 / 800 / 1,000 THB (sedan / SUV / van). Book Ao Nang to Phuket Airport by sedan, SUV or van; Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok by sedan, SUV or van; Don Mueang to Bangkok by sedan, SUV or van. The driver meets you at Suvarnabhumi on Level 4 (Departures) near Gate 4, or at Don Mueang on Level 3 (Departures); message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags. For a car all the way from Koh Lanta, ask for a quote. If you book both directions, ask about the return-trip discount.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way from Bangkok to Koh Lanta? Fly to Krabi (about 1 hour 20 minutes), then take a minivan or private car, about 2–3 hours including the car ferry.
What is the cheapest way? An overnight through ticket by bus and car ferry, about 1,080–1,885 THB, or a bus to Krabi (from about 806 THB) plus a minivan (about 429 THB).
Is there a bridge to Koh Lanta? Only between Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. From the mainland, you cross on a car ferry of about 15 minutes.
Do boats run from Krabi to Koh Lanta in the rainy season? Passenger boats run mainly from November to April. Minivans run all year.
Is there a train to Koh Lanta? Not to the island. Overnight trains run from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Trang, then a minivan takes about 3 hours.
Can I take a taxi all the way from Bangkok? Yes, as a private transfer of 12–13 hours of driving plus the ferry. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for it: ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
To book your ride to the airport or ask for a quote to Koh Lanta, open the Smile Taxi Service booking page or message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.