Koh Lanta from Phuket 2026: beaches, ferry, how many days, where to stay
Quick answer: Koh Lanta is a large, quiet island in Krabi province, about 1 h 30 by speedboat from Phuket (850 to 1,500 baht depending on the source) or 4 to 5 hours by road and ferry. Allow 3 to 4 nights; the good season runs from November to April. Koh Lanta (Ko Lanta Yai) is the opposite of Phuket: one long coastal road, sandy beaches strung along the west coast, little nightlife and bungalows rather than towers. Travellers based in Phuket choose it for a night or more when they want calm, with snorkelling trips to the nearby islands (Koh Ngai, Koh Rok) as a bonus. Many hotels close from May to October.
Highlights
Klong Nin and the west coast
Wide beaches, longtail boats and sunsets; Klong Dao (north, the easiest for families), Long Beach (the liveliest), Klong Nin then Kantiang (further south, wilder).
The southern beaches
Beyond Kantiang the road narrows and the beaches are almost empty in the low season.
The 4-island and Koh Rok trips
A full-day longtail boat outing with snorkelling (Koh Chueak, Koh Ma, Morakot Cave, Koh Ngai); Koh Rok is further out and only in the dry season.
The old town (Lanta Old Town)
Wooden stilt houses on the east coast, a few cafés and the Chao Leh culture, the "sea gypsies".
Practical info
Tips
- Pick your beach to suit your stay: Klong Dao or Long Beach for comfort and restaurants, Kantiang or Bamboo Bay for seclusion. The island is long (about thirty kilometres): without a scooter or taxi you depend on shared taxis, which are fairly expensive. For trips, the "4 islands" longtail outing costs about 30 to 35 dollars on booking sites (indicative prices in October 2026); marine park fees are sometimes extra, so read what is included. If you only have a day or two in all, prefer Krabi from Phuket; to compare the two regions, see Phuket or Krabi. If you like limestone scenery, also see the Phi Phi islands, about 1 hour from Lanta.
How to get there
From Phuket: speedboat from Rassada pier, about 1 h 30, 850 to 1,500 baht depending on the operator; a slower ferry also exists (about 4 h 30, around 1,000 baht) By road: bus or minibus to Krabi (3 to 3 h 30), then ferry (about 1 h 30 to 2 h) or a minibus with two short car ferries to Saladan From Ao Nang: speedboat to Saladan, about 1 h 30 (service mainly from November to April)
Opening hours
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Nearby
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