Koh Lanta is the quieter, slower island south-east of Phi Phi: long beaches, small resorts and easy evenings. Getting there from Phuket takes a little planning, because the fastest boat only runs in high season. Here are the three ways to go, and how to pick one.
At a glance
- Direct speedboat — Rassada Pier 09:15 → Sala Dan Pier (Koh Lanta), about 1 hour 50 minutes. 15 November to 30 April only. Back from Lanta at 12:00.
- Ferry via Phi Phi — Rassada Pier 08:30, change boats at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi, then on to Sala Dan. About 4 hours. Runs all year. Back from Lanta at 08:00, about 5 hours.
- Stop on Phi Phi on the way — Phuket to Phi Phi one day, Phi Phi to Lanta another day.
- By road — van or car via a car ferry to Koh Lanta Noi, then the bridge to Koh Lanta Yai. Usually the longest option.
- On both boats, a shared hotel pickup on the Phuket side is included. There is no transfer on the Lanta side.
1. Direct speedboat (high season)
The quickest way: one boat, no change. It leaves Rassada Pier at 09:15 and arrives at Sala Dan Pier around 11:05. The return leaves Sala Dan at 12:00 and reaches Phuket around 13:40. Times can shift with the weather.
- Runs from 15 November to 30 April. Outside these dates, take the ferry via Phi Phi.
- Check in at Rassada Pier Gate 1, Counter 3.
- Bring your original passport. You need it to board.
- Not recommended on the day you fly home. Boats can leave late in rough seas.
2. Ferry via Phi Phi (all year)
A big ferry from Phuket to Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi, then a second ferry to Lanta. You book it as one connecting ticket. At check-in you get a sticker that marks you as a connecting passenger, and the operator’s staff walk you to the next boat at Tonsai.
- Phuket → Lanta: 08:30 from Rassada, change at Tonsai, 11:30 on to Sala Dan.
- Lanta → Phuket: 08:00 from Sala Dan, change at Tonsai, 11:00 on to Rassada.
- Check in at Rassada Pier Gate 3 (a different gate from the speedboat).
- Luggage: one suitcase (up to 25 inches) and one small bag per person. You load and unload it yourself.
- Pier fees at Tonsai and Sala Dan are paid on the spot.
- On the way back you can add a drop-off at Phuket Airport. The drive from the pier takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
3. Make a stop on Phi Phi
Have a few days? Spend a night or two on Phi Phi, then go on to Lanta. Take any Phuket–Phi Phi ferry first (times are in our Phi Phi ferry timetable), then a separate ticket from Phi Phi:
- Ferry from Tonsai at 11:30 every day, and also at 16:00 from 27 October to 30 April.
- Speedboat from Tonsai at 10:30, or from Laemtong at 09:30 with a shuttle boat to Tonsai (high season only). About 35 minutes.
- These Phi Phi tickets have no hotel transfer on either island. Be at the pier 30 minutes before.
4. By road
Vans and private cars drive to a mainland pier in Krabi province and cross to Koh Lanta Noi on a car ferry, then use the Siri Lanta bridge to Koh Lanta Yai, where most hotels are. There is no bridge to the mainland yet, and the car-ferry queue can be long in peak season. From Phuket, we usually recommend the boat.
Which one should you take?
| If you… | Take |
|---|---|
| travel between 15 Nov and 30 Apr and want the fastest trip | Direct speedboat |
| travel in May–mid November, or prefer a big ferry | Ferry via Phi Phi |
| have a large suitcase | Ferry via Phi Phi (luggage rules are clear) |
| want to see Phi Phi too | Stop on Phi Phi, then Phi Phi → Lanta |
| have many people and lots of bags | Ask us first in the chat |
Arriving at Sala Dan Pier
Sala Dan is at the northern tip of Koh Lanta. None of the boat tickets include a transfer on the Lanta side. Taxis and tuk-tuks wait at the pier, or your hotel may arrange a pickup if you send them your arrival time in advance.
TripRAON tip
Before 15 November there is no direct speedboat, so early-November trips go via Phi Phi. Keep some small Thai baht notes for the pier fees at Tonsai and Sala Dan, which are paid on the spot. On the way back, don’t plan a tight connection: give yourself a free afternoon in Phuket, or at least plenty of time before an evening flight. Boats can leave late when the sea is rough.
Before you go
- Bring your original passport.
- Long sea trips are not recommended for babies under 1, pregnant women, or travellers over 60 with health problems.
- The connecting ferry closes for booking at 18:00 (Thai time) the day before.
- Changing your date within 24 hours of departure costs a fee per person.
- If the boat does not sail because of the weather, you get a full refund.
FAQ
Is there a direct boat from Phuket to Koh Lanta?
Yes, the speedboat, from 15 November to 30 April. The big ferry runs all year but goes via Phi Phi, with a change at Tonsai Pier.
Is my Lanta hotel transfer included?
No. The boat tickets include a shared pickup on the Phuket side only. On Lanta, take a taxi or tuk-tuk from Sala Dan Pier, or ask your hotel.
Which gate at Rassada Pier?
Andaman Wave ferry: Gate 3. Speedboat: Gate 1, Counter 3. See our Phuket tour departure piers guide.
Questions? Send us a message (messages 24 hours · replies daily 08:30–22:00 Thai time · WhatsApp · LINE · KakaoTalk).
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Photos of Koh Lanta: Wanjak Atikomchakorn (lighthouse), Marcin Konsek (Klong Khong Beach), Krzysztof Golik (Maiphai Bay) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0