Take the speedboat, it runs all year round.
Koh Lanta is about a 1.5-hour speedboat ride from Phuket – and that's the best way to get there. Boats depart several times a day in the morning from Rassada Pier near Phuket Town and arrive at Saladan Pier in the north of Koh Lanta. The crossing costs approximately 1,260–1,700 baht. The two largest operators run year-round, not just during peak season. From November to April, there's also a slower, cheaper ferry service with a transfer in Phi Phi. This journey takes about 4 hours and costs 820–1,350 baht.
Check the current flight times and seat availability for flights from Phuket to Koh Lanta on 12Go.
Traveling by land is a long detour, approximately 226 km through Krabi and via a short car ferry. The journey by minivan takes five hours or more and costs around 750 baht. However, this option is weather-independent. If you fly to Phuket, the drive by private car directly to your hotel in Lanta takes about four hours and costs between 4,300 and 6,300 baht.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
This route ends in Koh Lanta. Search for hotels in Koh Lanta for your travel dates or narrow your search to the specific region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.
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My recommendations for every price category on Koh Lanta
Key facts
Speedboats take about 1 hour 30 minutes throughout the year and cost 1,260–1,700 Baht.
Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara operate direct boat services every morning from Rassada to Saladan, even in October. The Andaman Wave Master speedboat at 9:15 am (1,700 baht) includes pick-up from hotels on Phuket's west coast.
The ferry crossings via Phi Phi take approximately 4 hours from November to April.
The Andaman Wave Master departs from Rassada at 8:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. for 1,350 baht, and the Phi Phi Cruiser at 8:30 a.m. for approximately 820 baht. Both ships transfer to Phi Phi at Tonsai Pier. Some ships also operate in October, but their schedules typically list November through April.
Minivans take 5 to 5.5 hours and cost about 750 Baht.
Seven buses depart daily from Phuket 2 bus station between 6:30 am and 12:20 pm. The route goes via Krabi and includes a short car ferry crossing to Saladan. The trip from Phuket directly to your door costs approximately 1,300 baht.
It takes about 4 hours to get there from Phuket airport by private car.
The journey is approximately 226 km by road, and a car trip costs roughly 4,300–6,300 baht. There is an airport bus at 9:30 am (approximately 1,170 baht); otherwise, you can take a taxi to Rassada to catch a speedboat.
All boats land in Saladan, at the northern tip of Lanta.
Long Beach, Klong Dao, and the rest of the west coast are just a short taxi or hotel shuttle ride south. Some speedboat tickets include hotel transfers.
The rainy season lasts from May to October.
The speedboats are still running, but the sea can be rough. Krabi airport is closer to Lanta if Phuket isn't your destination.
All routes from Phuket to Koh Lanta compared
Prices for Andaman Wave Master and Bundhaya can be found on the providers' websites; Satun Pakbara, Phi Phi Cruiser, vans, and private cars are available on 12Go's live ticket board for October to December 2026 (including booking fee). Private cars are chartered through 12Go (sedans usually between 5,400 and 5,850 baht from the airport).
Bookable departures · updated daily
Phuket → Koh Lanta: Departure times you can book now
All flights currently bookable via 12Go on this route, sorted by booking class. The prices shown are distributed across the different booking classes; the exact price for a seat and a specific date can be found on the booking page.
Ferry & Speedboat
Minivan
bus
12Go timetables and fares are updated daily. Services that operate only locally—regular trains, weekend trips, and ferry terminal tickets—are not listed; these can be found in the table above. Sponsored link: We may receive a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Check the current connections by speedboat, ferry and van from Phuket to Koh Lanta.
The 12Go display board shows all speedboats and ferries departing from Rassada, as well as vans departing from Phuket Town for your desired date, including those operating in the off-season and those that include a hotel transfer on Lanta.
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The speedboat from Rassada
Two ferry companies offer direct service from Rassada Pier to Saladan in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, without stopping on Phi Phi. Both operate year-round. Bundhaya's website lists the route year-round starting at 1,500 baht, with departures at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in October, and additional departures at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. during peak season. Satun Pakbara departs at 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. for approximately 1,260 baht (according to 12Go) – in both October and December.
The Andaman Wave Master speedboat offers a comfortable option. It departs from Rassada at 9:15 AM and arrives in Saladan at 11:05 AM. The fare of 1,700 Baht includes pick-up from hotels in Patong, Kata, Karon, Rawai, Nai Harn, Chalong, and Phuket Town.
Book one or two days in advance from December to February, and expect a slightly rougher journey from May to October due to rougher sea conditions.
Phuket → Koh Lanta ferry and speedboat schedule
Bundhaya and Andaman Wave Master (directly from the providers' websites); Satun Pakbara, Phi Phi Cruiser, and Chaokoh (via 12Go, including fees). The arrival times of the speedboats include the 1 hour 30 minute crossing in addition to the departure time. The Ao Nang Princess also departs from Rassada at 8:30 a.m. starting in mid-November.
The ferry across Phi Phi, November to April
The large ferries take the scenic route. The Andaman Wave Master departs Rassada at 8:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., arriving in Saladan at 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for 1,350 baht. A transfer is available at Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi. The Phi Phi Cruiser departs at 8:30 a.m. on the same route, connecting to Lanta for approximately 820 baht – the cheapest option by sea. The Chaokoh ferry departs at 11:00 a.m. for Phi Phi (599 baht) and connects with the 2:00 p.m. ferry from Phi Phi to Lanta (approximately 640 baht), arriving on the island at 3:00 p.m.
These boats operate during the high season. According to Andaman Wave Master, service runs from November to April, although trips are also offered in October. The Ao Nang Princess also sails from Phuket to Lanta during the high season, departing from Rassada at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are available from mid-November via 12Go. A transfer in Tonsai can involve waiting at the pier and up to two hours on the Chaokoh ferry. It is unclear whether transit passengers must pay Phi Phi pier fees or national park fees, so it is advisable to carry cash.
By minivan or car
The route leads north from Phuket around Phang Nga Bay, through Krabi, and then by short car ferry from Hua Hin Pier to Lanta Noi, about 226 km from Phuket Airport. Shared taxis depart seven times daily from Phuket 2 Bus Station between 6:30 am and 12:20 pm and cost approximately 750 baht. The journey to Saladan Pier takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes. Door-to-door taxis from Krabi Vijit cost about 1,300 baht. A taxi departs from Phuket Airport at 9:30 am and costs about 1,170 baht. Hotels in Lanta are reached in the late afternoon.
By car, the journey takes about four hours and costs between 4,300 and 6,300 baht. This cost can easily be split between three or four people, allowing for flexible travel arrangements. In December and January, the car ferry can add several hours to the journey time, which is the main reason for using it during peak season.
The best-rated hotels in Koh Lanta
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Koh Lanta. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you can enter your travel dates.
Landing in Saladan
All boats from Phuket arrive at Saladan Pier on the northern tip of Lanta, and most minibuses also terminate there. The beaches of the west coast, including Klong Dao, Long Beach, and others, stretch south of Saladan, so you can reach your hotel quickly by taxi or tuk-tuk. Some speedboat tickets include a hotel transfer on Lanta for a small additional fee, and minibuses will take you directly to your hotel.
Koh Lanta to Phuket
For the return trip, speedboats depart from Saladan in the morning and early afternoon: Satun Pakbara at 9:00, 13:00, and 14:30; Bundhaya at 10:00, 13:00, and 15:30; and the Andaman Wave Master speedboat at 12:00. The journey to Rassada takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. According to the latest published Tigerline timetable, three boats operate via Phi Phi at 10:00, 12:30, and 16:00, arriving at Chean Vanich Pier in Rassada. During peak season, ferries via Phi Phi depart at 8:00 and 13:00. If traveling by car, you can reach Saladan using Good Luck Lanta vans, which run from 8:00 to 12:00 to Phuket Bus Station, the airport, or Patong.
For a flight from Phuket, a morning speedboat with plenty of time to spare is recommended, as the boat docks in Rassada, near Phuket Town – on the far side of the island from the airport. For an early flight, you should book a private transfer the day before; this is the only reliable option. My Koh Lanta to Phuket travel guide includes all return transfers, connections to your flight, and tickets for the boat and van to the airport.
Koh Lanta → Phuket: Departure times you can book now
Check the boat and van connections from Koh Lanta to Phuket.
The same live display board for the return journey, with the morning speedboats from Saladan, the ferries via Phi Phi and the vans to Phuket Town, Patong and the airport.
When should you go?
Lanta follows the Andaman calendar. The nearest weather station in Phuket records only 24 mm of rainfall in February and 350 mm in September, the wettest month. The main rainy season begins in May. From November to April, the crossing is calm and the ferry service runs regularly. From May to October, the speedboats still operate, but the sea is rougher. If you're trying to decide between Lanta and the mainland of Krabi, our Krabi vs. Koh Lanta comparison can help.
Booking your crossing? Plan your trip to Lanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Phuket to Koh Lanta.
The speedboat trip from Rassada Pier to Saladan takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the larger ferries, which change in Phi Phi, take about 4 hours. Speedboats cost approximately 1,260–1,700 baht, and ferries approximately 820–1,350 baht.
Yes, several times a day, all year round. Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara depart from Rassada between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm and cost approximately 1,260–1,500 baht. The Andaman Wave Master tour at 9:15 am (1,700 baht) includes pick-up from hotels in Phuket.
The speedboats are running. Bundhaya advertises the route as year-round, and both Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara operate in October. The larger ferries via Phi Phi mainly run from November to April, and the minivans operate year-round in all weather conditions.
The easiest way to get there is by private car; the journey takes about four hours and costs 4,300–6,300 baht per vehicle (with advance booking). A shared taxi departs from the airport at 9:30 a.m. (approximately 1,170 baht). Alternatively, you can take a taxi to Rassada Pier and then a speedboat (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).
The road route from Phuket Airport to Saladan is approximately 226 km, via Krabi and a short ferry crossing. The sea route is significantly shorter, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes by speedboat and 5 hours or more by van.
Yes. Satun Pakbara (09:00, 13:00, 14:30), Bundhaya (10:00, 13:00, 15:30) and Andaman Wave Master (12:00) offer speedboat services from Saladan to Rassada in about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the ferries via Phi Phi depart at 08:00 and 13:00 during the high season.
September and October are the rainiest months on the Andaman coast, and the sea is rougher from May to October. The peak season is from November to April.
Krabi with its cliffs, Railay, and excursion options; Lanta with its long, tranquil beaches and more relaxed pace of life. Our comparison of Krabi and Koh Lanta provides all the details.
Prices range from approximately 1,260 to 1,500 baht for speedboats to Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara, to 1,700 baht for the Andaman Wave Master speedboat including hotel pick-up in Phuket, and from approximately 820 to 1,350 baht for ferries departing from Phi Phi between November and April. A minivan costs around 750 baht.
Yes, by minivan. There are seven departures daily between 6:30 am and 12:20 pm from Phuket 2 bus station. The fare is approximately 750 baht and the route goes via Krabi and a short car ferry ride to Saladan. The journey takes 5 to 5.5 hours. There is no train connection; the railway line does not go to either Phuket or Krabi.
Yes, for long, quiet beaches, families, snorkeling trips to Koh Rok, and a more relaxed, affordable alternative to Phuket or Phi Phi – provided you travel between November and April. My travel guide, "Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting?", is organized by month.
Compare prices on the major booking portals and filter for rooms with free cancellation if you want to book now and decide later.
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Further from Koh Lanta
The next stage, with the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
Return journey? From Koh Lanta to Phuket – All routes in Thailand
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