One of the most peaceful Thai islands is undoubtedly Koh Lanta, which is actually a small archipelago close to the mainland, centered around Koh Lanta Yai—a relaxed destination with minimal tourist development. When considering how to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta in the easiest way, it’s worth noting that the island is situated near Krabi.
The distance from Bangkok to the port of Hua Hin, where the boats to Koh Lanta depart, is over 800 kilometers. You can only reach the island from this pier, and since it’s located in Krabi, you can travel there by air or by land, depending on your needs. The boat ride is so short that buses usually board the ferry, allowing passengers to stay inside the vehicle.
Perhaps the most reasonable option—and certainly the quickest—to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is to first fly to Krabi Airport. The journey between these two cities is one of the cheapest in Thailand, with many daily flights available, and tickets costing just over 20 euros each way.
Please note that there are two airports in Bangkok: the main airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), and the more budget-friendly Don Mueang (DMK). It doesn’t really matter which airport you depart from, so simply choose the cheapest flight. Suvarnabhumi Airport is accessible by the Airport Link train for 30 baht, the same price as the bus to Don Mueang.
If you want to reach Koh Lanta on the same day as your flight, we recommend not taking a flight later than 2 p.m. The next step is to take a minibus from the Krabi Transport Cooperative directly from the airport, which will get you to Koh Lanta in about two hours.
The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is by bus. You can either take a direct bus from Bangkok to the island or go on your own by booking through the Montanatip agency, which usually departs from the Khaosan district at 7 p.m. and arrives on the island at around 11:30 a.m. the next day.
The Montanatip ticket is a combined bus and ferry ticket designed for travelers looking to go directly to Koh Lanta. The bus will drive straight onto the ferry, allowing you to stay on board without disembarking. This trip costs around 37 euros, and you can book it on 12GoAsia.
Alternatively, you can arrange your own bus journey, although it’s slightly more complicated. First, you’ll need to purchase a ticket to Krabi, which typically costs between 15-20 euros, and this can also be booked on 12GoAsia.
Buses to Krabi depart regularly but not from Khaosan. Instead, they leave from the main bus station in Mochit (map) and from the southern terminal (map), which is more convenient if you’re coming from the historic center of Bangkok.
We also recommend traveling overnight, as the bus journey can take up to 11 hours, and it’s best to arrive before 4 p.m. to catch a minibus that will take you to the pier, followed by a ferry ride to Koh Lanta without having to leave the vehicle.
This is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get to Koh Lanta from Bangkok, whether you opt for the direct route from Khaosan or travel independently. The journey between Krabi and the island costs around nine euros at the current exchange rate, but the entire trip takes about 15 hours and is not the most comfortable.
As always, at Conmochila, we love to recommend train travel in Thailand. While this option is best suited for those with more time, it offers a more authentic and relaxing experience. The night train ride is generally pleasant, although perhaps not the most practical choice in this case.
If you decide to take the train to Koh Lanta, you’ll need to first buy a ticket to Surat Thani, and we suggest doing this at night, no later than 8 p.m., with options available at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The train journey can take up to 13 hours, so we recommend getting a ticket that includes a sleeping berth, which usually costs around 20 euros and can be booked on 12GoAsia.
When you arrive at Surat Thani Station, head to the nearby bus station, where a minibus departs at 9 a.m. to take you to the pier, followed by a ferry to Koh Lanta for 15 euros. This journey will take about six hours, and it’s best to book it on 12GoAsia.
To summarize, if you’re short on time, the best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is to fly to Krabi. If you’re not in a rush, consider taking the train followed by the six-hour journey from Surat Thani to the island.
And if you’re on a very tight budget or prefer not to change modes of transport, the bus remains a reliable alternative.
