Best ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta
We traveled extensively around Thailand for many months, including to the southern destinations, and we have a really good idea of how to travel there best.
The main ways to cover the 830-kilometer distance from Bangkok to Koh Lanta are by flight, overnight bus, train and van combo, and self-driving. To get a better idea of which is best for your travel itinerary, read more about each mode of transport below.
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Fastest: fly from Bangkok to Krabi
The fastest way to reach Koh Lanta from Bangkok is by flying into Krabi International Airport in just 1 hour and a half with one of the multiple daily direct flights and then getting a 2-hour van transfer to your hotel in Koh Lanta.
You can also book a Private Airport Transfer from Krabi Airport to your Koh Lanta accommodation.
In Thailand, our carrier of choice for domestic flights is AirAsia. We almost always fly with them, as they provide great value for money.
TRAVEL TIP
It’s worth comparing the price of a flight from Bangkok to Krabi with the cost of a bus to Koh Lanta.
Even in the peak season, you can find one-way flight tickets with a checked bag costing about 55 USD. And the transfer from Krabi Airport to your Koh Lanta hotel is only about 10 USD.
Departure locations
Flights to Krabi depart from both Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). We prefer flying domestically from DMK because we usually stay closer to it. However, BKK is also a great option, as it’s easy to get to from most other popular spots in the capital.
| Flight Bangkok - Krabi $ 39.36–167.83 1h 20m – 8h 40m | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Krabi $ 39.12–51.98 1h 20m – 1h 25m | |
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Money-saving: overnight bus from Bangkok to Koh Lanta
The best way to save money while traveling from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is by night bus, which takes between 15 and 17 hours.
Keep in mind: most buses from Bangkok to Koh Lanta start in the late afternoon or evening, so you will arrive in Koh Lanta between 10:00 and 12:00 the next day.
Depending on the bus you book, you might have a hotel transfer included in the price.
Otherwise, your only option is one of the overpriced taxis or tuk-tuks to your hotel from the Saladan Pier. Unfortunately, the Grab (Uber) app doesn’t work on Koh Lanta island. That’s why we recommend organizing transport with your hotel, which is more convenient and much cheaper.
| Bus Bangkok - Koh Lanta $ 37.65–45.53 16h 30m | |
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Departure locations
Buses to Koh Lanta depart from different terminals in Bangkok, so it’s worth checking out all the options, depending on where you stay in the capital.
The most common departure point is the Southern Bus Terminal, while some companies also depart from Mochit, the northern station closer to Don Mueang Airport.
However, there is also a bus departing from Khao San Road, which is super convenient. Check all options here.
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More comfortable: overnight train from Bangkok to Koh Lanta
Depending on your Thailand travel plans, taking the train from Bangkok for a big chunk of the journey to Koh Lanta might be a great idea.
While you can’t get directly to Koh Lanta, you can ride the train to Surat Thani and then take a bus for the last five hours. The great thing about taking the train first is that you can take the first leg of the journey on a sleeper train.
The journey by train from Bangkok to Koh Lanta can also be somewhat faster than the bus. The train takes about 10 hours, and then the van takes five hours from the train station to Koh Lanta.
TRAVEL TIP
On the way to Koh Lanta, you can visit the Gulf of Thailand islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao as the ferry leaves from nearby Surat Thani.
Most flexible: driving a car from Bangkok to Koh Lanta
Another option is to book a car in Bangkok and drive to Koh Lanta. While this might seem like a crazy way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lanta as a tourist, it’s really not. Especially if your budget permits and you’re flexible with time or traveling as a family or group.
Note: While it looks like there is a bridge to Koh Lanta, there is not. You have to take a short 10-minute car ferry across from the mainland if you’re coming by car.
We’ve never done this personally, but know of others that did and also stopped at other destinations, like Khao Sok National Park, along the way.
Before embarking on this journey, make sure to read our article “Driving in Thailand as a Tourist,” which details everything you need to know.
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Rent a car! Thailand is very easy to navigate by car, which allows you to explore at your own pace.
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Bangkok to Koh Lanta Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and train journeys from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. The air conditioning can be pretty strong.
- We always recommend to book your transport in advance, and we always do it ourselves. It’s essential, especially if you want a specific type of transport that gets booked out in the high season, like the sleeper trains or VIP buses.
- Always check flight prices, as sometimes paying just a tiny bit extra is worth saving 10 hours of travel.
- Bring some snacks onboard, as stops are limited and may not always be the best choice. However, the best transport companies give you a small snack and a bottle of water at the beginning of the journey. We love it when they do that!
- If you’re flying to Krabi, and your flight is arriving in the evening after 8 PM, it’s likely best to spend the night in Krabi and then get a transfer to Koh Lanta the next day.
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
The night bus from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is a great money-saving option for traveling to the south of Thailand without sacrificing comfort.
There is no airport on the island of Koh Lanta itself, but you can take multiple quick one-and-a-half-hour direct flights from Bangkok to Krabi. And then it’s just a 1-hour drive to the island.
As far as we know, there is no convenient day bus from Bangkok to Koh Lanta. It’s because it’s a long, 15-hour journey, which makes the most sense overnight. Even if you find a day bus, it will likely be much less comfortable than the usual VIP overnight buses.
Our thoughts on getting to Koh Lanta from Bangkok
Having made many overnight bus journeys from Bangkok, we can see why getting to Koh Lanta like that is the most popular option. Even though it’s a long bus ride, it’s not a bad experience at all.
The buses on this route (Bangkok to Koh Lanta) are usually VIP-style, with much more comfortable seats than your standard bus, frequent stops, and correct travel times.
However, personally, we still prefer getting a quick flight from Bangkok to Krabi and not spending over 10 hours on a bus.
Conclusion: If you are on a budget, the best way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lanta is by bus or train. But the flight is super convenient if you have just a tiny bit bigger budget!
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
| Bus Bangkok - Koh Lanta $ 37.65–45.53 16h 30m | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Koh Lanta $ 515.32–674.99 13h – 15h | |
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| Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Koh Lanta $ 480.97–515.32 14h | |
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| Taxi Don Mueang Airport - Koh Lanta $ 480.97–515.32 14h | |
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