By ferry
Direct ferries run from Krabi's piers to Koh Lanta in around 2 hours, typically operating from roughly November through April when the Andaman Sea is calmer. Outside that window, ferry frequency drops and services can pause during rough weather — check current schedules close to your travel date if visiting in the rainy season.
By minivan (year-round)
A shared minivan, which crosses via two short vehicle ferries across river channels, takes about 2–2.5 hours and runs year-round regardless of sea conditions — the more reliable option outside high season. This is typically the cheaper choice too, and easy to book through any hotel or tour desk in Krabi.
Which to choose
December–March: either works well, so pick based on price and departure time. April–November: the minivan is the more dependable option, since ferry schedules thin out or pause.
By private taxi
A private taxi covers the same road-and-ferry route in a similar 2–2.5 hours, at a significantly higher cost, but with flexible timing and no waiting for a shared van to fill up.
What to expect on arrival
Ferries dock at Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta's northern tip; minivans and taxis typically drop off directly at hotels further down the island, since Koh Lanta is long and narrow with accommodation spread along its west coast. If your ferry lands at Saladan and your hotel is further south, budget an extra 20–40 minutes for a connecting taxi — worth confirming with your accommodation before booking transport, as some resorts include this leg in their own transfer.
Booking tips
In high season (December–February), book the previous day where possible — both ferries and popular minivan departure times can fill up. Outside high season, same-day booking through any Krabi hotel or tour desk is usually fine. Round-trip tickets aren't necessary; it's just as easy to book the return leg once in Koh Lanta.