Phuket to Koh Lanta — Direct Ferry via Phi Phi in the Dry Season, or Minivan and Car Ferry via Krabi All Year Round
From Phuket, the direct ferry to Koh Lanta leaves Rassada pier and calls at Phi Phi, but only in the dry season. In the monsoon you go by minivan through Krabi and cross on the car ferry. Times, piers and how to choose by month.
Phuket and Koh Lanta share the Andaman coast but are a fair distance apart. The boat route calls at Koh Phi Phi on the way, and the land route loops through Krabi. The month you travel decides the route more than the price does.
All options
| Option | Total time | When it runs |
|---|---|---|
| Direct ferry Phuket → Phi Phi → Lanta | About 3–4 hours | Roughly November to April |
| Speedboat Phuket → Lanta | About 2–2.5 hours | Dry season, a few operators only |
| Minivan via Krabi + car ferry | About 5–6 hours | All year |
By boat (dry season)
Ferries leave Rassada pier on the east side of Phuket town in the morning, sail about 2 hours to Koh Phi Phi, exchange passengers at Tonsai pier, then continue another 1–1.5 hours to Saladan pier at the northern tip of Koh Lanta. One ticket covers the whole way; you do not rebook at Phi Phi. Most resorts collect guests at Saladan.
Some companies run speedboats direct or with a short Phi Phi stop. They are faster, bumpier and pricier, and suit travellers who do not get seasick and carry little luggage.
- Book Phuket–Koh Lanta boats (hotel or airport pickup available): open 12Go
By land (all year)
In the rainy season, roughly May to October, most boats stop. The route that works is a minivan Phuket–Krabi–Lanta: over the Sarasin bridge to the mainland, through Phang Nga to Krabi in about 3 hours, then south to Krabi's Hua Hin pier in about 1.5 hours, across by car ferry to Koh Lanta Noi in a few minutes, and over the Siri Lanta bridge to Koh Lanta Yai. Most vans drop you at your resort, about 5–6 hours door to door, and it works even in heavy rain.
- See every minivan and boat option Phuket–Lanta in one search: open 12Go
If you want to stop at Phi Phi
Many travellers use this as an island-hopping chain: Phuket → Phi Phi for 1–2 nights → Lanta → Krabi or Koh Lipe. For that, buy the legs separately (Phuket–Phi Phi, then Phi Phi–Lanta). The Phi Phi–Lanta boats run almost daily in the dry season, so booking a day or two ahead is enough.
Seasons
The whole route is Andaman: calm seas from November to April, monsoon from May to October. At the edges of the wet season (May, October) some boats still sail on some days in some years; check the live schedule, but do not build the whole trip around boats in those months.
Common mistakes
- Flying into Phuket in the afternoon and expecting a same-day boat. Boats to Lanta leave in the morning only; land late and either stay a night in Phuket or take the minivan.
- Going to the wrong pier. Boats to Phi Phi and Lanta leave from Rassada pier, not Chalong or Patong.
- Booking a resort at Lanta's southern end without allowing for the drive from Saladan. The main road is about 25 km; add another half hour.
Flights
Compare fares across all airlines in one search (prices depend on the date; last-minute is the expensive way): Bangkok → Phuket · Bangkok → Krabi
Where to stay
Compare hotels and guesthouses along this route (prices change by season; check the live price on the booking page): Koh Lanta · Phuket · Koh Phi Phi
Summary
In the dry season, take the morning ferry from Rassada via Phi Phi and reach Lanta by afternoon. In the rainy season, take the minivan through Krabi and the car ferry, about 5–6 hours to your resort. For island hopping, book each leg separately.