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Koh Lanta travel guide

Ko Lanta is a group of islands in Krabi Province, and visitors stay on Ko Lanta Yai, an island over 30 km long with a string of beaches down its west coast. Boats land at Saladan, the main village in the north, while cars cross on two short ferries via Ko Lanta Noi. Roads become rougher towards the national park at the southern tip.

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Getting there and choosing your base

  • Krabi and Trang airports: The closest airports with road links to the island. Vans from Krabi Airport include the vehicle ferries, and many drop off at individual hotels, so a southern beach adds noticeably to the journey.
  • Saladan pier: Passenger boats arrive here from Krabi, Ao Nang, Ko Phi Phi and Phuket, but most routes run only in the high season. Hotels usually meet boats with their own pick-up trucks.
  • Phuket: Has far more international flights, but onward travel to Lanta is by boat via Ko Phi Phi or a long road trip. Worth it only if Phuket or Phi Phi is already on your route.

Areas to consider

Klong Dao

Suits families who want a long, shallow beach with restaurants and bars nearby. Saladan is a few kilometres away, so check whether the hotel is at the northern end if you want to walk to the village.

Long Beach (Phra Ae)

Suits travellers who want room to spread out on a crescent of sand about 4 km long. Hotels are spread thinly along the beach, so check how far the room is from the nearest restaurants and shops.

Klong Khong and Klong Nin

Suits travellers who prefer quiet evenings and watching the sunset over the Andaman Sea. Rocks line much of Klong Khong and the south of Klong Nin, so ask whether the shore in front of the hotel is good for swimming.

Kantiang Bay

Suits travellers who want few neighbours and snorkelling close to shore, about 18 km south of Saladan. The drive from the pier is long and hilly; confirm the hotel collects guests and has its own restaurant.

When to go

The dry season from November to April brings calm seas and the full ferry network; the Krabi Boek Fa Andaman festival opens it in November. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain, resort rates can drop sharply, and only one or two daily boats to Ko Phi Phi may run. Some resorts still close, though more now stay open all year.

Before choosing a room

  • Confirm whether the hotel collects guests from Saladan pier or the vehicle ferry, and whether the pick-up costs extra.
  • In the low season, ask which on-site restaurants and nearby dive shops will actually be open on your dates.
  • South of Kantiang the road becomes hilly and partly unpaved towards the national park. For a remote resort, check how you will get around without a motorbike.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.

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