About the ride from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan
If you're thinking about swapping Andaman idylls for the Gulf of Thailand’s gorgeousness, then look no further. It's a relatively straightforward route from southwest to southeast Thailand with travels by bus and boat providing classic backpacker tales.
The distance from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan is 251 kilometers (155 miles), so you need to travel first by road and then by ferry. Transport is relatively comfortable, which is just as well because you'll be traveling for around nine hours and 30 minutes.
Don't forget, long-distance travel in Thailand is the best way to see more of the country. It's all about exploring and meeting new people rather than flying and flopping in one place. It's a magical place to visit, and the more time you spend on the road, the more adventures you'll no doubt enjoy.
The best way to get from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan is by buying a combination bus & ferry ticket. It's a very popular and affordable way to travel. Loads of backpackers do it, so you're bound to get to know a few new friends you haven't yet met along the way.
Ticket prices start from US$34 for a standard bus & ferry ticket run by Phantip Travel. Prices for the high-speed bus & ferry run by Seatran Discovery begin at US$40. The standard bus & ferry, run by Lomprayah, has seat prices starting from US$39.
All buses are air-conditioned and will make regular comfort breaks along the way. These breaks are a good opportunity to stretch your legs and maybe purchase some provisions.
The benefit of swapping from bus to boat is that you'll get to experience two totally different modes of transport. Ferries will usually have an open-top sunbathing area and an air-conditioned seating area below the deck. There are bathrooms as well as a small kiosk to purchase food and drinks. It's a good chance to stroll around, relax or chat with a few of your fellow passengers.
Alternatively, the best way to travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan without using a tourist bus is to hire a private car. However, this is a more expensive option and will require you to book separate tickets for the road trip and the ferry.
One of the benefits of traveling by private car is that you can leave whenever you like and don’t have to stick to a strict bus/ferry schedule.
What to see when traveling from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan
As you get from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan, you're going to have the opportunity to see a fair amount of land and sea.
Starting from Koh Lanta allows you to make the most of the Andaman before you set off to Thailand's east coast, where even more amazing islands await. In between, you'll pass by numerous roadside towns and villages and larger cities via busy highways.
Although you’ll mainly see lots of cars, trucks, and buses, there will be more than enough rice paddies, bamboo forests, and traditional farming communities to see out of your window. Also, keep an eye out for street life as you travel over the course of the day.
Getting from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan is really easy. It's a popular route, and many other travelers have come this way before. However, every experience is different. Or same-same but different, as the Thai motto goes. This is your adventure. It’s unique to you.
Once you've completed the road trip, it's time to take the ferry. This crossing from Surat Thani to Thong Sala Pier takes approximately five hours.
This gives you more than enough time to watch the waves or just sit back and sunbathe as the ferry motors hum deep from below deck.
The entire Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan distance lets you see plenty of mainland Thailand as well as both coasts. Bus & ferry combo tickets usually depart early in the morning and arrive in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, this is not a sleeper ticket, so you will need to book accommodation when you arrive.
How to get from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan
Taking a bus & ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan
The best transport from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan is a combined bus and ferry service.
There are three bus & ferry combo departures each day, and you’ll need to arrive at the bus terminal at least an hour before departure.
The benefit of having a combination ticket is that all you have to do is listen to instructions and follow your group leader as you switch transport. So it’s a mindless way to travel, which is pretty nice.
Taking a private car & ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan
Suppose you're wondering, How do I get from Koh Lanta to Koh Phangan without using a tourist bus. In that case, you might want to consider opting for a private car in between the ferry rides.
This is definitely a more expensive option. First, it costs US$16 for the ferry from Koh Lanta to Krabi. Then you’ll take a 3-person private car from Krabi to Surat Thani for approximately US$100. This is followed by a US$14 ticket on the ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan.
One of the downsides of taking a private car is that you will have to book your own ferry ticket. There won't necessarily be anyone showing you where to go. But that's the thrill of independent travel for you! Enjoy.