Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta

About the ride from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta

 

Once you've had your fill of partying on Koh Phangan, it's time to head out. And where better than the peaceful shores of Koh Lanta? If ever there was somewhere to chill out and relax after too many all-night beach parties, this is the place. You've just got to get there, and here's how... 

The distance from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta is 251 kilometers (155 miles). First, you will need to travel by ferry, and then by road. The total traveling time is just under 10 hours, but the sea leg and road leg are split pretty evenly—around five hours each.

It's very straightforward and a route taken many times before by backpackers looking to check out both sides of southern Thailand. This trip also gives you bags of time to see different areas, away from the coast, that you wouldn't otherwise know existed.

The best way to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta is through a joint bus & ferry ticket. It's a classic traveler trail and an extremely cost-effective way to get there. There are three different travel companies offering combo tickets: Phantip Travel, Seatran Discovery and Lomprayah.

Prices per person start from US$34 for Phantip Travel's standard bus & ferry run. Seatran Discovery's prices start from US$40, and Lomprayah's standard tickets are usually no more than US$39. There are usually a couple departures leaving the island for the mainland each day.

Ferries are large enough to transport vehicles as well as foot passengers. There is an outdoor space on the top deck as well as an air-conditioned seating area below deck. You'll also find a snack shop as well as an onboard bathroom.

Buses are modern and air-conditioned. They don't have bathrooms but will make fairly regular stops at service stations or roadside restaurants for toilet breaks. This is a good chance for passengers to stretch and buy some food and drink. 

If you'd prefer to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta under your own steam, you could always opt for a private car or minivan once you've taken the ferry from Thong Sala Pier back to the mainland. 

Although this will be more expensive, you will have more privacy and peace, and you'll also be able to choose where you get dropped off rather than heading to the Koh Lanta bus station. This is especially good for families traveling with kids.

 

What to see when traveling from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta

The Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta distance gives you plenty of time to enjoy the Gulf of Thailand and then the Thai mainland.

Leaving Thong Sala Pier is always interesting and provides plenty of entertainment as you watch the industrious workers and local kids playing around the jetty. Once you're underway, you can choose to sit up top on the sun deck or down below in the air-conditioned cabin.

Wherever you choose to sit, you'll have lots of time (around five hours) to watch the waves or kick back and relax with a few traveling companions. Keep an eye out for tiny islands on the horizon or for signs of life appearing from below the Gulf of Thailand. Grab a table, play some cards, or find an out-of-the-way seat and try to get some Zs in readiness for the road trip ahead. 

The road leg of the route takes you from the busy suburbs of Surat Thani out into the Thai countryside. You'll be following the main highway south, but there will still be plenty of rural scenes and roadside villages to catch your eye as you travel through the afternoon.

Now you know how to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta, but don't take the traveling experience for granted. Be on your guard, take in your surroundings and make sure you travel responsibly every step of the way. And, try to avoid traveling with a hangover, too. Long journeys aren’t kind with a hangover!

After 10 hours, you’ll usually arrive at Saladan Pier during the late afternoon. It's always a good idea to have your accommodation booked in advance. This also might mean you have a hostel or hotel representative waiting to meet you as you step off the bus—always a pleasant sight.

 

How to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta

Taking a bus & ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta 

For budget travelers, the best way to travel from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta is the bus & ferry method. 

The advantage of buying a combo ticket is that everything's done for you. No need to worry about making a transfer or getting lost. It’s the easiest way to go. 

Both modes of transport are air-conditioned and modern. Ferries also boast a sunbathing deck and washrooms. Buses make regular bathroom breaks throughout the ride from Surat Thani to Koh Lanta.

 

Taking a private car & ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta 

If you want to avoid bus transport from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta, you could always take a private vehicle instead. It's a quicker way to travel and a lot more comfortable and peaceful than a large tourist bus.

Of course, it will be more expensive. You’re looking at US$14 for the ferry from Koh Phangan to Surat Thani, followed by US$100 for a 3-person private car from Surat Thani to Krabi, and then the cost of the ferry from Krabi to Koh Lanta, which is around US$16.

Families and groups of friends often prefer to take a private vehicle as they're closer to their luggage and can be dropped off wherever they choose

So, if a friend ever asks you, “How do I get from Koh Phangan to Koh Lanta,” now you’ve got all the answers.