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Koh Samui sits in the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Lanta in the Andaman Sea, so this trip crosses the whole peninsula, from the upscale bays and nightlife of Chaweng to the long, sunset-facing beaches of Lanta, where the pace slows down.
You leave the Gulf by boat, cross the mainland of Surat Thani and Krabi provinces by road, and arrive on the Andaman coast. Plan for a full day of travel.
Koh Samui to Koh Lanta by Private Car
The simplest way to cover the whole route is a private car, which handles the road and the ferry connections for you. On booking platforms, a private vehicle (an economy car, a 4-seat SUV or a 9-seat van) costs from about $251 to $312 per vehicle and the trip takes about 8 hours (November 2026).[1]
Koh Samui to Koh Lanta by Ferry, Bus and Car Ferry
To go on your own, start with a Raja Ferry from Lipa Noi on Koh Samui to Donsak on the mainland. Boats sail hourly from 04:00 to 19:00 and the crossing takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.[2] From Donsak, continue to Surat Thani. The Transport Co. runs buses from Surat Thani to Krabi Bus Terminal.[3]
From Krabi, you reach Koh Lanta by road. A car ferry runs between Ban Hua Hin and Ban Khlong Mak on Ko Lanta Noi from 06:00 to 22:00, and costs 20 baht per person and 100 baht per vehicle. The Siri Lanta Bridge links Ko Lanta Noi with Ko Lanta Yai, where most of the beaches are.[4]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price (USD) | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Car | $251 - $312 per vehicle[1] | About 8h[1] | High |
Tips for Traveling from Koh Samui to Koh Lanta
- Book ahead in high season: The route is busy from November to April. Book a private car a few days early.
- Pack a day bag: Keep water, snacks, a power bank and a light jacket with you for the long day.
- Motion sickness: If you are prone to it, take a tablet before the ferry from Samui.
- Arrival on Lanta: If your accommodation is on the far south of Koh Lanta Yai, allow extra time for the drive once you cross the bridge.
Timetable
| Taxi Koh Samui - Koh Lanta $ 249.15โ309.40 8h | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Koh Samui to Koh Lanta, including current prices and schedules.
On booking platforms, a private car starts at about $251 per vehicle (November 2026). Going on your own by Raja Ferry, bus and car ferry splits the cost into several tickets.
A private car, which takes about 8 hours door to door on booking platforms.
Plan for about 8 hours by private car. Going on your own by ferry, bus and car ferry takes a full day.
No. Koh Lanta has no airport. Flying means going to Krabi and continuing by road.
Bring a light sweater for the air conditioning, snacks, water and a power bank.
A private car picks you up at your accommodation and drops you at your destination. Check the details of your booking.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] 12Go: Koh Samui - Koh Lanta timetable. Retrieved November 11, 2026.
- [2] Raja Ferry Port PLC: Sailing schedule. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
- [3] The Transport Co., Ltd. (BusTicket.in.th): Bus Schedule from Surat Thani to Krabi. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
- [4] Tourism Authority of Thailand: Ko Lanta. Retrieved November 2, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.