Koh Lanta is located approximately 70 km south of Krabi province and is approximately 850 km (Koh Klang) from Thailand's capital, Bangkok.

Koh Lanta consists of the two islands Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi. While Lanta Yai is larger (nearly 30 km long and about 15 km wide) and was developed in the 90s touristy Lanta Noi is a smaller, little developed island. Here there is mainly a little agriculture, livestock and plantations. Between the two islands (at the southern end of Lanta Noi) runs a 1 km wide, natural sea route. The islands are part of Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Here are more than 60 other small islands, which are well suited for snorkeling and diving excursions. Both islands have been connected by a bridge since 2016.

The district (Amphoe) Koh Lanta has about 33,000 inhabitants. With around 20,000 inhabitants, the majority of the population lives on the island of Lanta Yai. The population consists mainly of Muslim fisherman families and some sea gypsies (Moken), as well as a few Chinese-born businessmen.

Baan Saladan is the island capital. Here is located next to the ferry port and the largest number of restaurants, some guest houses, markets, souvenir shops and other shops. In the village you will also find banks and some diving schools. The island center has mountainous landscape and is covered with rainforests. Here you will also find some waterfalls. Near the coast you will find some mangrove forests.

Because of the quiet and relaxed atmosphere, the island is also very popular with families.

The best travel time is from the end of November to April.

Along the beautiful long beaches have settled on the island Lanta Yai some bungalow resorts and hotels. The two main beaches are located on the northwest coast of the island: on Klong Dao Beach and on Long Beach (Phrae Ae) takes place the largest part of the tourist life. Here are also the most accommodations. From small guesthouses to bungalow resorts to larger resorts, everything is here.

The beaches in the south are a little less touristically developed.

Koh Lanta does not have its own airport. The nearest airports are in Krabi, Trang and Phuket. Although Krabi Airport is an international airport, from Germany you can only travel via the metropolitan airport in Bangkok. Due to its proximity to Phuket and Krabi, Koh Lanta can also be easily reached from there by a passenger ferry or by car (minivan / own car / rental car) and ferry. From Trang airport there are also very good transfer possibilities to Koh Lanta

Transfer from Krabi (Airport / Krabi Town / Ao Nang) to Koh Lanta:
Krabi Airport is located approximately 8 km northeast of the center of the provincial capital Krabi. The most convenient option for tourists is the taxi / minivan to get from Krabi or Krabi Town airport to Koh Lanta. The taxi fare from Krabi Airport (private taxi including ferry tickets) is around 1,200 THB. The minivan costs about 380 THB per person from Krabi.

• From the Nopparat Tiara Pier in Ao Nang, a boat (Ao Nang Princess) departs once a day to the Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta (departure 10.30, arrival 12.45, per person about 500 THB).
• The Pier in Krabi Town is called Klong Jilad Pier (Departure: 11.30am, duration approx 2hrs, Address: Tha-Ruea, Klong Jilad Road, Tambon Saithai, Muang, Krabi, 81000, This boat also stops on Koh Jum / Pu, Price about 450 THB).
• Also in Krabi Town there is the Kongka Pier (Departure: 11:00 am, Arrival at approximately 1:00 pm, Address: Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Thailand, This boat also stops on Koh Jum / Pu, price about 450 THB) ,

Transfer from Phuket to Koh Lanta:
From Phuket Airport it goes directly by minibus and ferry. The price is around 1280 THB per person. The ferry from Phuket runs only in the period from November to April. The ferry (Phi Phi Cruiser) goes to Koh Lanta via Phi Phi Island. For a charter from a hotel in Phuket you also pay between 1,200 and 1,300 THB per person (minibus and ferry). From Rassada Pier in Phuket, there is also a transfer service (transfer on Koh Phi Phi) for around THB 1,200 per person. Here you need about 4 hours because of the stopover on Phi Phi. There are also speed boats departing from Rassada Pier for around 1,500 THB per person. Here the journey time is only about 1.5 hours.

At the airports (Krabi or Phuket) you can also rent a car. Here are several lenders to choose from. In addition to the common lenders AVIS and Europcar, Thailand's largest lender is Thai Rent a Car. Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already at your homecounty. From Highway 4 and Highway 4204 (Baan Hua Hin), the car ferry (Hua Hin Ferry) to Koh Lanta can be reached. Here the journey time is approx. 4 hours depending on the traffic. The Songserm ferry operates between 7am and 10pm.

Arrival from Bangkok:

•  Arriving from Bangkok by plane is possible to Krabi, Trang or Phuket. The companies Bangkok Airways and other local airlines (PB Air, Thai AirAsia, NokAir, Thai Airways and others) serve this route. From the airport you can take the taxi or mini bus + ferry to Koh Lanta.
• From Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal, there are daily buses to Krabi and Phuket. The fare is between 500 and 900 baht. Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 11 and 13 hours. Due to the air conditioning it gets pretty cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. There are 3 different buses at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok:

1.  Standard buses (orange) with approx. 75-80 seats (280 THB = approx. 7.- EUR) (the bus stops in different locations)
2.  Aircon buses (blue) with approx. 40 seats (600 TBH = approx. 15.- EUR)
3.  VIP buses (inscription "VIP Bus 999") with approx. 24 seats (895 THB = approx. 25.- EUR)

• Krabi, Phuket and Koh Lanta are not connected to Thailand's rail network. But you can take the train to Surat Thani and from there in about 4 hours with the "Phantip Bus" or the "Phantip Charter" continue towards Koh Lanta. The bus costs from 640 THB (16,00 €). The charter costs from 6,000 THB (150, - €) and takes about 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic.

Arrival from Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani it is 4 hours by bus and ferry to Koh Lanta.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Khao Lak, Takua Pa, Ranong):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with a larger bus up to the "bus station" in Phuket Town or Phuket Airport and from there further in the direction of Koh Lanta. The journey takes between 12 and 15 hours

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Pattaya, Hua Hin):
From here it is best to book a plane ticket to Krabi or Phuket (via Bangkok). Again, you can book a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus it goes on to the respective bus station and from there with a larger bus up to the "bus station" in Don Muang Airport in Bangkok and from there further in the direction of Koh Lanta. The bus ride takes almost 2 days!

The bus routes between Phuket - Krabi and Phuket - Khao Lak are served by public buses. Here the fare is much cheaper, but is stopped at many stops.

Generally applies to all boat connections that time information is without guarantee. Smaller islands are often approached only in the main season (November - May), since the sea can have high waves, especially in the rainy season. Even during the main season, individual connections may u.U. due to weather conditions.

As far as the choice of speed boat or long tail boat is concerned, everyone has to make that decision themselves. Most of the time difference is only 15 minutes. We prefer the longtail variant, as the crossings are much calmer and more comfortable. Also, much less gas is consumed, clearly a plus for our environment. And by the way, the rides in Longtail are on average more than half cheaper!

Particularly impressive here is the picturesque landscape. It is worth exploring the island with a rented bike, scooter or car.

Along the long beaches you can go for a nice walk and listen to music and relax in casual beach bars in the evening. Especially from the beaches of the west coast you can watch the sunset.

In the north of the island lies the village of Baan Saladan. Here, among other things, the ferries from Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi. Baan Saladan offers several shops, the Lanta Plaza (a kind of market street), restaurants and guesthouses.

In Koh Lanta Old Town there are many small, old fisherman's cottages, partly built with stilts on the sea. The village is characterized by the natural lifestyle of the families living here. In the small restaurants mainly fresh fish and authentic Thai dishes are served.

The Tung Lee Phang Village and Homestay in the northeast of the island (between Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi) offers its visitors a small trip to the real Thailand! There is a mangrove forest here, which can be visited via Holz-Steege. Here live different species of birds, reptiles and monkeys. There is also the option of staying in a homestay and watching the fishermen at work. On site you can also rent kayaks and explore the river landscape.

Viewpoints:
The restaurant Noon at the southern end of Koh Lanta Yai (Kan Tina Bay) offers a great view of the coast. The restaurant is located on a small mountain. Several pavilions serve food and drinks.

Also in the very south of the island is the Koh Lanta National Park. Here the landscape is a bit hilly and you can look at the coast and a beautiful white lighthouse. Admission to the park is 200 THB per person.

Koh Lanta Yai offers its visitors beautiful, long and partially palm-fringed beaches. The two main beaches are located on the northwest coast of the island: on Klong Dao Beach and Long Beach (Phrae Ae Beach) takes place the largest part of the tourist life.

The Phrae Ae Beach is the longest beach of the island with about 4 km in length and adjoins the north on the Klong Dao Beach. Here you will find many resorts and restaurants along the beach. The beach is wide and has fine golden sand. In the sea you can refresh yourself near the beach. A little further out in the sea, however, there are stones in the water.

Klong Dao Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The bright sandy beach is fine and wide and the sea drops off flat. This beach is perfect for swimming.

In the west of the island is the Klong Khong Beach.

Klong Nin Beach adjoins Klong Khong Beach at the northern end. The beach is partly interspersed with stones. Nevertheless, the water is very well suited for swimming. Here there is a very relaxed atmosphere and you will find here some cozy beach bars and bungalow resorts with hippie flair.

A little further south is the Klong Hin Beach

Then the Ban Kantiang Bay follows. The bay is manageable and really picturesque. There is a coral reef in the water, so you can snorkel well. However, there are some shells in the sand, which is why the beach is not necessarily barefoot-suited. The atmosphere is very relaxed.

The beaches in the south are much less touristy developed: Here are the bays Ban Kantieng Bay, Nui Bay, Klong Jark Bay and Mai Phai Bay. At Klong Jark Bay and Mai Phai Bay there is still no really paved road. These beaches are also approached with longtails.

At the Tanod Cape is the Mu Koh Lanta National Park.

On the east side of the island is the Ban Sung-Ga -U Sea Gypsy Village. Here are also the islands of Koh Klang and Koh Lek upstream.