Warning: If you have in mind the Survivor TV show where the first French season was shot (the show is called Ko Lanta in its French version) you will be disappointed. The island is much developed than it feels in the show. Flights and transfers from Singapore to Ko Lanta are not optimal for a short weekend, but it’s not all that bad. The island is popular with backpackers and families alike. We were actually surprised to see so many “reggae” bars on the island. Looks like backpackers are winning the battle. However, the island is a good destination for families with kids. The destination is popular with Western and Asian tourists. If we had to compare it to other beach destinations in Thailand, Ko Lanta would rate lower than Railay and close to the other alternatives such as Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai. The total door to door journey from (your home/office in) Singapore to your hotel will take you about 6 hours and 45 minutes. The trip includes flight, private car (your car will actually go on a barge twice to reach the island but you can stay in the car and the driver will manage the tickets and the rest). There is a bridge under construction between the mainland and the first island you cross to get to Ko Lanta. Hopefully when this is done this will help reduce the total transport time (but may further increase the number of tourists visiting). Given the long journey to get there and the poor timing for direct flights from Singapore, it’s best to go to Ko Lanta for 4 days or more. Stay longer if you can since you will be able to stay busy with the different boat excursions if you are bored with the beach. Transport wise, the total return trip will cost about SGD 700 for 2 persons. This estimate includes taxi, flights and car transfer (including the barges) to Ko Lanta. Once there, costs for food and drinks are relatively high for Thai standards but still very reasonable. Excursions can significantly increase your total bill if you go island hopping on private boat or plan to dive. Shared boats are more affordable but not cheap (as most trips involve speed boats). Medical infrastructures on the islands are minimal but overall the island is safe. Ko Lanta is a family friendly destination and you can bring kids and babies (it’s best to pack all the necessary food and supplies for babies as some may not be available on the island). Bring a baby carrier. It’s probably also a good idea to take a car seat for the car transfer. If you have more time, you could combine trip to another island in the Krabi area such as Railay. You could also cross the bay and transfer to Phuket or Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yoi. The flight timing is not ideal for a quick weekend getaways. However, with a half day off on Thursday or Friday, you can make it work. Example: Getting there: Tigerair Friday 2:20 PM (SIN) – 3PM (KBV) Get your tickets NOW to enjoy the best fares. Krabi airport is pretty small and recent. The immigration and custom process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to more than 1 hour (it is usually not too bad if you get there early afternoon when the airport is not so busy). You can find small shops with souvenirs and food, a subway and money changers at the airport. You can get to Ko Lanta by arranging a transfer with your hotel or arranging it on your own. You will transit through Ban Saladan, the main pier and town on the northern tip of the island. Most hotels can offer to arrange your trip: 1. Jointed Van + Speed Boat – Cost THB 1,800 per adult, THB 800 per child (1-12 yrs), and free of charge for 0-2 yrs. A driver will pick you up by car and bring you to the pier. A speed boat will take you to Koh Lanta Yai and from there they will pick you up and drop you off at your resort by car. The approximate time is 3 hours. Faster, more expensive. 2. Private Van + barges – Cost THB 3,000 per trip and the van can hold up to 6 persons. The approximate time is 3 – 5 hours; depending on the waiting time at the 2 barge transfers. Convenient as you don’t have to change vehicle however the queue at the barge can be very long (especially if only one is operating). Ko Lanta – Van coming out of the barge between the mainland and Ko Lanta (first of the 2 crossings) The road is in pretty good condition all the way. When we visited there was a bridge under construction. When it’s completed you will only have to do one barge transfer and this should help reduce the total transfer time. The total transfer time will also depend on the location of your hotel on Ko Lanta. It’s approximately a 30 minutes drive to go all the way from the pier to the last resorts in the South. If you stay in the North, your drive will take 10 to 15 minutes. Most accommodation options are located on the West side of the island. From Klong Dao (close to Ban Saladan) with a lot of shops and restaurants, to Long Beach (Phra Ae), a bit quieter and more for backpacker guesthouses or Klong Khong even further South. We stayed at the Palmari Boutique Hotel. It’s one of the last resorts in the South where we feel there are less tourists and more space. It’s a relatively large resort. The room and pool are nice but we found it was overpriced for that level of quality in Thailand. The restaurant and breakfast were disappointing (but that’s OK as there are a few alternatives around. You can walk on the beach or take a motorbike or a driver to go to another restaurant). If you are looking for a more lively experience and dance to Bob Marley or Bob Sinclar, go for the smaller resorts and guesthouses in the North where most backpackers are. There are dozens of cheap guesthouses. As always, we recommend you book early to enjoy the best rates (and ensure you find a room, which can be a challenge during the high season – December, January). Make sure you select Ko Lanta area as a lot of booking platforms group it together with other areas in Krabi. Or, if you prefer, with
Although we were expecting a quiet island, we were actually surprised by the number of tourists, bars and 7 eleven on the island. You can get the usual Thai mix with beach, trek, elephants, and boat excursions. It’s easy to get around the island as there is basically one main road running on the west coast and 2 small roads that can get you to the East. There are about 10 beaches on the west coast. You can rent a motorbike and explore them. They are livelier in the North and more preserved in the South. The water is pretty nice so you can swim or simply enjoy a good book on the beach. All hotels and travel agencies offer boat tours. From half day to full day excursion with snorkeling or kayaking. Speed boats are common as the classic spots are quite far from Lanta. However, you can find long tail boats to visit some of them. The classic tours are: Koh Rok, Four island tour, Koh Haa. Note: Some tours are VERY POPULAR with tourists. The spots can be wonderful but the pleasure is not the same when dozens of speed boats drop tourists on an island at the same time. You will find diving centers on the island. All dives require a boat trip (you can’t go direct from the shore). Popular spots are Hin Muang, Hin Daeng and Koh Haa. You can visit the Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the Southern tip of the island. You will have to pay a fee to enter. Or you could also go visit Lanta Old town to get a flavor of the local life. The usual cooking lessons, massages, bars, elephant rides as pretty much anywhere in Thailand. Wi-Fi is available in most of the hotels and guesthouses. That’s the one you leave at the hotel. Ideally you want to avoid checking in your luggage when flying. So check the weight and dimensions for hand carry luggage with your airlines (some airlines will allow only 7kg, some will allow up to 10kg). From head to toes. That’s the one you keep with you, all the time. Hence, a backpack is the best option. Remember that this one comes on top of the Regular pack (above) Well, you will probably adjust your bag after a few trips. Remove the stuff that you have not used and add the one that you missed. Post a comment to share your tips! Happy packing (it’s the worse part of the trip but it’s worth it…) and travelling! If you are a citizen from the following countries, you possess a passport with at least 6 months validity, and you are staying up to 30 days, then you do NOT need any Tourist visa to enter Thailand. 2015 * check the exact date on this website as it varies from one year to another.How accessible is it from Singapore?
How much is this going to cost us?
Accommodation wise, you will find a wide range of options. From cheap guesthouses (from SGD 20 a night) to nice hotels (up to SGD 300 a night).How remote and risky is it?
What about the kids?
When should we go?
Connections from Ko Lanta
Getting from Singapore to Ko Lanta
Getting from Singapore to Krabi
or AirAsia Friday 1:20 PM (SIN) – 2:10- PM (KBV)
Coming back: Tigerair Sunday 3:30 PM (KBV) – 6:30 PM (SIN)
Return ticket from SGD 170.
Getting from Krabi to Ko Lanta
Where to stay in Ko Lanta
To see & to do in Ko Lanta
Enjoy the beaches
Boat excursions
Diving
Explore the rest of the island
And of course
More info to prepare your trip
What to pack for Ko Lanta
Your main bag
Your small bag
Beach pack
Thailand
1h behind SingaporeImmigration and airport taxes on arrival
National Public Holidays in Thailand
January 1
New Years Day
March 4 *
Makha Bucha Day
April 6 *
Chakri Day
April 13
Thai New Year
April 14
Thai New Year
April 15
Thai New Year
April 16
Thai New Year
April 17
Thai New Year
May 1
Labour Day
May 5 *
Coronation Day
June 1 *
Visakha Bucha Day
July 30 *
Asahna Bucha Day
August 12
H.M. Queen’s Birthday
October 23
Chulalongkorn Day
December 5
H.M. King’s Birthday
December 10
Constitution Day
December 31
New Year’s Eve
Ko Lanta is a nice beach destination. It is a relatively large island with many beaches. Actually it’s a few islands but the one you will go to and everybody refers to as Ko Lanta is Ko Lanta Yai. To be honest, it is not our favorite beach destination in Thailand but it’s still a good place to go for a long weekend or a short week holiday.
The best period to visit Ko Lanta and avoid the rain season are the months of January, February, March, April and December. Refer to the chart in the sidebar for details about the monthly average rain volumes and rainy days.. Note that some boat excursions or transfers may not be available during the monsoon.
Language: Thai.
Time zone: Bangkok and across the country GMT +7 hours.
Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
Phone: + 66
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