Koh Phi Phi is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible island groups in the world. Known for its film beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs, its natural beauty does not go unnoticed. However, because it is such a popular destination, the number of visitors has a detrimental effect on the islands, which are overcrowded in high season. Despite this, tourists still flock en masse to enjoy the beaches and lively nightlife. While Koh Phi Phi is still a worthwhile destination in southern Thailand, you can head to a quieter location later on. Drive from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta and you will find what you are looking for. Most popular with families and older people who don’t want to party, Koh Lanta feels like a thousand miles from the crowded beaches of Phi Phi, but it’s only an hour’s ferry ride away.
Viewpoint on Koh Phi Phi. Koh means island in Thai
Transfer options from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
Surely you are wondering what are the options to go from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta. The truth is that they are limited because you can only travel between these two destinations by boat. Both are islands and have no airports, so while there are other options to get to Koh Phi Phi, the only way to travel from Koh Lanta to Phi Phi is by ferry. Fortunately, there is not a great distance between these islands. The Andaman Sea is only 40 kilometers (25 miles) apart, so as we said before, the ferry crossing takes about an hour, depending on sea conditions.
From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta by ferry
Travelers walking towards the ferry at Tonsai Pier, Koh Phi Phi © SIHASAKPRACHUM / Shutterstock.com
The route from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta is very popular, which means that there are several ferry options to travel between the two islands. First off, there are various ferry companies that operate this route and while prices vary widely, some stand out as slightly more expensive and others as less expensive.
It should be noted that ferries are not always the safest means of transport in Thailand. If you pay less for the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, you may find that the boat trip leaves a lot to be desired. If you’re concerned about security, check online reviews from different companies to compare experiences. Many ferries are overcrowded in peak season, but while some may appear overcrowded, they do not operate if they are over capacity. However, other companies may choose to allow as many people as possible on board. Therefore, if you do not like traveling in crowds and want to enjoy more space, be especially careful when making your reservation.
Sea Angel ferry departing from Koh Phi Phi © PAUL WASCHTSCHENKO / Shutterstock.com
Using a reliable travel site like 12Go.asia should allay any worries as only reputable companies like Andaman Wave Master sell tickets here. There are also other companies that operate with full responsibility, such as Sea Angel. The boats operated by the Chao Koh Group look older than those of other companies and their smaller vessels are often overcrowded. Phi Phi Cruiser is also famous for traveling with many passengers and not leaving the port until the ship is full to the brim.
Some travelers have also complained that there is very little luggage space on the ferries, forcing passengers to leave larger suitcases or backpacks on the upper deck of the ship. Therefore, if you can, it is best to travel with light luggage, and if you have a large suitcase that you cannot take with you on the boat, remove any valuables before leaving the boat and try to seal your luggage as much as possible in case it rains or gets wet from the sea .
When to take the ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
Ferries usually run during the day, not at night. Crossings should be regular during the season, i.e. from November to March. At the moment, the ferries are quite reliable and the trip should take about an hour. However, when the water is rough, you can expect slightly longer crossings as boats have to travel at a slower speed and the journey can take up to 90 minutes.
Out of season, from April to November, there is less demand, which means that the supply of boats also decreases. At the moment, you can expect one or two departures a day. Please note that travel from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta can be greatly affected by off-season weather as rain is more likely to occur and sea conditions can easily deteriorate. In this case, the boats do not go to sea and you can get stuck for a day or two in Phi Phi. Note that when the boats are not operating, they do so for safety reasons, so it’s always worth the wait.
From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta by speedboat
In addition to ferries, there are other ways to get from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, but only in high season. We are talking about fast boats, a means of transport that can be very pleasant and also takes less time to cover the distance from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta. In good conditions, the crossing takes only 30 minutes. When the sea is a bit choppy the boat travels slower and in case the conditions are not suitable the motor boats will stay in the port.
The downside of the fast boat is the ticket price. You can expect to pay much more than for the ferry, but if you don’t mind spending more, it’s a fun way to travel and avoid the crowds that take the ferry.
All in all, if we compare travel options from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, the main difference is the price. While ferries are cheap and often quite crowded, fast boats offer a more exclusive and faster crossing from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta.