We have been to our fair share of Thai islands, and every single one has proven different than the one before. In this Koh Lanta itinerary we’ll try to give you a glimpse of this beautiful island and make any choosing decisions easier! Other than Koh Phangan, even though you can definitely find peace and quiet there, famous for its party scene, or the lesser known Koh Kood, Koh Lanta is far less crowded.
It’s a beautiful escape to white sand beaches, traditional fishing villages and beautiful sunsets. While you could definitely find parties and bars here, Koh Lanta is ideal to catch your breath for a while and just enjoy your surroundings.
Koh Lanta itinerary
How to get to Koh Lanta?
Koh Lanta is actually reachable by land. That’s not to mean the journey will be short, but it is great for those wishing to avoid sea travel.
From Bangkok, there are direct buses, taking anywhere between 12 and 16 hours. Typically that will be an overnight drive.
If you’re flying into Krabi airport, there are mini vans (private and public) going directly to the island. Keep in mind that a public van, while making hotel drop offs, will take longer because of that, and they are crowded! A private van is ideal for when you’re traveling with a group or family.
Thai ferries will take you anywhere, and you can get to Koh Lanta from virtually any other island on the west coast.
As always in Thailand, book all of your travel through 12GoAsia. Additionally, every hotel you stay at will be able to arrange tickets for you.
Where should I book my hotel?
While Koh Lanta is not the biggest island in Thailand, it is still quite large, spanning 80 square kilometers. Choosing a location based on your needs is essential if you don’t want to scooter around all day. The further south you go, the quieter it gets.
We stayed at Nui Beach, which had some beach bars, but nothing crazy. Koh Lanta Old Town lies on the east cost, which has virtually no beaches. From Nui Beach on the west coast all the way up to Klong Khong Beach and Khlong Dao Beach and the closer to Koh Lanta Bridge, the busier.
Traveling to Thailand for the first time? Here are the 5 best Thai destinations for first-timers!
Day 1 – explore the beaches and Mu Ko Lanta NP
Take it easy on your first day, and explore some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Drive your scooter down the west coast and take your first dip at Nui Beach. Stop at Khlong Chak Beach, a small hidden beach with great beach bar, and then continue to Mu Ko Lanta National Park.
The drive itself through lush rainforest is beautiful, and all the way at the southern tip, it spits you out by the beach. There is a hike to a view point here, as well as the lighthouse. There are your obligatory swings, but also picknick areas and a beautiful, quiet beach.
Day 2 – Snorkeling at Koh Rok
There is no shortage of snorkeling tours and spots, but we opted to take an organized trip to Koh Rok. We’d been told many times that this was the best place to do so. So, in the morning we got picked up on the beach right outside our hotel by boat and made our way to Koh Rok.
The underwater world there is absolutely amazing. The water is so clear, and the fish plenty and colourful. It was a super relaxed day, in which we were taken around to the best spots around Koh Rok and Koh Haa to snorkel and swim in the lagoon.
Some parts of the water were quite choppy on our day as we were at the tail end of a rain season that lasted longer than usual. If you need motion sickness meds, take them before boarding the boat!
📖 Also read our best Thai islands for couples guide!
Day 3 – Koh Lanta Old Town and Koh Lanta Noi
We quite liked Old Town with its fisherman’s vibes and old buildings right above the water. We did some exploring and stopped for smoothies at a tiny place run by the cutest elderly couple called Mama & Papa Fruitshake. We had lunch at Pinto, a contemporary Thai restaurant, which was excellent.
Old Town is really nothing more than one main street, but its charming feel is a whole mood. Visit the Chinese temple, buy your souvenirs here and just enjoy the scenery. Most restaurants are built out onto the sea and offer stunning views.
The northern part of Lanta, separated with a bridge, is Koh Lanta Noi. This is where most local people live, and which has not been developed for tourism. Still, it is worth your time to take your scooter and drive around, as it is completely different from what you’ve seen so far. On Lanta Noi you’ll find rubber plantations, fishing villages and tranquility. The circular road is paved, and you can drive a full circle.
Day 4 – Adventure, do-good or relax?
The choice is yours! If you’re up for some more exploration, you could do a zipline, go kayaking or take another tour to Emerald Cave. Alternatively, do a Thai cooking class!
If you have some more time on your hands and you’d like to give back to the community, Koh Lanta Animal Welfare are an excellent organization where they look after (mostly) cats and dogs and should not be missing on your Koh Lanta itinerary. You can book a tour, or sign up as a volunteer for an extended amount of time.
Looking to explore some more beaches? Make your way to Long Beach, Khlong Khong, or Kantian Bay.
Where to eat?
- French Bakery Koh Lanta. The make good sandwiches and serve decent pizza’s as well.
- Pad Thai Rock ‘n Roll for you, guessed it, awesome pad thai!
- Why Not Bar. We loved these fun guys; a perfect hang out spot!
- Hidden Tree cafe & restaurant; a beautiful spot for breakfast and lunch bowls.
- Yang Garden, for fancy dining run by a Belgian/Swedish couple.
- The Garden Restaurant. Right around the corner from Lanta Animal Welfare and part of a homestay. Super sweet owner.
Our hotel selection
→ Miami Lanta Resort is a chilled out, family run resort with large rooms and a beachfront pool right on Nui Beach
→ Prefer to stay around Old Town? Deep House Sea View offers rooms with sea views (obviously), balconies with hammocks and an all around good atmosphere and great rates.
→ Lanta Castaway Beach Resort offers luxury on Long Beach. Garden bungalows, breakfast and a beachfront restaurant.
→ Traveling on a budget? Lanta Grand House on Long Beach, OYO 1085 on Bamboo Beach or Zam Zam House at Klong Khong Beach all offer good value for money.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Find our favourite tours on GetYourGuide:
- Book your hotels on Booking.com or Agoda
- Need a Thailand guide? Find it on Amazon!
Don’t forget to pack!
- Reef safe sunscreen
- We love our compression packing cubes
- You’ll need a travel adapter for Thailand
- Water shoes – a lifesaver with rocks in the waters
- A lightweight daypack
- Or check our Thailand packing guide!
- Airalo e-SIM for internet access
Koh Lanta itinerary: FAQ
How do I get around on Koh Lanta?
Get a scooter! By far the easiest to get around on Koh Lanta isn’t really walkable, and unless you want to stay at your resort and just relax and hang out there, you need a scooter. Taxi’s are scarce and pricey. Tuk-tuks take a bit more organisation and patience. Do ask for a helmet and take a video of your scooter to be able to dispute any pre-existing damages if needed.
Where should I go after Koh Lanta?
From Koh Lanta, we made our way to Koh Kradan, but there are a myriad of options. Boat and minivan tickets are sold everywhere, and your hotel will more than likely be able to book you going anywhere.
Is 4 days enough?
Yes and no! It all depends on your objective. If you’re looking for an R&R holiday, you could easily spend 2 weeks here. If you’re island hopping and you’re visiting Koh Lanta to see what it’s all about, 4 days is enough to give you a good impression. This is not a party island, so this won’t take up too much of your time.
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
4 comments
Hi. Thank you for all of the information. I will be sailing around Thailand on a catamaran in January 2025. I saved for future planning.
I always wondered if you would see a lot of Siamese cats (Thai cats) when you visit Thailand. I have owned Siamese for over 30 years. Do you see a lot of street cats at the beach?
This actually helped me understand how to pace a few days in Koh Lanta. The way you split things up made it clearer what to do without feeling like you have to rush through everything. It also gave a better sense of what the place is like, not just what to see.
Great itinerary! Also that hotel looks wonderful!