If you want to travel overland to Koh Lanta then the best way to do it is to take a train to Surat Thani and then one of the joint bus and ferry services which takes passengers all the way to the main town in Koh Lanta. Travelling overnight in a sleeper train is a lot more comfortable than taking the very long bus journey from Bangkok to Koh Lanta.
Travel by Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani
Train times from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
| Bangkok | Surat Thani | Service | Train No. |
| 08:10 | 18:50 | Special Express | 43 |
| 13:10 | 01:33 | Rapid | 171 |
| 14:50 | 02:31 | Special Express | 31 |
| 15:35 | 03:35 | Special Express | 37/45 |
| 16:10 | 04:27 | Rapid | 169 |
| 17:30 | 05:25 | Express | 83 |
| 18:50 | 07:47 | Rapid | 167 |
| 20:10 | 08:32 | Express | 85 |
| 22:20 | 09:25 | Special Express | 39/41 |
- Buy train tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
Travel by Bus from Surat Thani to Koh Lanta
Bus times from Surat Thani to Koh Lanta:
| Surat Thani | Koh Lanta | Cost | Company |
| 09:00 | 14:00 | 600 THB | Phantip |
| 10:30 | 15:30 | 600 THB | Phantip |
| 12:00 | 17:00 | 600 THB | Phantip |
| 13:30 | 18:30 | 600 THB | Phantip |
- Buy tickets for travel from Surat Thani to Koh Lanta.
Location of Bangkok Train Station
From the 19th January 2023 the main railway station in Bangkok is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station).
Location of Surat Thani Train Station
Read more about Surat Thani Railway Station.
Location of Saladan Pier
The final stop for Phantip Travel bus services from Surat Thani Railway Station is Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta.
About Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is one of the best destinations for people seeking a relaxed place to enjoy a beach side break in Thailand. Unlike Koh Phi Phi, Phuket or Koh Samui, Koh Lanta has a low density of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. There are no big towns, no busy ‘strips’ with rows of late night bars, and no packed beaches. Even in the height of the tourist season the busiest parts of Koh Lanta seem quiet in comparison to Ao Nang or Patong beaches. Koh Lanta is good value for money as well. For these reasons Koh Lanta attracts a lot of families and well informed backpackers.
Saladan Pier in Koh LantaKoh Lanta is a cluster of islands. The largest island, Koh Lanta Yai, is where the vast majority of the hotels and guesthouses are located. The next sizeable island, Koh Lanta Noi, is largely covered in forests and attracts few tourists other than on boat tours around the mangrove forests. An experience we recommend trying.
Bamboo Beach in Koh LantaKoh Lanta Yai is approximately 30 km long. At the top end of the island is the main town of Ban Saladan which is where the island’s long distance ferry pier is located and the drop off point for many bus and minivan services to Koh Lanta, which travel on the car ferry from the mainland which is a 1 km from the north side of Koh Lanta Noi. The western side of Koh Lanta is almost all beaches broken up by headlands. As you travel south from Ban Saladan the beaches become less busy and less developed, with some of the Southern beaches having no resorts on them.
Restaurant in Koh Lanta Old TownThe eastern side of Koh Lanta Yai, by comparison, has no beaches and very few hotels or guesthouses. What it does have, however, is some of the island’s older communities. Koh Lanta Old Town, on the east coast, used to be the island’s main commercial centre before tourism became the major local industry. The small Old Town area features lots of historical wooden buildings originally used as shops or private dwellings many of which have now been converted into restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Koh Lanta Old Town is an interesting place to visit during a stay on the island.