We’re here to answer questions such as: does grab work in Koh Lanta, are taxis or tuk-tuks available, can you hire a scooter, and what is the best way to get around the island without falling victim to a scam or the taxi mafia?
Navigating Koh Lanta can be a bit tricky, especially since the island is quite large and not very walkable.
I’ve been lucky to explore Koh Lanta on multiple trips, going beyond the usual tourist paths to truly understand its transportation quirks.
If you’re wondering how to efficiently get around this beautiful island, this comprehensive guide has everything you’re looking for. There’s more to Koh Lanta transport than meets the eye, and I’ve got the insider tips you need.
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Why you can trust this article about grab in Koh Lanta
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for South East Asia travel tips and information. I’ve been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.
Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.
Whether you’re looking for an ultimate island-hopping itinerary, or useful currency tips, I’ve got you covered.
Koh Lanta is a beautiful and relaxed island and the perfect place to unwind and spend time by the beach. I’ve stayed in most areas of the island, and I found that your transport experience will be very different depending on where you have your base.
Is grab available in Koh Lanta?
Bad news: grab is unfortunately not available in Koh Lanta, so you’ll have to say goodbye to the convenience of online taxis during your stay. This is mostly because of the control of the local taxi mafia, who don’t want to adjust their highly inflated prices, as well as the lack of demand.
Unfortunately, that means that your options for getting around Koh Lanta are pretty limited.
We discuss each transport method for Koh Lanta in detail below, but essentially, you can choose between renting a scooter, walking shorter distances, or using over-priced taxis and tuk-tuks.
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Is Bolt available in Koh Lanta?
Bolt is a popular alternative to grab in Thailand. However, much like grab, Bolt is unfortunately not available in Koh Lanta. You will have to find other transport options.
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Are Uber and Lyft available in Koh Lanta?
Uber and Lyft are not currently available in Koh Lanta or anywhere in Thailand. Grab is the most popular alternative, but in the case of Koh Lanta, it is not available due to the lack of demand and control of the taxi mafia on the island.
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Is gojek available in Koh Lanta?
Gojek is an Indonesian alternative to grab or Uber and was briefly available in Thailand before the company handed over operations to Air Asia in 2020.
While gojek is very popular across Indonesia, especially in places like Uluwatu, Canggu or Sanur, it does not work in Thailand anymore and definitely not in Koh Lanta.
How do you get from Koh Lanta Pier to your hotel or Old Town?
If you’re planning your first trip to Koh Lanta, you might be wondering how you’re going to get from the ferry pier to your resort without grab to help you out.
The answer to this will depend a little bit on where your hotel is located. Definitely double-check the location when booking and how far it is from the pier. If it’s close by, you can just walk, but if it’s further away, you might have to take a taxi.
Also note that Koh Lanta has two piers, one in Old Town and then Sala Dan in the north of the island.
Some hotels in Koh Lanta offer a free pickup and dropoff at the pier, depending on where you’re staying. Clarify with your accommodation if there is a transfer available and how to let them know when exactly you’ll be arriving.
If your hotel can’t help, you can take a tuk-tuk or taxi, which are available on arrival at the pier in Koh Lanta, although prices can be high. They’re not the cheapest though, so consider renting a scooter instead if you can fit your luggage.
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Best ways to get around Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta consists of two islands, both of which are relatively large with spans of dense forest. Here are the best transport options for Koh Lanta so you can still get around as easily and conveniently as possible, even without grab.
1. Is Koh Lanta walkable?
Walking is not the best way to get around Koh Lanta, but it is possible. The two islands are approximately 24 kilometres long from top to bottom and around 10 kilometres wide. They’re located very close together and are connected by the Siri Lanta Bridge.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any sidewalks in most parts of Koh Lanta, and even if there are, they’re not great for walking. You’ll be able to go short distances on foot, but as soon as you leave the Old Town or the area close to the harbour, it becomes more and more impossible due to the traffic and bad road conditions.
A good alternative is to walk along the beach, which is a lot more pleasant but not always possible, depending on the tides and where you are in Koh Lanta.
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2. Taking a water or boat taxi in Koh Lanta
Water or boat taxis are far less common in Koh Lanta than in places like Koh Tao or Koh Phi Phi. You won’t really find them on the island, but there are boats connecting Koh Lanta Noi to the mainland.
You should check out boat tours around Koh Lanta though, which can be a fun and exciting way to explore the area. We recommend this day trip to Koh Rok and Koh Haa or this trip, which includes Skull Island and a mangrove kayaking tour.
3. Can you rent a bicycle in Koh Lanta?
You can also rent a bicycle in Koh Lanta, which is a great alternative if you’re not confident on a scooter. Koh Lanta is reasonably flat with some hills, but it’s possible to bike around.
Just keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the road with cars, tuk-tuks and scooters, which drive fast in Koh Lanta, so be cautious and avoid driving at night.
There aren’t a lot of bicycle rentals on the island, but you’ll find options in Old Town or close to Klong Dao in the north. Some accommodations also have bikes included, so keep an eye out for that when booking.
4. Can you rent a scooter in Koh Lanta, and is it safe for driving?
Renting a scooter is the best way to get around Koh Lanta, and if you’re looking for flexibility without spending a fortune, this is a fantastic transport method.
While Koh Lanta is fairly quiet without too much traffic, driving can still be dangerous, so think carefully if you want to choose this transport method.
Drive slowly and always wear a helmet. Scooter accidents are very common in Thailand, and inexperienced drivers make the roads dangerous.
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Scooter rental scams are unfortunately common in Thailand, including Koh Lanta, and tourists are often overcharged a lot for small scratches or damages. Try to read Google reviews before you choose a rental and choose one that provides insurance.
Take very detailed photos and videos of your scooter so you can document any damages. If possible, avoid leaving your passport with the scooter rental, which gives them much more bargaining power.
5. Can you rent a car in Koh Lanta?
It’s not very common for tourists to rent a car in Thailand, but it is possible. There are very limited car rental agencies in Koh Lanta, most notably Lanta Sky, which we recommend.
Prices start at approximately THB 1,500 (~ $41 US) per day, which is not very cheap but can be worth it for larger groups of people.
Make sure you have the correct driver’s license, though, and only rent a car in Koh Lanta if you’re confident driving on the left side of the road.
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You can also rent a car elsewhere in Thailand and then take a car ferry over to Koh Lanta. This is definitely a big adventure and will involve a lot of driving, but can make getting around much easier.
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6. Is there public transport in Koh Lanta?
The closest thing that Koh Lanta has to public transport is the Songthaew, which is an open pick-up truck with seats in the back that is shared with other passengers. They cost between THB 100 and THB 400 (~ $2.75 US and ~ $11 US) per ride, depending on where you’re going, and can be flagged down on the street or found in popular tourist spots.
However, it can be tricky to find them in more remote areas, so it’s difficult to rely on them for transport.
Since they charge per person, they can also get expensive for larger groups, so keep that in mind.
7. Are there taxis in Koh Lanta?
Koh Lanta has taxis, and they can be found in popular tourist spots, Old Town and the harbour. They’re a mix of open pick-up trucks as well as some traditional cars.
Unfortunately, the taxi mafia has firm control of transport in Koh Lanta, making taxis very expensive here.
Negotiation is difficult as the taxi drivers all ask for the same price, and if you’re looking for a ride in a more remote part of the island, you might not have much bargaining power.
But the good news is that you can find taxi drivers who offer daily rates to drive you around wherever you need to go. Prices aren’t cheap and lie somewhere around THB 2,000 to THB 3,000 (~ $55 US to $82 US), but it can be a good option for families or those travelling with a larger group of people.
8. Are there tuk-tuks in Koh Lanta?
Tuk-tuks are very common in Koh Lanta and are easier to find than taxis. You’ll find both traditional tuk-tuks and versions where the motorbike has a sidecar.
Note that tuk-tuk drivers in Thailand go very fast, which can seem intimidating as a tourist. They’re mostly perfectly safe to use, although if you’re not a fan of a bumpy ride, a car might be a better option for you.
It used to be more common for tourists to rent tuk-tuks to drive themselves in Koh Lanta, but this transport method seems to have disappeared a little bit in recent years due to frequent accidents.
It’s not easy to drive a tuk-tuk, especially one with a sidecar, so don’t attempt this if you don’t have any experience.
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How to get to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is located very close to the mainland of southern Thailand, not too far from Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.
To get to Koh Lanta, you can get a very short boat from either Hua Hin Pier, which is the closest point on the mainland, or jump on a fast boat from one of the nearby islands like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi or Krabi.
Many companies will also offer minivan transport or private cars, which can take you directly to Koh Lanta from many places around Thailand.
Most connections will be fast boats, which can be bumpy, but at least they will get you to the island fairly quickly.
Koh Lanta does not have its own airport, and the closest ones are in Krabi and Trang.
Using grab and more transport methods in other parts of Thailand
We know that figuring out how to get around is one of the most important things for travellers in Thailand. If you’re exploring more islands and places around the country, make sure to check out our grab and transport guides to places like Koh Phi Phi, Khao Sok, Bangkok, Krabi and Koh Tao.
Grab Koh Lanta FAQ
Koh Lanta is not extremely walkable, but it can be nice to walk along the beach.
There is currently no public transport in Koh Lanta, just shared Songthaew pick-up trucks.
Tuk-tuks are very common in Koh Lanta and are a great way to get around the island, although they are pricier than in Bangkok for example.
Stay in Koh Lanta for at least three whole days to see the highlights. If you want to relax a bit more, four days or up to a week may be recommended.
The best way to get around Koh Lanta is by renting a scooter or taking a taxi, although you can also consider renting a car.
Yes, Koh Lanta has cars, and taxis are mostly pick-up trucks with an open back or tuk-tuks.
There are plenty of taxis at the harbour in Koh Lanta, so you won’t have any problems finding a ride on arrival.
Getting around Koh Lanta can be tricky if you don’t want to rent a scooter, as the taxis are expensive, and the island isn’t very walkable. Consider renting a car or walking along the beach.
Taxis are fairly expensive in Koh Lanta due to the inflated prices of the taxi mafia.
There is no grab or any other ride-hailing app available in Koh Lanta.
Before you go…
You’re ready to go on the Thailand adventure of a lifetime to Koh Lanta. Explore even more of Thailand’s beautiful islands in our 2-week itinerary, or the best things to do in Bangkok on your birthday.
If you’re looking for more places to explore read our guide on Ao Nang vs Krabi, and snap some pictures for Instagram, for which we have some Thai-inspired captions for you here.
Celebrating a special occasion in Thailand? You’ll love these ideas for spending your birthday in Bangkok.
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