Travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai by direct speedboat in around 30–40 minutes. Discover ferry schedules, fares, departure points, seasonal services, booking tips, luggage advice, and practical travel information.
Travelling from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai is one of the easiest island-hopping journeys in Thailand’s Trang and Andaman coast. The two islands are close together, and direct speedboats can cover the crossing in around 30 minutes without requiring a transfer on the mainland.
For most travellers, the practical choice is a direct speedboat from Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta. Published 2026 schedules show departures primarily in the late morning and early afternoon, while services can vary considerably between the high and monsoon seasons.
At a glance
| Detail | Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai |
|---|---|
| Main departure point | Saladan Pier, Koh Lanta |
| Main arrival point | Koh Ngai Resort / beach landing |
| Travel time | About 30–40 minutes |
| Typical one-way fare | About THB 650 |
| Main transport | Direct speedboat |
| High-season period | Approximately October–April/May |
| Monsoon period | Approximately May/June–September |
| Advance booking | Recommended during high season |
| Mainland transfer required | No |
The route is particularly convenient for travellers combining Koh Lanta with Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Kradan on a southern Thailand island-hopping itinerary.
How to travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai
The most straightforward option is a direct speedboat from Saladan Pier, located at the northern end of Koh Lanta.
The boat heads south from Koh Lanta towards Koh Ngai and normally takes around 30 minutes. Current published schedules show direct services arriving at Koh Ngai Resort at approximately 11:00 or 13:00 when the corresponding 10:30 or 12:30 departures operate.
There is no need to travel through Krabi, Trang or another mainland destination.
This makes Koh Ngai a natural next stop after Koh Lanta, especially for travellers who want to continue south towards Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Lipe.
Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai ferry times
Schedules are seasonal and can change according to the operator, date and sea conditions. The current published Saladan Pier timetable lists the following direct services:
| Departure | Arrival | Journey time | Typical fare |
| 10:30 | 11:00 | 30 min | THB 650 |
| 12:30 | 13:00 | 30 min | THB 650 |
Saladan Pier currently lists both services as speedboats arriving at Koh Ngai Resort.
Other schedule databases show additional departures, including services around 13:30 and 15:00 on certain dates. For example, current published schedules have listed Tigerline services at approximately 13:30 and Satun Pakbara services around 15:00. These should be treated as date-specific services rather than a fixed year-round timetable.
Why ferry times can look different online
Koh Lanta–Koh Ngai schedules are not consistent throughout the year. Some sources currently show only two departures, while other published schedules show several services on particular dates.
The difference is largely seasonal. During the quieter monsoon months, the number of crossings can be substantially reduced. Therefore, travellers should not assume that a departure shown for one date will operate on another date.
For the most reliable planning, check the sailing specifically for your travel date before arranging accommodation or onward connections.
How much does the ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai cost?
A typical one-way speedboat fare is around THB 650 per adult.
The current Saladan Pier schedule lists:
- Adult: THB 650
- Child: approximately THB 400, depending on the service and child-age policy
Other published fare listings show prices in a similar general range, although the final price can vary according to the operator, sailing date and destination point on Koh Ngai.
When comparing fares, check what is included. A low advertised fare may not include transportation from your Koh Lanta hotel to Saladan Pier.
Where does the boat leave from?
Most direct Koh Ngai services depart from Saladan Pier, also known as Sala Dan Pier, at the northern end of Koh Lanta.
The pier is convenient for travellers staying around:
- Klong Dao
- Long Beach
- Phra Ae
- Klong Nin
- Kantiang Bay
However, travel time to the pier depends heavily on your hotel location and road traffic.
As a general guide, allow extra time if staying in southern Koh Lanta. Travellers staying around Kantiang Bay or further south should leave considerably earlier than those staying near Saladan.
Arriving at the pier around 30 minutes before departure is a sensible minimum, particularly during the busy season.
Where does the boat arrive on Koh Ngai?
Unlike Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai does not have a road network connecting its resorts.
Boats may arrive at Koh Ngai Resort, a designated pier, or a beach landing point depending on the service and sea conditions. Current Saladan Pier information specifically lists Koh Ngai Resort as the arrival point for its 10:30 and 12:30 speedboats.
This is important when choosing accommodation.
Before travelling, contact your resort and confirm:
- Where the boat is expected to arrive.
- Whether the resort provides a long-tail-boat transfer.
- Whether an additional landing or transfer fee applies.
- Whether staff will meet passengers at the beach.
Do not assume that every Koh Ngai resort is directly accessible from the same landing point.
Is Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai available all year?
The route is strongly seasonal.
During the main Andaman high season, generally from October through April or early May, there are usually more island connections and more frequent departures.
From approximately May to September, monsoon conditions can reduce the number of services. Current 2026 schedule information indicates significantly fewer crossings during the June–September period.
Tigerline, for example, publishes a separate timetable specifically for the May–September 2026 monsoon season, demonstrating how schedules change during this period.
Travelling during the monsoon
If travelling between June and September, allow more flexibility.
Speedboat services can be delayed, reduced or cancelled when wind and wave conditions become unsuitable. Even when a service is scheduled, the actual crossing time can vary with sea conditions.
For this reason, avoid planning a tight onward connection immediately after arriving on Koh Ngai.
Speedboat or slower ferry?
For this short route, the speedboat is generally the most practical choice because the crossing takes only around 30–40 minutes.
A slower ferry may occasionally be available and can be preferable for travellers who are uncomfortable with speedboats. However, availability is more limited and should be checked for the specific travel date.
Speedboat
Advantages
- Fast crossing of around 30 minutes
- Direct service
- Convenient for island-hopping
- Several operators may serve the route during high season
Disadvantages
- Can be bumpy in rough seas
- Limited departures during the monsoon
- Luggage may be exposed to spray
Slower ferry
Advantages
- Generally more comfortable for travellers sensitive to fast boats
- Potentially more stable in moderate conditions
- Can sometimes be cheaper
Disadvantages
- Fewer services
- Longer journey
- Availability varies by season
For most travellers, the direct speedboat is the simplest option when the weather is favourable.
What is the best departure time?
The 10:30 departure is generally the most useful option when available because it gets travellers to Koh Ngai around 11:00, leaving most of the afternoon to check in and explore the island.
The 12:30 departure arrives around 13:00 and is useful for travellers who need additional time on Koh Lanta in the morning.
Later departures can appear on certain dates, but they should not be treated as guaranteed year-round services.
If you have a hotel check-in, restaurant reservation or onward boat connection, build some flexibility into your itinerary rather than relying on an exact arrival time.
What about luggage?
Most speedboats accept normal tourist luggage, but space can be limited.
For a smoother journey:
- Keep passports, phones and electronics in a waterproof bag.
- Avoid placing valuables in an exposed outer pocket.
- Keep essential medication and documents in your hand luggage.
- Confirm luggage allowances if travelling with large suitcases.
- Be prepared to carry luggage between the pier, boat and beach.
On Koh Ngai, a beach landing may involve stepping into shallow water or transferring to a long-tail boat, depending on the sea conditions and your resort.
Should you book in advance?
During the high season, advance booking is advisable, particularly if you have fixed accommodation on Koh Ngai.
Booking ahead is especially sensible when:
- Travelling around Christmas and New Year
- Visiting during January or February
- Travelling with children
- Carrying substantial luggage
- Staying at a resort with limited arrival options
- Connecting onward to Koh Mook, Koh Kradan or Koh Lipe
During the quieter season, there may be fewer sailings rather than simply fewer passengers, so checking the schedule in advance remains important.
What if the direct ferry is not operating?
If no direct boat operates on your chosen date, check whether an alternative island connection is available.
Depending on the season, the broader Andaman island network can connect Koh Lanta with destinations such as Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Lipe. However, schedules change significantly during the monsoon season.
The mainland is another possible fallback, but travelling via the mainland is considerably less convenient for such a short island-to-island journey.
If the direct boat is running, it is normally the simplest way to travel between Koh Lanta and Koh Ngai.
A practical Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai travel plan
For a typical high-season journey:
08:00–09:00
Leave your hotel, depending on its location on Koh Lanta.
Around 10:00
Arrive at Saladan Pier and complete check-in.
10:30
Depart Saladan Pier.
Around 11:00
Arrive at Koh Ngai Resort or the designated Koh Ngai landing point.
11:00 onwards
Transfer to your resort and begin exploring Koh Ngai.
This timetable works particularly well because the short crossing allows travellers to reach Koh Ngai before midday.
Is Koh Ngai worth adding to a Koh Lanta itinerary?
Koh Ngai works particularly well as a quieter island stop after Koh Lanta.
Koh Lanta offers a broader choice of restaurants, accommodation and road access, while Koh Ngai is much smaller and more focused on beaches, swimming, snorkelling and resort-based relaxation.
The short sailing time also makes it easy to combine the two islands without spending an entire day in transit.
A popular island-hopping sequence can therefore be:
Koh Lanta → Koh Ngai → Koh Mook → Koh Kradan
or, for a longer southern Thailand itinerary:
Koh Lanta → Koh Ngai → Koh Mook → Koh Kradan → Koh Lipe
The exact feasibility depends on the season and the operating schedule on your travel dates.
Final advice
Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai is one of the easier Andaman island crossings, with the direct speedboat taking only around 30–40 minutes.
The key detail to remember is that the route is seasonal. A timetable showing several departures does not mean those services operate every day throughout the year. Current published information for 2026 shows the most consistent services around 10:30 and 12:30, with additional departures appearing on selected dates.
For the smoothest journey, confirm the exact sailing, departure pier, arrival point and hotel transfer shortly before travelling. During the May–September monsoon period, leave additional flexibility because weather conditions can affect island services.
FAQs
1. How long is the ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai?
The direct speedboat normally takes about 30 minutes, although some services take approximately 40 minutes depending on the boat and sea conditions.
2. How much is the ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai?
A typical adult fare is around THB 650 one way. Prices can vary by operator, travel date and arrival point.
3. Where does the ferry leave from on Koh Lanta?
Most direct services leave from Saladan Pier at the northern end of Koh Lanta.
4. What time is the ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai?
Current published schedules list departures around 10:30 and 12:30, with other services sometimes operating later in the day. Schedules are seasonal and date-specific.
5. Where does the ferry arrive on Koh Ngai?
Services can arrive at Koh Ngai Resort, a pier or a beach landing point. The exact location depends on the service and sea conditions. Check with your accommodation before departure.
6. Can you travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai during the rainy season?
Yes, but services can be much less frequent during the monsoon season, and boats may be delayed or cancelled because of sea conditions. Current 2026 information shows substantially reduced service during June–September.
7. Do you need to book the ferry in advance?
Advance booking is recommended during the high season and around major holidays. During the monsoon season, checking the schedule in advance is particularly important because there may be fewer departures.
8. Can you take luggage on the speedboat?
Yes, normal tourist luggage is generally accepted, although storage space can be limited. Keep passports, electronics and other valuables in a waterproof bag.
9. Is the Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai speedboat rough?
The crossing is short, but speedboats can feel bumpy when the sea is rough. Travellers who are sensitive to motion may prefer a larger or slower vessel when one is available.
10. Is Koh Lanta to Koh Ngai a good island-hopping route?
Yes. The islands are geographically close, and the direct crossing takes only around 30–40 minutes. Koh Ngai also provides a convenient stepping stone for continuing south towards Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and other Trang islands.
