About this tour
When Alex from our BugBitten team took the Ao Nang Princess Ferry to Koh Lanta, it was a straightforward 2 hours 18 minutes across the Andaman Sea. The boat picks you up from your hotel in Ao Nang or nearby beach towns — no hassle getting to the pier. It's a solid one-way crossing if you're heading south to Koh Lanta during high season (November to April). The ferry handles the route regularly enough, carrying a mix of backpackers, families, and locals heading down the coast. Basic travel insurance is bundled in, which is a practical touch for a sea crossing.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup service saves the hassle of finding transport to Ao Nang pier
- Direct 2+ hour crossing cuts out multiple transfers and long drives
- Covers several accommodation zones — Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Klong Muang included
- Basic insurance included, reducing admin and cost on arrival
- Operates during peak weather window for safer sailing
- Flat-rate pricing, no surprise surcharges mid-journey
- Open-air deck allows proper views of Phang Nga Bay scenery
What to expect
The morning starts with a pickup from your hotel — timing depends on your location, so confirm the exact collection point when you book. You'll be taken to Ao Nang's departure point, which is a working pier with other travellers and local activity. The ferry itself is a decent-sized passenger boat, not a luxury catamaran but solid and regularly maintained. Once underway, you're on the water for just over two hours; the Andaman Sea can be choppy depending on the day, so if you're prone to seasickness, sit midship and look at the horizon. There's usually a small cafe onboard selling snacks and drinks at tourist prices. You'll pass limestone cliffs and islands, though it's not a dedicated sightseeing tour — it's transport with a view. Arrival at Koh Lanta is straightforward; staff will direct you off and point you toward onward transport if needed.
What travellers say
- Hotel pickup eliminates pier-hunt stress before departure
- High-season timing means calmer water conditions typically
- Direct crossing beats minibus-and-longtail ferry alternatives
- Insurance bundled in, practical for peace of mind
- Straightforward booking, no hidden costs or upsells
- Works for families and all fitness levels without fuss
- Seasonal operation only — unavailable May to October
- No hotel drop-off on arrival; onward transport is your problem
- Sea can be rough; not ideal if prone to motion sickness
- No return service; one-way ticket limits flexibility
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works well if you're based in Ao Nang and want to reach Koh Lanta without a grueling minibus-and-boat combo. The pickup service is genuinely convenient — saves an hour of faffing about getting to the terminal. Insurance inclusion is sensible for overseas visitors. It suits everyone from solo travellers to families (though infants must sit on a lap, so travelling with a baby means one person's tied up for the crossing).
Only runs November through April, so it's high-season-only — if you're travelling May to October, you'll need alternate routes. The ferry doesn't return you to your hotel on Koh Lanta; you'll need to arrange onward transport from the pier. Sea conditions can be rough; bring seasickness meds if you're even slightly susceptible. Bring sun protection, water, and a light jacket — the open deck is exposed and the breeze is cool at speed. Groups vary in size; expect 50–100+ passengers on busy days. No frills onboard — just seats, not recliners.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.