Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi, which is better?

Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi are two beautiful islands located in the Andaman Sea in Krabi Province. Koh Phi Phi is known for its iconic Maya Bay and the vibrant nightlife. Koh Lanta is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is a family-friendly destination.

In this article, I will compare Koh Lata and Koh Phi Phi based on personal experiences. I will outline their similarities and differences in terms of their locations, accommodations, beaches, attractions, outdoor activities, nightlife, shopping, and food.

I’ve been fortunate to travel around Thailand, visiting many cities and islands, including Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi. I’m quite familiar with the country, and I’ll make sure to give you the best recommendations possible.

Is it better to stay in Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi?

I enjoyed my visit to Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi equally. Each island gave me different experiences, and I’m glad to have had the chance to visit them all.

In Koh Phi Phi, I love hiking around the island, along the coastline, through jungle trails, and up some steep paths. I visit most beaches on foot. The beaches all have crystal clear water, stunning views of the limestone cliffs, and spectacular sunsets.

I also had a great time taking a long tail boat ride to Maya Beach and Pi Leh Bay on Phi Phi Leh island. The sunset and sunrise on the beaches are also breathtaking. The nightlife in the main village is busy and crowded but it’s part of the experience.

In Koh Lanta, I enjoy renting a scooter and driver around the two islands. The beaches in Lanta are less beautiful than Phi Phi but offer a relaxing atmosphere. Some of my favorite beaches are Relax Bay, Lanta Klong Nin, Nui Beach, Kan Tiang, and Ao Nui Bay.

I also love the hike in Mu Ko Lanta National Park with some very steep parts and the leisure hike to Khlong Chak Waterfall. Lanta Old Town is also a must see for history, shopping, and some nice meals.

Generally speaking, Koh Phi Phi is a better place to visit if you want a party, Instagram beaches and limestone cliffs, and don’t mind the tourist crowds.

Koh Lanta is a better option if you want a laid-back beach holiday with a more local vibe. It is ideal for couples, families, and solo travelers looking for tranquility.

Koh Phi Phi is a more popular day tour destinations for nearby Phuket, Ao Nang, Railay, and Koh Lanta. It can be very crowded because every tour takes tourists to the same spots. If you want to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, stay overnight and head to places like Laem Tong or Loh Bakao Beach.

If you have time, you can visit both islands, like me and many other travelers. They are only 1 hour boat ride apart. You can stay overnight in both islands, or stay in Lanta then day trips to Phi Phi.

My top pick hotels in Koh Lanta:

My recommended hotel in Koh Phi Phi:

Luxury: SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Mid-range: Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
Budget: Phi Phi Villa Resort

Location & How to Get There

Both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are part of Krabi Province, located in the Andaman Sea, South Thailand. Koh Phi Phi is around 30 km west of Koh Lanta. It is around 1 hour boat ride from between these two islands.

To access these islands, you can take a boat ride from Rassada Pier in Phuket, Ao Nang Pier, Railay Pier, or Krabi Town Pier. If you’re coming to other places in Thailand like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you need to get to mainland Krabi or Phuket by flight or bus first, the boat to these places.

It is around 1 hour speed boat ride from Phuket to Phi Phi, 1.5-2 hours to Lanta. From Ao Nang and Railay, it’ll take around 2 hours to Lanta, and 1 hour to Phi Phi.

Size & Landscape

Koh Lanta has two main islands, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. Most tourists stayed in Lanta Yai, which had all hotels and tourist amenities. Koh Lanta Noi is where many locals live and do their farming.

Koh Phi Phi also has two main islands, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is where tourists stay, Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island that’s home to the famous Maya Bay.

Koh Lanta is much larger than Koh Phi Phi. Koh Lanta Yai is 20km long and 5km wide. Koh Phi Phi Don is 8km long and 4km wide.

Koh Lanta is much flatter than Koh Phi Phi. The roads become hillier toward the southern part of the island, though the slopes are generally gentle.

The west coast is home to famous beaches, the east coast is farmland, mangrove forest, and the old town, the southern is mountain and jungle where you can hike and visit waterfalls.

Koh Phi Phi has the coast covered by beaches and the inland is mountain. There are many viewpoints that require a steep hike to reach.

Beaches

In my opinion, Koh Phi Phi has better beaches than Koh Lanta. The beaches on Phi Phi are picture-postcard perfect with crystal clear water and beautiful views of the limestone cliffs.

You can explore the main beaches like Tonsai Beach, Loh Dalum Beach, Long Beach near the main town, or head to the north for quieter beaches. Loh Lana Bay, Nui Beach, Loh Ba Kao Bay, Laem Tong Beach are some of the famous beaches in the north.

Additionally, you can sightsee the iconic Maya Bay, Pileh Bay on Phi Phi Leh island. These beaches are only accessible by boats.

Koh Lanta does not have Thailand’s best beaches but the beaches here are generally good for swimming. The beaches are located on the west coast, with both long, spacious beaches and small secluded coves. These are great for families, couples, or anyone escaping crowds.

From north to south on the west coast, you can explore Klong Dao Beach, Long Beach, Klong Hin, Klong Khong, Kantian Bay, or Nui Bay.

Most beaches on the two islands are good for swimming, chilling, sunbathing, and taking a walk along the coast. They are also great spots for watching the sunset.

Accommodations

Both islands have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets and preferences. Koh Lanta is much less touristy than Koh Phi Phi, so accommodations are often a more homey experience.

Both islands are very popular in the high season, from November to May. During this period, prices tend to increase sharply, and many places get fully booked. So make sure to book well in advance to secure a good-quality hotel at a good price.

In Koh Phi Phi, if you want to be in the middle of the party scene and have easy access to the pier, stay in the TonSai Village. For a quieter atmosphere, you can choose Long Beach, Laem Tong, or Loh Bakao Beach.

In Koh Lanta, if you want to stay close to the pier, explore authentic food, and a good shopping scene, you can stay in Saladan Village. For beautiful beaches and a quieter atmosphere, you can choose Kantiang Bay, Klong Hin, Klong Khong, or Long Beach.

See more:

Nightlife

Niightlife on Phi Phi — Nightlife on Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi without a doubt is the best place to go for parties and nightlife. The nightlife is concentrated around the main village, Tonsai Beach, and Loh Dalum Beach. There are dozens of bars, clubs, restaurants, food stalls, fireshows both inside the village and along the beach.

Tonsai Village is known for its loud nightlife, with music and big crowds. If you want to escape from the nightlife and crowds, you can consider staying in Long Beach, Laem Tong, or Loh Bakao Beach.

Koh Lanta has much more relaxing nightlife. The island is large and the nightlife is spread out. In the main village Saladan, there are night markets, big supermarkets, and many authentic restaurants. You can find some good bars in Klong Khong, Klong Nin, and Long Beach.

Food

It is easy to find typical Thai street food on both islands. There is street food like pad Thai, fried rice, curry,… at street food stalls or independent restaurants.

Both islands have good seafood restaurants where you can try fresh seafood dishes. They are both home to many Muslim residents, making it easy to find halal food.

The places to eat in Phi Phi often feel crowded and touristy as it is a small island. The restaurants in Koh Lanta have a more laid back, more local atmosphere with less crowd.

There are several international fast food restaurants in Koh Phi Phi like Mc Donalad or Burger King. You won’t find these things on Koh Lanta.

Shopping

Both islands offer shops with local Thai souvenirs alongside popular chains like 7-Eleven. Neither island has large, modern shopping malls. You can buy T-shirts, clothes, handicrafts, and beach accessories…

In Koh Lanta, you can shop at Saladan Village, which is the main commercial hub on Lanta. There are minimarts, a night market, a Plaza, souvenir shops, and local stores. You can find some tourist shops around the popular beaches and the Old Town.

In Phi Phi Phi, shops and stalls are concentrated in Tonsai Village, Tonsai Beach. The shops on Phi Phi are more touristy and commercial than Lanta.

Hiking and Viewpoints

Both islands offer great opportunities for hiking and enjoying the views. I personally prefer Phi Phi for hiking because it’s a small island, and the trails are easily accessible from anywhere.

In Koh Lanta, the trail is located at the southern tip of the island, so you’ll need a vehicle to reach these places. There are good 1 hours inside the jungle and along the coast that include some steep sections at Ko Mu Lanta National park. You can also take an easier hike to Klong Chak Waterfall.

Koh Phi Phi has both a beautiful coastal trail and jungle trail with steep paths. The coastal trails are generally only accessible at low tide, and you can walk from the main town to Loh Lana Bay, and Nui Bay, as well as beaches on the north like Laem Tong and Loh Bakao.

There are easy beautiful coastal trails from Tonsai Village to Long Beach, passing several beautiful bays for swimming and chill.

The hike from the main village to Phi Phi Viewpoint 1,2,3,4 is quite steep with a paved staircase but it is well worth it with stunning views of Tonsai Bay, Loh Dalum Beach, and the main village. It is especially more beautiful visiting at sunrise and sunset.

Cultural Attractions

Koh Phi Phi is all about beaches, viewpoints, and water activities. There are no significant cultural attractions on the island. Koh Lanta is home to the old town, which is historically a trading post for Chinese merchants and early Muslim settlers. It is great for walking, photography, and learning about local heritage.

You can find wooden shophouses on the river, and a Chinese shrine on the walking street, as well as a sinking boat near the pier.

Island Hopping

From Koh Lanta, you can take day trips to Koh Phi Phi or nearby islands such as Koh Rok and Koh Ha for snorkeling and diving. It is also convenient for other smaller islands in Krabi Province.

From Koh Phi Phi Don, you can take boat trips to Koh Phi Phi Leh or Bamboo island, or Mosquito Island. These are just all short long tail boat rides from the main island.

Getting Around

Koh Phi Phi Main island is around a third the size of Koh Lanta Main island. Getting around Koh Phi Phi Don is easily done by long tail boats or by walking. I explored most parts of The island on foot and took a long tail boat to Koh Phi Phi Leh to visit the iconic Maya Beach and Pi Leh Bay.

In Koh Lanta, I rented a scooter to explore the island. It is a large island with beaches and attractions scattered around, so it is necessary to rent a scooter or have a private driver if you want exploration. There are no Grab taxi services, no public buses, but you can find local songthaews and tuk-tuks.