Renting Motorbikes on Koh Lanta
Thinking of renting a motorbike or scooter on Koh Lanta?
Driving around on a motorbike is a great way to explore Koh Lanta. Most motorcycles are easy to drive automatic scooters. However please, please drive safely. Even if you are a good driver don’t expect everybody else to be. Thailand is notorious for its bad traffic and although the roads around Lanta have much less traffic than in the city driving sensibly is essential.
This should go without saying but wear a helmet. You might not think it looks cool, but as well as saving your head from sunburn if you are driving around the island, it might save your life.
In 2025 the Koh Lanta police are being very strict about wearing helmets and fines have been increased to ฿2,000
Where to rent a motorbike on Koh Lanta?
The easiest option is to ask at your hotel reception about motorbike rentals, they often have a preferred supplier or their own vehicles available. There are many, many options available and taking a short walk around should provide you with plenty of options. Expect to pay around ฿200-฿300 a day depending on the quality of the bike.
Car rental
If two wheels aren’t for you, it’s possible to rent a car instead. These are typically automatic rather than manual cars and are often small Nissan’s or Suzuki’s, although some larger Toyota’s are available. Often your hotel or resort will be able to help organise car rental for you.
Tips for driving in Thailand
Unless you already have a full bike license, it’s very likely that your travel insurance (you do have some, right?) will not cover you if you have an accident in Thailand. Medical expenses in Thailand can be extremely high if you are not insured.
If you haven’t driven in Thailand before watch out for vehicles overtaking and coming straight at you. For example, in the UK when people flash their lights at you it usually means “come though, I’m giving way“, in Thailand it means “I’m going to run you over if you don’t get out of my way” – basically the opposite.
If you are driving at night be on the lookout for slow moving bikes or tuk-tuks driving without lights.
Check your mirrors and give way to vehicles behind you. Most of the roads on Koh Lanta have been upgraded with wider roads and hard shoulders, move over the white line to the hard shoulder and let other drivers past. Many accidents happen due to impatient drivers making risky overtaking maneuvers.
Expect any vehicle that you see waiting at a junction to come on to the road is either not going to see you or pay attention, and might pull out directly in front of you – this happens a LOT.
If you break it, you’ll pay for it. If you have any sort of bump, ding, or accident – regardless if its your fault or not – the motorcycle rental company will often expect you to pay for the damage.
Thailand drives on the left – please try to remember this as many accidents happen due to people being on the wrong side of the road, especially after turning at a junction.
Koh Lanta private longtail trips
Ko Kradan
Ko Rok
