How to Get to Koh Lipe
Trying to find Koh Lipe on a globe is like looking for a needle in a haystack. This little speck of an island, with its pristine beaches, rich marine life, and crystal-clear waters, is so far south in the Andaman Sea that if you blink too soon, you will have crossed from Thailand to Malaysia and missed it. So, “how to get to Koh Lipe if you can’t even see it?” (asked absolutely no one ever, but hey, let’s call it a dramatic effect).
Getting to Koh Lipe might not be exactly a breeze compared to other Thailand islands, but it is nothing that a bit of planning can’t fix. If you are ready to add one of the most impressive travel destinations in Southeast Asia to your Thailand itinerary, this guide will help you find the best alternatives on how to get to Koh Lipe, no matter where you start your journey.
Easiest Way to Get to Koh Lipe
If you are short on time and just looking for the most convenient way of getting to Koh Lipe, we've got you covered! As a tiny island without an airport, catching a speedboat or ferry to Koh Lipe is a given. That being said, the closest two airports are Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) in Thailand, and Langkawi International Airport (LGK) in Malaysia.
Make sure your flights arrive early in the morning, as the ferries to Koh Lipe usually have their last trip between 1:30 and 2:30pm.
From Hat Yai to Koh Lipe you can expect a journey of anywhere from 3h 30min to 5 hours, depending on whether you depart from the airport or the railway station. A van takes you to Pak Bara pier, where you will catch a 1h 30min speedboat to Koh Lipe. Easy peasy!
From Langkawi to Koh Lipe is around 1h 30min by boat, plus a 20-minute drive from the airport if you just landed. The most cost efficient alternative is to catch a Grab to Telaga Harbour and from there take the ferry to Koh Lipe.
This alternative is only available during the high season (mid-October to mid-May). Bear in mind you will need to cross the Koh Lipe immigration point, as you will be entering Thailand. Read more about it in detail in the Langkawi to Koh Lipe chapter here.
How to Get to Koh Lipe
A Thailand itinerary usually includes at least one to two islands, with the most famous ones located in the Andaman Sea near Krabi, or in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Lipe, part of the Tarutao National Marine Park on the southern tip of the Andaman Sea, is often overlooked due to its lack of fast and convenient connections with other islands. However, if you have the time and want an idyllic Thai island experience without the crowds, Koh Lipe is absolutely worth the effort.
How to Get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok
The best way of getting to Koh Lipe from Bangkok is by taking a domestic flight to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) or Trang Airport (TST). With flights lasting just 1h 30min and costing as low as 30€ per person, it's a no-brainer. There are other transportation alternatives, but expect extremely long journeys (think +20 hours long) at prices that are not competitive enough to justify the choice most of the time. Here are all the available flights, trains and buses for your consideration from…
From both airports, you will need a taxi or van ride to Pak Bara pier in Satun, where you will catch a ferry to Koh Lipe. The entire journey from Hat Yai airport to Koh Lipe takes about 4h 30min, and from Trang, it takes around 30 minutes more. You can easily purchase the van transfer plus boat ticket, with all connections guaranteed, as a combo from Trang or Hat Yai to Koh Lipe online (which we advise to do mainly during high season), but the tickets for the van are also available upon arrival at the airport. Get here your van + boat tickets at the best rates:
The ferries to Koh Lipe departing from Pak Bara pier usually operate from 9:30am to 1:30pm with the crossing taking place four times a day.
How to Get to Koh Lipe from Phuket, Krabi, Lanta & Phi Phi
Koh Lipe is located in the Andaman Sea, on the same side of Thailand’s little tail as Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and others. This makes it accessible by boat from all of these destinations.
Most boats to Koh Lipe make stops along the way at smaller islands such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, and Koh Kradan. These islands are a great addition to your itinerary if you are looking for off-the-beaten-path island getaways.
Tickets for speedboats and ferries to Koh Lipe can be purchased online or through local tourist operators. Prices don’t fluctuate much nowadays, so you are probably better off without the bargaining and simply purchasing tickets online to guarantee a spot.
The length of the journey can vary significantly depending on your starting point. That being said, no matter the distance, take a seasickness pill beforehand, as the speedboat rides can be quite bumpy.
Travelling to Koh Lipe from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and other neighboring islands is only possible by boat from mid-October to May. During the remaining months, the only way to travel from these islands to Koh Lipe is by land or air via the Pak Bara Pier in Satun.
Getting to Koh Lipe from Phuket
-
By Boat: Takes around 7 hours from Rassada Pier and costs around 65€. This option may not be ideal for people who suffer from seasickness, as it involves a very long travel day.
-
By Air: Takes about 5h 30min. You can catch a flight from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to Hat Yai for as low as 65€, and then follow the steps mentioned here to get from the Hat Yai airport to Koh Lipe.
-
By Land: Typically a two-day journey. On the first day, you can take a bus to Krabi*, explore the town a bit, and spend the night, catching the next morning a transfer to Koh Lipe*. Alternatively, as we once did, you can take an 8-hour bus and van combo directly to Pak Bara pier, thus getting the biggest chunk of the journey out of the way, and it only costs around 26€. Spend the night at Bara Bara Satun*, located 5 minutes from the pier, and catch the first morning ferry to Koh Lipe. You can buy your Koh Lipe ferry ticket upon arrival or purchase it in advance here*.
Click here to view all available times and prices, and easily purchase your tickets:
How to Get to Koh Lipe from Krabi
From Krabi to Koh Lipe the most popular alternative is to purchase a combo ticket for a van plus boat. Depending on the time of year, demand, and the tour operator you book with, you will be picked up from the airport or your hotel and taken to either Klong Jilad Pier in Ao Nang, or Pak Bara in Satun, from where you will catch a ferry to Koh Lipe.
While the ferry from Klong Jilad Pier in Krabi is usually the faster alternative, averaging a 5-hour trip, it will make at least a couple of stops on the way, likely in Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta, as there are no direct ferries to Koh Lipe from Krabi. If your speedboat leaves from Pak Bara and the rest of the journey is by van, the total trip should be around 7 hours.
Although Krabi has an airport, getting to Koh Lipe by air, via Hat Yai or Trang is strongly discouraged. With no direct flights available, this option is neither time nor cost efficient.
The van + boat packages purchased online are often cheaper than those offered by the hotels and local tourism offices, ranging from 20€ to 30€ per person. Find the time and package that suit you best:
Getting to Koh Lipe from Koh Lanta
-
By Boat: The speedboat from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe is the fastest option for this route. It takes approximately 3 hours from Sala Dan Pier and costs around 43€. If you wish to purchase the ticket in person at the ticket counter, try to get it at least 3 to 4 days in advance to guarantee a seat. Otherwise, you can easily purchase it online.
-
By Land: Take a van to Pak Bara pier, and then a ferry to Koh Lipe. Expect a 7-hour journey costing about 30€.
Click here to view all available times and prices, and easily purchase your tickets:
How to Get to Koh Lipe from Koh Phi Phi and Neighboring Islands
Getting to Koh Lipe from Koh Phi Phi and other nearby Andaman Sea islands not previously mentioned, such as Koh Mook or Koh Kradan, is only possible by boat – a service that is available only during the high season. The only other alternative is to travel by land via Krabi, Koh Lanta, or Phuket, whichever is closer.
The ferries to Koh Lipe depart from Ton Sai Pier in Koh Phi Phi. For the 4-hour trip, prices typically range from 50€ to 65€. Find the right ticket for you here:
If you are looking for departures from other islands, search here for the most up-to-date availability and prices:
*
How to Get to Koh Lipe From Malaysia
Koh Lipe is located just 50 km away from the Malaysian island of Langkawi, which has an airport with direct flights from numerous Malaysian cities, as well as Singapore and Qatar. This makes it one of the easiest access points to Koh Lipe for many travelers. That being said, similar to the boats in Thailand, the Langkawi ferry to Koh Lipe operates only from mid-October to May.
During the low season, getting to Koh Lipe from Malaysia must be done by land via Pak Bara or by air via Hat Yai. Once there, follow the steps described previously.
How to Get to Koh Lipe From Langkawi
The route to Koh Lipe from Langkawi takes approximately 90 minutes and costs about 33€. Unlike the trips within Thailand, you will need to pass through the Koh Lipe immigration point since you are coming from a different country. Langkawi has two ports: Kuah Jetty (more modern and comfortable) and Telaga Harbour (closest to the airport), with exit formalities available at both.
Click here to find the time that suits you best and purchase your tickets easily:
Note that there is a one hour difference between Malaysia and Thailand, so often the trips will show up as if they are 30 minutes, when in reality they are 90 minutes.
From Langkawi to Koh Lipe Immigration Point
-
Before boarding the ferry, you will go through Malaysian immigration at the terminal.
-
Your passport will be held by the immigration officers and returned to you in Koh Lipe. This is because there is no proper Koh Lipe pier or jetty, just a floating platform at the beach.
-
Board the Langkawi ferry to Koh Lipe.
-
The ferry docks at Pattaya Beach. Proceed to the immigration office located there.
-
At the Koh Lipe immigration point, your luggage and stamped passport will await you.
This process might sound a bit unusual, but it has worked smoothly for many years now. They are very organized, and we have never heard of any accidents with passports, so you can travel with ease.
Travelling to Koh Lipe FAQ
What is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to March, during the dry season. The weather conditions are ideal, but this period is also the peak tourist season. For a more affordable experience with decent weather and fewer crowds, consider the shoulder season in October and April.
Where to stay in Koh Lipe?
We have visited this island plenty of times and love it there. Here are our favorite accommodations in Koh Lipe:
How much is the Koh Lipe National Park fee?
Travelling to Koh Lipe will set you back 200 baht (5,20€) per person in National Park fees. This is valid for five days, and you better not lose your ticket, or you might be requested to pay again. A 20 baht (0,50€) pier maintenance fee is also requested upon boarding the Koh Lipe ferry in Pak Bara.
What is the difference between the speedboats, fast boats, and ferries to Koh Lipe?
The boat terminology in Thailand can be a bit all over the place. Your ferry to Koh Lipe could actually be a fast boat, as “ferry”, “speedboat”, “boat”, and “fast boat” are often used interchangeably by various operators. In most cases, they are referring to a medium-sized passenger speedboat. That being said, no matter the size, one thing they all have in common are the frequent delays.
Some boats are open, so your luggage might get slightly wet. If you have a rain cover for your luggage, it is a good idea to put it on before the trip.
Planning Time
If you are ready to start planning your next trip, here you have all the usefull links you need to make it happen! By using them you are supporting our work as we might get a small fee from it. But hey! You pay the same (or might even get a discount), so is a win-win situation!
.png)
This applies to all the links in this website marked with a *