In this guide, we are going to break down how to get to Koh Lipe quickly and easily. Getting to Koh Lipe can be a longer travel day, but it is worth the journey – and we’ll show you how.
We first visited Koh Lipe on a whim when we were in Langkawi, Malaysia. We saw pictures of Koh Lipe and took the next speedboat. That was 10+ years ago and it’s still our favorite place in Thailand, if not the world.
Here are all the different options on how to get to Koh Lipe from just about anywhere!
Where is Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea accessible only by boat. It is the Southernmost island in Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. The mainland and nearest Thai port is Pak Bara, which is 37 miles (60 km) away. Koh Lipe is 25 miles (40 km) from Langkawi, Malaysia.
Ferry to Koh Lipe
The final step to get to Koh Lipe is a boat from Pak Bara, Langkawi, or other Thai Islands on the Andaman Sea.
Pak Bara Pier (Thailand) – This is the only place where you can travel to Koh Lipe year-round. All the other routes are closed during the rainy season. Click here for Koh Lipe ferry timetables.
Langkawi, Malaysia – During the High Season in Thailand (mid-October – May 31st), boats also run to and from Langkawi, Malaysia. Book ferry tickets online here
Thai Island Ferry – In high season, you can take ferries from Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, and several small islands in the Andaman Sea. This is a great option if you plan on Island Hopping in Thailand. (November to April) Check Routes and Scedules Here
Getting to Koh Lipe by Air
Sadly, a Koh Lipe airport does not exist, you can not fly directly to Koh Lipe. The nearest airport is Hat Yai, Thailand.
There are domestic flights to Hat Yai from all over Thailand. This is the best option for most travelers.
International travelers will likely need to have a connection in Bangkok or another regional hub like Kuala Lumpur. You may want to book the tickets separately to be more cost-effective, just keep an eye on the airport codes because big cities in Southeast Asia have separate airports for domestic low-cost airlines.
It is possible to fly to Langkawi and take the ferry from there, but this is not as easy and is only recommended if the flight saving is justified. Getting to Koh Lipe is very straightforward from Hat Yai, but more cumbersome from Langkawi.
3 Easy Ways to Travel to Koh Lipe
1. Bangkok to Koh Lipe
The fastest way is to fly to Hat Yai from Bangkok. Domestic flights in Thailand are super cheap and so much faster than taking the bus or train. If you are traveling to Thailand on a budget, you could take a 15-hour train to Hat Yai or a 17-hour bus and make your way to Hat Yai airport.
The best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is to fly to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY). It is a quick 1.5-hour flight. There are several flights a day on various airlines; expect one-way flight prices to be between $40-$75.
When searching for flights to Hat Yai, make sure to search both airports in Bangkok DMK and BKK. Several of the budget Thai airlines like Air Asia and Nok Air fly out of this airport. We mainly flew with Air Asia.
TIP: Double-check if you are flying out of BKK or DMK airport in Bangkok. You don’t want to go to the wrong airport and miss your flight.
Once you land in Hat Yai, you take a 1.5 – 2 hour shuttle bus or taxi to Pak Bara Pier. There are shuttle buses to Pak Bara Pier right from the airport. You can book tickets in advance online here, which include both the shuttle to Pak Bara Pier and the ferry to Koh Lipe.
Once at the Pakbara Pier, you will get on a speedboat to Koh Lipe. The boat ride takes anywhere from 1.5-2 hours. We suggest having your passport and electronics with you in your seat in a dry bag. The boat ride to Koh Lipe can be rough, and you may get some sea spray.
During high season, boats from Pak Bara leave several times a day between 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. When booking your flight, make sure you have enough time to catch the last ferry.
If you book this ferry with Bundhaya Speed Boat or Jolly Travel, the speedboat stops in the Tarutao National Park at Koh Tarutao and Koh Khai as opposed to a direct ferry. Koh Khai is the picture above with a picture-perfect stone arch. These boats add an additional hour or so to the journey.
2. Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi is the northernmost island in Malaysia and only 30 miles away from Koh Lipe. The ferry to Koh Lipe from Langkawi takes about 90 minutes and runs from the end of mid-October until May 31st. You can check ferry times and book ferry tickets online here.
Double-check your ticket for which Langkawi port you booked. There are two ports in Langkawi, Telaga and Jeti Kuah. Both have immigration, and both offer speedboats from Langkawi to Koh Lipe.
Make sure to get to the port at least an hour early; you have to pass through Malaysia immigration before getting on the boat. The staff will keep your passport, and once you’ve arrived in Thailand, you will go to the immigration office, which is right off Pattaya Beach, where the ferry docks on Walking Street.
Immigration in Koh Lipe is a hot mess. As soon as the boat docks, you go straight to immigration. Here, you wait until the immigration officer calls your name and hands your passport back. It moves slow…we waited over an hour.
Depending on which Thai island you are coming from, the travel time and cost will vary. The closest Thai island is Koh Mook, which is less than 2 hours away. The furthest is Phuket; the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe is 5 hours. Other islands Koh Kradan (2 hours), Koh Ngai (2-3 hours), Koh Lanta (3 hours), Koh Phi Phi (4-5 hours). Most ferries will stop at every island to let passengers on and off, so budget that time into your travel day.
Read: Things to Do in Thailand
Arriving at Koh Lipe Pier
There isn’t an official pier in Koh Lipe. Speedboats and ferries use a floating platform just off Pattaya Beach. Passengers disembark boats here and pay the National Park fee of 200 baht, which is not included in ferry tickets.
From the floating platform, you take a longtail boat to the beach (50 baht). If you are staying at a resort on Sunrise Beach, negotiate a rate to take you directly there instead.
Koh Lipe Map
Click here to see our Koh Lipe Map, which pinpoints some of the best things to do in Koh Lipe, restaurants, bars, Koh Lipe beaches, best resorts, and more.
