In this guide, we will break down how to get to Koh Lipe quickly and easily. Getting to Koh Lipe can be a longer day of travel, but it’s well 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 almost anywhere!
Where is Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea, accessible only by boat. It is the southernmost island of Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. 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 last step to get to Koh Lipe is a boat from Pak Bara, Langkawi or other Thai islands in the Andaman Sea.
Pak Bara Pier (Thailand) – This is it The only place where you can travel to Koh Lipe all year round. All other routes are closed during the rainy season. Click here for Koh Lipe ferry schedules.
Langkawi, Malaysia – During the high season in Thailand (mid-October – 31 May), boats operate to and from Langkawi, Malaysia. Book ferry tickets online here
Thai ferry to the island – In high season, you can take a ferry from Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket and many small islands in the Andaman Sea. This is a great option if you plan to do Island Hopping in Thailand. (November to April) Check routes and schedules here
Transfer to Koh Lipe by air
Unfortunately, there is no Koh Lipe airport, you cannot 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 connect in Bangkok or another regional hub such as Kuala Lumpur. You may want to book the tickets separately to be more economical, just be aware of the airport codes because major cities in Southeast Asia have separate airports for domestic low-cost airlines.
It is possible to fly into Langkawi and take the ferry from there, but this is not as easy and is only recommended if the flight savings are justified. Getting to Koh Lipe is very simple from Hat Yai, but more cumbersome than 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 extremely cheap and much faster than the bus or train. If you’re traveling to Thailand on a budget, you could take a 15-hour train to Hat Yai or a 17-hour bus to Hat Yai Airport.
The best way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is to fly to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY). It’s a quick 1.5 hour flight. There are many flights per day on different airlines. expect one-way flight prices to range between $40-$75.
When searching for flights to Hat Yai, be sure to search both airports in Bangkok DMK and BKK. Several of Thailand’s budget airlines, such as Air Asia and Nok Air, fly from this airport. We flew mostly with Air Asia.
TIP: 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, take a 1.5 – 2 hour bus or taxi to Pak Bara Pier. There are buses to Pak Bara Pier right from the airport. You can book tickets in advance online herewhich include both the bus to Pak Bara Pier and the ferry to Koh Lipe.
Once you reach Pakbara jetty, you will board one speedboat to Koh Lipe. The boat ride lasts from 1.5-2 hours. We recommend that you bring your passport and electronics with you to your seat at a dry bag. The boat ride to Koh Lipe can be rough and you might get some sea spray.
During the high season, boats from Pak Bara depart several times a day between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 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 at Tarutao National Park on Koh Tarutao and Koh Khai unlike a direct ferry. Koh Khai is pictured above with a perfect stone arch. These boats add an extra hour or so to the journey.
2. Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi is the northernmost island of Malaysia and is only 30 miles from Koh Lipe. The ferry to Koh Lipe from Langkawi takes about 90 minutes and operates from mid-October to 31 May. You can check the ferry times and book ferry tickets online here.
Double check your booked Langkawi port ticket. There are two ports in Langkawi, Telaga and Jeti Kuah. Both have immigration and offer speedboats from Langkawi to Koh Lipe.
Make sure to arrive at the port at least an hour early. you have to go through malaysia immigration before boarding the boat. The staff will hold your passport and once you arrive in Thailand, you will go to the immigration office, which is located just outside Pattaya Beach, where the ferry docks at Walking Street.
Immigration on Koh Lipe is a hot mess. Once the boat docks, go straight to immigration. Here, you wait until the immigration officer calls your name and gives you back your passport. It moves slowly…we waited over an hour.
Depending on which Thai island you are coming from, travel time and cost vary. The nearest Thai island is Koh Mook, which is less than 2 hours away. The most distant is Phuket. The ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe it’s 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 each island to allow passengers to board and disembark, so budget this time into your day of travel.
Read: Things to do in Thailand
Arriving at Koh Lipe Pier
There is no official jetty on 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 the ferry tickets.
From the floating platform, you take a long tail boat to the beach (50 baht). If you are staying at a resort in Sunrise Beach, negotiate a price to take you directly there.
Map of Koh Lipe
Click here to view our Koh Lipe mapwhich highlights some of the best things to do in Koh Lipe, restaurants, bars, Koh Lipe beaches, best resorts and more.
