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Koh Lipe is a paradise on Earth, and like all the good things in life, this tiny island is not easy to reach. Koh Lipe is located in Southern Thailand, close to Malaysia, and its stunning beaches are worth all the travel effort. Being so far from the mainland, travel to Koh Lipe demands a combination of transport and sometimes a long journey. On top of that, many travelers have difficulty finding reliable information to book a trip to Koh Lipe. That’s why we decided to write this comprehensive guide about how to get to Koh Lipe in Thailand.
This guide has information on how to get to Koh Lipe from everywhere in Thailand, from destinations in the north, central, and south. But before choosing your route and booking your tickets, here are five things you must know:
1st – Koh Lipe is far from the big cities in Thailand, which means that you should book your transportation in advance to guarantee your seat, especially during high season (December to February).
2nd – You’ll probably need to combine different modes of transportation, like bus + ferry or flight + van + ferry. The good news is that most of the companies, even airlines, sell the combined ticket. You purchase one ticket that includes everything, the company takes you from point A to B without any extra booking or fee. You only need to follow the instructions and have your ticket with you all the time.
3rd – Koh Lipe’s closest pier in Thailand mainland is Pak Bara Pier in the Satun region. Four speedboats (9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 13:30 PM, and 3 PM) and one ferry (11:45 AM) depart from there to the island daily. The trip from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe costs around 650 to 700 baht, and the journey takes 90 minutes. When you are about to board, you’ll be asked to pay the pier fee of 20 baht; this fee is not included on the transportation ticket.
4th – Koh Lipe is part of Tarutao National Park, which means that when arriving there you must pay the National Park fee of 200 baht. The fee is valid for 7 days of stay in Koh Lipe.
5th – Ferries and speedboats will dock on an offshore floating pier. From there, you will need to get a taxi boat (longtail boat) to the beach. Depending on the tides, you will be dropped at a small floating pier, or you might need to walk on water. Be prepared, wear practical shoes, and have all your stuff packed adequately. Some companies include the taxi boat on their ticket, others not, so be prepared to pay 50 baht for the ride.
Don’t forget to read our guide to things to do in Koh Lipe here and our guide to where to stay there.
So let’s get started. Here is how to travel to Koh Lipe from different destinations in Thailand and Malaysia, so you can choose the best, the fastest, or the cheapest option.
How to travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, Thailand
Most of the travelers don’t think about this route and depending on where you are coming from, it can be an easy and fast way to get to Koh Lipe. Langkawi is a beautiful island in Malaysia, it has an international airport, and it is close to Lipe.
So, how to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
First, you will need to get to Langkawi. If you are in Thailand or in Malaysia, many budget travel airlines fly there. You can search and book flights to Langkawi using Skyscanner or Kiwi.com.
There are two daily direct ferries from Langkawi to Koh Lipe. You can choose the departure point: Kuah Jetty or Telaga Harbor, the second one is closer to the airport. The Langkawi – Koh Lipe ferry costs around 1000 baht and it’s a 90-minute trip. Bear in mind that the direct ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe only runs during the high season, between November to April/May.
If you want to travel to Koh Lipe from Langkawi during the low season you can opt for the connecting ferries. You can take a boat from Kuah Jetty in Langkawi to Pak Bara Pier in Satun, Thailand mainland, and from there a ferry to Koh Lipe. The ferry from Langkawi to Pak Bara Pier costs around 350 baht, and it takes roughly one hour. The ferry from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe costs about 650 baht and takes 90 minutes.
Keep in mind that traveling from Langkawi to Koh Lipe means you’ll be crossing borders. Don’t forget to arrive at the departure pier with at least one hour in advance for passport control and luggage screening. You will be asked to handle your passport to the captain, don’t freak out, this is a standard procedure. You will receive your passport back at the Thai immigration desk at Pattaya Beach after arriving on the island.
Check the timetables and book your ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe here!
How to travel from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe
Hat Yai is an upcoming destination in South Thailand. The city is famous among Asian travelers due to its fantastic food scene, great shopping opportunities, and a relaxing vibe. Hat Yai is a great place to add to your Thai itinerary, it has an international airport and it’s close to Lipe Island. It’s worth checking a flight or bus to Hat Yai, and from there, go to Koh Lipe Island.
How to travel from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe?
You have two possibilities, both of them combine bus or van + ferry. To go to Koh Lipe from Hat Yai city you can get one of the vans departing from Hat Yai Bus Station, there are about 10 vans daily. The van/minibus will take you to Pak Bara Pier e from there a ferry or speedboat will drop you on the island. This trip from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe takes about 4 hours and a half. The ticket costs around 750 baht, including the van from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier and the boat to Koh Lipe.
Another option is to travel from Hat Yai airport to Koh Lipe. Buses and vans are departing from Hat Yai airport at 8 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11 AM. This journey takes up to 5 hours and a half and costs between 750 to 800 baht. The price includes the van and ferry to Koh Lipe.
How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok
Bangkok is an incredible city. When you are done with all the top things to do in Bangkok, you can pack your bags and be ready for a long journey to paradise.
How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok?
The best and fast way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is by a combination of flight + bus/van + ferry. It might sound like a complicated route, but it’s not, and you can plan your trip from Bangkok to Koh Lipe in two ways.
The first option is booking a flight from any of Bangkok’s airports (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueng) to Hat Yai airport. Then you can get a van or bus from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier, followed by the ferry to Koh Lipe, as mentioned above.
Remember to book the journey from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe in advance so you won’t be stranded because the bus is fully booked, or will end up paying more for a taxi to take you to the pier. Also, book your flight accordingly, leaving extra time to collect your luggage, find the bus stop, and to arrive at the pier at least 30 minutes before the ferry departure.
Search and book the best flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai here!
The second option is to buy a combination ticket offered by some of the budget airlines like AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air. Choose Koh Lipe as the final destination when booking your flight, and the airline will arrange all the transportation from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. Your ticket will include the flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, the van to the pier and the ferry Koh Lipe.
We always travel with the combined ticket, so we don’t need to worry about booking things separately, and if the flight gets delayed, the company will take care of everything. Even if the combined ticket is a bit more expensive than separated tickets, I think it’s worth the peace of mind.
It doesn’t matter from which airport you fly off, the flight from Bangkok + van + ferry to Koh Lipe can take from 6 to 9 hours. The prices can vary a lot, but usually flying from Don Muang Airport is cheaper than from Suvarnabhumi Airport. It gets more expensive during the high season, so plan in advance.
If flying is out of the table, you can travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe combining bus or train + ferry. The trains depart from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok six times a day, from 1 PM to 10:50 PM, and the trip to Hat Yai takes about 15 hours. The Bangkok – Hat Yai train ticket can cost up to 1,800 baht. From Hat Yai Station, you can get a van + ferry to Koh Lipe.
Going from Bangkok to Koh Lipe by bus takes approximately 18 hours (14 hours by bus + 4 hours van and ferry). The buses leave between 5 PM to 7:30 PM and arrive at Hat Yai Bus Station the next morning. The Bangkok-Hat Yai bus ticket costs around 1,000 baht. From the bus station in Hat Yai, you will get the van to the pier, then the boat to Koh Lipe.
Going by land is a long journey, but it can be the cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. The good thing is that you can buy the combined tickets train/bus + van + ferry.
Book your combined tickets Bangkok to Koh Lipe here: bus or train + ferry!
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How to go from Phuket to Koh Lipe
Phuket is huge, busy, and packed with attractions. Because it’s one of the most visited islands in Thailand, traveling from Phuket to Koh Lipe is quite easy.
So, how to get to Koh Lipe from Phuket?
If you like boat trips, you can get a direct ferry or direct speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lipe. Keep in mind that during high season you will have multiple times of departure, while in low season, it’s only one ferry per day. The Phuket-Koh Lipe ferry and speedboat leave from Rassada Pier and arrive at Pattaya Beach.
If you choose to travel from Phuket to Koh Lipe by ferry, expect to spend from 5 to 7 hours on board. This is the best option to go from Phuket to Koh Lipe, as the boat is very comfortable with air conditioning, bathroom, a bar selling snacks and drinks, plus incredible views from the Andaman Sea. The price of the ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe is between 2,000 to 2,800 baht.
The faster option to go from Phuket to Koh Lipe is by speedboat. The trip takes only 3 hours and costs 3,400 baht. The Phuket-Koh Lipe speedboat departs at 8:30 AM, so you will be on the island for lunch. Be aware that it can be a bumpy trip, so if you are seasick, this is not the best option for you.
Your third option of getting to Koh Lipe from Phuket is a combination of bus/van + ferry, under one ticket. Depending on the company you choose from, the van can go directly to the Pak Bara Pier or to Hat Yai Bus Station. It doesn’t matter the route, just to follow the instructions and they’ll drop you at your final destination. This trip takes from 7 to 9 hours, prices can be anything from 800 to 1,200 baht.
The last option is flying. There are daily flights from Phuket to Hat Yai, and from there, you can follow the travel tips we shared above. The flight duration is one hour, then you must add 4 to 5 hours to get to Koh Lipe. The price of the flights can vary a lot, so unless you find a good deal, I believe it’s not worth going through the airport hassle for such a short flight.
How to travel from Krabi to Koh Lipe
Are you looking for the best way to travel from the stunning beaches of Krabi to Koh Lipe? We got you covered on this route as well, and you can choose from four different ways to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi.
So how to travel from Krabi to Koh Lipe?
The cheapest and the best option is to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi (airport or town) is by a combination of van + ferry. The minibus will take you directly to Pak Bara Pier in a bit more than 4 hours. Then you’ll get the ferry or speedboat to Koh Lipe. If you book your ticket in advance, you can purchase the combo ticket for 1,100 – 1,200 baht, and they will probably pick you up at the hotel.
You can do the same route on a private taxi or van, it is more expensive 4,000 to 5,000 baht for the road trip plus the ferry. But it will definitely be a comfortable journey in your time.
Another option is to travel from Krabi to Koh Lipe by ferry. There are a couple of departures per day, and you will have to stop at Koh Lanta to change boats or get more passengers on board. The ferry from Krabi to Koh Lipe departs from Krabi Klong Jilad Pier and arrives at Pattaya Beach floating pier. It is a 4 hours journey and costs between 2,000 to 3,000 baht. To be honest, it’s not our favorite way to get to Koh Lipe, as the trip is bumpy and no air conditioning on board.
You can also fly from Krabi to Hat Yai and, from there, follow the routes we mentioned before. It will be a one-hour flight plus 4 to 5 hours on a van + ferry. In the end, it’s almost the same time as getting the van + ferry from Krabi to Koh Lipe, and you will not have to go through airport security.
How to get from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe
Koh Lanta is another amazing island in Southern Thailand, and it’s connected to Lipe with direct ferries making your travel life easy. The ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe takes between 2 hours and a half to 3 hours, depending on the company you choose from. The Koh Lanta-Koh Lipe ferry costs between 1,400 to 2,000 baht. All the ferries from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe depart from Saladan Pier.
There are multiple departures daily during high season. During the low season, the schedule changes a lot, and some companies have boats every two days, so plan ahead.
How to go from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lipe
Here is another easy and straightforward route. Yay! When you are tired of all the amazing things to do in Koh Phi Phi, you can get a ferry from Phi Phi to Koh Lipe. Is that easy? Yes, to travel to Koh Lipe from Koh Phi Phi you can choose between a speedboat or ferry that departs every day from TonSai Pier. The trip will take between 3 hours and a half to 4 hours. The ferry tends to be a bit faster than the speedboats, as they only stop in Koh Lanta.
The ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lipe costs 1,950, while the speedboat can cost from 2,000 to 2,600 baht. Three companies are operating between the two islands, so it’s worth comparing the prices. You can plan to depart in the morning with the ferry and speedboat from 9 AM or early in the afternoon with ferries from 2 PM.
How to get to Koh Lipe from other destinations in Thailand
Do you want to travel to Koh Lipe from Northern Thailand? Coming from Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai? Then your best option is to fly to Hat Yai, and from there go to the island. You can also check the flights to Kabi. You can make the trip from Chiang Mai to Koh Lipe by land, but it will be an insanely long journey, and money-wise it won’t be that cheaper than flying with a budget airline.
The islands on the Gulf of Thailand are also popular destinations, and many people want to visit Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phagan, and Lipe on the same trip. The best option to go from Koh Samui to Koh Lipe is flying to Krabi (there is one direct flight daily) and then head to the island.
You have two options to travel from Koh Tao or Koh Phangan to Koh Lipe. One is to take a ferry to Koh Samui and fly out from there. The second is to buy a combination ticket of ferry + bus + ferry, which can be via Krabi, Hat Yai, or Koh Lanta. All of them are long journeys, something between 11 to 16 hours. The best option is via Hat Yai, expect to pay around 2,500 – 3,000 baht for the trip.
Are you traveling to Koh Lipe from another destination? So the chances are that you will need to go to Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket or Hat Yai and from there head to the island.
Our advice is to book your tickets in advance so you won’t get stranded in the middle of the way. Also, before buying your tickets, read the ticket information carefully. We use Bookaway to purchase our tickets in advance, they have a great selection of transportation from different companies, so you can compare prices, and they also have trustworthy reviews. Or check with the reception at your hotel, very likely that they can arrange the tickets for you.
Are you ready to travel to Koh Lipe? Don’t forget to read our guide to the best beaches and activities in Lipe Island and where to stay in paradise. If you need any extra info about how to get to Koh Lipe, drop us a message on the comments below.
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