How to get to Koh Lipe (2025): The ultimate travel guide
Reaching a remote island like Koh Lipe may seem daunting, but the journey is an adventure in itself! If you’re curious about how to get to Koh Lipe, there are several options available depending on your starting point.
Tucked away in the Andaman Sea, near the Malaysian border, this little gem of an island has become popular due to its postcardworthy white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
The island doesn't have its own airport, hence the confusion many have when planning a holiday to Koh Lipe, this lack of direct access adds to its blissful seclusion.
To learn more about Koh Lipe as an island, checkout my Koh Lipe travel guide.
What is the closest airport to Koh Lipe?
As mentioned above, Koh Lipe doesn't have its own airport, not even a private air strip! Meaning everyone has to reach the island the same way, via speedboat or ferry.
The closest airport to Koh Lipe is actually Malaysian, located on Langkawi island. The closest Thai airport is Hat Yai, on the land border between Thailand and Malaysia. Which airport you choose to fly into will depend on where you are flying from, both are fairly small with limited destinations.
Getting to Koh Lipe from Bangkok
If Koh Lipe is the first stop on your Thai holiday, it is likely you will be flying into Bangkok, Thailand's largest international hub. There are a number of airlines that service Hat Yai Airport, including Air Asia, Thai Airays, Nok Air, Vietjet, and Lion Air.
I advise taking an early morning flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, something that arrives before 10:30, this is because the last buses to the pier depart at 11:30.
Take a minibus or taxi to Pakbara Pier
The ferries to Koh Lipe depart from Pakbara Pier, the journey time from Hat Yai to the pier is around 1 hr 45 minutes.
I advise booking the full journey through 12Go or through your accommodation in Lipe. 12Go shows you all the timings and booking is very easy. The start time of each journey is the time you are due to leave the airport, not the time of the ferry.
I recommend giving yourself a minimum of 30 minutes from landing to reaching the minibus. As I said, it's a small airport and the majority of transfer companies are timed with the incoming flights.
It will be cheaper for you to book your own transfers through 12Go than it will be through your hotel. However, if you want the peace of mind knowing someone else is dealing with the logistics of it all, the extra money spent is worth it.
If you dont want to take a minibus, you can book a private taxi.
Taking the ferry to Koh Lipe from Pak Bara Pier
There are so many ferry and speedboat operators it can be confusing which one to go with. In my personal experience, it is pot luck what you end up on, but the best experience I had was with Taweesub Speedboat.
Each boat takes a different amount of time. A lot of people get sea sick on this route, if you have this issue, book a speedboat rather than a catamaran. This is because the catamarans ride the waves, whilst the speedboats cut through them.
The quickest journey from start to finish, including the minibus from the airport, takes 3 hrs 30, this includes time at the ferry terminal where you can buy refreshments.
How to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi
The fastest way to get from Krabi to Koh Lipe is by taking the ferry journey with Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club. This takes 4 hours 40, and departs from Klong Jilad Pier.
As of January 2025, the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat ferry departs at 8:50am daily, arriving into Koh Lipe at 13:30. The cost for one adult ticket 2650 THB (£62) is and one child's ticket is 1890 THB (£44). These crossings also make a stop at Koh Lanta on the way.
Alternatively, if you are at risk of getting sea sick and don't want to long boat journey, there are many minivans that offer a land transfer from Krabi down to Pak Bara Pier which has a much shorter sea crossing, these can also be booked on 12Go. The land transfer takes around 3 and a half hours.
Island hopping to Koh Lipe from Phuket
Phuket is a popular starting point for people's journey to Koh Lipe. Despite its longish distance, Koh Lipe is located off the west coast of Thailand, meaning it is accessible by boat from islands such as Phuket, Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lanta.
Phuket to Koh Lipe
The fastest and highest rated speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lipe is again with Satun Pakbara Speedboat Club, taking 5 hours from start to finish. The ferry leaves Phuket at 8:30 and arrives into Koh Lipe at 13:30. When booking, you must tell them your hotel as they will arrange for you to be picked up.
The boat starts at Rassada Port in Phuket and there are two stops along the way - Phi Phi Don, and Koh Lanta, making it possible to add into a wider Thai island hopping experience. At Koh Lanta, all passengers change to a separate speedboat which will take you directly to Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. Sometimes the boats also stop at Koh Tarutao and Koh Khai for about 15-30 minutes which can extend the overall journey time.
The journey is fairly long and on the open sea, expect a lot of motion. This is not something I would personally want to do during rainy season or during a storm. However, during high season (January-April) I would be more than happy to make the journey. Due to this, the service operates only from October until April.
How to get to Koh Lipe from Langkawi
The ferry to Koh Lipe from Langkawi takes as little as 30 minutes, and as long as 1 hr 30 depending on who you book with. The first departure of the day is at 9:30am, arriving at 8:45am (there is a 1 hour time difference). There is a second departure of the fast boat at 14:00, arriving at 13:30.
Tigerline is the fastest but it is important to note they advise against travel on their services if you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, I recommend taking the longer service with Jolly Travel, this takes up to 1 hr 30, departing at 9:15am and arriving at 9:30am. This is a covered service with air conditioning and toilets.
Your journey will start at Kuah Jetty, transportation can be arranged from your accommodation in Langkawi or the airport in advance.
There are plenty of services per day with different boat companies, however they all depart and leave at similar times of the day, the above mentioned are the highest rated.
Arriving into Koh Lipe
If you don't suffer from motion sickness, the boat journey is pretty beautiful! The arrival into Koh Lipe is nothing short of beautiful, arriving directly onto Pattaya Beach, the busiest beach in Koh Lipe and one of the most beautiful.
All visitors must pay a national park fee (200 THB) before entering the island, this is usually taken at Pak Bara Pier, or wherever you have taken the ferry from. This covers you for a 5 day stay on the island and helps keep the island beautiful!
If you are staying at a hotel, it is important you let them know your arrival time and arrange pick up. They will then send a representative to meet you on the beach and help you with your luggage and take you via tuk tuk to your hotel.
During my first visit I made the mistake of not letting my hotel know, I was then stuck with my suitcase on the beach, not knowing where to take a taxi.
If you are staying at a hostel or bungalow that doesn't offer a pick up service, walk up Walking Street (you will see the street from the boat, it's the only one!), and you will find a tiny taxi station where tuk tuks will come and meet you.
