Best Ways On How To Go To Koh Lipe Thailand (2025)

Koh Lipe is one of my favourite islands for a short escape, and let me tell you how to get to Koh Lipe.

Beautiful Koh Lipe is about 60 kilometres offshore, located in the Andaman Sea on the edge of Tarutao National Marine Park. 

It’s the southernmost island in Thailand, near Malaysia’s border, making it easier for me, who lives in Kuala Lumpur,  to travel with ease. 

The first time I found out about Koh Lipe was back in 2022, and it has been my top 3 favourite beach getaway places to have some calm and quiet downtime. hik

To say that Koh Lipe is a paradise would be an understatement. Just Google it, and you’ll see what I am talking about. 

Famous for its stunning turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, you will find yourself longing to come back here, especially during the winter season 😛

Here are the best 3 ways on how to get to Koh Lipe.

Best Time to Visit Koh Lipe

VVisitors can travel to Koh Lipe at any time during the year, but the best time to visit Koh Lipe is between November to April. 

It’s sunny and the weather is suitable for all kinds of things to do in Koh Lipe such as snorkeling, diving or sunbathing!

The island experiences two seasons: the “high” and the “low.” Monsoons create rough seas in April or May most years, which don’t calm down until November.

Here is a recap on how is the weather like in Koh Lipe: 

• Peak Season: November to April.
• Low Season (Monsoon Period): May – October
• Peak Period during Peak Season
  • 20 Dec – 5 January (Christmas & New Year)
  • 10 April – 17 April (Songkran Festival) 

Some accommodation providers offer discounts of up to 50% off the high-season rates if you visit during the low season.

Keep Reading: Fun Things You Can do in Koh Lipe

National Park Fees For Koh Lipe

As Koh Lipe is a part of the Tarutao National Park, you are required to pay a certain fee when you arrive at Koh Lipe. Here are the latest rates of the national park fees for foreigners:

• Adults: 200 THB (USD 6) per person
• Children: 100 THB (USD 3) per person

How to Go Koh Lipe by Boat from Malaysia, Bangkok & Singapore

From Langkawi to Koh Lipe

If you are traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then taking a ferry from Langkawi is the easiest and most convenient way to reach the island.

This is the way I have taken every time since I lived in Kuala Lumpur. 

You can take a 1 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi. Depending on your budget, you will either fly with Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia. 

Langkwai has two ferry jetties – the Telaga Harbour and the Kuah Jetty, with the former located closer to the airport. 

Ferry prices between two jetties are about the same. It costs about RM 300 (USD 67) for a return ferry trip per person.

Apparently, locals told us that  there are less crowds departing from Telaga Terminal. 

I go for the ferries departing Telaga Harbour jetty, since it is much closer to the airport. Make your way to the jetty with either Grab or a Taxi.

Pro Tip: I usually take the morning flight at around 8.55 AM with Malaysia Airlines from KLIA 1. This gives me some time to relax and chill before taking the ferry at 2.30 PM.

The ferry master will hold your passports from Malaysia up to the moment you gather at the Thailand immigration office. This is the standard procedure. 

Once you reach Koh Lipe island, you’ll be taken to the immigration office on the island to officially enter Thailand. 

You’ll want to plan your schedule accordingly if you use Langkawi International Airport as your travel hub.

From Singapore to Koh Lipe 

If you’re travelling from Singapore to Koh Lipe, take a flight to Langkawi first and repeat the steps above.

From Bangkok & Hat Yai To Koh Lipe

Coming from Bangkok to Lipe, or from other cities in Thailand, you can use the Hat Yai and Pak Bara pier route. 

If you have an extra budget to spend and cut down the traveling time, then I’d suggest you to fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai in the early morning. 

From there, jump on your reserved taxi or minivan from the airport to Pak Bara pier. Once you have reached the pier, it’s time for you to catch a boat to Koh Lipe.

You’ll find several airlines on this route such as Air Asia, Lion Air and Thai Airways. 

Alternatively, if you opt for slow travel and have the capacity to spend more time on the road, then feel free to jump onboard trains from the city center to down south. 

Please don’t plan on the final sailing as it isn’t always run. Schedules can change without notice, so confirm your booking before arrival.

Here’s how you can get from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe:

1. Fly into Hat Yai airport 
2. Take a minivan to Satun Pak Bara Pier (Google Maps)
3. Board the boat for departure to Koh Lipe 

Pro Tip: Book your bus and ferry in advance because the transportation might be packed on the day of departure. Last minute = EXTRA costs.

How to Go Koh Lipe by Boat from All Other Places or Islands

Koh Lipe sits on the Andaman Sea, making it easily accessible from popular tourist destinations like Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta. 

Boats sail daily from all the islands in the north. It is also possible to fly from Phuket to Hat Yai, then take a taxi to the Pak Bara pier.

From Krabi to Koh Lipe

It is straightforward to arrange transportation to Koh Lipe from Krabi’s mainland. 

Mini-buses leave from Krabi and arrive at Pakbara Pier in Satun. And from there, speedboats ferry passengers to the island. 

From Phuket to Koh Lipe 

The trip from Phuket to Koh Lipe takes the longest, but you have a few ways of making it to Koh Lipe depending on your transport choices. 

1st Option: Take a boat from Phuket to Koh Lanta, where you’ll then be transferred to another speedboat to Koh Lipe. Journey time can take around 6 – 7 hours easily. 

2nd Option: Take a flight to Hat Yai and follow the steps from Bangkok and Hat Yai to Koh Lipe. 

3rd Option : Go on a road trip down south with a minivan, where it’ll take about 6-7 hours, then hop on the speedboat to Koh Lipe. 

The best bet would be the 1st option as it is more common during high season to travel seamlessly. 

From Koh Lanta to Lipe

Koh Lanta, another stunning Thai island, is a major travel hub and a convenient departure point for day trips to Koh Lipe. 

If you take the speedboat, you can go to Koh Lipe in under three hours. Tuk tuk your way to Saladan Pier and go through the check in process. 

As a tourist, you should know that most boats will stop at other nearby islands such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and Koh Bulon. 

Many people plan the ideal Thailand Island Hopping by combining visits to a few of these islands. 

Travel Tips: If you are traveling around Asia and have no specific itinerary, spend some time and visit these nearby islands on your way to Koh Lipe. 

Suggested Reads: Hiking up Chado Cliff (Koh Adang)

FAQ on How To Go To Koh Lipe

1. What’s The Best Way to Get to Koh Lipe??

The best way to get to Koh Lipe is to go from Langkawi island. You need to take a ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe from either the Telaga Harbour or Kuah Jetty. 

The ferry will take 1.5 hours and you will arrive on the Pattaya beach for immigration checking. 

2. What is The Closest Airport to Koh Lipe?

The closest airport to Koh Lipe would be Hat Yai airport. From there, you can take a taxi or minivan towards Pak Bara pier to catch your speedboat. 

Else, you can also fly into Langkawi International Airport, Malaysia during the high season and take the ferry to reach Koh Lipe. 

3. How Many Days Do You Need In Koh Lipe?

I recommend you stay for  at least 3 days. It is not easy to get there, so stay a little longer to make the trip worthwhile.

4. What Is The Best Advice For Getting To Koh Lipe Safely?

It is important to remember that Koh Lipe doesn’t offer a pier. If you arrive by speedboat, the operator will likely pull right up to Pattaya beach. 

Speedboats often stop not too far from the shore. A small longtail boat will be transferring you to the beach safely. 

The ocean can be choppy, so be prepared if you can get sea sick easily. 

I, once, faced that on my way back to Langkawi. Oh boy, it was scary. The speedboat was pushing through the waves and it swayed left and right constantly for 1.5 hours.

Final Thoughts

When you’re ready to relax at the best resorts Koh Lipe offers, the goal is to arrive at this Thai paradise safely. 

Although there are no straight flights to Koh Lipe, you can still create a travel itinerary that won’t involve long layovers during your journey.

All in all, I assure you that you will enjoy your stay at Koh Lipe. You will definitely be rejuvenated in all different senses from your mind, body and soul. 

The island may be small, but you’ll get tons of vitamin D, endless good massages and amazing dips in the crystal-clear ocean. 

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