How to Go to Koh Lipe (2026) : Ferries from Langkawi, Hat Yai, Bangkok

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

Beautiful Koh Lipe is about 60 kilometers 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, which makes it easy for me to reach from Kuala Lumpur, where I live.

The first time I found out about Koh Lipe was back in 2022, and it has been one of my top 3 favorite beach getaways for some calm and quiet downtime.

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 😛

There’s no airport on Koh Lipe, so every route ends with a boat. Below, I break down each one with 2026 prices, travel times and the months each boat actually runs.

Koh Lipe Routes at a Glance

Here’s the quick version. The best way to get to Koh Lipe depends on where you’re starting and what month you’re traveling.

From	Route	Travel time	Cost (one way)	Runs
Kuala Lumpur	Flight to Langkawi + ferry	1 hr flight + 1.5 hr ferry	Ferry RM 155-180 (approx. USD 37-43)	Mid-Oct to end of May
Singapore	Flight to Langkawi + ferry	1 hr 45 min flight + 1.5 hr ferry	Ferry RM 155-180 (approx. USD 37-43)	Mid-Oct to end of May
Hat Yai	Minivan to Pak Bara + speedboat	4-5 hrs	850-1,100 THB joint ticket (approx. USD 26-34)	All year
Bangkok	Flight to Hat Yai + minivan + speedboat	7-9 hrs door to door	Flight + 850-1,100 THB	All year
Koh Lanta	Speedboat	3-3.5 hrs	1,350-1,900 THB (approx. USD 41-58)	Nov to Apr
Krabi	Speedboat via Koh Lanta	5-6 hrs	2,400-2,900 THB (approx. USD 73-88)	Nov to Apr
Phuket	Speedboat or ferry	5.5-7.5 hrs	2,000-2,600 THB (approx. USD 61-79)	Nov to Apr

Prices and seasons checked in October 2026. Boat companies change schedules every season, so always confirm on the booking page before you travel.

Before You Board: Cash, Park Fee & Arrival Card

A few things catch people out on arrival day. Sort these out before you leave and the boat ride is the only thing you need to think about.

National Park Fee

As Koh Lipe is a part of the Tarutao National Park, you are required to pay a park fee when you arrive. Here are the current rates for foreigners (checked October 2026):

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

It’s not included in your ferry ticket, and it’s cash only. Keep the ticket with you, because you’ll need it again if you take a boat over to Koh Adang for the Chado Cliff hike.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Thailand replaced the paper arrival card with an online one. Foreign visitors need to fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arriving, and that includes arriving by boat from Langkawi. It’s free and you can submit it up to three days before your trip.

Also check how long you can stay. From September 15, 2026, Thailand cut its standard visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days for many passports, so confirm the rule for yours before you book a long trip.

Cash and ATMs on Koh Lipe

There are ATMs on Koh Lipe, mostly around Walking Street, but they charge a fee on foreign cards and can run out of cash on busy weekends. I’d bring enough Thai baht for the park fee, the longtail transfer and your first day or two.

There are no ATMs at all on Koh Adang, so carry cash if you’re heading over there.

When Do the Boats Run? Koh Lipe Ferry Seasons

Koh Lipe has two seasons: the “high” and the “low.” Monsoons create rough seas from around May, and they don’t calm down until November. That changes which boats run.

• Langkawi ferries: mid-October to the end of May. No service in June to mid-October.
• Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta speedboats: November to April only.
• Pak Bara speedboats (from Hat Yai): all year, but only a couple of sailings a day from May to October, and bad weather can cancel them.

Here is a recap of the busiest periods:

• Peak Season: November to April
• Low Season (Monsoon Period): May to October
• Peak periods: Christmas and New Year, Chinese New Year, and Songkran in mid-April

Some accommodation providers offer discounts of up to 50% off the high-season rates if you visit during the low season. But the weather is all gloomy and wet.

If you’re still deciding on dates, I cover the best time to visit Koh Lipe for snorkeling, diving and beach days in my main guide.

How To Go To Koh Lipe From Malaysia & Singapore

By Ferry 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 route 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.

Langkawi has two ferry jetties: the Telaga Harbour and the Kuah Jetty, with the former located closer to the airport. Each jetty is served by a different speedboat company.

Prices between the two jetties are about the same. The ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe costs about RM 155-180 (USD 37-43) one way per adult, or roughly RM 310-360 (USD 74-86) return (checked October 2026). The park fee is extra.

In peak season (November to mid-April), each jetty runs a morning and an early-afternoon boat. In the shoulder months (mid-to-late October and mid-April to May), it drops to one morning boat.

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

I usually 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, and check in at least 90 minutes before departure. You clear Malaysian immigration at the jetty.

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.

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. Flight and ferry times change every season, so line yours up before you book.

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

From Singapore to Koh Lipe

If you’re wondering how to go to Koh Lipe from Singapore, fly to Langkawi first. Scoot and AirAsia both fly direct from Changi in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Then follow the ferry steps above.

Pick a morning flight. That way you can still make the early-afternoon ferry on the same day in peak season.

How To Go To Koh Lipe From Thailand (Hat Yai & Bangkok)

Every mainland Thai route ends at Pak Bara pier in Satun, where speedboats leave for Koh Lipe all year round.

From Hat Yai to Koh Lipe

The Hat Yai to Koh Lipe route is the one that runs all year, so it’s your best bet in low season.

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

Most people book a joint minivan and speedboat ticket for about 850-1,100 THB (USD 26-34). The speedboat alone costs around 650 THB (USD 20) one way.

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. In peak season the last boats leave Pak Bara in the early afternoon, and in low season there are usually only two sailings around midday.

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

• Book: Check joint minivan and speedboat tickets here on 12Go

From Bangkok to Koh Lipe

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

If you have an extra budget to spend and want to cut down the traveling time, then I’d suggest you fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai in the early morning. That gives you enough time to make an afternoon boat from Pak Bara.

You’ll find several airlines on this route such as AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai Airways. The flight takes about 1.5 hours.

Alternatively, if you opt for slow travel and have the capacity to spend more time on the road, then feel free to jump on an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Hat Yai and continue by minivan in the morning.

• Bangkok to Koh Lipe: 1.5 hours flight + 2 hours minivan + 1.5 hours speedboat
• Book: Check minivan/ferry prices and availability here on 12Go

How To Go To Koh Lipe From Other Thai 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.

These island-hopping speedboats only run from November to April. In low season, you’ll need to go overland to Pak Bara pier and take the speedboat from there.

From Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe

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

The Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe ferry is actually a speedboat, and it takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. Tickets cost around 1,350-1,900 THB (USD 41-58). 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.

• Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe: 3 to 3.5 hours by speedboat (November to April)
• Book: Check prices and availability here on 12Go

From Krabi to Koh Lipe

There are two ways to work out how to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi, depending on the month.

From November to April, speedboats leave Ao Nang and Krabi and go via Koh Lanta. It takes about 5 to 6 hours and costs around 2,400-2,900 THB (USD 73-88).

The rest of the year, minibuses leave from Krabi and arrive at Pak Bara Pier in Satun. From there, speedboats ferry passengers to the island.

• Krabi to Koh Lipe: 5 to 6 hours by speedboat (high season), or 4.5 to 5 hours by minivan + 1.5 hours by boat
• Book: Check prices and availability here on 12Go

From Phuket to Koh Lipe

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

1st Option: Take the direct boat from Phuket. Some boats go via Koh Lanta and other islands along the way. Depending on the boat, it takes 5.5 to 7.5 hours and costs around 2,000-2,600 THB (USD 61-79). This only runs from November to April.

2nd Option: Take a flight to Hat Yai and follow the steps in the Hat Yai section above.

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

The best bet would be the 1st option in high season, since it is the most seamless. In low season, go with option 2 or 3.

• Phuket to Koh Lipe: 5.5 to 7.5 hours by boat
• Book: Check prices and availability here on 12Go

What Happens When You Arrive on Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe doesn’t have a proper pier for big boats. Here’s what arrival day looks like:

1. Your boat stops off Pattaya Beach, and a longtail boat brings you to the sand. This transfer usually costs about 50 THB (USD 1.50) in cash.

• 2. If you came from Langkawi, you’ll go straight to the immigration office on Pattaya Beach to get your passport stamped.

3. Pay the national park fee at the counter.

4. Walk or take a motorbike taxi to your hotel. Most of the island is walkable, but not with a big suitcase in the heat.

If you want the shortest walk with your bags, stay near Pattaya Beach.

Check stays near Pattaya Beach on Booking.com [PLACEHOLDER: Booking.com link for your recommended Pattaya Beach stay]

FAQ on How To Go To Koh Lipe

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

From Malaysia or Singapore, the best way is the ferry from Langkawi, which runs from mid-October to the end of May. From Thailand, or in low season, fly into Hat Yai and take the speedboat from Pak Bara pier.

The ferry from Langkawi will take 1.5 hours and you will arrive on Pattaya Beach for immigration checking.

2. What Is the Closest Airport to Koh Lipe?

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

You can also fly into Langkawi International Airport, Malaysia, from mid-October to May, and take the ferry to reach Koh Lipe.

3. Can You Get to Koh Lipe in Low Season?

Yes. The Pak Bara speedboats run all year, with fewer sailings from May to October. The Langkawi, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta boats stop for the monsoon, so plan on going through Hat Yai.

4. 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. Here is how I spend my days in Koh Lipe.

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

Book a boat that leaves early enough to arrive in daylight, and don’t count on the last sailing of the day. If you arrive by speedboat, the operator will likely stop off Pattaya Beach, and a small longtail boat will transfer you to the beach safely.

The ocean can be choppy, so be prepared if you get seasick 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 direct 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.

Once you’ve landed, here are the things to do in Koh Lipe I go back for every trip, including the hike up to Chado Cliff on Koh Adang for the best view of the island.

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