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Koh Lipe is a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea. It sits inside Tarutao National Marine Park, ringed by coral reefs and clear water. The ferry from Telaga Harbour is the quickest way across, taking 1h - 1h 30m. The cheapest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is the ferry via Satun at $8.60 (35 MYR). It takes a lot longer, though.
Distance from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi and Koh Lipe are about 57 km (35 miles) apart, crossed directly by sea. The quickest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is by taking the ferry from telaga harbour, which takes around 1h - 1h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
There are three ways to travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe. You can choose between the ferry via Satun, ferry from kuah jetty, and ferry. The journey takes 1h–4h and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by ferry via Satun with tickets starting at $8.60 (285 THB).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- Langkawi→Satun1h
- Satun→Pak Bara2h
- Pak Bara→Koh Lipe1h 15m
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Langkawi to Koh Lipe by Ferry via Satun
UPDATE: The last time we checked (June 2024), the ferry from Satun to Koh Lipe has resumed, but the cross-border ferry route from Langkawi to Satun is still unavailable. We suggest taking a direct ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe instead.
Until a few years ago, taking a ferry via Satun used to be the alternative for tourists travelling this route during the low season. Direct ferries from Langkawi to Koh Lipe were only available during the high season.
Nowadays, you’ll still find a few direct ferry options in the low season (from June to October). In case they run out of tickets for your desired travel date, you can still take this alternative route via Satun.
Step 1: Langkawi to Satun by Ferry
First, you’ll have to travel to Tammalang Pier in Satun, a southern province in Thailand.
Ferries operating from Langkawi to Satun depart from Kuah Jetty, around 20 km east of Pantai Cenang. A 40-minute taxi ride to this port will cost you around $9.80 (40 MYR). If you’re travelling solo, you can also try finding a shared taxi for a cheaper fare.
Langkawi Ferry Services offers two trips for this route daily. However, if you want to arrive in Koh Lipe within the same day, you’ll have to take the first ferry trip at 09:30. Otherwise, you’ll have to stay overnight in Satun and take the connecting ferry the next day.
Travel time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and a ticket costs $8.60 (35 MYR).
*UPDATE: The last time we checked (June 2024), the Langkawi Ferry Services was unavailable. Please check the provided link to see if anything has changed.
Ferry Via Satun tickets are available on Langkawi-ferry.
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Step 2: Satun to Pak Bara by Minivan
At Tammalang Pier, you’ll also need to go through Immigration, which will take only about 20 minutes. Once you’re done, you need to travel to Pak Bara Pier, located 70 km north, for the ferry to Koh Lipe.
Keep in mind that Tammalang Pier is just a small pier, so there aren’t a lot of establishments and public transportation around. The most convenient way to get to Pak Bara is to take a 1.5-hour taxi to Pak Bara Pier. Rates start from $42 (1,400 THB) on 12GoAsia.
You can also take public transport, but it involves two transfers that may stretch your travel time to 2 hours. First, you need to ride a shared taxi or a motorbike taxi outside the terminal to get you to Satun Bus Station for $1.20 (40 THB).
At the bus station, you can take a minivan or a bus to La-Ngu, but tell the conductor to drop you off at the turning to Pak Bara. Songthaews and taxis with rates from $0.60 (20 THB) pass by this road to take you to the pier. Combined fares if taking public transport start from $3.30 (110 THB).
Step 3: Pak Bara to Koh Lipe by Ferry
Several ferry companies operate from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe, but the departure times are only between 11:00 and 13:30. Ticket prices start from $13 (419 THB).
We recommend that you book online through BookAway to secure a seat. Fares start from $21 (685 THB).
Ferry tickets are available on Bookaway.
Langkawi to Koh Lipe by Ferry from Kuah Jetty
If you’re staying on the eastern side of Langkawi, then it’s easier to take a ferry from Kuah Jetty.
An advantage of this port is that there are more ferries operating on this port during the high season.
Ferries from Kuah Jetty to Koh Lipe may take a bit longer, but not more than 30 minutes. Ferry prices start from $43 (175 MYR) when booking your tickets through BookAway.
Departure and arrival station
Kuah Jetty is a little further away (20 km east) from the main tourist hub of Pantai Cenang.
You can reach this port through a 40-minute taxi ride with prices from $9.80 (40 MYR). If you’re travelling solo and don’t mind sharing a ride, you should be able to find a shared taxi in the town centre.
Same as the ferries from Telaga Harbour, the ferries from Kuah Jetty arrive at Pattaya Beach.
Ferry from Kuah Jetty schedule from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
With the time zone change, you’ll be arriving at Koh Lipe at 10:30 and 15:00 Thailand time with this ferry schedule.
TIP: Klook currently offers a great deal for Bundhaya Speed Boat from Kuah Jetty, Langkawi to Koh Lipe. You can buy tickets as cheap as $38 (155 MYR).
More ferry options during the high season
Another option is Langkawi Ferry Services which offers 3 daily trips. It’s usually available from November to early June, but the last time we checked (June 2024), their ferry was unavailable.
Same as the other ferries, travel time between Langkawi and Koh Lipe takes around 1h 30m - 2h. A one-way ticket costs $30 (120 MYR).
Langkawi to Koh Lipe by Ferry from Telaga Harbour
From Langkawi, it’s easy to take a direct ferry ride to Koh Lipe. Ferries are available at Telaga Harbour and Kuah Jetty, where you can also find the Immigration office.
There are two popular ferry companies departing from Telaga Harbour. They were out of operations for a long time during the pandemic, but since October 2022, Satun Pakbara is back offering two daily trips from Langkawi to Koh Lipe.
Jumping Frog used to be the other ferry company, but they haven’t resumed their operations yet.
Fares start from $44 (180 MYR) for a ride that takes around 1h - 1h 30m.
Departure and arrival station
Telaga Harbour is our preferred departure port because of its proximity to the main tourist area in Langkawi.
The harbour is located just 15 km north of Pantai Cenang and you can easily reach it with a 20-minute taxi ride. Rates start from $7.40 (30 MYR), but if you’re hoping for cheaper rates, you can also look for shared taxis.
The arrival point for these ferries is Pattaya Beach on the southern coast.
Ferry schedule from Telaga Harbour, Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Ferry From Telaga Harbour tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
Our favourite places to stay in Koh Lipe
Being much smaller than many of the popular Thai islands, the number of accommodations is also smaller. This means that prices are higher on Koh Lipe, and a lot of the accommodations are luxury resorts that come with a price tag. Places tend to start around $30 for a room, a lot higher than the rest of Thailand, but also cheaper than most of the world.
Here are our favourite places to stay in Koh Lipe, for all budgets:
BudgetNest Hostel
Nest Hostel isn't the kind of place that you shout from the rooftops about, but it is one of the cheapest and best-rated places to stay on Koh Lipe. The rooms are clean, comfortable and peaceful. Dorm rooms are also available if you want to save even more money.
Here you're only 300m from Pattaya Beach and within walking distance of the other main beaches on Koh Lipe. The staff are amazing and make you feel instantly at home.
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Close to the beach
- Amazing staff
- Dorm and private rooms available
Dorm rooms start from $13 per night.
Treat YourselfLipe Garden Beach Resort
When visiting a tropical island like Koh Lipe, the dream is to stay seconds from the beach right? Lipe Garden Beach Resort helps you to make that dream come true. You can hear the gentle sound of waves crashing from your bungalow.
The rooms are simple, but comfortable, each coming with their own private balcony with a seating area and hammock. As well as the perfect beach location, you're also close to the Walking Street and pier.
- Directly on the beach
- Bungalow style rooms
- Private terrace
- Great location
Bungalows start from $55 per night.
Treat YourselfAnanya Lipe Resort
The best way to describe this place is with one word — WOW! Ananya Lipe is the kind of resort most of us can only dream of. The beautiful rooms have swim-up pools or you can go for a swim in the huge lagoon-style pool and grab a drink from the bar while you're still in the water!
Tired of the pool? Don't worry, the beach is only steps away. And that's if you can be persuaded to leave your stunning oasis of a room and huge bathrooms. If you opt for a room with a jacuzzi, you're probably never going to want to leave. This place is amazing!
- Huge swimming pools
- Beautiful and comfortable rooms
- Right on the beach
- Delicious free breakfast
Rooms start from $160 per night.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a Thai island in the Andaman Sea, near the Malaysian border. An ocean lover's dream, you'll find colourful coral gardens just a few metres from its shores. The waters surrounding the island are said to be home to 25% of the world’s tropical fish species!
Combine this with Koh Lipe’s pristine beaches and clear blue waters, and you’ll understand why it’s becoming such a famous destination for snorkelling and diving. What we love most is that fewer tourists are travelling to Koh Lipe, making it the perfect place to get away from it all.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, roughly 57 kilometres (35 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $8.60 (35 MYR). The quickest trip takes 1h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
The distance from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is 57 kilometres (35 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
The fastest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is by ferry and takes 1h - 1h 30m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
The cheapest way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is by ferry via satun with ticket costs starting from 35 MYR.
What is the best way to get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
The only way to travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is by ferry. We recommend departing from Langkawi's Telaga Terminal, which is the closest to the island's tourist attractions. Fares start from 180 PHP for the 1 to 1.5-hour journey.
Alternative options include a ferry from Langkawi's Kuah Jetty to Koh Lipe and a ferry via Satun.
Are you travelling the opposite route? You can also check out our Koh Lipe Langkawi guide for more information.
What are the best things to do in Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is known for its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. These make it a popular getaway destination for relaxing and swimming. Other things you can do when on Koh Lipe include:
Beach-hopping: Koh Lipe has three popular beaches — Pattaya, Sunset, and Sunrise Beach. We recommend watching the sun come up at Sunrise Beach, spending the day at Pattaya (surrounded by resorts and restaurants) and then moving on to Sunset Beach when the sun is about to set.
Diving & snorkelling: As part of Tarutao National Marine Park, the shallow waters of Koh Lipe are teeming with underwater life. You will find coral gardens just a few metres from the shore, but you can also take a boat tour to find the best diving spots.
Explore the island: Despite the growing number of tourists, Koh Lipe still boasts of a grand display of nature. You can escape the crowd at Pattaya Beach by walking through jungle trails or exploring the island by bike. Koh Lipe is just about 3.5 km long and 2.5 km wide, so you shouldn't have a problem with that!
What is the weather like in Koh Lipe?
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Travel Writer
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She's loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand's beaches also have a special place in her heart.
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Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
