How to get from Bangkok to Ko Lipe. How to get to Ko Lipe from Bangkok, Phuket, Langkawi and other resorts. What to consider to successfully get to Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea in the very south of Thailand.
I visited it for the first time at the end of 2006.
And I realized that I had found a place for which I have only one definition - it’s paradise!
There are perhaps more beautiful places in Thailand, for example, the postcard Pi-Pi Don.

But Lipa had a unique combination of beauty, a special atmosphere, nature almost untouched by man, and what was especially pleasing was a very small number of people.

I was constantly being pulled back.
But as often happens, when something is close to you and easily achievable, you choose it last.
So, having traveled almost everything over the past 5 years Southeast Asia, the second time I got to Lipe was only this February.

The first thing we saw when we landed on the island:

Oopss, we're late, there's no more heaven...
There are now many hotels on the island, most of the beaches have turned into piers for boats and there are people, people, people everywhere.

Fortunately, it turned out that not everything is so sad! And pieces of the former paradise can still be found.

Fantastic water color.
Snow-white, fine sand.

Every day we had dinner at the Daya Resort restaurant, on the seashore, by candlelight.
Freshly caught fish is brought to them right before dinner. Cooked on the grill.
We ordered a grouper there - it was great!

In the mornings we went for a walk around the island, you can walk around it all in a few hours

Clear, clear water with vibrant underwater life
It's interesting to snorkel. Watching the fish.
During the week we saw several moray eels, stingrays, boxfish, schools of fish... But we saw the most interesting living creatures from the shore. Fortunately!!!

The meeting was unforgettable. We walked from the restaurant along the shore in the evening. The water was well illuminated by the lanterns of one of the hotels. At the same time, my sister and I saw some multi-meter hose swaying in the surf near the shore. As a joke (since this does not happen) they suggested that it was a snake. We managed to agree with each other that it was probably a loose cable from one of the boats. We came almost close to the shore and then the “cable” floated out into the sea with several smooth, sliding movements. Fantastic! It was a snake after all. At least 4-5 meters long.

Local wildlife

The island is inhabited by sea gypsies

Cheerful chorus girls sat and proudly drank their soda.
And only the girl on the far right thought that life was not fair and for some reason she didn’t get soda.
The decision took about five minutes to mature. All the fun ended in a fight with a massacre)))

Beggar. Literally begged me to eat something)

A farewell look at your favorite island

The only photo left from the day in Hat Yai. A small pleasant Thai town.
No special attractions. But the lanterns were impressive

Is it worth going to the island now? For me the answer is clear. Yes!
Lipe still remains one of the best and most beautiful places in Thailand.
You can still find deserted beaches there. And in some places amazing views.
How long? I think no. Another couple of years and the last pieces of paradise will be swallowed up by more hotels, bars and boat moorings.
So we need to seize the moment now. There are not many places like this island in the world.

Practical information.

Ko Lipe on the map:

How to get to Koh Lipe:

1. Evening train to Trang or Hat Yai, then by minivan to Pakbara + boat to Ko Lipe island.
On the train it is better to take second class with a fan (with air conditioning - this is death from icing). Costs approximately 900 baht one way.
Minivan + boat 450-700 baht depending on the company where you buy the transfer.

2. You can also get to Hat Yai by plane. The cheapest tickets can be purchased from AirAsia.
If you buy in advance and at a promotion, you can get it almost free :)
My tickets, purchased 8 months before the flight, cost 400 baht for the flight Bangkok - Hat Yai - Bangkok.
My sister’s tickets, which were purchased about a month before departure, cost 3 thousand baht
To get to Lipe on the same day, choose the first morning flights.

From the airport by minivan to the bus station (80 baht per person). From the bastion as in the first option to Pakbara, etc.
You can get to Pakbara by taxi. Price 2-2.5 thousand baht.

Where to live in Lipa:
My choice Mountain Resort - great beach, the place is wonderful.
If you want to save money, then there is Andaman Resort nearby.
You can make a reservation here.

  • Tours for May Worldwide
  • The Adang archipelago on the border of Thailand and Malaysia is often called the “Thai Maldives” for its snow-white sand. Lipe is the only inhabited island in this archipelago. Lovers of serene bliss come here, as well as divers, since representatives of almost a quarter of the species of marine life that exist in nature are found in the coastal waters of Ko Lipe.

    Lovers of serene bliss come here, as well as divers, since representatives of almost a quarter of the species of marine life that exist in nature are found in the coastal waters of Ko Lipe.

    The island does not have its own pier; boats arriving at Koh Lipe moor at a special floating platform on which tourists transfer to small boats local residents, which in turn deliver them to the shore. This pleasure costs only 50 THB per person. The return trip from the island to the platform with boats will also cost 50 THB.

    The highlight of this archipelago is the Tarutau National Park, a must-see. Prices on the page are as of November 2019.

    How to get to Lipe Island

    It's easier to get to the island in high season: ferry crossing organized by many popular resorts in the Andaman Sea: from Lanta, Phuket, Phi Phi, etc. In the low season, boats operate only from the Pak Bara pier, which is most conveniently accessible from the town of Hat Yai.

    From Bangkok

    1. Most quick way- air travel. Flights to Hat Yai depart from Don Mueang Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi, where planes fly from Russia. Then you can take a taxi to the pier in Pakbara (about 1000 THB) or buy a comprehensive ticket to Koh Lipe at the airport for the same money. Or go to the bus terminal in Hat Yai (150 THB by tuk-tuk or 400 THB by taxi), where you can take a bus to the pier. From Hat Yai to Pakbar it takes about 2 hours.
    2. In addition, at the capital's Don Muang Airport you can immediately buy a comprehensive ticket to Ko Lipe, which includes a flight, transfer to the pier and a ferry ticket. In terms of cost, such a route is comparable to an independent one, and there are no worries about changing transport: you will be met and escorted everywhere.
    3. You can also get to Hat Yai from Bangkok by train. An evening train departs from Hua Lamphong Station and arrives in Hat Yai early in the morning.
    4. Another a budget option- bus. They depart to Hat Yai from the capital's southern terminal and travel all night (10-12 hours). The cost of a bus trip is comparable to a train ticket, and the bus travels several times. faster than a train, moreover, it arrives immediately at the bus station.

    From the pier in Pakbara you can sail to the island either by speedboat or on the so-called ferries. They take a full hour longer (2.5 hours), but sailing on them is much more comfortable than on a speedboat, which shakes from being hit by waves (and the seats are hard and uncomfortable), and the spray often hits passengers. Ticket prices for speedboats and ferries do not differ in price.

    It's also worth considering that boats only operate between the mainland and the island during the day, so it's best to arrive in Pakbara as early as possible.

    Search for flights to Phuket (the nearest airport to Koh Lipe)

    From the southern resorts of Thailand

    In the case of Lipe, islands such as Phuket and Lanta can be called “southern” only conditionally, since they are located north of the country’s southernmost archipelago. During the high season, most of these southern resorts Boats run to Ko Lipe. The ticket costs about 1000-1200 THB, it will be much cheaper (but also longer) to take a bus to the pier in Pakbara and from there swim to the island.

    From Malaysia

    Since the island is located on the border with Malaysia, Ko Lipe can also be reached from this country. The closest to it - just 30 km - is the Malaysian island of Langkawi, from where boats depart towards Thai Lipe. Border control guests from Malaysia pass through upon arrival on the island, however, the point on Koh Lipe is open only in the high season; in the low season, you will have to cross the border on the mainland, in the Thai city of Satun, from there get to Pakbar and cross to Lipe.

    Next to the Adang Archipelago is the Tarutao Island Nature Reserve. It's pretty large island, most of which is occupied by tropical jungle. There is no tourism infrastructure and full-fledged hotels - only small guesthouses and private bungalows that are rented to tourists.

    You can get to Tarutao in the same way as to Lipe, since boats going to it from the Pakbara pier make a stop off the coast of Tarutao. The cost of a ticket to it is about a hundred baht cheaper than to Ko Lipe.

    Lipe Island (Koh Lipe) in Satun province, Thailand is perhaps the most pleasant place for lovers of leisurely and calm beach holiday. Excellent and clean beaches, wonderful diving and snorkeling, and at the same time sufficient distance from the main package tourist flows - these are the main features of the island of Koh Lipe.

    A good idea to “stick” to Lipa is to combine business with pleasure - go and then have a long beach relaxation.

    When is the best time to go to Koh Lipe?

    The most better weather in Lipa from December to March. However, you can come here as early as October 20. The season from October 20 to November 16 and from April 1 to May 16 is considered low. At this time the most low prices, but there may be rain and the sea is rough.
    It should be taken into account that the island is small and there is little accommodation, so hotels for December and January must be booked in advance (6 or more months in advance).

    How to get to Koh Lipe on your own

    You can get to Lipe Island from Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Lanta, Langkawi, etc. - it depends on where you are coming from. From Bangkok, you first need to get to the nearest pier, and then sail by sea to Lipa.

    There are no airports on Lipa; you can only get there by sea, and not in any month. Navigation in this water area begins on October 19 and ends on May 16.

    In the photo: ferry to Koh Lipe at Hat Yao pier

    If you are flying from Europe, the route will be something like this: flight to Bangkok – flight to Hat Yai – bus to the pier – ferry or boat to Lipa. In fact, everything is much simpler than it seems.

    The easiest option is to buy a single ticket on the website from Bangkok immediately with a transfer to Koh Lipe. Then you will simply board the plane in Bangkok, and then you will be accompanied everywhere, all the way to the island.

    Important! Please note that in Bangkok, AirAsia flies from Don Mueang Airport (this is NOT the airport you will fly into from Russia, Ukraine or Europe). We still need to get to this airport. Therefore, getting from Europe to Koh Lipe in 1 day will be too tiring. It's better to at least spend the night in Bangkok.

    Buying a ticket to Koh Lipe looks like this: in the “where” field, look for “Thailand (Island Transfer)” and select “Lipe”.


    You will first fly to Hat Yai, then you will be taken to the port and board the ferry to Koh Lipe. The entire journey will take from 6 to 9 hours. Along the way, you will be accompanied by company employees. Everything is simple, clear and understandable.

    How to get to Lipe on your own, without a transfer

    Most tourists travel to Koh Lipe either by ferry from the Malay island of Langkawi, or from Thailand, using combined bus and ferry tickets, which are sold at any travel agencies throughout Thailand. To decide which places are best to get to Koh Lipe, see the map:

    I'll tell you more:

    How to get from Penang (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe
    1. First take a ferry to Langkawi, price 70RM, 3 hours ride.
    2. Then transfer from Langkawi to the ferry to Koh Lipe, price 118RM, ride 1.5 hours. It is better to leave for Langkawi from the Telaga pier.
    Single tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in Penang.

    How to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe
    1. Fly to one of the nearest airports – Krabi or Hat Yai.
    2. Next, take buses or minivans to the Pak Bara or Hat Yao piers.
    3. Then another transfer by ferry or boat.

    Prices depend on the route and transport chosen, e.g. approximate price Krabi Airport – Koh Lipe (ferry + minivan) 1400 baht/person. Speedboats are more expensive.

    How to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe
    Many tourists travel to Lipe Island directly from the water, on speedboats or ferries. However, this option is only for those who can tolerate pitching well. Long and tedious.
    A direct ticket can be bought in Phuket at any travel agency right on the street.


    In the photo: tourists disembarking from the boat. Lipe Island

    By the way, Lipa does not have its own pier, so at the very last stage you will have to transfer from the ferry to small boats - longtails, with subsequent disembarkation into the water. So prepare 50 baht and take care of good shoes and cameras :)

    The quietest months on Lipe Island are October and April. In other months there are many tourists.

    Beaches of Koh Lipe

    As elsewhere in Thailand, Koh Lipe does not have a single circular beach along which one could go around the entire island. Lipa has only three major beaches - Sunrise, Sunset and Pattaya. And several small ones that can only be reached by boat. The beaches are somewhat similar - the sand is clean and white everywhere, the entrance to the water is gentle. However, there are also differences, which they take advantage of. experienced tourists. So, let's look at the map of Ko Lipe.


    On the map Lipe looks like a horseshoe

    Pattaya Beach is primarily a transshipment base. Teams of tourists arrive and depart here, there is also a Thai immigration office and several large hotels. The beach is long and clean, and quite suitable for swimming, but this is not Bounty, if you know what I mean :)


    In the photo: the most crowded beach on Lipe Island - Pattaya Beach

    Sunset is the most picturesque and “wild” beach in Koh Lipe. There are steep slopes along the shore more stones and accordingly fewer boats.


    Pictured: the end of Sunset Beach on Ko Lipe

    Sunrise Beach is perhaps the most balanced. There is enough space for everyone, both beachgoers and boats.


    In the photo: at Sunrise Beach on Lipe Island
    In the photo: complete relaxation on Sunrise Beach in Koh Lipe, Thailand

    The best beach bars are located on Sunrise, where it is so pleasant to spend evenings chatting with friends, listening to music and drinking Chang.


    In the photo: “Sea La Vie” – one of the best beach bars in Ko Lipe

    Diving and snorkeling in Lipa


    In the photo: newcomers to Lipa quickly master diving

    Lipe Island is located in national park Ko Tarutao, so the surrounding waters are simply ideal for good diving. The surrounding coral reefs are rich in many species of tropical fish, and you can also admire turtles, barracudas and dolphins. Beginner divers should take training tours to neighboring islands Sawang and Chabang. The most advanced diving companies: “Adang Sea Divers” and “Ko Lipe Castaway Divers”.

    If you are looking for budget accommodation, you will most likely stay in the center of the island, in one of the guesthouses around the local Walking Street. A little noisy, but close to the whole tourist scene: cafes, bars, shopping. One of the newest and inexpensive hotels is “A Plus Deluxe Hotel”. You can view prices and book


    In the photo: inexpensive and modern hotel “A Plus Deluxe Hotel”, Koh Lipe

    Hotels on the west coast of Lipe Island (especially on the hills) are quieter and have gorgeous views from the rooms, but they have their own problem - nightly transport - either constantly calling a local "taxi" or walking, which is inconvenient in the dark.


    In the photo: view from the window at the Mountain Resort hotel on Lipe Island

    If the main purpose of your vacation is diving, it is best to stay in one of the authentic resorts of Sunrise Beach, like “Adang Sea Divers & Eco Lodge”- simple, but very cheap. Here you can spend more time among fellow submariners, practice with equipment, and loading onto boats will be more optimal for you.


    In the photo: a party of divers at the Castaway resort

    Comfortable hotels in Ko Lipe

    The most luxurious hotels on the island are definitely the Serendipity Resort, Mali Resort and the modern Idyllic Concept Resort. If your budget allows, be sure to live in one of them!


    In the photo: view from the veranda of the Serendipity Resort Hotel, Lipe Island

    Budget accommodation in Ko Lipe


    In the photo: cheap bungalows of the “Izgoy” resort – exoticism in its purest form

    Oddly enough, cheap and hippy bungalows hotel “Castaway Resort”

    The island of Koh Lipe is located in the Andaman Sea in the Satun province in southern Thailand, very close to the Malaysian island of Langkawi. In this article I talk in detail about how to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, Phuket, other resorts in Thailand and Malaysia, as well as from Russia.

    Ko Lipe how to get there

    There is no airport on the island of Koh Lipe, there is no bridge leading to it (like, for example, in Malaysia 🙂), so you can only get to Koh Lipe by water:

    1. By speedboat or ferry from Pakbara Pier
    2. By boat (ferry) from Hat Yao Pier (Trang)
    3. By speedboat from Koh Lanta, with stops at Koh Islands Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradarn, Koh Bulone
    4. By speedboat from Phuket (via Lanta)
    5. By fast ferry/boat from the Malaysian island of Langkawi
    Boats that take tourists to Koh Lipe
    Route map to Lipe Island Scheme water transport to Lipe Island

    Previously, water communication with the island was only in the high season (from mid-October to April - May), Koh Lipe was “closed” from tourists in the summer 🙂 now, of all the above methods, in the low season (summer) speedboats/boats run from Pakbara, therefore, Koh Lipe can be reached all year round.

    How to get to Koh Lipe from Pakbara Pier

    Speedboats/fast boats from various companies depart from Pakbara Pier several times a day.

    Approximate boat schedule for Pakbara - Koh Lipe:

    • 11:30
    • 13:30
    • 14:30
    • 15:00
    • 15:30.

    Schedule may change! Even if you have purchased a ticket for a certain time, this does not mean that the boat will leave exactly on schedule. We had tickets for 11:30, and we sailed later than 12:00. IN low season(June – October) boats run 1-2 times a day, usually at 9:30 and 11:30.

    The travel time from Pakbara to Lipe is one and a half hours; in rough seas it can increase to 2 hours or more. Along the way, all boats stop for 15 minutes at Tarutao Island. Those interested can stay for a few days on this island; there are bungalows and tents in the national park. Or just go to the island and walk along the shore while waiting for the boat to depart.

    Entrance to the island of Tarutao is paid - 200 baht, more precisely, this is the fee for visiting the Tarutao National Park, the ticket is valid for 5 days, including for visiting the island of Koh Lipe and other national islands. parks that you can visit during one of the.


    On the way to Lipe, all boats and boats make a stop on the island of Tarutao
    Those who wish can go ashore (entrance to national park 200 baht) and even stay on the island for a few days
    Near Tarutao Island
    Centralized queue to board the boat at Tarutao Pier

    Price

    • Ticket price for speedboat/boat Pakbara - Koh Lipe: 650 baht
    • Ticket price Pakbara - Koh Lipe - Pakbara - 1200 baht (return ticket with open date)
    • Pakbara – Koh Tarutao – 400 baht
    • Pakbara - Koh Tarutao - Koh Lipe - 650 baht, i.e. you can go to Koh Tarutao, live there for a couple of days and sail further using the same ticket :)

    Prices are usually identical for all carriers, although sometimes there are specials. suggestions :) But the boats may differ!


    Schedules and prices for boats on the route Pakbara - Tarutao - Koh Lipe and to reverse direction
    Speedboat to Koh Lipe from Pakbara Pier at 11:30, from Koh Lipe at 9:30
    Schedule of another company that carries to Koh Lipe and Koh Bulon from Pakbara
    Boat schedule and cost Pakbara - Koh Lipe

    Pakbara Pier

    The Pakbara pier is well equipped with air-conditioned waiting areas, restrooms, and a shop with overpriced sundries. Entrance to the pier is paid (!) 20 baht :)


    In front of the entrance to Pakbara Pier
    Entrance to the pier 20 baht :)
    There are a lot of people inside in the waiting room. Here you need to get tickets for the boat (if you have a complex ticket or you bought tickets in advance online) or buy tickets
    At Pakbara Pier
    Tourists waiting to board the boats
    Boarding boats at Pakbara pier

    But on Koh Lipe there is no pier; in the low season or when the sea is very rough, boats arrive at the shore at , and in the high season - at . Some speedboats (including ours) are parked near the shore, and some boats are further from the shore, and are transported to the beach on longtails for 50 baht per person.


    Landing on Koh Lipe

    Loading and unloading luggage is a circus: things are thrown right over the water and it seems that the suitcase is about to fall into the sea, so do not give valuables to be loaded onto the boat, but keep them with you! Luggage is packed at the stern, and in some places even on the roof of the boat, so the suitcase can arrive wet and dirty...

    How to get to Pakbara Pier

    Immediate big cities to the village of Pakbara:

    • Trang (not to be confused with the city of Trat, which is near)
    • Hat Yai

    Both have an airport, bus stations, and even a train station in Hat Yai! You can get to Pakbara Pier by:

    • Taxi. A car from these two cities to Pakbara Pier will cost 1800 - 2200 baht, the approximate travel time is one and a half hours
    • Minibus. WITH bus station There is a mini bus to Hat Yai, cost 150 baht, travel time one and a half to two hours
    • By purchasing a comprehensive ticket. For example, upon arrival at Hat Yai airport, we bought a comprehensive ticket for a minibus + boat: airport - Pakbara Pier - Koh Lipe for 900 baht per person. It’s better to buy such a ticket in advance on this website, firstly it will be cheaper (~ 750 baht), and secondly you won’t have to wait long at the airport until tourists from other flights arrive.

    The same complex ticket (mini bus + boat) can be bought at the Hat Yai railway station, at the bus station, at any travel agency and hotel.


    Taxi counter at Hat Yai airport
    Travel agency at the airport where you can buy a comprehensive ticket to Koh Lipe and other islands
    Boat Schedule

    Important: to get to Koh Lipe on the same day, you need to get to Hai Yat until 13:00, or better before! I would not count 100% on a boat that is scheduled at 15:30... You can spend the night in the city of Hat Yai, there are many inexpensive hotels there.

    How to get to Koh Lipe from Trang

    If you fly to Trang, the closest pier to the city is Trang Hat Yao Pier, from which Tiger Line Ferry boats depart daily at 13:00 during high season. Travel time is 2 hours. You can buy tickets on the carrier's website.

    How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok

    To get to Koh Lipe from you must first get to one of the cities listed above: Trang or Hat Yai, then go to Pakbara Pier and buy a boat ticket to Koh Lipe. How to do this is described above in the article. And you can get to Trang or Hat Yai from Bangkok like this:

    1. By plane from Bangkok: choose the best flight option that suits your time and cost to Hat Yai or Trang.

    2. By bus. Buses Bangkok - Hat Yai depart from southern bus station in Bangkok (Sai ​​Tai Mai or Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal). Buses run quite frequently from 6 am to 8 pm, travel time is 13-14 hours.

    The cost depends on the carrier and bus class: from 700 to 1000 baht.

    3. By train Bangkok – Hat Yai. Trains depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. Travel time is 13-17 hours (+ trains in Thailand tend to be late!). To get to Koh Lipe on the same day, you need to take trains that depart from Bangkok at 15:10 or 15:30.

    Cost from 300 baht (in third class carriages), we usually take tickets to second class with air conditioning, cost from 850 baht.

    You can view the train schedule for Thailand on the website of the Thai Railways, and buy tickets at the railway station.


    Train timetable Bangkok - Hat Yai

    4. By purchasing a complex ticket plane + minibus + boat

    One of the most convenient ways How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok is to buy a package ticket from Air Asia or Nok Air. The ticket includes flight Bangkok - Hat Yai, minibus travel to Pakbara Pier and boat/ferry to Koh Lipe. Flights are only in the morning.


    Comprehensive ticket Bangkok - Koh Lipe from AirAsia

    Important: do not forget that the planes of these low-cost companies fly from Don Mueang airport, and all flights are from Russia, Ukraine, etc. arrive in Suvarnabhumi airport. Read about how to get between airports and how much time to allow for transfers.

    Phuket Koh Lipe how to get there

    Option 1: by sea

    IN high season You can get to Koh Lipe by sea. Transportation is carried out by:

    1. Tiger Line Ferry Company on quite large yellow boats (boats). Departure from Rassada Pier in Phuket (from the same place where ferries depart to) at 9:00, scheduled arrival in Koh Lipe at 13:00, i.e. 4 hours of travel (in fact, boats take much longer!). Along the way, change boats on Lanta Island. Cost Phuket - Koh Lipe ~ 2300 baht.


    Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website: tigerlinetravel.com
    Yellow big boats from Tiger Line Ferry

    Timetables and prices for Tiger Line Ferry tickets from Koh Lipe to other islands and to the mainland 2. Satun Pakbara Speed ​​Boat Company


    whose boats go along the route Phuket - Phi Phi - Lanta - Ngai - Muk - Kradan - Bulon - Lipe. Transportation by speedboat. Departure from Phuket at 8:30, arrival in Koh Lipe at 13:30. Cost ~ 2400 baht (cheaper if purchased through the website!). You can find out the schedule and buy tickets on their website: spcthailand.com

    Boat schedule Phuket - Lipe and Lipe - Phuket (via Koh Lanta) 3. Bundhaya Speed ​​Boat Company.


    From Phuket (Rassada Pier) via Koh Lipe. Carries on small speedboats. Departure from Phuket at 8:30, arrival in Lanta at 10:30, departure from Lanta at 10:30, arrival in Koh Lipe at 13:30. Cost ~ 3000 baht.

    You can buy tickets on their website: bundhayaspeedboat.com

    Routes and schedules of speedboats from the carrier Bundhaya Speed ​​Boat

    You can also search for all the tickets listed above (maybe cheaper!).

    We got to Koh Lipe right from I thought for a very long time about how to get to Koh Lipe from Phuket. I decided to choose the sea route 🙂 I rejected speedboats right away (I couldn’t stand 4-5 hours in such a high-speed boat, even an hour and a half was enough for me 🙂), I wanted to sail on the Tiger Line Ferry, for some reason I imagined such a big ferry , the same as or like us :)

    But, after reading the reviews, I realized that it was better to choose another option on how to get to the island of Koh Lipe from Phuket :) In the reviews, people complained about the old boat and frequent long delays, they wrote that the boat takes not 4 hours, as stated, but almost twice as long longer! After reading the reviews, I decided to choose another way to get to Koh Lipe from Phuket, namely the more standard route through Hat Yai and Pakbara.

    Option 2: via Hat Yai and Pakbara

    By bus You can travel from Phuket to Hat Yat by bus. Buses run from 6 am to 21:45, travel time is about 8 hours, cost from 300 to 600 baht depending on the class of the bus. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station in Phuket Town or on the website. 24, which departs at 21:45 and arrives in Hat Yai around 6 am. Then transfer to the pier and on the first boat at 9:30 to Koh Lipe. Then you will be on the island around 11:00 – 11:30 and still have the whole day ahead!

    By plane

    There is a direct flight from Phuket to Hat Yai with Bangkok Air. Departure at 7:25, arrival at 8:30. Just recently there was an evening flight at 19:25, but on this moment I don't see it on the schedule. The cost is about 1700 baht, luggage and even breakfast on board are included :) Check the cost and buy tickets Phuket - Hat Yai >>

    We chose this option on how to get to Koh Lipe from Phuket. Everything went smoothly: at 5:30 in the morning we ordered a taxi to our condo, at 6:15 we were already at Phuket airport, checked in our luggage, drank coffee in a coffee shop, boarded a small plane, had breakfast :) We arrived in Hat Yai even before the time indicated in schedule.


    A small Bangkok Air propeller plane on the route Phuket - Hat Yai
    Breakfast on the plane

    I wanted to buy tickets for the transfer airport - pier - Koh Lipe in advance online on the website (it was cheaper this way), but while I was thinking whether we would be able to catch the minibus, which leaves at 9 am (we would have time even with a large reserve), the sale of tickets stopped (tickets can be purchased online no later than three days in advance). Therefore, at the airport we found a travel agency, where we bought a combined mini-bass + speedboat ticket. But we had to wait for more than an hour for passengers from other flights.

    We were at the Pakbara pier at 11:15, where the purchased tickets must be exchanged for numbers, which are used to board the boat (numbers are very convenient - there is no queue). We set sail at 12:00 instead of the promised 11:30, and arrived in Koh Lipe at 14:00 - due to the storm and rain that began along the way, the boat sailed more slowly and arrived at Sunrise Beach, and not at the opposite beach. It was even more convenient for us: our hotel was literally a few steps from the boat’s arrival point :)


    Hurray, it’s our turn to load into the boat :)
    In the boat waiting to depart for Koh Lipe

    Lipe Island how to get from Krabi

    From Krabi you can get to Koh Lipe via Hat Yai. There are no direct flights from Krabi to Hat Yai, and flying through Bangkok, in my opinion, is not advisable, so you can get there by bus, minibus or taxi. The distance to the pier is only about 300 km.

    Tickets for a minibus to Hat Yai will cost 350 - 400 baht, a comprehensive ticket for Ao Nang (Krabi) - Koh Lipe - 1000 - 1200 baht. You can buy it at any travel agency or hotel.

    Lipe Island how to get from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan

    To get to Koh Lipe from / / you need to follow the path described above: first you need to get to Hat Yai, then to Pakbara, and then by boat to Lipe 🙂 The path is not short... Read about how to get to Hat Yai from Samui in

    You can also buy a complex ticket Samui/Phangan/Tao - Koh Lipe:


    Schedule and cost of transfer from the Gulf of Thailand islands to Koh Lipe
    Transfer schedule from Koh Lipe to the Gulf of Thailand islands

    Langkawi Koh Lipe how to get there

    Despite the fact that Lipe is a Thai island, it is separated from the Malaysian island by only 30 km, and in clear weather it is clearly visible from observation deck sky bridge in Langkawi :)

    Direct route Langkawi - Lipe

    During the high season, boats operate on the Langkawi-Lipe and Lipe-Langkawi routes. On the island of Koh Lipe there are even immigration offices where passport control takes place.


    Immigration office on Koh Lipe in the center of Pattaya Beach

    Boats from Langkawi arrive at Pattaya Beach on Lipe (read about all the beaches of Koh Lipe). They depart from two piers to Langkawi:

    • from Kuah Jetty Pier (in the capital of Kuah Island, near the city's eagle symbol)
    • from Telaga Harbor Pier, which is located next to Oriental Village Park

    We sailed in the opposite direction (i.e. from Lipe to Langkawi) and I specifically chose a carrier whose boats arrive at Telaga pier, because... First of all, in Langkawi I planned to check into the Geopark Hotel, visit and, which are located a few minutes drive from this pier.

    Carrier companies on the route Langkawi - Lipe - Langkawi

    Additional Information


    Schedule and cost of land transfer from Pakbara Pier and Hat Yai Boat schedule from Lipe Island
    Boat and transfer schedule from Koh Lipe
    Boat schedule from Lipe Island Lost heaven

    Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea in the very south of Thailand.
    I visited it for the first time at the end of 2006.
    And I realized that I had found a place for which I have only one definition - it’s paradise!
    There are perhaps more beautiful places in Thailand, for example, the postcard Pi-Pi Don.

    But Lipa had a unique combination of beauty, a special atmosphere, nature almost untouched by man, and what was especially pleasing was a very small number of people.

    I was constantly being pulled back.
    But as often happens, when something is close to you and easily achievable, you choose it last.
    So, having traveled almost all of Southeast Asia over the past 5 years, I got to Lipe for the second time only this February.

    We flew from Bangkok. First we watched the planes landing for a bit.

    airport

    and here is our plane

    Then a taxi, a boat and the first thing we see when we land on the island:

    Oopss, we're late, there's no more heaven...
    There are now many hotels on the island, most of the beaches have turned into piers for boats and there are people, people, people everywhere.

    Fortunately, it turned out that not everything is so sad! And pieces of the former paradise can still be found.

    Fantastic water color.
    Snow-white, fine sand.

    It was my sister’s first time on the island; she didn’t suffer from comparisons with what had happened before.
    Therefore her verdict is the best place in Thailand.

    Every day we had dinner at the Daya Resort restaurant, on the seashore, by candlelight.
    Freshly caught fish is brought to them right before dinner. Cooked on the grill.
    We ordered a grouper there - it was great!

    In the mornings we went for a walk around the island, you can walk around it all in a few hours

    Clear, clear water with vibrant underwater life
    It's interesting to snorkel. Watching the fish.
    During the week we saw several moray eels, stingrays, boxfish, schools of fish... But we saw the most interesting living creatures from the shore. Fortunately!!!

    The meeting was unforgettable. We walked from the restaurant along the shore in the evening. The water was well illuminated by the lanterns of one of the hotels. At the same time, my sister and I saw some multi-meter hose swaying in the surf near the shore. As a joke (since this does not happen) they suggested that it was a snake. We managed to agree with each other that it was probably a loose cable from one of the boats. We came almost close to the shore and then the “cable” floated out into the sea with several smooth, sliding movements. Fantastic! It was a snake after all. At least 4-5 meters long.

    With all my love for photography and dislike of being photographed.
    A rare photo of my sister and I together.
    I'm reflected in my glasses)))

    Local wildlife

    The island is inhabited by sea gypsies

    Cheerful chorus girls sat and proudly drank their soda.
    And only the girl on the far right thought that life was not fair and for some reason she didn’t get soda.
    The decision took about five minutes to mature. All the fun ended in a fight with a massacre)))

    Beggar. Literally begged me to eat something)

    A farewell look at your favorite island

    The only photo left from the day in Hat Yai. A small pleasant Thai town.
    No special attractions. But the lanterns were impressive

    And lastly a couple of orchids from the airport in Hat Yai

    Is it worth going to the island now? For me the answer is clear. Yes!
    Lipe is still one of the best and most beautiful places in Thailand.
    You can still find deserted beaches there. And in some places amazing views.
    How long? I think no. Another couple of years and the last pieces of paradise will be swallowed up by more hotels, bars and boat moorings.
    So we need to seize the moment now. There are not many places like this island in the world.

    Practical information.

    Ko Lipe on the map:

    How to get to Koh Lipe:

    1. Evening train to the city of Hat Yai, then by minivan to Pakbara + boat to the island of Ko Lipe.
    On the train it is better to take second class with a fan (with air conditioning - this is death from icing). Costs approximately 900 baht one way.
    Minivan + boat 450-700 baht depending on the company where you buy the transfer.

    2. You can also get to Hat Yai by plane. The cheapest tickets can be purchased from AirAsia.
    If you buy in advance and at a promotion, you can get it almost free :)
    My tickets, purchased 8 months before the flight, cost 400 baht for the flight Bangkok - Hat Yai - Bangkok.
    My sister’s tickets, which were purchased about a month before departure, cost 3 thousand baht
    To get to Lipe on the same day, choose the first morning flights.

    From the airport by minivan to the bus station (80 baht per person). From the bastion as in the first option to Pakbara, etc.
    You can get to Pakbara by taxi. Price 2-2.5 thousand baht.

    Where to live in Lipa:
    My choice is Mountain Resort - great beach, beautiful location.
    If you want to save money, then there is Andaman Resort nearby.
    You can make a reservation here.

     

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