Koh Lipe to Lankawi

Koh Lipe, a stunning Thai island in the Andaman Sea, is a mere 46-68 kilometers (29-42 miles) from the Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi. With no airport on Koh Lipe, the only way to travel between these two tropical paradises is by boat. Luckily, numerous ferry options are available, making the journey convenient and easy.

From Koh Lipe, you can take a ferry to either Telaga Harbour Marina (46 km/29 mi) or Kuah Jetty (68 km/42 mi) in Langkawi. Both routes offer a chance to experience the best of Thailand and Malaysia, from Koh Lipe’s crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life to Langkawi’s lush rainforests, picturesque beaches, and impressive Cable Car and Sky Bridge.

Ferry from Koh Lipe to Langkawi

There are several important points to keep in mind if you’re planning to travel from Koh Lipe to Langkawi:

• You are crossing an international border (Koh Lipe is in Thailand, Langkawi is in Malaysia), so have your passport ready and check visa/immigration requirements.
• Koh Lipe and Langkawi are in different time zones (Koh Lipe +7 hrs, Langkawi +8 hrs). Bear this in mind when looking at ferry schedules.
• The ferry only operates during the high season, roughly from mid-October to mid-June. Services may be unreliable towards the beginning/end of the season due to weather.

Ferry Schedule and Fares

The following tables summarize the ferry options between Koh Lipe and Langkawi for the 2023-2024 season:

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club from Koh Lipe to Telaga Harbour Marina, Langkawi

Bundhaya Speed Boat from Koh Lipe to Kuah Jetty, Langkawi

During the high season, you can easily book your tickets in advance through the travel website 12Go.asia. They will give all the options for ferry departures and allow you to book online so you don’t have to worry about buying tickets at the ferry.

Departing from Koh Lipe

The immigration checkpoint for ferries departing from Koh Lipe is a small office on Pattaya Beach. The exact location depends on which ferry company you are traveling with:

• 🛳️ Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club: Immigration office near Bundhaya Villas on Pattaya Beach.
• 🚤 Bundhaya Speed Boat: Separate checkpoint on Pattaya Beach.

Aim to arrive at the immigration office around 60-90 minutes before your scheduled departure. You will receive a WhatsApp message with clear instructions on where to go.

Arriving in Langkawi

Depending on which ferry you take, you will arrive at one of two entry points in Langkawi:

• 🚢 Kuah Jetty: The main ferry terminal in Langkawi, located near Kuah town. Ferries operated by Bundhaya Speed Boat arrive here.
• 🛥️ Telaga Harbour Marina: Located on the west coast of Langkawi. Ferries operated by Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club arrive here.

Both entry points have customs and immigration offices where you will go through passport control and customs procedures.

Customs & Immigration

Travelling by ferry from Koh Lipe to Langkawi means you’ll go through customs and immigration at both departure and arrival points.

Customs in Koh Lipe

The customs and immigration process in Koh Lipe goes as follows:

1. Arrive at the immigration office on Pattaya Beach around 90 minutes before your ferry departure.
2. Prepare your luggage for inspection and give your passport to the immigration officers.
3. Passport processing can sometimes take a while – you can wait in a nearby cafe until your name is called.
4. Once you are stamped out of Thailand, your passport will be held by the boat company until you board the boat.
5. When the boat is ready to board, passengers wait on the beach. You will be picked up by a longtail boat which will take you to the ferry waiting offshore.

Customs in Langkawi

The customs and immigration process in Langkawi is straightforward:

1. Upon arrival at either Kuah Jetty or Telaga Harbour Marina, proceed to the immigration office.
2. Present your passport to the immigration officers. Most nationalities do not require a visa for short stays in Malaysia, but double-check the requirements for your specific nationality.
3. Once you have cleared immigration, proceed to the customs area for luggage inspection.
4. After completing all formalities, you are free to enter Langkawi and proceed to your destination.

Practical Tips for the Journey

Here are some practical tips to make your journey from Koh Lipe to Langkawi as smooth as possible:

• ✅ Arrive at the immigration office on Pattaya Beach at least 60-90 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow time for immigration procedures.
• 🎫 Keep your passport and travel documents easily accessible as you will need to present them multiple times.
• 💊 If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking medication as the boat ride can be choppy, especially in the afternoon.
• 💸 There are no ATMs on the ferry, so make sure you have enough cash for any immediate needs upon landing in Langkawi.
• 🚕 Taxis are available at both Kuah Jetty and Telaga Harbour Marina. To avoid overcharging, head to the official taxi stand where there is a list of fixed prices to various destinations on the island.

With a little bit of planning and preparation, your journey from the tropical paradise of Koh Lipe to the stunning archipelago of Langkawi is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable experience. Enjoy your time exploring these two beautiful island destinations!

How do I get from Koh Lipe to Langkawi?

The only way to travel from Koh Lipe to Langkawi is by ferry, as Koh Lipe does not have an airport. There are several ferry companies operating this route, including Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club. The journey takes approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on weather conditions. Ferries depart from Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe and arrive at either Kuah Jetty or Telaga Harbour Marina in Langkawi.

How long is the ferry from Koh Lipe to Langkawi?

The ferry journey from Koh Lipe to Langkawi takes approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on the ferry company and weather conditions. Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club are the two main operators on this route, offering multiple departures daily during the high season (mid-October to mid-June).

How do you get to Langkawi from Thailand?

One of the easiest ways to get to Langkawi from Thailand is by taking a ferry from Koh Lipe, a small island in the Andaman Sea near the Thai-Malaysian border. Ferries operate daily during the high season (mid-October to mid-June) and take approximately 1.5-2 hours to reach Langkawi. Alternatively, you can fly to Langkawi from various cities in Thailand, such as Bangkok or Phuket, with connecting flights via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.