Langkawi to Koh Lipe

Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah, is a stunning archipelago off the coast of Malaysia. It boasts beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and the impressive Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge. Just 60 kilometers (37 miles) to the northwest lies another gem – the Thai island of Koh Lipe, known for its gorgeous beaches and excellent diving. Traveling between these two paradises islands allows you to experience the best of both Malaysia and Thailand.

In this guide, you’ll find:
• Options from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
• Ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
• Ferry Schedule and Fares
• Departing from Langkawi
• Arriving at Koh Lipe
• Customs & Immigration
• Practical Tips for the Journey

Options for Travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe

The distance from Langkawi to Koh Lipe varies between 40-68 kilometers (25-42 miles). It depends on your departure point. The map above shows the two main routes: Koh Lipe to Telaga Harbour Marina (46 km/29 mi) and Koh Lipe to Kuah Jetty (68 km/42 mi). 

There are no flights to Koh Lipe due to its small size, so the only way to travel is by boat. Luckily, there are a few ferry departures, let’s dive in.

Ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe

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

• You are crossing an international border (Langkawi is in Malaysia, Koh Lipe is in Thailand), so have your passport ready and check visa/immigration requirements.
• Langkawi and Koh Lipe are in different time zones (Langkawi +8 hrs, Koh Lipe +7 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 Langkawi and Koh Lipe for the 2023-2024 season:

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club from Langkawi to Koh Lipe

Bundhaya Speed Boat from Langkawi to Koh Lipe

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 Langkawi

There are two departure points in Langkawi, depending on which ferry company you are traveling with:

• 🚢 Telaga Harbour Marina: Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club uses this departure point for their ferries on the west coast of Langkawi.
• 🚤 Kuah Jetty: Located near Kuah town on the southeast part of Langkawi. Departure point for ferries operated by Bundhaya Speed Boat/Smart En Plus (They share ferries).

Choose whichever is closest to your accommodation. There are multiple ferry departures every day during the high season, so you can opt for an earlier or later departure based on your preference.

Arriving at Koh Lipe

You’ll be arriving at Pattaya Beach, one of Koh Lipe’s most popular spots. However, the ferry cannot dock directly at Koh Lipe as the island lacks a large enough pier. Instead, you’ll transfer onto a longtail boat which will take you to the immigration office at Pattaya Beach.

Customs & Immigration

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

Customs in Langkawi

The customs and immigration process in Langkawi is straightforward:

1. Present your passport to the immigration officers before boarding the ferry.
2. Most nationalities do not require a visa for short stays in Thailand, but double-check the requirements for your specific nationality.

Customs in Koh Lipe

The customs and immigration office in Koh Lipe is located at Pattaya Beach. Here’s what to expect:

1. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a WhatsApp message with clear instructions on where to go for immigration. There are separate checkpoints for speedboat and high-speed ferry services.
2. At the immigration office, there is a check-in window for the ferry company and an immigration window.
3. Prepare your luggage for inspection and give your passport to the immigration officers. Passport processing can sometimes take a while – you can wait in a nearby cafe until it is your turn.
4. Once you are stamped out of Thailand, your passport will be held by the boat company until you board the boat. At this point, you are still in the general population area, but you have officially left the country.
5. When the boat is ready to board, passengers wait on the beach. Boarding is done by longtail boats in exact numerical order according to your ticket number. This process takes a while as it takes several trips to transfer all passengers.
6. There is a 200 baht ($6) arrival fee that you will need to pay in cash.

Once you have cleared immigration, go! Enjoy your stay at Koh Lipe!

Practical Tips for the Journey

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

• ✅ Aim to arrive at the ferry terminal at least 60-90 minutes before your scheduled departure time 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, make sure you have enough cash for the arrival fee and any other immediate needs upon landing in Koh Lipe.

With just a little bit of planning, your journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is sure to be a breeze. Enjoy your time on these two beautiful islands!

How do I get from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?

It’s just a short distance from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, and there are plenty of speedboats and high-speed ferries to get you there during the high season. During the low season, you might need to go via the mainland.

How long is ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?

Speedboats and high-speed ferries take 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Koh Lipe, with departures from both Kuah Jetty and Telaga Harbor Marina.

How do you get to Koh Lipe?

Situated in the Andaman Sea in Southern Thailand, Koh Lipe is a very small island that’s accessible only by boat. In the high season, ferries and speedboats are arriving from places like Trang, Phi Phi, Pak Bara, and even Langkawi in Malaysia. In low season there is only a speedboat from Pak Bara.