The waters of the Andaman Sea stretch between Phuket and one of Thailand's most beautiful islands, Koh Lipe. The distance between the two islands, measured in a straight line across the sea, is approximately 180 kilometres. The journey from Phuket to Koh Lipe takes at least 5 hours. This article will answer all your questions. What is the best mode of transport? How much are the tickets? How long does the trip take? How easy is it to plan a trip from Phuket to Koh Lipe or vice versa? How to buy tickets quickly?
From this article you will know:
The fastest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe
A speedboat will take you from Phuket to Lipe Island in about 5 hours. Passengers will have a rest and can take a short walk on solid ground during a stop at Koh Lanta.
Speedboats (ferries) operate only during non-stormy season from November 1 until May 15.
here you can find tickets Phuket - Koh Lipe
If you plan to buy tickets for a speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lipe or vice versa, it is good to know that the speedboats don't go in a straight line. They stop at the following islands: Koh Phi-Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Nga, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan.
A trip on a speedboat is an opportunity to visit one or more islands in addition to Phuket and Koh Lipe.
It can be tiring to travel long distances by speedboat. My advice is to do part of your trip by ferry. For example, Phuket - Koh Lanta can be reached by ferry, Koh Lanta - Koh Lipe - by speedboat.
After all, it is not necessary to at once cover the whole distance from Phuket to Ko Lipe. You can stop for a day or two on any of the islands along the route of the speedboat.
Here is a fascinating route with a rest on tropical islands, for example:
- Take a ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, stay 2 - 3 nights in a hotel on Koh Phi Phi, to have time to climb the observation deck, attend a beach party and go on a sea tours.
- A ferry or speedboat from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta, 3 - 4 night in a hotel on Koh Lanta, to go canoeing through the mangroves, to relax on the beach, to go on several interesting tours.
- A speedboat from Koh Lanta to Koh Mook. There is a fabulously beautiful Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort.
- A speedboat from Koh Mook to Koh Lipe.
These links will help you save time:
- hotels on Koh Phi Phi: booking.com and agoda.com,
- hotels on Koh Lanta: booking.com and agoda.com,
- hotels on Koh Ngai: booking.com and agoda.com,
- hotels on Koh Mook: booking.com and agoda.com,
- hotels on Koh Kradan: booking.com and agoda.com,
- hotels on Koh Lipe : booking.com and agoda.com.
Ticket price for a speed boat from Phuket to Koh Lipe - 3400 baht (~ $ 85):
- Seats are limited, so it's best to book tickets in advance.
- Speed boats run between Phuket and Koh Lipe from November 1 until May 15.
- Based on my experience traveling to Koh Lipe, I can recommend Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club - because of its professional staff and new speed boats. Speedboat tickets from Phuket to Koh Lipe (and the islands in between) are easy to buy online at the 12go.Asia website.
check price and buy tickets Phuket - Koh Lipe
What to bring on for a trip by speedboat:
- pills for motion sickness and take them 15-20 minutes before the departure,
- drinking water or any other drink you like,
- sun cream and apply the cream to exposed skin before boarding,
- scarf or shawl to protect from strong winds or rain,
- earplugs, a hat, or your favorite music to cover your ears from the constant wind whistle.
The best way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe is available all year round
If you want to avoid a 5-hour sea journey that cannot be called comfortable, you will definitely prefer this travel option from Phuket to Koh Lipe:
- An plane from Phuket to Hat Yai depart from Phuket at 09:40 and lands in Hat Yai at 10:45 (1-hour direct flight),
- A comfortable minibus from the airport to the Pak Bara pier meets you at the airport at 11:00 - 11:30. The way from the airport to the speedboat pier is about 2 hours (119 km).
- A speedboat from Pak Bara pier to Koh Lipe has a stop for 10 minutes on Koh Tarutao, and you can walk around the island. The boat arrives at 15:00 - 15:30 on Koh Lipe island, on Pattaya beach.
It has been verified from personal experience that this is the most convenient and not tiring option to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe.
flights Phuket - Hat Yai + tickets from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe
Travel cost from Phuket to Koh Lipe:
- Direct flight Phuket - Hat Yai by Bangkok Airways costs about 2,700 baht ~ $ 75, including 20 kg luggage and a light snack during the flight,
- Transfer by minibus and speedboat from Hat Yai airport to Koh Lipe costs 800 baht ~ 25$ (based on my positive experience, I can recommend a trip at 11:30 with Satun Pakbara).
Buying a transfer at the airport or separately tickets for a minibus to the pier and a boat to Lipe Island will cost more. Checked.
The cheapest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe
To save money on tickets and one night at the hotel, you can come to Hat Yai by night bus. Several buses depart from Phuket to Hat Yai every day.
The night bus leaves Phuket at 21:30 and arrives in Hat Yai at 05:00 the next morning. A bus ticket costs about 500 baht (~ $15).
Transfer from Hat Yai Bus Station to Koh Lipe Island costs 800 baht (~ $25) and includes:
- a comfortable air-conditioned minibus to Pak Bara pier,
- a speedboat from Pak Bara pier arrives in Koh Lipe at 14:00 - 15:00.
+ transfers Hat Yai - Koh Lipe
Additional expenses for a Phuket - Koh Lipe trip
- Entrance to Lipe Island and all other islands of the Tarutao National Park - 200 baht ~ $ 5. This ticket is valid for 5 days. Take a ticket with you for all sea tours to avoid extra payment.
- Entrance to the Pak Bara pier, from where speedboats leave for Koh Lipe - 20 baht.
- Entrance to the pier on Koh Lanta (if you want to take a walk during the speedboat stop) - 10 baht.
How to get from Koh Lipe to Phuket
The fastest way is by speedboat from Koh Lipe to Phuket at 9:00 morning. He arrives in Phuket at 14:30 (ticket price 3400 baht ~ $ 85). Speedboats are available from November 1 to May 15.
The second option is available all year round. Firstly, you need to get from Koh Lipe to Hat Yai, then you can go to Phuket by bus or by plane:
- Speedboats from Koh Lipe to Pak Bara Pier leave at 09:00 mornimg. You can arrive in Hat Yai at 13:30 if you take a transfer by speed boat and minibus (~ 900 baht)
- A direct flight from Hat Yai to Phuket leaves at 15:00 and you can catch it on the same day.
- A bus departed from Hat Yai bus station at 18:00 (ticket price is about 500 baht),
