Getting to Koh Lipe Hat Yai, Pak Bara, then the speedboat.
The short answer: Koh Lipe has no airport. The usual way is to fly to Hat Yai, take a van to Pak Bara pier, about two to two and a half hours, then a speedboat of about an hour and a half; the whole trip from the airport is about four hours. From mid-October to May there are also speedboats from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi and Phuket.
Below: the options compared with fares checked on 7 November 2026, the boat times from Pak Bara, the high and low season, and what happens when you land on the beach.
Getting to Koh Lipe at a glance
Combined tickets include the van and the boat; 12Go prices include a booking fee. The island-hopping boats run only in the high season.
| Option | How long | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van + speedboat | About 4 hours | Hat Yai Airport or Hat Yai town | About 800–950 baht | Most people, all year |
| Speedboat only | About 1.5 hours | Pak Bara pier | About 700 baht | If you are already near Pak Bara |
| Island-hopping speedboat | About 3 hours from Koh Lanta, 4 from Phi Phi, 5 from Phuket | Saladan, Tonsai or Rassada pier | About 1,700–2,500 baht | Coming from the Andaman islands, mid-October to May |
| Ferry from Langkawi (Malaysia) | About 1.5 hours | Telaga or Kuah, Langkawi | About 1,400 baht | Coming from Malaysia, in season |
Compare live times and prices: Hat Yai to Koh Lipe on 12Go · Pak Bara to Koh Lipe
Which one should you pick?
Fly to Hat Yai and take a van with the speedboat in most cases. It runs all year, and one ticket covers the van, the boat and the transfer at the pier.
Take an island-hopping boat if you are already on Koh Lanta, Phi Phi or Phuket between mid-October and May. It is a long day on the water but saves going back to the mainland.
Leave plenty of time. The last speedboat from Pak Bara leaves in the early afternoon, so land in Hat Yai by about midday.
Speedboats from Pak Bara to Koh Lipe
The usual departure times, from Kohlipe.my, Visit Thailand Today (October 2026) and the operators' listings on 12Go. Times vary a little by operator and season; the trip takes about an hour and a half.
| Leaves Pak Bara | Good to know |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | The early boat; not every operator runs it in the low season |
| 11:30 | Matches the 09:00 van from Hat Yai Airport |
| 13:30 | The last boat of the day; matches the 11:00 van from the airport |
Boats back from Koh Lipe to Pak Bara leave at about 09:30, 11:30 and 13:30.
Flying to Hat Yai
Hat Yai is the nearest airport, with many flights a day from both Bangkok airports, taking about an hour and a half. Vans to Pak Bara wait at the airport; some leave from Hat Yai town too. Trang airport, about 110 km from Pak Bara, is another option.
Hat Yai is in Songkhla province. Some governments advise against travel to parts of the deep south; the UK, for example, names four districts in southern Songkhla, not Hat Yai city, so check your own government's advice before you go.
High season and low season
From about mid-October to May there are more boats from Pak Bara, plus the island-hopping speedboats from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi and Phuket and the ferries from Langkawi. Outside that season only the Pak Bara route runs.
In the rainy season boats often land on Sunrise Beach instead of Pattaya Beach.
Landing on Koh Lipe
There is no proper pier: the big boats stop at floating platforms off Pattaya Beach, and a longtail takes you to the sand for about 50 baht, unless your ticket includes it.
Koh Lipe is in Tarutao National Park, so you pay a 200 baht park fee in cash (100 baht for children). If you arrive from Langkawi, Thai immigration is in an office on Pattaya Beach.
Booking the trip to Koh Lipe on 12Go
12Go sells the van and speedboat from Hat Yai Airport or town on one ticket, the speedboats from Pak Bara, and the island-hopping boats from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi and Phuket in season.
Book the combined ticket for the day you land, and check that the van time leaves room after your flight.
Hat Yai to Koh Lipe FAQ
How do I get to Koh Lipe?
Fly to Hat Yai, take a van to Pak Bara pier, then a speedboat of about an hour and a half. From mid-October to May there are also boats from Koh Lanta, Phi Phi, Phuket and Langkawi.
How long does it take from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe?
About four hours: two to two and a half hours by van to Pak Bara, then about an hour and a half by speedboat.
What time is the last boat to Koh Lipe?
The last speedboat from Pak Bara leaves at about 13:30.
Is there a fee to visit Koh Lipe?
Yes. Koh Lipe is in Tarutao National Park; adults pay 200 baht and children 100 baht, in cash.
Can I get to Koh Lipe from Koh Lanta?
Yes, by speedboat from mid-October to May, in about three hours. Outside that season you have to go overland to Pak Bara.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Boat and van times and fares from Visit Thailand Today (October 2026, from Bundhaya's and Telaga's schedules), cross-checked with 12Go, Direct Ferries, Kohlipe.my and Kohlipeisland.org; park fee from Visit Thailand Today and 12Go; UK travel advice from GOV.UK. Times and fares change, so check before you travel.