What to expect when visiting Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a Thai island in the Andaman Sea, near the Malaysian border. An ocean lover’s dream, you’ll find colourful coral gardens just a few metres from its shores. The waters surrounding the island are said to be home to 25% of the world’s tropical fish species!
Combine this with Koh Lipe’s pristine beaches and clear blue waters, and you’ll understand why it’s becoming such a famous destination for snorkelling and diving. What we love most is that fewer tourists are travelling to Koh Lipe, making it the perfect place to get away from it all.
3 ways to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe
There are three ways to travel the distance of 820 km (510 miles) from Bangkok to Koh Lipe: by bus + minivan (18h-20h), train + minivan (21h 55m - 24h 04m) and flight + minivan (5h-7h). The journey takes between 5h - 24h 04m and the quickest way is by flight + minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from 1,545 THB ($42) for the bus + minivan.Where to stay in Koh Lipe?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Koh Lipe at the bottom of this page.
Bangkok to Koh Lipe by Bus + Minivan
Travelling by bus from Bangkok to Koh Lipe takes a lot more time, but it is an alternate option during peak season when the flight prices are too high.
Step 1: Bangkok to Hat Yai by Bus
There are several companies operating buses from Bangkok to Hat Yai. Some of the popular ones are the Transport Co., Piya Rungrueang, and Siam Dern Rod.
The two bus stations are just 10 km from the city centre of Bangkok. The Southern Terminal’s advantage is that it is easier to reach because it is connected to Bangkok’s metro system. If you will ride a taxi going to these terminals, it will take you about 20-30 minutes to travel.
All buses arrive at Hat Yai Bus Station. From there, you will continue your journey by boarding a minivan and ferry to the island of Koh Lipe.
We recommend that you take an overnight bus so you don’t lose a day travelling. Fares for night buses start at 695 THB ($18.90) and travel time is around 13h 30m - 14h.
Step 2: Hat Yai Bus Station to Koh Lipe by Minivan + Ferry
From Hat Yai Bus Station, you can transfer to your combined minivan and ferry ride to Koh Lipe. The earliest minivan leaves at 08:00 in the morning and prices start at 850 THB ($23).
Take note that for routes arriving on Koh Lipe, you need to pay 200 THB ($5.40) per person for the national park entry fee. Your journey completes at Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach or Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach which are just 10 minutes away from each other.
You can choose from the operators and schedules below:
Bangkok to Koh Lipe by Flight + Minivan
We recommend taking a flight because it is the fastest and cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe.
First, you have to fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai Airport. From the airport, you can take a combined minivan and ferry ride to Koh Lipe.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Bangkok to Hat Yai by Flight
Thai VietJet Air, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Air Asia offer several flights daily to Hat Yai from Bangkok. Airfares start at 730 THB ($19.90) for a one-way ticket and the flight time is about 1.5 hours.
Flights depart from either Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Muang Airport. Don’t worry about which airport to choose and just book the flight convenient for you. It will take you almost the same amount of time to go to any of these airports.
All flights will land at Hat Yai Airport. From there, we recommend that you take a combined minivan and ferry transfer from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe.
We suggest taking an early flight from Bangkok so you can arrive at Koh Lipe mid-day, with time to enjoy the beaches and sights before the sun goes down. An earlier arrival will also ensure you have a prime location picked out to watch the island’s stunning sunset.
Step 2: Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe by Minivan + Ferry
From Hat Yai Airport, you will still need to travel about 3h 30m - 5h 30m before reaching Koh Lipe. We suggest booking the combined minivan and ferry option.
There are several companies that operate on this route. Be sure to check which schedule matches your flight arrival so you won’t have to wait long at the airport. Tickets start at 845 THB ($23).
Below, we give you a list of the more trusted companies operating on this route.
Bangkok to Koh Lipe by Train + Minivan
Taking the train for this journey is quite a trip. The journey will take 21h 55m - 24h 04m depending on the train you take.
The good thing about it is that you can travel the largest part by train all the way from Bangkok to Hat Yai. This will be more comfortable than a bus ride if you are willing to allot more time travelling.
Below we want to share the details with you in case you are interested in this option.
Step 1: Bangkok to Hat Yai by Train
The trains going to Hat Yai from Bangkok depart from Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
For this trip, which takes around 16h 55m - 18h 04m, we recommend booking trains that are 2nd class sleepers with airconditioning so that you will be comfortable throughout the journey until you arrive at Hat Yai Railway Station. From there, you can buy a combined minivan and ferry tickets going to Koh Lipe.
Step 2: Hat Yai Railway Station to Koh Lipe by Minivan + Ferry
Dee Travels Hat Yai, Satun Pakbara, and Jolly Travel are the companies offering minivan + ferry trips from Hat Yai Railway Station. Tickets start at 825 THB ($22).
Finally, after 5h-6h of travel, you will arrive also at either Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach or Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach.
Our favourite places to stay in Koh Lipe
Being much smaller than many of the popular Thai islands, the number of accommodations is also smaller. This means that prices are higher on Koh Lipe, and a lot of the accommodations are luxury resorts that come with a price tag. Places tend to start around $30 for a room, a lot higher than the rest of Thailand, but also cheaper than most of the world.
Here are our favourite places to stay in Koh Lipe, for all budgets:
Nest Hostel - Budget Friendly
Nest Hostel isn’t the kind of place that you shout from the rooftops about, but it is one of the cheapest and best-rated places to stay on Koh Lipe. The rooms are clean, comfortable and peaceful. Dorm rooms are also available if you want to save even more money.
Here you’re only 300m from Pattaya Beach and within walking distance of the other main beaches on Koh Lipe. The staff are amazing and make you feel instantly at home.
- Clean and comfortable rooms
- Close to the beach
- Amazing staff
- Dorm and private rooms available
Dorm rooms start from $13 per night.
Lipe Garden Beach Resort - Treating Yourself
When visiting a tropical island like Koh Lipe, the dream is to stay seconds from the beach right? Lipe Garden Beach Resort helps you to make that dream come true. You can hear the gentle sound of waves crashing from your bungalow.
The rooms are simple, but comfortable, each coming with their own private balcony with a seating area and hammock. As well as the perfect beach location, you’re also close to the Walking Street and pier.
- Directly on the beach
- Bungalow style rooms
- Private terrace
- Great location
Bungalows start from $55 per night.
Ananya Lipe Resort - Treating Yourself
The best way to describe this place is with one word — WOW! Ananya Lipe is the kind of resort most of us can only dream of. The beautiful rooms have swim-up pools or you can go for a swim in the huge lagoon-style pool and grab a drink from the bar while you’re still in the water!
Tired of the pool? Don’t worry, the beach is only steps away. And that’s if you can be persuaded to leave your stunning oasis of a room and huge bathrooms. If you opt for a room with a jacuzzi, you’re probably never going to want to leave. This place is amazing!
- Huge swimming pools
- Beautiful and comfortable rooms
- Right on the beach
- Delicious free breakfast
Rooms start from $161 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bangkok to Koh Lipe
What is the distance from Bangkok to Koh Lipe?
The distance from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is 820 km (510 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe?
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is by flight + minivan and takes 5h-7h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe?
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is by bus + minivan with ticket costs starting from 1,545 THB ($42).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
