How to Get From Koh Lipe to Phuket
Bus + Ferry · Shared Minivan · Ferry
%2Cpin-s-b%2B8B4513(98.40322665637079%2C7.88610285037598)%2F98.8538044455444%2C7.186131196726264%2C6%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 185 kilometre (115 miles) distance from Koh Lipe to Phuket. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Phuket as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Koh Lipe to Phuket?
There are three ways to travel the 185 km distance from Koh Lipe to Phuket. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and ferry.
The journey takes between 5h 30m–10h 30m and the quickest way is by ferry (5h 30m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 976 THB ($30).
10h 30m - 15h
976 THB ($30)
9h 5m - 10h 30m
1,009 THB ($31)
5h 30m
2,262 THB ($70)
Already in Phuket?
Onward from Phuket
Once you're in Phuket, here's where to next — 7 researched onward routes to pick from.
Koh Lipe to Phuket by Bus + Ferry
Option 1: Ko Lipe to Phuket by Combined Bus + Ferry
Booking a combined bus + ferry ticket saves you the hassle of booking separate transfers and worrying whether you can make it to your connecting transfer or not.
From Koh Lipe, you can depart via ferry from Pattaya Beach to the mainland. Ferries arrive at Pak Bara Pier, from where a minivan will bring you to Hat Yai. The final stop of this journey is at Phuket Terminal 2, which is just 4 km away from Phuket town centre.
Andaman Sea Tour and Transport offers combined bus + ferry tickets from Koh Lipe to Phuket. Tickets cost 976 THB ($30) and travel time is about 10h.
Ready to book your bus?
Option 2: Bus + Ferry via Hat Yai
Alternatively, you can book separate tickets for your bus & ferry ride. This way, you can be more flexible with your time and even spend a few hours to explore Hat Yai.
Here is the step-by-step guide by separate bus and ferry from Koh Lipe to Phuket:
Step 1: Koh Lipe to Hat Yai by Ferry + Minivan
There are a number of ferry companies that operate on this route. The popular ones are the Dee Travels Hat Yai, Satun Pakbara Speedboat Club, and Sukhothai Tour Hat Yai.
The ferries all depart from Pattaya beach on the west side of Koh Lipe and arrive at Pak Bara port. From there, you will be transferred to a minivan to Hat Yai if you booked a combined ticket.
The combined minivan and ferry ride takes around 3h 30m - 4h 45m.
Ready to book your minivan?
Step 2: Hat Yai to Phuket by Bus
Buses depart Hat Yai Bus Station as early as 8:00 until 18:00 daily and you can pick between a standard or an economy bus. Travel time is around 7-10h and a ticket costs 445 THB ($14).
All buses arrive at Phuket Bus Terminal 2, which is just 4 km away from Phuket town. You can hail a taxi or a minivan to the town centre.
Ready to book your bus?
Koh Lipe to Phuket by Shared Minivan
A minivan ride from Koh Lipe to Phuket costs around 1,009 THB ($31). The minivan journey takes about 9h 5m - 10h 30m, depending on traffic.
There are three companies operating on this route: Marinee Travel, Baan Pun Travel and Thubthim Siam Travel.
Shared Minivan schedule from Koh Lipe to Phuket
Koh Lipe to Phuket by Ferry
Although quite expensive, the fastest and easiest way to travel from Koh Lipe to Phuket is by high-speed ferry.
The last time we checked (December 2024), there are four ferry companies operating on this route: Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club, Satun Pakbara Speed Boat, Jolly Travel and Bundhaya Speedboat. Tigerline High-Speed Ferry also used to operate ferries between Koh Lipe and Phuket, but they haven’t resumed their operations yet.
Travel time takes about 5h 30m by high-speed ferry.
Departure and arrival station
Both ferries leave from Pattaya Beach on the west side of Koh Lipe. Bundhaya Speedboats depart from Koh Lipe Pier and Satun Pakbara Speedboat departs from Bunga Resort. It’s only a short walk between the two ports.
The arrival station of the ferries is at Rassada Pier in Phuket. This pier is only 20 minutes away from Phuket town and you can take songthaews or taxis to reach the centre.
Ferry schedule from Koh Lipe to Phuket
Booking Tip
Note that most ferries do not operate trips during unfavourable weather for safety reasons. They also offer fewer sailings daily during the low season.
Also, keep in mind that speedboat rides can be quite bumpy. If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking an anti-motion sickness tablet beforehand to save yourself from any discomfort during the ride.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Koh Lipe to Phuket. 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Koh Lipe to Phuket is 185 km.
How We Research
Every route on Gecko Routes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally travelled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELLERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travellers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
Travel Writer
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.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.
Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.
Reader Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your experience!
Leave a Comment