A bustling trading and shopping destination, Hat Yai City is full of markets, including the famous Khlong Hae Floating Market. Outside the city, you can see its streets from the cable car and enjoy the views. Although it is not as lively as Bangkok and does not have as many attractions as the capital, Hat Yai is a good alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city. Once you know Hat Yai and feel like a change of pace, a good option is to head to the island of Koh Lipe in the Andaman Sea. Koh Lipe is not known for being a party island, but for being a place to relax on the beach, enjoy the tranquility, swim and dive in the turquoise waters.
Tourists boarding a speedboat on Koh Lipe Island © chairoij / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe
It is 140 kilometers in a straight line from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, but the journey will unfortunately be longer. Being a small island, Koh Lipe does not have its own airport. In fact, the nearest airport is in Hat Yai, so perhaps you’re flying into southern Thailand from Bangkok and want to find the best way to get from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe. Since there is no airport, travel to Koh Lipe will need to include a boat trip, and although you may see it as a ferry, it is normal to travel by fast boat. There are several piers where boats leave from the mainland. The best option to go to Hat Yai is from Pak Bara Pier. Boats run from Pal Bara all year round, even in low season, so this is the only option if you are traveling from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe at this time of year (mid June to mid October).
From Hat Yai bus station to Koh Lipe by van and ferry
Toyota vehicle commonly used as a van or minivan in Thailand © nitinut380 / Shutterstock.com
There are several tour operators that can take you from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, depending on where you start your journey in Hat Yai. Vans leave from the bus station, train station, and in the case of some companies, they will be able to pick you up from your hotel. If you have just landed from Bangkok, you may prefer to be picked up directly from the airport.
Departing from Hat Yai Bus Station in Koh Lipe, you can travel with Satun Pakbara SpeedBoat Club or Smart En Plus. Both services are similar and should cover the same journey time (around 5.5 hours), but Smart En Plus tickets tend to be a bit more expensive.
You can book any of these options via 12Go. Booking is instant and there is a refund option if plans change.
From Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe
Jolly Travel fast boat on its way to Koh Lipe
We recommend spending some time in Koh Lope exploring the markets, but if you flew into Hat Yai from Bangkok and want to get to Koh Lipe as soon as possible, it’s easy. If you book through 12Go, you’ll see several travel agent options that offer combined van and ferry tickets from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe. Smart En Plus and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club also operate these services. Other options include Jolly Travel and Sukhothai Tour Hat Yai. The prices of the four companies are very similar, the main difference being the timetables. The planned duration of the tour varies from 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
All these tour operators, apart from Smart En Plus, also offer a combined ticket from Hat Yai railway station to Koh Lipe, and the duration in this case is also 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
From your hotel in Hat Yai to Koh Lipe
Speedboats at Pak Bara Pier, Satun, Thailand © charnsitr / Shutterstock.com
If you’ve already spent a few days exploring Hat Yai, the best way to get to Koh Lipe is with a combo ticket that includes hotel pick-up. This will save you a trip to the bus or train station, as well as saving you time and money. As in the previous cases, you can buy tickets through 12Go. When you’re looking to travel from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, you’ll see all the results on one page and you can easily compare services, schedules and prices.
You can consider three different tour operators for pickup from your hotel in Hat Yai: Sukhothai Tour Hat Yai, Smart En Plus, or Satun Pakbara SpeedBoat Club.
Although ferries operate year-round from Pak Bara to Koh Lipe, there are fewer daily departures in the off-season, so keep this in mind when planning. The ferry should depart for Koh Lipe at 9:30 AM and the other at 11:30 AM throughout the year. In addition, there may also be departures at 10:30, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30 during high season, although times may vary.
If you are prone to seasickness, we do not advise you to travel in low season as the weather will not be as good and the sea can be rough. Even in the months of good weather, the drive from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe can be quite bumpy. Sailing in small boats, you will easily notice the sea conditions. Keep this in mind when booking, and if the weather forecast is bad, you can make other plans.