Langkawi, known as the Jewel of Kedah, is an archipelago off the coast of Malaysia and is undoubtedly a gem. Its main attractions are its beautiful beaches and forests, as well as the Langkawi Cable Car, which takes visitors to the impressive Langkawi Suspension Bridge. Less than 40 kilometers west and slightly north of Langkawi lies another famous island: Koh Lipe. Although they are a short distance apart, the truth is that Koh Lipe belongs to Thailand and is famous for its fantastic beaches and great diving spots. Traveling from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is very easy if you want to experience island life in Malaysia and Thailand.
Travel options from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
It’s only about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, depending on where you start your journey, so getting from one island to the other doesn’t take too long. The only option is to travel by boat as there are no flights on this route. Langkawi has an airport (one of Malaysia’s seven international airports), but Koh Lipe does not as it is a very small island. Traveling by boat is quite easy and there are plenty of timetables to choose from. Read on for more information about the Langkawi to Koh Lipe ferry trip.
Ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Ferry between Langkawi and Koh Lipe © Travelling.About / Shutterstock.com
Before we explain the ferry options, there are a few important things to keep in mind if you decide to travel from Langkawi to Koh Lipe. First of all, you have to remember that Langkawi is in Malaysia and Koh Lipe is in Thailand. This means you will be crossing an international border, so you will need to bring your passport with you before leaving Langkawi and know if you need a visa or if you have any specific immigration requirements. The journey would not be fun, and upon arrival you are refused entry and must return to Malaysia.
The second aspect to consider is that although there are only 40 kilometers between Langkawi and Koh Lipe, these islands are in different time zones. Langkawi is in Malaysia’s +8 hours time zone and Koh Lipe is in Thailand’s +7 hours time zone. This is quite important when you look at the ferry schedule. The journey time seems to be only half an hour due to the time difference, but the journey is actually 90 minutes.
The third important aspect when planning a trip from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is that the ferry only runs during the season, i.e. from mid-October to mid-June. Services at the beginning or end of said season may be slightly delayed, but if you plan to travel in the middle of the season you should have no problem.
In high season, tickets can be purchased in advance via the website 12Go.asia. You’ll be able to see all available ferry options and book online so you don’t have to worry about tickets when you get there.
There are two departure locations in Langkawi, so you can choose the one closest to your accommodation. Telaga Harbor Marina is one of the piers and Kuah Jetty is the other. There are up to six ferries a day from Langkawi to Koh Lipe during high season, so you can get up early to make the most of the day at your destination or set sail late in the afternoon.
Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe
On Koh Lipe, you will reach Pattaya, one of the most famous places on the island. But the ferry cannot reach the island of Koh Lipe itself because there is no pier wide enough for the ferry. Therefore, to get to Koh Lipe, you will have to change to a smaller boat that will take you to the immigration office in Pattaya Beach.
If you take into account everything we have explained in this guide when planning your trip from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, you can enjoy an easy and hassle-free journey.