Bangkok to Koh Lipe
The journey from Bangkok to Koh Lipe is pretty straightforward. You need to get to the pier at Pak Bara in order to catch the ferry to Koh Lipe Island. Pak Bara is the nearest Thai port to Koh Lipe and is approximately 60 km away from the island.
Pak Bara is approximately 950 kilometres from Bangkok and is the main mainland hub that is open all year. In this section, we will take a look at the pros and cons to consider for each mode of transport.
| Flight Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 1,592–3,290 1h 30m – 13h | |
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| Bus Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 860–1,380 14h – 22h 45m | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 18,125–22,375 14h | |
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| Train Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 1,393–2,080 14h 15m – 15h | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Hat Yai ฿ 1,890–2,436 1h 20m – 1h 35m | |
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The Simplest Way to Reach Koh Lipe is to fly
The simplest and quickest way to reach Koh Lipe from Bangkok is to fly to Hat Yai and continue your journey from there. There are a number of airlines operating between Bangkok and Hat Yai. Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Airways, and Nok Air, among others.
Flights depart from Don Mueang, Bangkok, and Suvarnabhumi Airport, and prices tend to go up the closer you get to your departure date, so it’s best to book early.
One-way tickets are usually available from around 1000 baht each way, depending on the time of the year and the time of day you fly. It is better to pay a little more for the earlier flight if you wish to get to Koh Lipe on the same day.
From Hat Yai airport, you will need to get to Pak Bara Pier. We recommend taking a transfer from the airport to Pak Bara pier.
You can book a combined bus and ferry ticket to Koh Lipe in the search box below. The transfer from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier takes approximately 2 hours.
There are plenty of taxi and bus options at Hat Yai airport, so there is no need to book in advance if you don’t want to. But it might be best to do so during busy times to make sure you get on the ferry.
Check the Koh Lipe ferry timetables before booking.
Flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai
Air Asia offer up to 9 flights daily from 6.40am until 20.05pm. Flights take approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Flights Bangkok – Hat Yai (DMK-HDY)
Remember to book early flights to make the last ferry of the day!
Bus from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier
Hat Yai airport is approximately 117 km from Pak Bara Pier. Please allow yourself at least 2 hours of travel time for this leg of the journey.
Ferry from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
Arrive before the last ferry departure of the day. Check the timetables and allow enough time to check-in.
Koh Lipe by Train
Another way to Koh Lipe from Bangkok is by train. Travelling by train can be a pleasant and interesting way of seeing different parts of Thailand as you strive to reach your final destination. It’s a journey I’ve taken on a few occasions and highly recommend it if you have plenty of time.
Once again, to reach Koh Lipe, you will need to go via Hat Yai. Hat Yai can be reached on the Southern Line from Bangkok, and trains are fairly frequent.
Trains depart from Bangkok at Hua Lamphong train station (which was once Bangkok’s main railway station) and Bang Sue Junction.
There are around five trains per day running currently, but be aware that not all trains are the same… Prices differ quite a lot depending on what class you plan on taking. The overnight sleeper train is highly recommended as the journey can take approximately 16 hours.
The trains can also be very cold, so the extra money spent on a sleeper train is well worth it.
A second-class sleeper with air-con is approximately 1,095 Baht to Hat Yai, a second-class sleeper with a fan is approximately 855 Baht, and the first-class sleeper is approximately 1844 Baht.
Once you arrive in Hat Yai, you will again need to allow yourself an additional 2 hours to reach Pak Bara Pier. Please ensure that you arrive early enough to catch the last ferry.
You can purchase train tickets to Hat Yai from Bangkok, including transfer and ferry, here. Alternatively, they can be purchased separately.
| Train Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 1,393–2,080 14h 15m – 15h | |
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Trains from Bangkok to Hat Yai
Take the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Hat Yai
Trains from Bangkok to Hat Yai
A number of trains are available from Hua Lamphong (Bangkok) to Hat Yai. The journey takes approximately 16 hours.
Bus from Hat Yai train station to Pak Bara pier
Hat Yai train Station is approximately 125k from Pak Bara Pier. Please allow yourself at least 2 hours of travel time for this leg of the journey.
Ferry from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
Arrive before the last ferry departure of the day. Check the timetables and allow enough time to check-in.
Koh Lipe by Bus
Taking the bus through Thailand on long journeys can be pretty uncomfortable. Buses themselves tend to be pretty good, the seats recline and there’s quite a lot of room – and there are some good options available like the VIP bus or the express bus.
Unfortunately, they tend to be uncomfortable due to other factors such as films being played loudly or what often seems like constant stopping at each and every service station along the way. This will differ between operators however as does the price.
As a general rule of thumb, the prices range from 600 Baht to 1100 Baht depending on bus type. Buses take approximately 13.5-16 hours depending on the operator.
Most buses depart from the Southern Bangkok Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or the Khao San Road and drop off at Hat Yai Bus Terminal.
Once again, from there you can purchase tickets to Pak Bara including the ferry if you wish or you can book joint tickets for bus, transfer and ferry from here. There is very little difference – if any – in the cost.
| Bus Bangkok - Hat Yai ฿ 860–1,380 14h – 22h 45m | |
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Buses from Bangkok to Hat Yai
Regular buses from 600 Baht
Bus from Bangkok to Hat Yai
Bus from Southern Bangkok Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or the Khao San Road. Journey time is approximately 13.5 – 16 hours.
Bus from Hat Yai train station to Pak Bara pier
Journey time is approximately 2 hours by Bus to Pak Bara Pier from Hat Yai.
Ferry from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
Arrive before the last ferry departure of the day. Check the timetables and allow enough time to check-in.
Bangkok to Koh Lipe FAQs
How do you get from bangkok to koh lipe?
The simplest and quickest way to reach Koh Lipe from Bangkok is to fly to Hat Yai. From there you can travel overland to Pak bara and then take the ferry to Koh Lipe.
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe by train?
Trains depart from Bangkok at Hua Lamphong train station. Take the southern line for Hat Yai. From there you can travel overland to Pak bara and then take the ferry to Koh Lipe
How to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe by bus?
Buses depart from the Southern Bangkok Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or the Khao San Road and drop off at Hat Yai Bus Terminal. From there you can travel overland to Pak bara and then take the ferry to Koh Lipe
How do you fly to Koh Lipe?
Fly with Air Asia, Thai Smile and Nok Air to Hat Yai. From Hat Yai you will need to travel to Pak Bara for the ferry to Koh Lipe. You can buy a combined Air, transfer and ferry ticket.