Sunday, March 25, 2012

How to get to Koh Lipe from Hatyai

Finally, the day of my long waited trip to Koh Lipe had arrived!!

If you have not heard of Koh Lipe, it's located at the Southern Thailand, you can travel from Pak Bara or Langkawi, Malaysia.

In this post, I'll share how to travel to Koh Lipe from Hatyai.

We flew to Hatyai from LCCT, there is only 1 flight to Hatyai daily, which is at noon. The flight takes only about 45-60 mins.




Ready to fly~~~






The weather was not too good....






But when I woke up from nap, I saw so many candy floss!






Hello Hatyai!






One you arrived Hatyai airport, go to the taxi counter to get tickets to the town center or bus station.

I decided to stay 1 night in Hatyai because the ferry transfer to Koh Lipe only available at 9am and 1pm. By the time arrived in Hatyai, you need to get to Pak Bara, it will take 2 hours, so it will not be able to catch the ferry.

The ticket price to city center, cost THB 80 per person. They will drop you off right in front of your hotel.

*Note: No meter taxi available in Hatyai*






This is the minivan.






Checked in to Grand Sakura Grand View Hotel. I shall blog about the hotel next time.

The nice view in the evening...






Went into one of the local tour, they offered THB 600 per person for transport to Pak Bara (2 hours) and ferry to Koh Lipe (2 hours).

We find it reasonable, so just booked 1 way to Koh Lipe.






They gave us these ferry tickets when we were in the minivan.






Found a cute puppy in the minivan!
It slept on my lap for almost an hour.... so obedient!






I miss you so much~
The owner planned to name it Sabai (relax in Thai)~






2 hours long later, we arrived in Pak Bara finally!






Getting ready to go~~~
The good thing about ferry transfer to Koh Lipe is, they depart on time.

Unlike in Koh Phi Phi, waited more than 1 hour every time.






The owners of Sabai!






Ruben looked like Goku from Dragon Ball. Hahahaha






Sabai could take ferry too~~






Awwww.... if she wasn't dyed into pink colour, it would be even better~






Sabai's lil owner.... so cute!!






She could really pose for a picture!






We almost reached!






Stopping by for us to snap pics.






Snugged in and slept so well~






When you arrived, Koh Lipe does not have a pier for you.

You need to get onto this pier in the middle of the sea, or a floating one like I got on if this one is full.






But no worries, it's a very stable one.






You will need to pay THB 50 per person, to either Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach or Sunset Beach.

This is the boy that sells the ticket!






Ok, that's all about the transfer info. Will blog about the island soon, but nothing much. More on the scenery you can see in the island and beaches. Stay tuned!



-- Jenn a.k.a. blueyfetes --

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi there. I would like to ask about the transport from Hatyai to Koh Lipe. THB600 including for all the transport? Where do you purchase the tickets? Btw, ur pics very nice ^^

blueyfetes said...

Hi there! THB 600 including minivan to Pak Bara (pier) and ferry to Koh Lipe. I bought it in a local travel shop name New Star Tour if not mistaken. There are many local tours along the streets in Hatyai.

Thank you for stopping by!

blueyfetes said...

Sbipk: Thanks! Well, I don't fancy a crowded and commercialized place like Phuket though. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, i would like to ask about the return trip from loh lipe to Hat yai airport. what time are you leaving from Loh Lipe? and what time your flight back to LCCT? I'm going this June, but i curious if i manage to catch my flight back to LCCT on the same day, as i know its only 1 flight daily?

Thank.

blueyfetes said...

Hi,

I don't really remember the time, but couldn't make it as the same trip on the same day. So I stayed overnight at Hatyai the day I arrived and also after I came back from Koh Lip before leaving back to KL.

As the ferry schedule could be changed without notice, I didn't want to risk it.

Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for your info :)

Anonymous said...

I would prefer taking a train from KL to Hatyai station,from there do u know how could I proceed to Koh Lipe

blueyfetes said...

Hi,

I'm not sure where is the train station located. However, by train or plane, you will need to go Pak Barra to catch the ferry anyway.

Unknown said...

Hi,

May I know how much is the total expenses for this trip overall?

I'm from KL by the way.

Thanks.

blueyfetes said...

Hi Michael,

Hmmm... it was 1.5 years ago... The breakdown (approx) is about below:

Flight: KL - Hatyai round trip RM 200
Hotel (Hatyai 2 nights): RM 370 for 3 pax
Hotel (Koh Lipe 3 nights): RM 750 for 3 pax
Transportation and expenses: RM 500 per pax

I think it was about that... I exchanged RM1500 and could spent with no worries :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, would like to ask whether do you remember where is New Star Tour located?..any shop nearby?..

blueyfetes said...

Hi,

I can't really remember. But Hatyai is not that big, only 1-3 main streets. If you can't get the same shop, can always try others and compare the price.

:)

perantau kota said...

I just can't believe it. 600baht include minivan to pak bara and ferry to koh lipe :O i hope this is real :) tq for sharing info. Any tips and suggestion for activity in Lipe?

blueyfetes said...

Hi Perantau Kota,

You mean it's too cheap for THB 600? Well, we were 3 together, the receipt stated THB 1800, so it's real. But it was 2 years ago...

In Lipe, nothing much to do (that was my purpose to go there). Just snorkel whenever you like and sit by the beach and enjoy the beach.

Joining snorkeling trip to other islands nearby is awesome too. The last time I went, only THB 200 if not mistaken....

perantau kota said...

Same goes to me. I just want to relax my mind and see the nature :)

So where is your next destination? :)

Unknown said...

hi, may i know whether do we need to book the minivan and ferry ticket earlier or can we just buy it on the spot once we reach hatyai during low season travel at kohlipe (June)?

blueyfetes said...

Hi Joway,

I didn't make advance booking, I walked-in to a shop in Hatyai and bought the tix for next day.

But be prepared for the low season in Koh Lipe though...

Anonymous said...

Hi,

So how you go back to hatyai?

blueyfetes said...

Hi Anonymous,

Take ferry back to Pak Barra Pier, then minivan/private car back to Hatyai city centre.

Anonymous said...

Your trip looks very interesting but it costs just as much as my Japan trip (inclusive of airfare (MAS), accomodation,food and shopping - Less than RM3000). I was looking to go to Koh Lipe but after taking the costs into consideration, I think it is too expensive

blueyfetes said...

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for the comment. How long was your trip in Japan?

I planned this trip to be very relaxing, so I had a 6D5N. If you are on tight budget, you can just do a 4D3N, without staying overnight in Hatyai.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Hi, may I know how was the hotel u stayed at Hatyai? Is it ok?

And which hotel u stayed at Koh Lipe?

Jx

blueyfetes said...

Hi Jx,

I stayed in Grandview Sakura Hotel in Hatyai, overall it was ok.

In Koh Lipe I stayed in Mountain View Resort, nice.

khon Kaen said...

Thanks for the detailed information. I go to Koh Lipe next week and hope to see all that you saw except for the pink dog.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
May I know the cost of 600THB is included the return ferry from Pak Bara-Koh Lipe-Pak Bara? or only one way from Pak Bara - Koh Lipe? Thx

Ivy

blueyfetes said...

Hi Ivy,

THB 600 was for transport to Pak Barra and ferry to Koh Lipe only :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there, just to check with you, is the speed boat from Pakbara to Koh Lipe bumpy?
Since I am going to bring kids along, some of my friends said it is better to go from Langkawi, which ferry is not so bumpy...

blueyfetes said...

Hi,
I was few years back, I don't remember very clearly. But I supposed all the ferries to islands are the same... depends on which month and also if it's windy. I remember there was a 3yo kid in the trip with us, she seemed not bothered :)

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