How to get from
Koh Lipe to Phuket

About the ride from Koh Lipe to Phuket 

The journey from Koh Lipe to Phuket is lengthy as you're covering a distance of 182km (113 miles). Even the fastest ferries take between four to five hours so make sure you're prepared with snacks, water and a good book. Ferries are relatively small, which means the ride can get bumpy and also means that booking in advance is essential if you want to avoid a long wait. This is especially true if traveling during the busy December to March period. Most will have air-conditioned communal cabins (usually on the lower deck) and outside areas for sunbathing. Alongside a choice of seating you'll also find onboard bathrooms although not a lot else.

As Koh Lipe doesn't have an airport, you can only get there by ferry. Both high speed ferries and speedboats set sail from the island's floating pier to Phuket between 9am and 1pm. Many travelers will be returning to Phuket after taking time out on Koh Lipe. They'll be able to offer all kinds of advice and recommendations so it's worth getting to know a few of your fellow passengers if you've not spent that much time in Phuket yourself. 

Many hotels in Phuket offer a free pick up service to take travelers from Rassada Pier to their accommodation. That little hotel sign with your name on it can be a really welcoming sight after five or six hours spent all at sea. However, it's easy enough to organize a transfer to a hotel or hostel if you've not booked anything in advance.

Once you get from Koh Lipe to Phuket it will feel a little bit like returning to civilization with all the bright lights of Bangla Road and Patong Beach adding to the allure of night markets, the Big Buddha and all of those tempting white sand beach bars.

 

What to see when traveling from Koh Lipe to Phuket

It's quite a long journey from Koh Lipe to Phuket – 182km (113 miles) – so you might as well get ready to rest, relax and soak up the sunshine and sea views. Some of the scenery that you'll see, particularly as you set sail from Koh Lipe, is absolutely stunning. This is because the island is part of Tarutao National Marine Park and the ferry ride provides a great opportunity to observe the lush green and white fringes of the archipelago's uninhabited islands from a whole new perspective. 

The crossing takes you over the Andaman Sea and past some of Thailand’s sumptuous southwestern shores, just north of Satun Province. Although it can be tempting to try to sleep or just bury your head in a book on your return to Phuket, it's well worth at least popping your head out on deck to watch the waves for a moment or two. Making time to smile and chat to fellow travelers is also a good idea as you never know who might be holding onto a secret story or pertinent tale that will stand you in good stead for your ongoing adventures.

If you haven't booked accommodation for when you arrive in Phuket then you should prepare for the usual barrage of invitations as you walk off the gangplank at Rassada Pier. This will come as good news for travelers looking to make a spur of the moment decision. If you have already booked your hotel or hostel accommodation then you might also be met at the pier by a friendly face holding up a card with your name on it or at least the name of the hotel. This can be a really welcome and comforting sight, especially if you're not in the mood for haggling or negotiating the price of transport. 

Rassada Pier to Phuket Old Town district is just under 5km and so shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes by road. Patong Beach is on the other side of Phuket (the west coast) from Rassada Pier and takes about 40 minutes by taxi. If you're heading for home by air, or flying to a different area of Thailand, Phuket International Airport is approximately an hour's drive north of Rassada Pier so worth bearing this in mind if you've got an outbound plane to catch. The best advice is to give yourself as much time as possible, so as to avoid a mad rush and the inevitable stress that this entails. 

 

How to get from Koh Lipe to Phuket

Taking a ferry

The ferry ride from Koh Lipe to Phuket is a long one and will have you at sea for at least four or five hours. The ferries are relatively small but some are equipped with air-conditioned seating areas on lower decks, onboard bathrooms and outdoor seating on upper decks. There probably won't be much in the way of snacks and drinks to buy on board so it's worth stocking up on Koh Lipe before you leave. Another top tip is to keep a sweater or hoodie to hand if you want to take the edge off the air conditioning. Also, try not to fall asleep up on the top deck unless you fancy going full lobster! The last thing you want is to get seriously burned before you've had a chance to make the most of Bangla Road. 

Ferries depart Koh Lipe from the island's floating pier and arrive at Rassada Pier, around a 15 minute drive from Phuket Old Town. Booking follow-on transport and/or accommodation is going to save you time and effort however, if you're a traveler who just loves to go with the flow then why not just jump off and see where the next ride takes you? Could be the Big Buddha or it could be something else entirely. Bon chance!