Dreaming of the crystal-clear waters of Koh Lipe? For travelers coming from Malaysia, the most direct and efficient way to reach this Thai paradise is often through the Malaysian port of Kuala Perlis, connecting to Thailand’s Pak Bara Pier.
Step 1: Kuala Perlis
The port of Kuala Perlis is your gateway to the Thai border region. Your main goal here is to get to the Thai border town of Satun.
Option A: The Direct Land-Sea Route (Recommended)
The most straightforward way is to book a combined van and ferry service that takes you directly from the border area to Pak Bara Pier.
- Journey: Kuala Perlis → Thai Border (Wang Kelian/Wang Prachan) → Pak Bara Pier
- Method: Taxi or pre-booked shared minivan. Some tour operators offer a direct van service from Kuala Perlis that handles the border crossing and continues straight to Pak Bara Pier.
- Duration: The drive from the border crossing to Pak Bara Pier is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Option B: Via Langkawi (High Season Only [November-May)
While less direct to Pak Bara, this route is popular for those combining islands. (Note: This route is often High Season Only—approx. Nov to May.)
- Kuala Perlis → Langkawi: Take the ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi (Kuah Jetty). (Approx. 1 hour 15 mins).
- Langkawi → Koh Lipe: Take the direct international ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe. This route bypasses Pak Bara Pier entirely.
Step 2: The Border Crossing (Malaysia → Thailand)
When travelling overland from Kuala Perlis, the most common crossing points are:
- Wang Kelian (MY) ↔ Wang Prachan (TH): This is the nearest crossing to Satun town and is often used by minivan operators heading to Pak Bara. It is a quiet and fast crossing.
- Padang Besar (MY) ↔ Padang Besar (TH): Popular for train travelers, but from here, you must take a taxi or bus to Hat Yai, and then a van to Pak Bara.
Essential Border Crossing Tips:
- Passport: Must be valid for at least six months.
- Immigration: Get your Malaysian exit stamp, then proceed to the Thai checkpoint for your entry stamp (Visa Exempt or Tourist Visa).
- Time Difference: Thailand is one hour behind Malaysia (e.g., 10:00 AM MYT is 9:00 AM ICT). Plan your ferry bookings accordingly!
Step 3:Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
Once you clear immigration and reach the Thai mainland, Pak Bara Pier is your final boarding point for Koh Lipe.
| Route | Vessel Type | Duration | Departure Times |
| Pak Bara Pier → Koh Lipe | Speedboat | 1.5 hours | 09:30 AM[High Season only] 11:30 AM 13:30 AM |