Koh Lipe vs Langkawi and the Koh Lanta boat: costs compared

Koh Lipe

A small Thai island in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago, close to the Malaysian border.

• About 4 km², with three main beaches
• Some of Thailand's best reefs within easy reach (Wikivoyage)
• Open all year; Pak Bara speedboat runs all year

Langkawi

A duty-free Malaysian archipelago of 99 islands, next to the Thai border.

• UNESCO World Geopark since 2007
• Mostly couples and families; little nightlife
• Short dry season, December to February

Seasons and closures

Koh Lipe stays open throughout the monsoon⁴, but fewer boats reach it. From mid-June to mid-October⁵, the only way in is the speedboat from Pak Bara.

The sources disagree on the high season. Wikivoyage gives it as November to May³, while Wikipedia says ferries and speedboats from several places run October to June⁵.

Langkawi’s dry season is short, from December to February⁶. Its rainy season runs from March to November, and its wettest month is September, with more than 500 mm of rain possible⁶. Plan the dates with the dry season and rainy season travel timing guide.

Choose Koh Lipe if

• You want to snorkel. Wikipedia calls the calm, clear water ideal for snorkelling⁵, and Wikivoyage puts some of Thailand’s best reefs³ within easy reach.
• You want beaches with different moods: Pattaya Beach has the most nightlife³, and Sunset Beach is the one for sunset views.
• You want a jungle hike. On Ko Adang, Pirate Falls is a 90-minute hike each way³, outside the monsoon closure.
• You travel mid-year. The Pak Bara speedboat runs all year⁸.

Choose Langkawi if

• You want to fly in. Langkawi International Airport is one of seven international airports in Malaysia⁶.
• You travel as a couple or a family. Wikivoyage says the island is mostly popular with couples and families⁹.
• You want cheap drinks. Langkawi is duty-free, and alcohol is much cheaper than in the rest of Malaysia⁹.
• You want a choice of beach: busy Pantai Cenang, the more peaceful Pantai Tengah, or the most expensive resorts at Datai Bay⁹.
• You want low crime. Wikivoyage says crime is generally not a problem⁹ there.

Think twice about Langkawi if

• You are a single traveller or backpacker after nightlife. Wikivoyage warns that you may be disappointed by its lack of nightlife⁹.
• You plan to swim early in the year. Wikivoyage names jellyfish stings as the biggest health risk, especially from January to June⁹.

Coming from Koh Lanta

Tigerline runs Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe with about 4 trips a day¹. From Koh Lipe, the Tigerline boat on to Langkawi takes about 90 minutes¹. This guide has no checked facts on Koh Lanta itself, so it can’t say which of the two is better.