How To Catch A Ferry From Thailand to Malaysia - A Complete Guide

It’s easy to catch a ferry from Thailand to Malaysia and travel between the two countries in one day. Here’s a complete rundown of how the process works and how the ferry company staff help you through Immigration from Thailand to Malaysia.

Ferries departing from Phuket, Krabi and surrounding islands like Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Muk can get to the island of Langkawi in Malaysia on the same day.

Check Thailand to Langkawi ticket prices and timetables for your chosen dates, or use the search box and input your starting point.

Starting The Journey From Thailand to Malaysia

I had arrived at Krabi Airport in the morning and was picked up by the ferry company. The minivan took me to Trang Had Yao pier where I joined the boat trip. This is the interchange station from where ferries for Malaysia depart.

Trang, Had Yao Pier Interchange Station

Passengers traveling from Ao Nang, Krabi Town, Krabi Airport, Klong Muang, Trang Airport and Trang town area are collected by minivan and taken to Trang Had Yao pier. At the pier you can then join the ferry to Koh Lipe and then onto Langkawi.

Guests starting from Khao Lak, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao, Railay Beach, Koh Jum, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan and Koh Muk will also make a stop with the ferry at Trang Hat Yao pier. You might also be requested to change the boat to continue the journey to Koh Lipe then on to Langkawi.

Guest who arrive in the minivans will make a break at the pier as the minivans arrive earlier then departure. Trang Had Yao pier enjoys a restaurant where you are checked in for the trip. the restaurant area is kept cool with ceiling fans and some days the breeze from the sea.

For the long trips to Langakwi this stop makes a good break in the journey where you can refuel. I ordered chicken fried rice in the restaurant and a small Singha beer which came to 170 Baht so it’s not overly priced which is good.

The main counter of the restaurant acts as a minimart shop where you can buy soft drinks and beers, crisps, snacks, ice creams and even cigarettes. Near the restaurant are toilets which cost 5 baht to use.

Located on the edge of the Had Yao pier where the ferry or speedboat docks there are several local fruit stalls, selling fresh fruits and soft drinks.

Please note the ferry and speedboats do not sell water and snacks. So stock up before you travel.

Joining the trip late in February the ferry was changed to a large speedboat instead. Before the boat departed the staff store all the large luggage on the speedboat, in an order so they know who’s getting off next and which luggage to locate and take off.

Inside the speedboat is 45 seats for passengers. The seating is in a row of 3, then an aisle and a row of 2. All seating has life jackets on the seats. If you are traveling with very small babies we would recommend you to bring your own flotation device which you use in the pool.

No seat numbers are allocated on the boat so you just help yourself to sit down where you would like. As the speedboat was stationary for a while at the pier it was quite hot inside when entering but this soon changed when the speedboat departed and a nice breeze blew through.

Thailand stunning scenery show from the boat

The interior of the speedboat is very big and very impressive too. It allows you an opportunity to stand up and look at the impressive scenery of the ocean. There is a marine toilet on the boat but please note as with all speedboats this is a quite a small area.

Arriving At Koh Lipe – Immigration check point

Arriving at the floating pier Pattaya Beach Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is the last southern island in Thailand where the boat terminates. The speedboat will dock on a floating pier just outside of Pattaya Beach and all luggage is taken onto the floating pier.

Guests staying on Koh Lipe pay the Koh Lipe national park fees on the floating pier itself before entering the island. When traveling to Langkawi you do not have to pay the park fees as you are only in transit through the island rather than staying there.

A member of staff will shout repeatedly Langkawi! Langkawi! They know how many people are travelling and you will also have a sticker on you with for LK but it’s an easy way to find guests. Simply make yourself known and they will take you before all the Koh Lipe guests onto a waiting longtail boat and direct to Koh Lipe.

Longtail boat will take you directly to the beach

Koh Lipe Immigration is located on the beach

Koh Lipe have their own Immigration check point on the beach. The longtail will take you directly onto Pattaya beach in front of the office. (Pattaya beach is picture postcard amazing, so have your cameras ready). Follow the staff who will help you make the process of checking out from Thailand very quick and easy.

The staff will direct you first to a table. Handing your passport in, the staff will make you a voucher to join the Koh Lipe to Langkawi ferry which you should hand in when joining the boat.

Next is the Immigration checkpoint to get your exit stamp and leave Thailand. There is no need to queue at the office – the ferry staff will take you to the front of the line. Within minutes your passport is stamped with a Thailand exit stamp and your are lead back to the waiting longtail boat. The staff keep all passports and hand them back to you when the ferry departs to Langkawi.

Passengers boarding a longtail boat to the waiting ferry

The staff stay with you and guide you back to the waiting longtail boats which take passengers direct to the waiting ferry. The above longtail boat was full with guests who had stayed on Koh Lipe so I hopped into the other longtail boat which was next to it. Be prepared to wade in to the water – make sure you’re wearing flipflops and shorts. Longtail boats have steps to help you climb into the boat.

On the longtail back departing Koh Lipe you can admire just how beautiful Koh Lipe is. You also understand how well set up the Immigration procedure is to help you travel through. It seemed only minutes from arrival to the departure.

The Koh Lipe to Langkawi Ferry and Malaysia Immigration

The longtail boat takes you directly to the waiting ferry not to the floating platform. The ferry has a large door and the longtail boat docks alongside it. Staff are there to help you from the longtail boat to the ferry and they will also help with all your luggage.

On the ferry you can take any seat which is available, none are allocated. The ferry has toilets but no shops on the boat. Please bring your own snacks and drinks on to the boat. If you have stopped off at Trang pier it’s a good place to buy drinks and snacks. The ferry journey is 1.5 hours to Langkawi.

The ferry terminates at Telaga Harbour in Langkawi, Malaysia time at 18:30 local time. Malaysia is 1 hour time difference then Thailand and it’s daylight when you arrive.

Immigration Office at Telaga Harbour Langkawi

After disembarking the ferry and collecting your luggage a short walk up the walkway will lead directly to the Malaysian Immigration office. One officer asked us to queue up in 2 lines and then requested us to go in when an Immigration officer was free. There was two on duty when I arrived and the whole process of checking into Malaysia and getting your Malaysia entry stamp only took a few minutes.

Exit the Immigration office in to Langakwi

After your entry into Malaysia is permitted you walk out the Immigration office into a small car park area. You don’t need to book a taxi in advance as there are several waiting. The drivers will ask where you are going to and will let you know the costs to that destination. I arrived with no Malaysian currency and the driver accepted Thai Baht. he also dropped me off in front of a currency exchange so I could change my money before paying for my hotel.

My hotel was in Pentai Ceang beach and what an incredible beach it is too. Welcome to Malaysia and Langkawi! I stayed at the Royal Agate with beach front views form by balcony. On top is a roof top terrace with stunning views, a perfect place to enjoy the breakfast and at night it becomes a rooftop bar.

If you want to do the same journey in reverse and travel from Langkawi into Thailand, see our Ferry from Malaysia to Thailand Complete Guide for a full rundown of how the process works.

Plan Your Thailand to Malaysia Trip

To plan your Thailand to Malaysia journey, check Thailand to Langkawi ticket prices and timetables for your chosen dates, or use the search box and input your starting point.

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