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I never planned for this trip to happen—it just did. And somehow, it ended up being my first-ever solo trip! At first, I had my heart set on Tioman, but life had other plans. A little drama in the matters of the heart department pushed me to make a last-minute decision, and that’s when I decided to get my passport done. And guess what? I had to wait almost 7 hours at the Kajang Immigration Office. Seven. Freaking. Hours. The place was packed, but my willpower was stronger.

The Big Decision: Where to Go?

At first, I thought about Bangkok. But when I checked the flight ticket prices? Ouch! My wallet cried. It was way too expensive for a last-minute trip.

So, I turned to one of my online buddies, a backpacker, for suggestions. That’s when he introduced me to Koh Lipe Island. Never heard of it before, but after some quick Googling—seeing the dreamy blue waters and white sandy beaches—I was SOLD. The best part? The whole trip only cost me around RM800!

Here’s what you need to know, straight from my experience:

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How to Get There

I booked my transportation just a day before the trip. There’s a direct train to Hatyai, but since it was so last-minute, all the seats were already taken. The cheapest—and only—option left? A bus.

• Bus Ticket (Return): RM160 (Booked via Easybook.com)
• Departure: 1 AM from Subang Airport
• Duration: 12 hours
• Drop-off Point: Right in front of a travel agent’s shop in Hatyai (super convenient!)

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Overnight in Hatyai

Since it takes about 2 hours to get to Pak Bara from Hatyai, where the port to Koh Lipe is, I decided to spend the night there to avoid missing the last speedboat (which leaves at 3 PM).

• Where I stayed: The Hive Hostel
• Cost: RM39.15 per night (including breakfast)
• Why I recommend it: Super clean dorms and incredibly helpful staff!

Food? No worries! Hatyai is a halal food heaven. So many delicious and cheap options. I’m already missing the food there! 😭

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The Adventure Begins: Pak Bara Boat Terminal

Oh, did I mention? My online buddy who suggested Koh Lipe decided to join me!

Fun fact: We had never met in real life before this. Only Instagram chats. Risky? Maybe. Exciting? Definitely!

The next morning, I was supposed to be picked up by a pre-booked car, but guess what? No-show! 😑 Thankfully, the amazing receptionist at The Hive Hostel helped us sort things out. But instead of a car, a guy showed up on a motorcycle. Then he asked us to ride together—three of us on one bike, no helmets! Um, excuse me?! 😂

Was it terrifying? Yes. Did it feel like an adventure? Also yes.

 

 

Eventually, we made it to the agent’s shop, where we were supposed to board a van to Pak Bara. However, we were suddenly asked to pay an extra 1000 Baht because our original car had been in an accident. Not our problem, though? 🤨 But my friend didn’t want to argue, so he paid. The agent promised a refund when we returned (spoiler alert: we never got it 🤦🏻‍♀️).

• Speedboat Ticket & Entrance Fee: 500 Baht/person
• Driver Tip: 20 Baht
• Change Boat Fee: 50 Baht/person
• Additional terminal entry fee (I forgot how much 😅)

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Koh Lipe Island: My Experience

✅ Where I Stayed

I booked A+ Hostel via Agoda.com.

• Cost: RM83.58/night

The dorms were a bit cramped, and I actually preferred The Hive Hostel in Hatyai. However, A+ Hostel’s restroom was much cleaner and more comfortable.

 

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✅ People I Met

I met a bunch of travelers during the trip—including an online friend, Kerk, who decided to join me, and Adam and Leiyn from Malaysia, whom I met at the hostel. We ended up exploring the island together and even went back to Hatyai as a group after leaving the island.

But the one who really caught my attention was Tim from Germany.

Why? Because he’s literally living the dream. His parents are funding his travels around the world after he finished his studies. Meanwhile, here I am, counting every last cent just to go on a single trip. Like… what a life 😅

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✅ Food in Koh Lipe

No issues finding halal food here! Plenty of restaurants. But if you’re looking to save money, there’s a 7-Eleven on Walking Street where you can grab instant noodles and snacks.

Seafood restaurants? Plenty! Prices were reasonable—not too cheap but not crazy expensive either.

 

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✅ The Beaches

Koh Lipe is a small island—you can walk around the entire island! But if you’re feeling lazy, rent a bicycle.

I didn’t go snorkelling or diving because my goal was to just chill and enjoy the vibes. But if you’re into water activities, there are plenty of tour packages available.

My favorite beaches:

• Sunrise Beach 🌅 – My absolute favorite! The moment I arrived, I threw on my swimsuit and jumped into the sea. Breathtaking! But be warned—it’s super windy and wavy.
• Sunset Beach 🌄 – It is very peaceful and calm. A great spot to unwind.

 

Photos at Sunrise Beach

 

Photos at Sunset Beach

 

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The Journey Back to KL

For the return trip, my new travel buddies—Kerk, Adam & Leiyn, all solo backpackers from Kuala Lumpur, joined me. We caught the 9:30 AM boat back to Pak Bara.

The ride back from the island was a rollercoaster! The waves were wild, and my entire backpack got soaked. Lesson learned: waterproof your stuff, always.

Thankfully, a van I pre-booked was already waiting for us at the port to take us back to Hatyai. Bonus points? It had WiFi! So the ride back to Hatyai was anything but boring.

Once we arrived in Hatyai, we had a few hours to kill before our 8 PM bus to KL. We dropped off our backpacks at the agent’s shop and went out for one last meal together.

• Travel Insurance (Mandatory): 50 Baht/person

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Final Thoughts

This trip turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Sure, there were a few bumps along the way—last-minute bookings, missed taxis, unexpected fees, but every bit of it was worth it. I came home with unforgettable memories and friendships I never saw coming.

If you’ve ever thought about going on a solo trip—do it. Seriously. It’ll challenge you, push you out of your comfort zone, and give you stories you’ll carry for life. 💙

Would I go back to Koh Lipe? 100% YES.

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📸 Photo Credits:

• Adam Rawk
• Zulkarnain (Kerk) – Author of Skriva Trilogi Vol I, II & III

Til then! 😊✨

 

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