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Ferries to Malaysia

Malaysia’s international ferry network consists of several separate regional corridors. Ferries connect the country with Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore, while domestic services link the mainland with Malaysian islands and coastal communities.

Use the interactive map to compare the exact ports rather than only the countries. Langkawi is the main gateway for the seasonal ferry to Koh Lipe, Johor has several connections with the Indonesian Riau Islands, and routes across the Strait of Malacca link Sumatra with Malaysia’s west coast. Direct ferries from Singapore are more limited and mainly serve eastern Johor.

Most international crossings are relatively short, but check-in and immigration can add considerably to the total journey. Schedules can also depend on the season, day of the week and weather conditions.

Ferries from Thailand to Malaysia

The main direct ferry route between Thailand and Malaysia connects Koh Lipe with Langkawi. Depending on the operator and departure, ferries may use Telaga Harbour Marina or Kuah Jetty on Langkawi. Check the exact terminal before arranging a hotel transfer, rental car or connecting ferry, as the two ports are in different parts of the island.

The crossing usually takes around 90 minutes and is operated by passenger speedboats without vehicle decks. Services are seasonal and normally operate during the drier months, rather than throughout the year.

This is a full international border crossing. Passengers complete exit and entry procedures, and Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand. Departure and arrival times are generally shown in the local time of each port.

Tested in both directions by FerryGoGo. We traveled from Koh Lipe to Langkawi in 2025 and completed the reverse journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe in 2026. The sailing itself is straightforward, but check-in, immigration, luggage handling and beach-side boarding on Koh Lipe mean the complete journey takes longer than the crossing time alone suggests.

Koh Lipe does not have a conventional enclosed ferry terminal. Passengers may board or disembark near Pattaya Beach, sometimes using a smaller boat between the shore and the main speedboat. Keep your passport and essential items easy to reach and pack luggage that can be handled on sand.

Koh Lipe (Pattaya Beach) ↔ Langkawi (Telaga Harbour Marina)

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat · 1h 30m

🚗 ✕🚐 ✕

prices and availability

Langkawi (Kuah Jetty) ↔ Koh Lipe (Pattaya Beach)

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat · 1h 30m

🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From RM 145

prices and availability

Langkawi (Kuah Jetty) ↔ Koh Lipe (Pattaya Beach)

Bundhaya Speed Boat · 1h 30m

🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From RM 145

prices and availability

Langkawi (Telaga Harbour Marina) ↔ Koh Lipe (Pattaya Beach)

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat · 1h 30m

🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From RM 160

prices and availability

Ferries from Singapore to Malaysia

The main direct passenger ferry between Singapore and Malaysia connects Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with Tanjung Pengelih in eastern Johor. The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes and can be useful for travelers heading toward Desaru and the southeastern Johor coast.

This is a limited regional service rather than a frequent alternative for every journey between Singapore and Malaysia. Check the current operating days before arranging flights, accommodation or onward transportation.

The route is intended for foot passengers. Immigration takes place at both terminals, although Singapore and Malaysia use the same time zone. Allow additional time for check-in and border procedures rather than planning around the sailing time alone.

Ends in Jul

Tanah Merah ↔ Tanjung Pengelih

Batam Fast · 45m

🚗 ✓🚐 ✓From S$ 36

prices and availability

Along the Malaysian coast

Other international ferry routes to Malaysia

Beyond the Thailand and Singapore routes shown above, Malaysia has several passenger-ferry corridors with Indonesia. These connections are concentrated around Johor and the Strait of Malacca and are used by both local passengers and international travelers combining several countries in one trip.

Travel corridor	Main ports	Usually best for
Thailand-Malaysia	Koh Lipe-Langkawi	Seasonal island hopping between southern Thailand and Langkawi
Indonesia-Johor	Batam, Stulang Laut, Pasir Gudang and other Johor terminals	Travel between the Riau Islands and southern Malaysia
Sumatra-Malaysia	Dumai, Melaka and selected west-coast ports	Combining Sumatra with Peninsular Malaysia
Singapore-Malaysia	Tanah Merah-Tanjung Pengelih	Eastern Johor and the Desaru area

Ferries between Johor and Indonesia

Johor has several ferry connections with Batam and other islands in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago. Malaysian departure points can include Stulang Laut, Pasir Gudang, Puteri Harbour and other terminals around southern Johor.

Choose the ferry around the exact terminal at both ends. Batam has several ports, and transferring between Batam Centre, Harbour Bay, Sekupang or another terminal can add a substantial road journey. The closest ferry port to your hotel is often more important than the lowest ticket price.

Ferries between Sumatra and Malaysia

Passenger ferries also cross the Strait of Malacca between Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. The Dumai-Melaka corridor is one of the most useful options for travelers combining overland trips through Indonesia and Malaysia.

These are practical international services rather than tourist cruises. Allow time for passport checks, luggage handling and transportation between the ferry terminal and the city center. Confirm the schedule shortly before travel, as operating days and departure times can change.

Choosing the correct terminal

Several destinations on this page have more than one ferry port:

Langkawi: services may use Telaga Harbour Marina or Kuah Jetty.
Johor: terminals serve different parts of southern and eastern Malaysia.
Batam: Batam Centre, Harbour Bay, Sekupang and other ports are not interchangeable.
Singapore: the Malaysia route uses Tanah Merah rather than HarbourFront.

Use the interactive map to check the port location before booking accommodation or onward transportation.

What to check before booking

Operating season: the Koh Lipe-Langkawi route normally operates only during the high season.
Operating days: some Singapore and Indonesia connections do not run every day.
Passport and visa rules: all routes described here cross an international border.
Local time: Thailand and western Indonesia are one hour behind Malaysia, while Singapore uses the same time as Malaysia.
Luggage rules: smaller speedboats can have tighter allowances and less formal handling procedures.
Vehicle transport: the international speedboat and passenger-ferry routes on this page generally do not carry private vehicles.
Connection time: leave room for delays, immigration and transfers between different ferry terminals.

Domestic ferries within Malaysia

Malaysia also has domestic ferries serving islands and coastal communities. These routes operate separately from the international corridors and may have different booking systems, baggage rules and seasonal patterns.

Use the interactive map to identify the correct international or domestic route, then confirm the current schedule, departure terminal and entry requirements for your exact travel date.