Explore Ko Lipe, Thailand, a tiny car-free island where life moves on foot and by boat. Learn how to get around, what to expect, and the calm you'll find.
There are very few places in the world with no cars at all. One of them is Ko Lipe, a tiny island in southern Thailand. Here you won’t find traffic, honking, gasoline—or even roads built for cars. What you do get is the sea, the sun, quiet, and a life that moves to a different beat.
Ko Lipe is truly small. You can walk it end to end in 30–40 minutes, which makes cars unnecessary. Everyone gets around on foot—and neither locals nor visitors seem to mind. If anything, it’s part of the charm: no rush, just an unhurried stroll with the sound of waves for company.
Walking is the default. Everything’s close—beaches, cafés, hotels. If you don’t feel like walking or you’re carrying bags, there’s moto-taxi: essentially a scooter with a trailer, roomy enough for a couple of passengers.
Some people rent bicycles, though the heat puts many off. Need to reach another beach or a neighboring island? A longtail boat will take you there—an easy, quick way to move over water.
The main street is called Walking Street, and it lives up to the name. It’s made for wandering, ice cream in hand, browsing souvenirs, lingering in cafés. No cars, no din—just people and that warm glow of evening.
Many notice that the moment they arrive on Ko Lipe, breathing feels deeper and thoughts unclench. Without cars, the air is cleaner, horns are absent, and even an ordinary day settles into a calmer rhythm.
Locals keep to this pace year-round. Deliveries come by boat and motorized carts. Prices for goods can be a touch higher because of it, and people accept that as part of island life.
Of course, a car-free life isn’t only upsides. In serious situations there’s no ambulance rushing in on four wheels—medical help comes by sea. And in the rainy season, getting to or from the island can be a challenge.
Ko Lipe shows what a car-free place can look like. It won’t suit every setting, that’s clear. But the idea—walk more, seek quiet—translates even to big cities. More pedestrian streets, less traffic in tourist quarters, more use of river routes: all of it is within reach. On Ko Lipe nobody drives. And, judging by the mood here, nobody really misses cars.