Phuket to Koh Lipe via Phi Phi

around 17th November. My original intention was to fly into Had Yai to get to Koh Lipe but having read the numerous posts here on safety it seems it is better to avoid this airport. I think I will now fly into Phuket instead and need advice on ferries / buses etc to get to Koh Lipe via Phi Phi. Anybody done this route or have knowledge of the best way ?

the distance to the koh lipe's pier is about the same from krabi as it is from had yai. but i wouldn't avoid the airport just 'cause some folks are freakin' out.

if you're going to ferry it, i'd go from phuket to krabi and then to lipe.

Do not worry about Had Yai. You'll be in the city for a max of two hours - if the last minibus to Pak Bara unfortunately has just left - but normally, when you arrive from the airport at the minibus-stand, the next one will leave approx. in 30 minutes or so. Even less time spent in the city on the way back: Quit minibus, hop in tuktuk, off to the airport! The chance to get killed by a rogue satelite falling on your head are better than by a bomb in Hat Yai, IMHO.
Moreover: Hat Yai is a nice town, it's a shame to miss out on it!

Seriously, just fly into Hat Yai and get to the port (Pak Bara). If Lipe's your objective, flying into Phuket is going to make your connection so much more difficult and not worth it. The chances of being involved in some terrorist incident are litterally a million to one.