Phuket Airport

Why visit Phuket?

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and one of the most visited destinations in the country. The beautiful shores of Karon Beach, the historic charm of Old Town, and the nightlife in Patong beach attract millions of tourists every year.

Surrounded by numerous smaller islands, Phuket also offers unbeatable snorkelling, diving, and water sports adventures. You can explore the colourful marine life while snorkelling at the nearby Koh Phi Phi Island or embark on a diving trip. Located just a short distance from the international airport, Phuket is easily accessible for travellers who want to visit Thailand’s beautfiul beaches without having to travel too far.

There are 4 ways to travel the 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Phuket Airport. You can choose between the Airport bus, shared minivan, Shuttle bus/Smart bus and taxi. The journey takes 30 minutes - 2 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by shuttle bus/smart bus with tickets starting at 100 THB ($3).

The airport shuttle service operated by Phuket Smart Bus, provides a ride-share service to the island’s west coast. This blue and white coloured bus has a fixed fare of 100 THB ($3). The shuttle bus is a cheap way to get to the most popular destinations, but also slow because it makes many stops to drop off passengers along the way.

The smart bus has several departures from the airport from 09:00 in the morning until 21:00 in the evening.

Departure & Arrival stations

The smart bus departs from the New Platform in front of the domestic terminal. Among its drop-off points are the following:

• Kamala Beach
• Patong Beach
• Karon Beach
• Kata Beach
• Rawai Beach (near Phuket’s southern tip)

Taking the smart bus is a good option to save some money if you’re staying near these beaches.

If you are heading to the airport, shuttle buses depart from Rawai Beach (near Phuket’s southern tip) every hour from 09:00 to 20:00.

Taking the orange airport bus from and to Phuket Airport is a cheap option and is perfect for those travelling on a budget.

This airport bus only operates between the airport and Phuket Town, with the last stop at the old bus terminal. If your hotel is outside of the route, you’ll have to arrange a second transfer.

The bus ride costs 125 THB ($3.70). The bus journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. You can pay the fare when you get on the bus.

Departure & Arrival stations

From Phuket Airport, the airport bus has hourly departures from 08:30 to 20:30.

If you are heading to the airport, you can catch the bus from the Phuket Bus Terminal 1. Buses depart every hour from 06:00 until 18:00 to Phuket Airport.

Alternatively, if you don’t want an additional transfer to your accommodation from the airport, you can take a minivan just outside the arrival hall. This option will conveniently take you straight to your hotel in any part of the Phuket city centre.

Shared vans are cheaper than a taxi and fares cost around 200 THB ($6) per person.

The downside of taking a shared van is that you will have to wait until it’s full. Also, it can take a bit of time as it makes several stops at other passengers’ hotels.

These minivans have service counters located inside and outside the arrivals hall at both Domestic and International terminals.

If you want to get to your destination faster, head out of the Phuket Airport’s arrival area and head to the far right to get a taxi ride.

There is a taxi counter where you can get a ticket for a metered taxi. But be aware that even with the ticket, some drivers will attempt to give you a flat rate. Use your negotiating skills as they can sometimes quote very high prices.

A taxi from Phuket airport to Patong beach costs about 700 THB ($21), plus an additional 100 THB ($3) airport fee. As usual in Thailand, ensure your taxi driver turns on the metre when leaving. It doesn’t seem to happen anymore but better be sure to avoid endless bargains!

Even better, book a taxi online in advance via Klook. Taxi fares start around 655 THB ($19.60) from the airport for a 3-person car. It’s an “all area” ride, which means the fare is fixed for all the destinations across Phuket.

Reserve a taxi via Klook

Another option is to arrange a private transfer with your hotel in advance.

Note: Grab taxis are a convenient way of travelling, however, Grab taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers at Phuket airport.

Additional airport surcharge

When travelling from the airport by taxi, you are required to pay a 100 THB ($3) surcharge in addition to the fare. This surcharge is only for taxis leaving the airport. If you are travelling from your hotel to the airport, you do not have to pay this surcharge.

Car Rental from Phuket Airport

Aside from taxis, there is also a car rental option that you can choose if you want to be in control of your trip. You can choose from popular companies, such as Hertz, Pure Car Rental, Phuket Drive Car Rental, and CTT Phuket Car Rental.

We recommend cars that are offered by Skyscanner, as they are normally cheaper. Rates start from 675 THB ($20) for a 24-hour rental. Remember that the rates depend on how early you book, so we recommend booking at least weeks in advance to get the best deals.