How to Get to Phuket:
Everything You Need to Know
Your Essential Guide on how to get to Phuket, Thailand
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As Thailand’s largest island and dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’, Phuket draws up to a whopping 14 million visitors a year. The turquoise seas and white sand beaches are some of the finest in the world, with a nightlife to rival Bangkok and a colonial Old Town to explore for those more culturally inclined. However you plan to spend your time on Phuket, getting there is the first step. Here’s our ultimate guide on how to get to Phuket – everything you need to know.
By Air
Flying is by far the most convenient way to reach Phuket, especially for international travellers or those coming from distant parts of Thailand. Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the island’s primary gateway and one of the busiest airports in the country. Located in the northern part of Phuket, about 32km from Phuket Town, the airport has easy access to the major tourist areas on the island.
International Flights
Phuket International Airport connects directly to numerous cities across Asia, the Middle East and even Europe. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines operate regular flights to Phuket from hubs like Dubai, Doha, Bangkok and Singapore. Budget carriers like AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar also offer affordable options for regional travellers from places like Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.
From London, airlines such as Thai Airways, TUI Airways and British Airways offer direct flights to Phuket during peak travel seasons. These flights typically take around 12 to 13 hours. With increasing demand for Phuket as a standalone destination, more international flights are being added each year.
Domestic Flights
For travellers already in Thailand, domestic flights are a fast and affordable way to reach Phuket. Bangkok is the main hub for flights to Phuket, with several airlines, including Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways all operating daily flights from both Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Flights from Bangkok to Phuket typically take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
You can also find domestic connections from cities like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Krabi. If you’re traveling from Koh Samui, Bangkok Airways is the only airline offering direct flights to Phuket.
Arriving in Phuket
Once you arrive at Phuket International Airport, you’ll find airport taxis, private transfers and shuttle buses readily available. The Phuket Smart Bus is a cheap and efficient way to get to popular areas of Phuket. It travels south to Rawai from the airport, stopping at most beaches along the way, all for just 100 THB.
By Road
Phuket is connected to the mainland via the Sarasin Bridge, so despite being an island, it’s still accessible by road. For those coming from Krabi or the Gulf Islands of Koh Samui etc, this is a popular route.
Buses to Phuket
Public buses are an affordable and reliable way to travel to Phuket. Long distance buses from Bangkok usually depart from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) and take around 12 to 14 hours to reach Phuket, although flying is very affordable and much quicker than this option. For shorter routes, minibuses and local buses connect Phuket to nearby provinces like Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani. These journeys are generally faster and can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours depending on the departure point.
Driving to Phuket
If you’d prefer not to take the bus, you can easily find private transfers from Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani to Krabi. Drivers will pick you up at one destination and drop you to your door at the other end. If you enjoy road trips, renting a car and driving to Phuket can be a bucket list experience. The drive from Bangkok takes about 10 to 12 hours, passing through incredible landscapes and charming towns. The roads leading to Phuket are well maintained, and the journey gives you the chance to explore hidden gems and lesser known attractions along the way.
By Train
Phuket doesn’t have its own train station, so if you are travelling by rail through Thailand, you’ll need to make your way to Surat Thani, which is the closest major railway station to Phuket. From here, you can find a bus or a private transfer to take you the rest of the way.
By Sea
By far the most scenic way to reach Phuket, ferries and speedboats connect the island to other island destinations like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi and Koh Samui.
From Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular day trips and short stay destinations from Phuket, making the ferry route between the two highly trafficked. Ferries from Tonsai Pier on Koh Phi Phi arrive at Rassada Pier in Phuket Town, with journeys taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. Speedboats are a faster, albeit more expensive, alternative.
From Krabi
Ferries from Krabi to Phuket also arrive at Rassada Pier. The trip takes around 2.5 hours and provides stunning views of the Andaman Sea and deserted islands along the way.
From Koh Samui
For those traveling from Koh Samui or other Gulf islands, ferries operate to Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. From there, you’ll need to take a bus or private transfer to Phuket.
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