How to get from Phuket airport to Phuket town
Phuket is one of the biggest travel destinations in Thailand, with 9.29 million visitors a year, Phuket is a major holiday destination and has some of the world's most finest beaches. It lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and definitely has something for everyone. Blessed with more than 30 different beaches to choose from, with some of the most popular beaches being Patong Beach, Kata, Karon and Kamala, however, you can find some hidden gems for a more intimate atmosphere on the north part of the island.
Phuket International Airport offers 2 main transportation options to Phuket town. The most popular and convenient choice is to take one of the airport taxis, available 24/7. Your second travel option is to take the airport bus, available every 1 to 3 hours, depending on the time of day. A trip with a Phuket airport taxi takes around 45 minutes, in normal traffic conditions and costs €15 (570 THB). The bus, on the other hand, takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the centre of Phuket for the price of €3 (115 THB).
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|
| Taxi | €15 | 45min | 24/7 | |
| Bus | €6 | 90min | 08:20–20:00 | |
How to get from Phuket airport to the city centre by taxi
Official taxis at Phuket airport usually have yellow and red coloured vehicles, with the well known yellow taxi rooftop sign. Phuket airport taxis are available 24/7 and offer trips to all the island's different destinations.
Taxi fare from Phuket airport to Phuket town
The average fare from Phuket airport to Phuket town is calculated using a taximeter, and costs around €15 (570 THB), including luggage and initial fees for a 45 minute trip. However, public and private taxis offer fixed rates from Phuket airport to popular destinations around the island.
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM HKT - TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€ 15
€ 15
45 min
FROM HKT - TO CITY CENTRE
€ 15
€ 15
45 min
FROM HKT - TO RASSADA PIER
€ 20
€ 20
50 min
FROM HKT - TO PATONG
€ 23
€ 23
50 min
FROM HKT - TO KHAO LAK
€ 50
€ 50
90 min
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Convenience
Taxis are considered to be the safest and most comfortable travel method from Phuket airport to the city centre. However, most taxi vehicles are small city cars and it can be challenging to comfortably fit 3 passengers in the vehicle at the same time.
Editor’s Note
It is generally recommended to hire private taxis or transfer companies as they offer superior taxi services along with safer and more comfortable vehicles.
Useful Tips
Regardless of the taxi operator, it is recommended to bargain a preferable fixed price, as most taxi drivers try to overcharge tourists.
It is advised to book a taxi in advance, before starting your trip. Finding the right taxi at the last moment can be quite tedious, due to the high demand - especially during the summer season.
Tuk tuks, bright-red "mini-trucks" are a kind of a taxi on Phuket island, fares are the same as regular taxis. How to get from Phuket airport to the city centre by bus
Phuket airport offers a single bus network to heart of Phuket town, Smart Bus. The buses that run the "airport to Phuket" route are orange and read "Airport Bus" at the front and back. Under normal traffic conditions, the trip from the airport to Phuket town takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and a one way ticket costs €3 (115 THB). The Smart Bus network operates on a daily basis from 08:20 to 20:00.
How much is a bus ticket from Phuket airport to the city centre of Phuket?
A one-way bus ticket on the Phuket airport bus costs €3 (115 THB) and can be purchased directly from the driver, only in cash.
Cost
€3 (115 THB)
Trip Duration
1 H 30 Min.
There can be a waiting time of 1 to 3 hours for the bus.
The airport bus is available from 08:20 to 20:00.
Where do I get it from?
The bus terminal is located at Phuket airport's arrival terminal, on the left side of the exit doors. The bus terminal should be easy to find as there is signage placed around the airport, or you can ask the airport staff for directions.
Convenience
Unfortunately the Smart bus network from the airport has many stops on its way to the city centre of Phuket; this makes the journey very long, and tiring after a long flight.
Editor’s Note
Drivers are usually willing to stop whenever travellers want, some of the popular stops are Thalang Lotus shopping mall, Heroines Monument and Phuket Rajabhat University’s junction.
Useful Tips
Please note that bus drivers only accept cash in Thai Baht as payment and a one-way ticket costs 115 baht ≃ €3.
There is no need to book your bus seat in advance, you can just get into the first airport bus and buy your ticket directly from the driver. It is important to keep your ticket for the ticket auditors. 
