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Getting from Phuket Airport to Patong

Patong is located on the west coast of Phuket Island, facing the Andaman Sea in the southwest of Thailand. It is known as a beach resort town and boasts a crescent beach lined with cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s famous nightlife scene features many bars, cabarets and nightclubs, carrying on into Bangla Road.

When travelling from Phuket Airport to Patong, you have three transportation options: taxi, private transfer or bus. The most popular option is getting a Phuket Airport taxi as they are the most convenient and reliable transport option. The ride takes approximately 50 minutes to get to the centre of Patong and costs around €23 (THB 900).

Alternatively, you can take a direct bus, which leaves the airport every hour. Although it’s the cheapest option at just €2.55 (THB 100), it is also the longest, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Phuket at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €26 50min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €23 50min 24/7
Bus €5.10 90min 09:00–22:30

How to get from Phuket Airport to Patong by taxi

Official taxis at Phuket Airport are usually yellow and red and can be found in ranks just outside of the terminal.  Taking a Phuket Airport taxi is definitely the fastest and most comfortable option.

The service is door-to-door and you’ll get from Phuket Airport to Patong in under 60 minutes. Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport and offer trips to all the island’s different destinations.

Taxi price from Phuket Airport to the centre of Patong

Most local taxis have a taximeter, however, many still offer fixed prices to specific destinations. You can choose between taking a prepaid taxi from the airport or a metered taxi. In both cases, it’s always best to negotiate the final fare.

With that being said, the average taxi fare from Phuket Airport to Patong is €23 (THB 900).

*Keep in mind that airport surcharges and extra fees may be added to your final fare.

If you’d prefer the peace of mind of a competitive fixed fare with no hidden fees, we recommend booking an airport taxi in advance.

Cost

€23 (THB 900)

Trip Duration

50 Min

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Phuket Airport.

Where do I get it from?

All taxis, along with the metered taxis, can be found outside Phuket Airport’s main terminal building, on the far right side.

Convenience

Taking a taxi to Patong from Phuket Airport is by far the simplest and most comfortable travel method. However, most taxi vehicles are small city cars and it can be challenging to comfortably fit three passengers with their luggage in the vehicle at the same time.

For a stress-free travel experience, it is recommended to book a private taxi company in advance, as they offer set prices and larger family-sized cars.

Editor’s Note

Never leave your passport as a deposit when getting a taxi, however, you can leave a photocopy. Thai law implicitly states that you must have your passport with you at all times.

Useful Tips

Metered taxis are usually cheaper than taxis offering fixed fares.
Regardless of the taxi operator, it is recommended to bargain a preferable fixed price, as most taxi drivers try to overcharge tourists.
It is important to never forget any personal belongings in the vehicle as it will be almost impossible to get it back.
If you wish to take a local taxi, you should take the first one waiting in line at the taxi rank, as they have been waiting the longest.

How to get from Phuket Airport to Patong by bus

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, Phuket Airport provides a bus network to Rawai Beach via Patong. The Phuket Smart Bus is blue and white and departs every hour on the hour from outside the airport terminal.

If you wish to take this travel method, the trip from Phuket Airport to Patong takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs €2.55 (THB 100).

Stops in Patong:

  • Indigo Patong
  • Patong PEA
  • Holiday Inn Resort Patong

How much is a bus ticket from Phuket Airport to the centre of Patong?

The Phuket Smart Bus is a great choice for those wanting to save some money, as a one-way ticket from Phuket Airport to Patong costs just €2.55 (THB 100).

*Tickets must be purchased directly from the driver in cash (Thai Baht).

Cost

€2.55 (THB 100)

Trip Duration

90 Min

There's a 60-minute waiting time for the Phuket Smart Bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Phuket Smart Bus operates between 09:00 and 22:30 daily.

Where do I get it from?

The bus terminal is located just outside of the Domestic Terminal Gate 1-3 at the Airport. 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 bus network from the airport has many stops on its way to the centre of Patong; this makes the journey quite long, which isn’t ideal after a long flight. Moreover, luggage space can be limited depending on how full the bus gets. If you’re travelling with luggage or as a group, it may be wiser to hop in an airport taxi.

Editor’s Note

If you're planning on using Phuket's public transportation throughout your stay in Phuket, we recommend purchasing a Rabbit Card. This allows you to pay for your tickets using a top up card instead of cash. A standard card costs €7.70 (THB 300) and must be topped up with a minimum of €5.10 (THB 200). You can also buy a 3-day pass and 10-day pass with unlimited trips.

Useful Tips

Please note that bus drivers only accept cash in Thai Baht as payment.
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.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Phuket. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong?

The average taxi fare from Phuket Airport to Patong is around €23 (THB 900). Factors, such as luggage, rides to and from the airport, and the type of vehicle chosen can further affect your taxi fare. To secure a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees, pre-book an airport taxi with Welcome Pickups and unlock our fully personalised rides, trained English-speaking drivers and 24/7 customer service.

How far is Phuket Airport from Patong?

Phuket Airport is located 39 km away from Patong and the travel time by car is around 50 minutes in normal traffic conditions.

How much is a bus ticket from Phuket Airport to Patong?

You’ll pay just €2.55 (THB 100) for the Phuket Smart Bus from Phuket Airport to Patong. You can purchase your ticket directly from the driver, in Thai Baht or buy a top-up Rabbit Card at the airport.

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