How to Get from Pattaya to Phuket: Complete Guide for Independent Travelers

Plane – The Fastest and Most Convenient Option

• 💰 Price: from 1130 baht (34.09 USD) – bus to Suvarnabhumi 130 baht + ticket from 1000 baht; from Don Muang is cheaper, but it takes longer and is harder to get there
• 🕑 Total travel time: from 4 to 7 hours (including travel to the airport, check-in, and 1.5-hour flight)
• 📅 Flight frequency: over 20 daily flights from two Bangkok airports

Flying is the fastest and most comfortable way, and we recommend considering it first. From Pattaya, you can fly out of three airports: the local U-Tapao, as well as two Bangkok airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang.

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – The Optimal Choice

  This is Bangkok's main international airport. Getting there from Pattaya is easiest: direct buses run (from 130 baht, 2 hours travel time) or taxis (about 1500 baht, 1.5 hours). Tickets for flights to Phuket cost from 1000 baht (30.17 USD) when booked in advance. Low-cost carriers (AirAsia, Nok Air) and traditional airlines (Thai Airways) offer many flights throughout the day. This is the most balanced option in terms of time and money.

• Don Muang Airport (DMK) – Cheap, But Hard to Get To

  The old airport where low-cost carriers are based. Ticket prices are often lower than from Suvarnabhumi – from 800 baht (24.14 USD). However, getting there from Pattaya is much more difficult: there's no direct bus, you'll have to go with a transfer in Bangkok or order a taxi (from 1600 baht). You can also get to Suvarnabhumi and transfer to the free shuttle between airports (runs every hour, 100 baht). In the end, the savings on the ticket may be eaten up by the transfer and travel time (at least 5 hours).

• U-Tapao Airport (UTP) – Closest, But Expensive and Irregular

  Located in Rayong city, 40 km from Pattaya. Flights to Phuket are rare (Bangkok Airways two flights a day). Price – from 2500 baht (75.43 USD) and up. You can only get to the airport by taxi or booked transfer (from 750 baht); buses don't run here. This option works if you value time and are willing to pay extra, but in most cases, it loses to the other two.

How to Get from Phuket Airport to Your Hotel

After landing in Phuket, you'll need to get to the beach or the city. Here are the main options:

• Taxi (taxi-meter) – the most convenient. Price to Patong, Karon, or Kata – about 900 baht (27.16 USD), to Phuket Town – 800 baht, to northern beaches (Nai Thon, Bang Tao) – from 600 baht. Order at the official counter at the airport or via Grab, Maxim, Bolt, InDrive apps (cheaper).
• Minibus – cheaper, but only to popular beaches. To Patong – 180 baht (5.43 USD), to Kata/Karon – 200 baht. Depart as they fill up after each flight, but only during the day and not guaranteed.
• Smart Bus – the most budget-friendly and convenient option. Regular bus to the west coast beaches (Surin, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai) – only 100 baht (3.02 USD). Runs every hour from 08:00 to 22:00. Detailed schedule on the official website.
• Local bus – long and with transfers (first to Phuket Town for 100 baht, then by songthaew to the beach). Economical, but will take almost half a day. Read more about Phuket transport in our separate guide.

Bus – One of the Most Budget-Friendly Options

• 💰 Price: direct – from 1205 baht (36.36 USD); with transfer – from 950 baht (28.66 USD) (bus Pattaya–Bangkok from 148 baht + Bangkok–Phuket from 800 baht)
• 🕑 Travel time: direct – 17 h; with transfer – 16–24 h (including travel time to Bangkok and connection)
• 📅 Frequency: direct – 1 departure per day; with transfer – about 40 departures per day from Bangkok

The bus is the most economical way, chosen by many independent travelers. There are two main options: a direct route and one with a transfer in Bangkok. Both have overnight departures, which allows you to save on one night in a hotel, although sleeping in a bus seat is less comfortable than on a train. Read more about buses: everything you need to know about bus travel in Thailand.

Direct Bus Pattaya – Phuket

The only direct route is operated by Sawadee Tour. The bus departs from the company's station in Pattaya (on Pattaya 3rd Road) at 15:00 and arrives in Phuket the next day around 08:00. Travel time – about 17 hours, ticket price – from 1205 baht (36.36 USD). The bus is overnight, with comfortable reclining seats. It's better to buy tickets in advance on 12Go.asia or at the Sawadee Tour office at the address above; travel agencies usually don't sell them.

It arrives in Phuket at the new bus terminal (Bus terminal-2). This is the island's main intercity terminal, located outside Phuket Town on Thepkrasattri Road (view on map). To get to the beaches from there:

• Taxi or tuk-tuk – up to 400 baht to the nearest beaches.
• With a transfer through Phuket Town – take a songthaew (20 baht) to the minivan stop in the city, and from there a bus to the beach (30–50 baht). This option is cheap but takes time.
• Rent a motorbike right at the terminal and nearby – from 250 baht per day, convenient if you plan to explore the island.

With a Transfer Through Bangkok

If the direct bus doesn't fit your schedule, you can get to Bangkok and transfer to a bus to Phuket. The entire route with a transfer can be done in one day without an overnight stay in Bangkok if you calculate the time correctly. It's better to choose overnight departures – you can sleep on the road and save on accommodation at the same time. When planning, allow at least 2–3 hours for the connection. Read about how to get from Pattaya to Bangkok in this guide.

Buses from Bangkok to Phuket depart from the northern station Mor Chit and the southern Sai Tai Mai, as well as from Khao San Road. Travel time is 12 to 16 hours, price from 800 baht (24.14 USD) depending on the class, but it's better not to skimp and buy a ticket for a more comfortable bus from 1100 baht. There are many departures – about 40 per day, so you can buy a ticket on the spot, but on holidays and weekends it's better to book online at least a day in advance.

You can buy tickets on 12go.asia or through the form below. Russian cards don't work, but you can book and pay with cash at supermarket counters; choose payment at 7-Eleven at the final stage.

Train – For Romance Lovers and Leisurely Travelers

• 💰 Price: bus to Bangkok 180 baht + train from 216 baht (3rd class seats, not recommended) to 1500 baht (1st class sleepers) + bus Surat Thani–Phuket from 300 baht. Total from 696 to 1980 baht.
• 🕑 Travel time: at least 24 hours including all transfers
• 📅 Train frequency: 11 trains daily from Bangkok to Surat Thani (10 of them overnight)

For lovers of long journeys and multiple transfers, there's an option to reach Phuket with train connections. The route in general looks like this:

From Pattaya to Bangkok railway station (bus or taxi) -> by train to Surat Thani -> from Surat Thani to Phuket (bus with transfers or a ready-made transfer to the beaches).

The route is truly "complicated," and not everyone will be up for it. And in terms of price, a sleeper car will be more expensive than a plane. But on the other hand, you can get a good night's sleep on the train. If you decide to go by train, read our guide to trains in Thailand.

Here's how to do the entire route in detail:

• From Pattaya to the railway station. Take a bus from the North Pattaya Bus Terminal (station on the map) or from T-Tour station (T-Tour on the map) to Mo Chit station in Bangkok. From Mo Chit to Krung Thep Aphiwat railway station, you can walk about 1 kilometer through an unofficial passage across the tracks – we've done it that way. The navigation app directs you around the long way (almost 4 kilometers) due to road interchanges, so if you don't want to cross the tracks, take a taxi around for 100 baht.

  From the Jomtien area in Pattaya from Roong Reuang Coach Jomtien station (station on the map), go to the airport, then take the airport rail link to Makkasan station, transfer to the metro to Bang Sue station, and you're almost at Krung Thep Aphiwat railway station.

• After arriving at the station, board a train to Surat Thani (also called Phun Pin Railway Station). From Bangkok to Surat Thani, 11 trains depart daily. Travel time by train is 8 to 12 hours depending on the type of train. Fare from 216 baht for seats (3rd class is highly not recommended) to 1500 for comfortable sleeper berths.

• In Surat Thani at the station, you'll need to transfer to a bus to Phuket Town (3–5 hours travel time + then by taxi or minibus to the beaches) or use a ready-made tourist transfer to the beaches offered right at the railway station from 400 baht – this is much simpler and faster.

Bus Schedule to Phuket