How and how to get to Phuket

Phuket is the most easily accessible island resort in Thailand. Direct flights are operated here not only from the capital of the Russian Federation, but also from the regions of Russia by season. If you are already traveling in Thailand and want to get to Phuket from other cities of the country on your own, then it's easy to do, the choice of transport to get here is great. Which is good, Phuket is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and you don't have to arrive on it by boat, since all road transport arrives via the bridge. Below we tell in detail about all the ways how and on what you can get to Phuket:

By plane

Phuket International Airport is the second largest in Thailand after Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Located in the north of the island (airport on the map of Phuket).A large number of regular flights from Asia, Europe and Australia arrive here. From Russia to Phuket, you can get direct flights in high season (from November to April), not only from Moscow, but also from the regions. You can also fly to Phuket with a transfer to Bangkok and airports in other countries.

You can find and book a ticket to Phuket using the search form below. Options for the cheapest flights to Phuket on arbitrary dates are here: cheapest flights to Phuket.

ЦЕНА	ПЕРЕСАДКИ	АВИАКОМПАНИЯ	ДАТА ВЫЛЕТА	ДАТА ВОЗВРАЩЕНИЯ
Купить от 50501 ₽	2 пересадки		10.06.2026	17.06.2026
Купить от 50529 ₽	1 пересадка		03.07.2026	28.08.2026
Купить от 50528 ₽	1 пересадка		09.08.2026	19.09.2026
Купить от 51142 ₽	2 пересадки		14.09.2026	14.10.2026
Купить от 51278 ₽	1 пересадка		26.10.2026	12.11.2026
Купить от 51195 ₽	1 пересадка		26.11.2026	02.12.2026

How to get to/from Phuket Airport to beaches

• Taxi

  This is the fastest, most convenient and relatively inexpensive way to get to your vacation spot on the island. Budget taxis on the island are represented by yellow cars.

  It is best to travel by taxi with a meter (marked taxi-meter). Local taxi drivers like to impose their services without a meter (at a fixed price), but if you are traveling along the route for the first time and do not know its cost, you will probably pay a lot more for a trip without a meter. It is also recommended to use the official airport taxi, which can be found at the airport exit on the right at the taxi rank.

  • Airport - Patong – 900 baht / 27.6 USD
  • Airport – Phuket Town – 800 baht / 24.54 USD
  • Airport – Naiton – 600 baht / 18.4 USD
  • Airport – Bang Tao – 800 baht / 24.54 USD
  • Airport – surin – 800 baht / 24.54 USD
  • Airport – Kamala – 800 baht / 24.54 USD
  • Airport – Karon – 900 baht / 27.6 USD
  • Airport – Kata – 900 baht / 27.6 USD
  • Airport – Janui – 900 baht / 27.6 USD
  • Airport – Rawai – 900 baht / 27.6 USD

  You can also order a taxi transfer through this search form, and then the driver will be waiting for you with a sign on arrival:

• Minivans (Minibus service)

  This is a great and inexpensive way to get there, but minivans only go to the most popular beaches. They are sent irregularly, according to occupancy, but usually after the arrival of each flight. The cost to Patong is 180 baht, to Karon and Katy 200 baht. If you need to get to another beach along the route of these minivans, try to arrange at the counter to be dropped off.

  Estimated cost of a trip to popular places:

  • Before Patong (Patong) – 180 baht / 5.52 USD;
  • To Kata Beach (Kata Beach) – 200 baht / 6.13 USD.

• Local Airport Bus (Airport bus)

  

  This is an inexpensive way to get from the airport to the beaches, but very long. There is only one bus route from the airport: to Phuket Town to the old bus station, costs 100 baht. The schedule is here - http://airportbusphuket.com/timetable.php. Then at the old station you can transfer to a minibus or a local bus to the beaches: Patong – 30 baht; Surin, Kamala, Bang Tao - 50 baht; Karon, Kata – 35 baht. But these fixed-route taxis run only until 18:00, and it will take you almost half a day for the whole trip with a transfer. Learn more about transportation in Phuket here...

• On the Smartbus bus

  This is the best budget way to get from the airport directly to the beaches for just 100 baht (3.07 USD). This bus departs from the terminal every hour from 08:15 to 22:30 and follows the west coast through the beaches of Surin, Patong, Kata, Karon and Rawai. The return from Rawai Beach to the airport runs from 07:00 to 20:00. This bus has its own website, you can check the current information about the cost and schedule there, as it may change - phuketsmartbus.com/

By ferry/boat

By water on regularly plying ferries you can get to the nearest popular resorts: Krabi Province, Phi Phi Islands (Ko Phi Phi), Lanta (Ko Lanta), Ko Lipe, Langkawi Island in Malaysia.

Ferries depart/arrive in Phuket at the marina Rassada Port in Phuket (marina Rassada on the map). The easiest way to get to the pier is by taxi. If you want it cheaper, you can take a local bus from your beach to the bus station in Phuket Town and find a taxi here or take the local bus number 3 to the port. You can also purchase a ferry ticket with a transfer to the pier at a travel agency.

Ticket price to Phi Phi is 420 baht. To Krabi-town (with transfer to Phi Phi) from 690 baht. The ferry takes about two hours.

Approximate ferry schedule (changes seasonally):

• Phuket – Phi Phi : departure 8:00, 13:30 ; arrival 10:00, 15:30.
• Phi Phi Phuket: departure 09:00, 14:30 ; arrival 11:00, 16:00.
• To Krabi, the departure time from Phuket is at 8:00 (The same ferry as Phi Phi).

You can find out more about the exact schedule on the websites:

• 12go.asia
• rassadapier.com
• www.phuketferry.com

By bus

Phuket is connected to the mainland by two bridges, so you can get to it by land road transport without any problems.

By bus you can get to Phuket from most major cities: Bangkok, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Krabi, Ranong, huahin, etc. Intercity buses arrive at new bus terminal (Bus terminal-2) near Phuket town. From there, you can get to the resorts by taxi (400 - 800 baht); rent a motorcycle right there for the duration of your vacation (from 200 baht per day); get there with transfers by local buses. To do this, you must first get to the old bus terminal by minibus for 10 baht (depart every 30 minutes), and then transfer to a bus or minibus to the beach you need.

The most popular bus route from Bangkok to Phuket departs from Bangkok's MoChit North Bus Terminal. The cost of the trip and the schedule are shown in the table below.

Many private companies also carry out tourist transportation to Phuket from popular routes, but we traditionally recommend using regular buses that can be purchased online through this search form from 12go.asia:

By train

There is no railway in Phuket, but it is possible to get there by train. The nearest railway station of the Bangkok-Singapore Railway is located near the city Surat Thani on the mainland. It can be reached by train from Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chumphon, from the city of Bathervon near the island Penang in Malaysia, as well as with a change of train from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore. The cost of travel on trains is low, and the quality of trains is excellent.

11 trains depart here daily from Bangkok Railway Station. Travel time by train is from 8 to 12 hours, depending on the type of train. The fare is from 600 (seats) to 1500 (beds) baht. Read more about trains of Thailand here

After you get to the railway station in Surat Thani, you will need to take a bus to the bus station in the city center, and then take a bus to Phuket (3-5 hours on the way). Also, right at the railway station in Surat Thani, a tourist transfer to Phuket is offered, which is much easier and faster.

Bus and ferry schedules to Phuket