How to Get to Phuket from Bangkok?
Wondering how to get to Phuket from Bangkok? Discover the different options available based on your budget, time, and travel preferences, whether by plane, bus, or train.
Wondering how to reach Phuket from Bangkok? Several options are available to you: by plane, by bus, or by combining train and bus travel. We'll tell you more about the different ways to get to Phuket from Bangkok.
Reaching Phuket from Bangkok by Plane
With direct flights averaging 1 hour and 25 minutes, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Phuket from Bangkok. It's also the most expensive option. However, due to the short journey time, it's often the preferred choice for travelers with limited time.
To fly to Phuket from Bangkok, you have two options:
Departing from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with one of the following airlines: Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, and Vietjet Air.
Departing from Don Muang International Airport (DMK) with one of the following airlines: Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, or Nok Air.
For your information, the airlines serving Don Muang Airport are budget carriers. They offer the lowest fares for flying to Phuket. However, note that these airlines don't always include checked baggage in the ticket price. You'll need to pay additional fees to check your luggage.
Flight ticket prices start at around twenty euros and can climb to over 200 euros depending on the airline, options, and travel date. To get the best prices, we recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season (December to April).
How to Reach Central Phuket from Phuket Airport?
Phuket Airport is located in the northeast of the island, 30 km from Phuket Town. To reach Phuket Town, the beaches, and Phuket's main attractions, you can take:
The airport bus: it departs every hour and serves the following stops: Indigo Pearl Hotel - Baan Saku - Pranangsang Temple - Heroines Monument - Boat Lagoon - Erawadee Bypass/Baan Teelanka/Outlet Mall - Central/Big C/Lotus/Surakun Stadium - Phantep Countdown - Old Phuket Bus Terminal. Count on 1.5 hours of travel from the airport to central Phuket.
The Phuket Smart Bus: unlike the airport bus, the Phuket Smart Bus serves the western part of the island where you'll find Phuket's most beautiful beaches. It serves the following stops: Phuket Airport - Thalang Public Health Office - Baan Khian - Boat Avenue Cherngtalay - Tesco Lotus Cherngtalay - Surin Beach - Phuket Fantasea - Big C Kamala - Bangla Police Box - Karon Circle - Kata - Sai Yuan - Rawai Beach.
Good to know
If your hotel isn't accessible from the bus stops, you can always take a taxi or shared minivan from the airport.
Reaching Phuket from Bangkok by Bus
The bus is one of the most economical ways to reach Phuket from Bangkok. Expect to pay between 19 and 30 euros on average depending on the type of bus.
Bus companies typically depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit or Mo Chit Bus Terminal). Among the most popular bus companies, you'll find: Transport Co, Travel Plus, Phuket Travel, Lignite Tour, Andaman Sea Tour and Transport, TransBaanTon, Sombat Tour...
The journey takes approximately 12 hours on average (though some buses can take up to 17 hours depending on the route and traffic). Since the trip is quite long, we recommend choosing a night bus, which saves you time and the cost of a hotel night.
In Phuket, buses drop passengers at the Phuket Bus Terminal or at Thalang. From there, you can take a taxi or shared minivan to the city center (about 10 minutes from the bus terminal or 30 minutes from Thalang) or to your accommodation.
Good to know
Although economical, the bus isn't always the cheapest option to reach Phuket. In fact, flight tickets can be at equivalent prices during low season. However, the bus is a budget-friendly alternative during peak season, when flight prices increase. In any case, it remains a more eco-friendly and authentic way to travel.
Reaching Phuket from Bangkok by Train and Bus
There is no railway station in Phuket. But if you're a rail travel enthusiast, know that it's still possible to reach Phuket from Bangkok by train. To do so, the journey is done in two stages:
Train journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani: several trains departing from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station allow you to reach Surat Thani Station. Count between 8 and 12 hours of travel depending on the train. You can take a night train (such as No. 85 or No. 167) that allows you to arrive in the morning and then take a connecting bus to arrive in Phuket by lunchtime.
Bus journey from Surat Thani to Phuket: once you arrive at Surat Thani Station, you can take a bus to Phuket. The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.
In total, expect to spend around thirty euros for the train-bus combination from Bangkok to Phuket.
Good to know
It's possible to purchase combined train-bus tickets through a travel operator like 12Go. Otherwise, you can buy train and bus tickets separately. In this case, you'll need to book your train tickets on the official State Railway of Thailand website or directly at the station, and your bus tickets with the companies or at Surat Thani Station.
Frequently asked questions
The bus is generally the most economical option (19-30€), but during low season, flights can be at equivalent prices. Always compare prices according to your dates.
By plane: 1 hour 25 minutes of flight. By bus: 12 hours on average. By train+bus: approximately 12-17 hours depending on connections.
DMK offers lower prices with budget carriers, but watch out for baggage fees. BKK offers more services but at higher prices.
