25 Sept. 2024

Wondering how to reach Phuket from Bangkok? You have several options: by plane, bus, or a combination of train and bus. Here's everything you need to know about the different ways to travel 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 travel to Phuket from Bangkok. It's also the most expensive option. However, due to the journey's brevity, it remains the preferred choice for travelers with limited time.

To fly to Phuket from Bangkok, you have two options:

• Depart from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with one of these airlines: Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, and Vietjet Air.
• Depart from Don Muang International Airport (DMK) with one of these airlines: Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, or Nok Air.

For your information, airlines serving Don Muang Airport are budget carriers offering the lowest fares to Phuket. Note, however, that checked baggage is not always included in ticket prices—you'll need to pay additional fees to check luggage.

Airfare typically starts around 20 euros and can reach over 200 euros depending on the airline, options, and travel date. To secure the best prices, we recommend booking well in advance, especially during peak season (December to April).

How to Get from Phuket Airport to Downtown Phuket?

Phuket Airport is located 30 km northeast of the island, away from Phuket town center. To reach Phuket town, the beaches, and major attractions, you can take:

• The airport bus: departing hourly, it 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 - Phuket Old Bus Terminal. Expect about 1.5 hours from the airport to downtown Phuket.
• The Phuket Smart Bus: unlike the airport bus, the Phuket Smart Bus serves the western part of the island where Phuket's best beaches are located. It serves these 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.

Note that if your hotel isn't accessible from these bus stops, you can always catch a taxi or shared minivan outside the airport terminal.

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 bus type.

Buses typically depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit or Mo Chit Bus Terminal). Popular bus companies include: Transport Co, Travel Plus, Phuket Travel, Lignite Tour, Andaman Sea Tour and Transport, TransBaanTon, Sombat Tour, and others.

The journey takes an average of 12 hours, though some buses take up to 17 hours depending on the route and traffic conditions. Given the length of the journey, we recommend choosing a night bus to save time and the cost of a hotel night.

In Phuket, buses drop passengers at Phuket Bus Terminal or in Thalang. From there, you can take a taxi or shared minivan to downtown (about 10 minutes from the terminal or 30 minutes from Thalang) or directly to your accommodation.

Worth Noting:

While economical, the bus isn't always the cheapest option to reach Phuket. In fact, airfare can sometimes match bus prices during low season. That said, the bus is a more affordable alternative during peak season when flight prices surge. In any case, it remains a more eco-friendly and authentic travel option.

Reaching Phuket from Bangkok by Train and Bus

Phuket has no railway station. However, if you're a train enthusiast, know that it's still possible to reach Phuket from Bangkok by rail. The journey involves two stages:

• Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani: Several trains depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station to reach Surat Thani Station. Expect 8 to 12 hours of travel depending on the train. You can take an overnight train (such as No. 85 or No. 167) that arrives in the early morning, allowing you to catch a connecting bus and arrive in Phuket around lunchtime.
• Bus from Surat Thani to Phuket: Once at Surat Thani Station, take a bus to Phuket. The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.

In total, expect around 30 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. Alternatively, you can buy train and bus tickets separately. In this case, book your train tickets through the State Railway of Thailand's official website or at the station, and your bus tickets from bus companies or at Surat Thani Station.

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by a desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. For her, travel isn't about ticking countries off a map—it's about forging bonds (often invisible yet always powerful) with places, peoples, and creatures across the animal kingdom. Her motto? Advise travelers with integrity, raise awareness about animal welfare and cultural respect, and promote humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most treasured memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shade of a winding trail, during a quiet conversation, or in the gentle whisper of a world we finally take time to truly listen to…