Wondering how to get to Phuket from Bangkok? You have several options: by plane, bus, or a train-bus combination. Here’s a guide on the different ways to reach Phuket from Bangkok.

Flying from Bangkok to Phuket

With direct flights lasting an average of 1 hour and 25 minutes, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Bangkok to Phuket, although it’s also the most expensive option. It’s often preferred by travelers with limited time.

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

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with airlines such as Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, and Vietjet Air.
• Don Muang International Airport (DMK) with low-cost airlines like Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, and Nok Air.

The airlines at Don Muang are budget carriers that offer the lowest fares for flights to Phuket. However, they typically don’t include checked luggage in the ticket price, so extra fees may apply for checked baggage.

Ticket prices range from about €20 and can go over €200, depending on the airline, options, and travel date. For the best rates, booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak season (December to April).

Getting to Phuket City from Phuket Airport
Phuket Airport is located in the northeast of the island, 30 km from Phuket City. To reach Phuket Town, the beaches, and the main sights, you can take:

• Airport Bus: Departs every hour and stops at multiple points, including Indigo Pearl Hotel, Baan Saku, Pranangsang Temple, Heroines Monument, Boat Lagoon, Erawadee Bypass, Central/Big C/Lotus, and Surakun Stadium. The trip to Phuket Town takes around 1.5 hours.
• Phuket Smart Bus: Unlike the airport bus, the Smart Bus serves the island's west coast beaches, including stops at Phuket Airport, Thalang Public Health Office, Boat Avenue Cherngtalay, Tesco Lotus Cherngtalay, Surin Beach, Phuket Fantasea, Big C Kamala, Bangla Police Box, Karon Circle, Kata, Sai Yuan, and Rawai Beach.

If your hotel isn’t accessible from these bus stops, taxis or shared minivans are available at the airport.

Traveling from Bangkok to Phuket by Bus

The bus is one of the most budget-friendly ways to reach Phuket from Bangkok, with tickets averaging €19 to €30 depending on the bus type.

Most buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) or Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit) in Bangkok. Popular bus companies include Transport Co., Travel Plus, Phuket Travel, Lignite Tour, Andaman Sea Tour and Transport, TransBaanTon, and Sombat Tour.

The journey takes around 12 hours (although some buses take up to 17 hours depending on the route and traffic). Since it’s a long journey, a night bus can save you time and money on accommodation.

In Phuket, buses drop passengers at either the Phuket Bus Terminal or Thalang. From there, you can take a taxi or a shared minivan to reach Phuket City (about a 10-minute drive from the bus station or 30 minutes from Thalang) or to your accommodation.

Note:
Though economical, the bus isn’t always the cheapest way to reach Phuket. During low season, airfares can sometimes match bus prices. However, buses remain a cost-effective option during peak season, when flight prices are higher. It’s also a more eco-friendly and immersive travel experience.

Traveling from Bangkok to Phuket by Train and Bus

There’s no direct train route to Phuket, but train enthusiasts can still make the journey in two steps:

• Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani: Several trains from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok travel to Surat Thani Station. The journey takes between 8 and 12 hours, depending on the train. Overnight trains, such as Train No. 85 or No. 167, allow you to arrive in Surat Thani in the morning and catch a connecting bus to reach Phuket by midday.
• Bus from Surat Thani to Phuket: From Surat Thani Station, buses to Phuket take about 4 to 5 hours.

In total, expect to pay around €30 for the train-bus combination from Bangkok to Phuket.

Good to Know:
Combined train-bus tickets can be purchased through travel operators like 12Go. Otherwise, you can buy train and bus tickets separately. Train tickets can be booked on the official State Railway of Thailand website or at the station, while bus tickets are available from bus companies or at Surat Thani Station.

Florine Dergelet