Phuket International Airport (HKT) is in the north of the island, 45 minutes to an hour and a half from the main beaches depending on traffic. Flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour 25 minutes and leave throughout the day from both airports. Outside arrivals you will find a public bus to the Old Town, shared minibuses, metered taxis and ride-hailing cars; the Smart Bus runs down the west coast as far as Rawai.
By land, buses from Bangkok’s Southern Terminal take around 12–14 hours. There is no railway to Phuket; the usual rail option is an overnight train to Surat Thani and a bus from there. Rassada Pier, near Phuket Town, is the departure point for ferries to Koh Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta.
Routes at a glance
| From | Best route | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Direct flight to HKT | About 1 h 25 min | Fares vary widely by date |
| Phuket Airport → beaches | Smart Bus, shared minibus or taxi | 45–90 minutes | Around 100–200 THB by bus; 600–1,000 THB by taxi |
| Krabi | Bus or minivan via Phang Nga; ferry in season | 2–3 hours | Around 150–400 THB by road |
| Koh Phi Phi | Ferry or speedboat to Rassada Pier | 1–2 hours | Around 400–900 THB |
| Khao Sok | Bus or minivan via Khao Lak | About 3–3.5 hours | Around 300–450 THB |
| Koh Samui | Flight, or bus and ferry via Surat Thani | 1 hour by air; 6–8 hours overland | Varies |
Getting around Phuket & Phang Nga Bay
Phuket is large, hilly and short of public transport, and taxis and tuk-tuks cost more here than anywhere else in Thailand. Ride-hailing apps help; blue songthaew buses link the Old Town with each beach during the day but not the beaches with each other. Renting a scooter is common and accounts for many of the island’s injuries: ride only with a valid motorcycle licence, a helmet and insurance that covers you. Tours with hotel transfers are often the simplest way to get around.
