Getting Phuket and Away
By Air
This is perhaps the easiest way to get to Phuket. Domestic airlines operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Phuket. Some flights go to Phuket via Samui Island with a 40-minute stopover. List of operators are as follows :
Air Asia also offers several daily flights connecting Bangkok and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Visit www.airasia.com or call 02 5159999 for reservations.
Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya and Samui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 66 2265 5678. Reservations can be made at tel. 66 2265 5555. Alternatively, browse www.bangkokair.com for more flight details.
Nok Air has several daily flights between Bangkok and Phuket with a flight time of 1.20 hours. Visit www.nokair.com or call 1318 to make your reservation.
One-to-Go by Orient Thai operates a daily flight between Bangkok and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Call 1126 or visit www.onetwo-go.com for more information.
Phuket Air offers daily flights to Phuket and the journey takes only 1.20 hours. Call 02 6798999 or visit www.phuketairlines.com for more details on flights.
Thai Airways International has numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Phuket route. In addition, they have regular flights connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat Provinces. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 02 628 2000 or book your seat online at www.thaiairways.com
Getting to Phuket from Abroad
There are several direct flights between Phuket and international destinations, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, and Sydney.
Phuket International Airport receives direct flights from countries all over the world as well as connecting flights from Bangkok bringing more than 3 million visitors a year to this emerald isle.
Scheduled direct flights include :
- China Airline - Taipei, Khaoshung
- Condor Air - SHJ
- Dragon Air - Hong Kong
- Lauda Air - Vienna
- LTU - Munich
- Malaysia Airlines - Kuala Lumpur
- Martin Air - Amsterdam
- Silk Air - Singapore
- Tiger Air - singapore
- Thai Airways - Perth, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore, Frankfort and Seoul
- Angel Air - Bangkok, Singapore, Chiang Mai
- Bangkok Airways - Koh Samui, Pattaya
Charter flights include :
- BalAir - Zurich
- Britannia Airways - Manchester
- Britannia Scandinavia - Scandinavia
- FinnAir - Helsinki
- Martin Air - Amsterdam
- NovAir - Sweden
- PremiAir - Sweden
- UNI Airways - Khaoshung and Taipei
Transportation to and from the airport :
Phuket International Airport is located approximately 30 kilometers north of the city, tel. 076 327230. Taxis between Phuket City and the airport costs approximately 400 baht but the fare to the beach ranges between 500 baht and 600 baht. Minivans charge approximately 100 baht /person to town, but 120 baht/person to Patong, Kata and Karon Beaches. Phuket Limousine (tel. 076 248596), located approximately 1 kilometer west of the city, operates hourly shuttles to the airport from 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
By Bus
Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips by air-conditioned bus, which normally leaves in the evening, take about 13 hours. Call 0 2434 7192, 0 2435 1199 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road) through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 12 hours.
By Rail
There is no direct train service to Phuket. Travelers arriving by train must get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani Province and continue by regular bus to Phuket. For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, or 0 2223 7020.
By Ferry
During the high season, travelers may opt to get to Phuket from Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta (both are in Krabi Province). Few ports in Phuket provide this service with fares ranging between 300 baht and 500baht. The trip may take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions.
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