Phuket is an island in southern Thailand and lies on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. As it lies only 400 metres from the mainland, a highway bridge leads to the island.
How to get to Phuket by plane and where do the regular flights leave from? Do long-distance buses or ferries also run to Phuket and where is the best place to buy tickets?
By air
In the northern part of the island you will use the large Phuket HKT International Airport with very frequent flights to Bangkok and other Thai destinations, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
All of these routes are flown several times a day.
However, Phuket is also served by many flights from India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea and regular long-haul flights from Europe, Dubai and Qatar.
For example, compare the prices of all airlines at skyscanner.com. We recommend that you click through from this site directly to the airline's website and not to third-party sellers.
From Thailand and South Asia
Phuket is a popular stop when travelling across South Asia thanks to its extensive network of routes. Flights to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore are really cheap and with 2-3 months' notice, one-way trips cost around 30 usd.
Even just before departure you can often purchase tickets under 100 usd.
You can usually buy one way tickets to India or Indonesia from 120 usd.
- Cheapest flight tickets from Thailand, Malaysia - airasia.com
- Cheapest flights from India - indigo.com, airindia.com
From Europe, Arabia
Direct long-haul non-stop flights to Phuket from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul or Frankfurt.
It is via the Gulf countries that you can reach virtually all major European airports conveniently and comfortably with 1 change.
Tickets to Phuket from Europe are most often purchased on the websites of the following airlines:
In addition, there are charter direct flights to Phuket for travel agents, especially from Scandinavia, Italy, Germany or the Czech Republic.
From Australia
Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne or Perth head to Phuket via Jetstar.
The more frequent connecting flights can be purchased, especially with a connection in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
Generally, the cheapest connecting flights can be purchased at airasia.com.
From East Asia and America
Direct flights from Phuket also go to China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines in large numbers and with many airlines.
Flights are usually most expensive between December and March.
It is also via East Asia, especially via Taipei, Tokyo or Seoul, that you can purchase the fastest connections to the USA or Canada.
Special offer tickets to Phuket
Buses
As Phuket is connected to the mainland by a highway bridge, there are very frequent bus services directly to the island from many destinations throughout Thailand.
All long-distance buses run only to Phuket Town, from where the west coast resorts are best reached via the Bolt or Grab mobile apps, or by blue pick-ups modified for passenger transport. For more on getting around the island, see the Transport chapter.
Buses stop at two different bus stations.
- Bus Terminal 1 in the centre (exact location on google.com/maps)
- Nearby destinations such as Phang Nga, Krabi, Hat Yai, Ranong, Si Thammarat and more
- Bus Terminal 2 in the north of the city (exact location at google.com/maps)
- Long distance destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and others
Where to buy tickets?
You can buy bus tickets online on a website that compares all available bus carriers.
Generally the most reliable and most used website for buying bus tickets is 12go.asia. However, we always recommend that you compare with busonlineticket.co.th, where other bus routes may also be listed. A small card fee is added when paying online.
Tickets can also be bought locally at the ticket offices at the bus station.
If travelling on regional services or to Bangkok, where there are many buses a day, you can get a ticket just before departure without much worry.
However, if you have no time to spare and need to take a specific service, we recommend booking online or buying a ticket at the ticket office at least 1-2 minutes before departure.
Bus prices and routes to Phuket
Where can I get everywhere without changing buses? Here are examples of the most common connections.
| Destinations | Price | Travel time | Frequency | Bus station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | From 790 thb | 13 hours | 12-14x daily | Bus Terminal 2 |
| Krabi | 300 thb | 3 hours | 1-2x per hour | Bus Terminal 1 |
| Surat Thani | From 330 thb | 4.5 to 6 hours | 1x per hour | Bus Terminal 1 or 2 |
| Hat Yai | From 460 thb | 7.5 hours | 1x per hour | Bus Terminal 1 or 2 |
| Khao Lak | from 260 thb | 2 hours | 5-10x per day | Bus Terminal 2 |
| Phang Nga | 200 thb | 1.5 hours | 2x per hour | Bus Terminal 1 |
| Trang | 430 thb | 5 hours | 5x per day | Bus Terminal 2 |
| Ranong | 275 thb | 6 hours | 2x per day | Bus Terminal 2 |
| Chiang Mai | 2 200 thb | 25 hours | 1-2x per day | Bus Terminal 2 |
All buses or minivans are always air-conditioned and in good condition.
While the minivans running on shorter routes are quite short on space inside, the large coaches on the other hand are very comfortable with plenty of room.
Ferries
Phuket can also be reached by regular ferries. The boat service departs from two different piers.
Boats sail from both ports to similar destinations, only the shipping companies differ.
- Rassada Pier - in Phuket Town (location at google.com/maps)
- Transportation by taxi only (or via Bolt or Grab)
- Bang Rong Pier - in the northeast of the island (location at google.com/maps)
- Blue songthaews from Phuket Town centre run here (about once every 2 hours, journey time 60 minutes, price 50 thb)
Where to buy tickets?
Boat tickets can be bought locally before departure at the ticket offices, which are common to all the boat companies.
If you want to have your ticket bought in advance, use the 12go.asia portal. No need to print the ticket, just show it on your mobile phone when you check in at the ticket counter before boarding the ship.
Prices and boat routes to Phuket
How far can you go without changing boats? Here are examples of the most common connections.
Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi
Most often you will use ferries from the popular province of Krabi, where you will find beautiful beaches and reefs.
Boats sail on several routes. Some companies will also offer a land transfer by van or smaller boats to other destinations in the price of the boat ticket. You can always purchase everything online at 12go.asia or at the ticket office at the dock.
- Rassada Pier - Railay - Nopparat Thara Pier (option to transfer to Ao Nang, Krabi or Ko Lanta Island)
- Price - from 700 thb
- Cruise time - 2,5 hours
- Frequency - 2-3 times a day
- Bang Rong - Nopparat Thara - Railay
- Price - from 1 100 thb
- Cruise time - 1.5 hours
- Frequency - 2-3 times a day
- Bang Rong - Chao Fah (Krabi Town)
- Price - 1 100 thb
- Cruise time - 2 hours
- Frequency - 1x per day
Phi Phi
For day trips on your own or leisurely multi-day trips or a trip to Krabi with an interesting stop, public ferries to the extremely popular Phi Phi archipelago offer.
- Rassada Pier - Ton Sai Beach
- Price - from 500 thb
- Cruise time - 1 hour
- Frequency - 4-5 times a day
- Bang Rong - Ton Sai Beach
- Price - from 1 000 thb
- Cruise time - 1.5 hours
- Frequency - 1-2 times a day
Lanta Island
A direct boat service also runs between Phuket and Koh Lanta.
- Rassada Pier - Saladan Pier
- Price - from 750 thb
- Cruise time - 2 hours
- Frequency - 4 times a day
- Bang Rong - Saladan Pier
- Price - from 1 500 thb
- Cruise time - 3.5 hours
- Frequency - 1x per day