Southern Thailand Transportation

Thanks to Phuket’s enormous size and lack of an extensive public transportation system, getting around is expensive. By far, the cheapest, most convenient way to explore the island is by motorbike. However, it is also the most dangerous and is the cause of regular casualties.

• Flights: Phuket International Airport, 28km to the north of Phuket Town on Rte. 4026. Bangkok Airways, 158/2-3 Yao Warat Rd. (☎076 225 033; open daily 8am-5pm) and Thai Airways, 78/1 Ranong Rd. (☎076 360 444; open daily 8am-5pm), across from the local beach songthaew station, run domestic and international flights. To: Bangkok (1hr., approx. every hr. 7:25am-9:30pm, 1800฿); Ko Samui (50min.; daily 9:20am, 6:05pm; 1300฿); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1hr., twice daily, 2500฿). Singapore Airlines flies to Singapore (3hr., daily 9am, 1900฿).
• Buses: Phuket Bus Terminal (☎076 211 480), off Phang-Nga Rd., in eastern Phuket Town, behind a shopping plaza. TAT office has a good free bus schedule. A/C and non-A/C buses to: Bangkok (10-14hr., 21 per day 6am-7:30pm, 560-1120฿); Hat Yai (7hr., 5:30am-9:45pm, 307-613฿); Khao Sok National Park via Takua Pa (2-3hr., 8:50am-6:10pm, 60-90฿); Krabi (4hr., 5 per day 10:50am-3:50pm, 81-113฿); Phang-Nga (2½hr., 5 per day 10:10am-4:30pm, 44-66฿); Surat Thani (4½hr., 5 per day 7am-3:30pm, 220฿); Trang (5hr., 5:15am-8pm, 200-257฿). Minibuses to Surat Thani (4hr., every hr. 8am-4pm, 250฿) leave from Suthat Rd., just north of its intersection with Phang-Nga Rd., across the street from Montri Hotel.
• Boats: Boats to Ko Phi Phi Don (8:30am, 1:30, 2:30pm; 500-600฿), depart from Ratsada Rd. on the eastern side of Phuket Town, about 3km from the city center. Tickets are cheapest in Phuket Town, where they are the same price as tickets purchased at the pier, but also include free transportation from your hotel to the pier.
• Local Transportation: Local bus and songthaew station, on Ranong Rd., in Phuket Town, next to the market. Labeled songthaew leave every 30min. to: Hat Kamala (6am-6pm, 30฿); Hat Karon (7:30am-6pm, 25฿); Hat Kata (7:30am-6pm, 30฿); Hat Patong (7:30am-6pm, 25฿); Hat Rawai (6:35am-5:30pm, 30฿); Hat Surin (7am-5pm, 30฿). Return to Phuket Town between 6am and 4pm from each of the beaches, at the same price as the outgoing songthaew rides. Tuk-tuks and non-metered taxis that can be booked through a travel agent cruise between the beaches and the airport and are both about the same price. Tuk-tuks from Phuket Town to: Hat Kamala (360฿); Hat Kata (240฿); Hat Nai Yang (430฿); Hat Patong (210฿); Hat Rawai (230฿); Hat Surin (340฿). Note that these prices are the prices listed at TAT; the prices offered by the tuk-tuk drivers themselves will likely be double these prices. Trying to bargain them down will require serious persistence. Metered taxis (1st 2km 50฿; 8฿ per additional km) from the airport to any destination on the island. ( Phuket Town 650฿.) To find a metered taxi, take a right out of the airport and pass through the hordes of shouting drivers, to the blue and yellow taxis. Motorcycle taxis are harder to find but are much cheaper, starting at around 40฿ from 1 beach on the island to another; they also will require some bargaining.
• Rentals: Motorbikes (100-300฿ per day) and jeeps (1000-1400฿ per day) available all over the island. Like most everything else, vehicle rentals are cheapest in Phuket Town. Most vehicles are uninsured, and accident rates for farang are alarmingly high. Also note that these rentals do not include the cost of gasoline. Helmets, provided by most rental shops, are required for all motorcycle drivers in Phuket, a rule strictly enforced in the most touristed areas. Cops sometimes run stings to ensure that all farang drivers possess a valid International Driver’s Permit (see Essentials).