Phuket lies in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of southern Thailand. Although it is an island, you can also reach Phuket from the rest of Thailand by bus or car. This is because the northern part of the island is connected to the mainland by a road bridge.

The quickest way is by plane; buses are a practical option from Khao Lak or Surat Thani; and you can take a boat from the Phi Phi Islands, Ko Lanta, Ko Yao or the Krabi region.

Which mode of transport to Phuket makes the most sense?

Mode of transport	Best use	Where you’re travelling to	Where to buy tickets
By plane	International, Bangkok, Chiang Mai	Phuket Airport HKT	Skyscanner
Bus / minivan	Bangkok, parts of Krabi, Khao Lak, Surat Thani	Phuket Town	12go.asia
Ferry / speedboat	Krabi, Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Yao, Railay	Rassada or Bang Rong	12go.asia
Train and bus	Journey from Bangkok by night train	Change at Surat Thani	12go.asia
Car	Tour of southern Thailand	Anywhere on the island	Booking.com

If you’re combining buses, minivans and ferries whilst travelling around Thailand, you’ll find the widest selection of connections all in one place via 12Go.

Search for connections to Phuket

Flying to Phuket

The fastest way to get there is via Phuket International Airport (HKT), which is situated in the northern part of the island.

There are frequent flights, particularly to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

There are flights between Phuket and Bangkok several times an hour, serving both Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK ) and Don Mueang (DMK).

Direct flights to Phuket also operate from India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, Europe and the Gulf states.

We recommend comparing prices across all airlines via Skyscanner first. From the search engine, click through directly to the airline’s website, rather than to an unknown ticket seller.

Compare flights to Phuket

You can find information on travelling from the terminal to Patong, Phuket Town or other resorts in the separate section ‘Transport from Phuket Airport’.

From Thailand and South Asia

Thanks to its extensive network of routes, Phuket is a popular stopover when travelling across South Asia. Flights to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore are very cheap, and if booked 2–3 months in advance, one-way tickets cost around 30 usd.

Even just before departure, you can often buy flights for under 100 usd.

You can usually buy one-way flights to India or Indonesia from 120 usd.

• The cheapest flights from Thailand and Malaysia – airasia.com

From Europe, the Gulf

Direct long-haul flights to Phuket, with no stopovers, are available from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul and Frankfurt.

It is via the Gulf states that you can travel conveniently and comfortably, with just one stopover, to virtually all major European airports.

Flights to Phuket from Europe are most commonly booked on the websites of the following airlines:

• Emirates.com
• Qatarairways.com
• Etihad.com

In addition, there are direct charter flights to Phuket operated by travel agencies, particularly from Scandinavia, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic.

From Australia

Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne or Perth to Phuket are operated by Jetstar.

The most frequent connecting flights are available, mainly with a stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Generally, the cheapest flights with a stopover can be found on airasia.com.

From East Asia and the Americas

There are also a large number of direct flights from Phuket to China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, operated by many different airlines.

Flight tickets are usually most expensive between December and March.

It is via East Asia – particularly via Taipei, Tokyo or Seoul – that you can also find the quickest connections to the US or Canada.

Special-offer flights to Phuket

Ferries

Regular ferries and speedboats connect Phuket mainly with the islands of Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Yao and the Krabi area.

There are mainly two ports used in Phuket. However, they are not interchangeable, so always check exactly where your boat is sailing to before booking.

• Rassada Pier in Phuket Town (location on google.com/maps)
  • the main port for Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Railay, Ao Nang and Krabi
  • transport mainly by taxi, Bolt or Grab
• Bang Rong Pier in the north-east of Phuket (location at google.com/maps)
  • the most convenient pier for Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai
  • it is also used by some speedboats heading to Railay, Ao Nang or Krabi
  • Blue songthaews run from the centre of Phuket Town approximately once every two hours, but Bolt or Grab are more convenient
  • The journey takes 60 minutes and costs 50 thb

Where can I buy ferry tickets?

Tickets can be bought before departure at the ticket counters in the harbour. However, during the peak season, the most convenient times may be sold out.

The best way to compare timetables from different ferry companies is via 12go.asia. The results show standard ferries, high-speed boats and combined tickets including hotel transfers.

Before paying, please check:

• the exact port in Phuket
• whether a hotel transfer is included
• the permitted amount of luggage
• whether it is a standard ferry or a speedboat

You do not need to print your ticket. Simply show your confirmation on your mobile at the operator’s counter, where you will be given your boarding pass before boarding. Please arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.

Search for ferries to Phuket: 12go.asia

Prices and routes for ferries to Phuket

Where can you travel to without having to change ferries? Here are some examples of the most common routes.

Ao Nang, Railay, Krabi

You’ll most often use the ferries from the popular province of Krabi, where you’ll find beautiful beaches and cliffs.

Ferries operate on several routes. Some companies include a land transfer by minibus or smaller boats to other destinations in the price of the ferry ticket. You can always buy tickets online at12go.asiaor at the ticket office at the ferry terminal.

From	Phuket Harbour	Price	Journey time	Frequency
Railay / Nopparat Thara near Ao Nang	Rassada Pier	from 700 thb	2.5 hours	2–3 times a day
Railay / Nopparat Thara near Ao Nang	Bang Rong Pier	from 1 100 thb	1.5 hours	2–3 times a day
Krabi Town, Chao Fah Pier	Bang Rong Pier	1 100 thb	2 hours	Once a day

Phi Phi

You can use public ferries when travelling from Phi Phi to Phuket, as well as for multi-day trips between Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi.

Most services arrive at Rassada Harbour, which offers more departures and usually lower fares.

From	Phuket harbour	Price	Journey time	Frequency
Phi Phi, Ton Sai Pier	Rassada Pier	from 500 thb	1 hour	4–5 times a day
Phi Phi, Ton Sai Pier	Bang Rong Pier	from 1 000 thb	1.5 hours	1–2 times a day, seasonal

When searching for tickets, please note the difference between Ton Sai Pier on the main island of Phi Phi Don and Laem Tong Pier near the hotel resorts in the north of the island.

Ko Yao

For journeys from the islands of Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai, Bang Rong Pier in the north-east of Phuket is the most convenient option.

It is a short and very busy route, mainly served by speedboats and smaller local boats.

From	Phuket Pier	Price	Journey time	Frequency
Ko Yao Noi, Manoh or Laem Sai Pier	Bang Rong Pier	from 400 thb	30 minutes	several times a day
Ko Yao Yai, Chong Lard Pier	Bang Rong Pier	from 400 thb	30 minutes	several times a day

Some luxury resorts on the islands of Ko Yao Yai or Ko Yao Noi operate their own boat transfers. These tend to be more expensive, but they’ll take you directly between the hotel and Phuket.

Resorts with their own transport

Don’t want to have to sort out a taxi to the harbour, a public speedboat and further transport around the island after arriving in Phuket? Selected resorts will arrange the entire transfer, and their boat will take you straight to your hotel.

• Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa ***** They offer the best value for money and convenience. Their own speedboat sails from Ao Po Grand Marina directly to the hotel jetty, and the journey takes just 20 minutes.
• Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas ***** They can arrange a transfer from Phuket Airport by car and then by speedboat directly to the hotel’s private jetty.
• Six Senses Yao Noi ***** This is the most comfortable, but also the most expensive option. The resort arranges a private transfer by car from the airport, followed by a boat ride all the way to the hotel.

Lanta Island

Direct boats from Ko Lanta depart from Saladan Harbour in the north of the island.

Most services head for Rassada Pier. Boats to Bang Rong Pier are less frequent and usually only run during the high season.

From	Phuket Harbour	Price	Journey time	Frequency
Ko Lanta, Saladan Pier	Rassada Pier	from 750 thb	2 hours	4 times a day
Ko Lanta, Saladan Pier	Bang Rong Pier	from 1 500 thb	3.5 hours	Once a day, seasonal

For journeys from Ko Lanta, Rassada Pier is generally a better option, as more boats sail there, the journey is shorter and tickets are cheaper.

Compare ferries and speedboats to Phuket

Buses

As Phuket is connected to the mainland by a motorway bridge, you can reach the island directly via a very frequent bus service from many destinations throughout Thailand.

All long-distance buses run only to Phuket Town, from where the best way to reach the resorts on the west coast is via the Bolt or Grab mobile apps, or by blue pick-up trucks adapted for passenger transport. You can find more information about travelling around the island in the Transport section.

Buses stop at two different bus stations.

• Bus Terminal 1 in the city centre (exact location at google.com/maps)
  • Nearby destinations such as Phang Nga, Krabi, Hat Yai, Ranong, Si Thammarat and others
• Bus Terminal 2 in the north of the city (exact location at google.com/maps)
  • Long-distance destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and others

Where can I buy tickets?

You can buy bus tickets online on websites that compare all available bus operators.

Generally, the most reliable and widely used website for buying bus tickets is12go.asia. However, we always recommend checking busonlineticket.co.th as well, as other bus routes may also be listed there. A small card fee is charged when paying online.

Tickets can also be purchased on the spot at the ticket offices at the bus station.

If you’re travelling on regional routes or to Bangkok – where there are many buses running daily – you can usually get a ticket just before departure without any major issues.

However, if you are short on time and need to catch a specific service, we recommend booking your ticket online or buying it at the ticket office at least 1–2 hours before departure.

Prices and routes for buses to Phuket

Where can you get to by bus without changing? Here are some examples of the most common routes.

Destinations	Fare	Journey time	Frequency	Bus station
Bangkok	from 790 thb	13:00	12–14 times a day	Bus Terminal 2
Krabi	300 thb	3 hours	1–2 times per hour	Bus Terminal 1
Surat Thani	from 330 thb	4.5 to 6 hours	Once an hour	Bus Terminal 1 or 2
Hat Yai	from 460 thb	7.5 hours	Once an hour	Bus Terminal 1 or 2
Khao Lak	from 260 thb	2 hours	5–10 times a day	Bus Terminal 2
Phang Nga	200 thb	1.5 hours	Twice an hour	Bus Terminal 1
Trang	430 thb	5 hours	5 times a day	Bus Terminal 2
Ranong	275 thb	6 hours	Twice a day	Bus Terminal 2
Chiang Mai	2 200 thb	25 hours	1–2 times a day	Bus Terminal 2

All buses and minibuses are always air-conditioned and in good condition.

Whilst the minivans operating on shorter routes have rather limited space inside, the large long-distance coaches, on the other hand, are very comfortable and offer plenty of room.