Phuket

Basic Information
Dive Sites
Golf, Places of Interest
Transportation

More on Thailand

Facts and Figures
The Country
People
Chronicle
Religion
Art and Culture
Social Life
Media
Education
Sports
Health
Finance
Shopping
Holidays
Cuisine
Accommodation
Travelling to and within Thailand
Visa Formalities
Permanent residence
Doing business in Thailand
Bangkok
Pattaya & Jomtien
East Coast
Central Thailand
Hua Hin
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Mae Hong Son
Northeast Thailand
South Thailand
Phuket
Krabi
Ko Samui

Phuket / Transportation

Bangkok - Phuket

Thai Airways has ten to twelve daily direct flights from Bangkok to Phuket, making it the most flown route. Almost all departures are around noon and in the afternoon (tourists don’t like to travel in the early mornings). While departure times might change every 6 months, the changes are likely to be minimal while the frequency is basically maintained. Flight time is around 1:15hr. The price of a one-way ticket is 2000 Baht.

There is no rail service to Phuket. The nearest major railway stations are at Surat Thani (6 hours northeast by road, 25 minutes by air) and Hat Yai (8 hours southeast by road, 20 minutes by air).

Buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal on Pinklao - Nakhon Chaisi Road (in Thonburi); 891km, 165 Baht, 7:30, 9:50, 15:05, 17:00, 18:45, 20:30, 22:30; aircon 299 Baht, 18:45, 18:50; VIP 379 Baht, 17:30, 18:00

Phuket - Bangkok

Thai Airways has eleven to thirteen daily non-stop flights from Phuket to Bangkok. Departures are in about equal intervals between 8:00 and 20:00. Flight time is around 1:15hr. The price of a one-way ticket is 2000 Baht.

Provincial Flights

Phuket - Chiang Mai

Thai Airways has a non-stop flights from Phuket to Chiang Mai four times a week. Departures are in the early afternoon. While departure times might change every 6 months, the changes are likely to be minimal while the frequency is basically maintained. Flight time is around 2:05hrs.

Chiang Mai - Phuket

Thai Airways has a direct non-stop flight four times a week from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Departure is around noon. Flight time is around 2hrs.

Phuket - Hat Yai

Thai Airways has one to two daily non-stop flights from Phuket to Hat Yai. Departures are in the early and in the late afternoon. Flight time is around 45min.

Hat Yai - Phuket

Thai Airways has two daily direct flights from Hat Yai to Phuket. Departures are in the early morning and the afternoon (different hours on different days). Flight time non-stop is around 40min.

Phuket - Ko Samui

Bangkok Airways has two flights daily from Phuket to Ko Samui. Departures are in the late morning and the mid-afternoon. Flight time is 40min.

Ko Samui - Phuket

Bangkok Airways has two flights daily from Ko Samui to Phuket. Departures are in the morning and the early afternoon. Flight time is 40min.

Phuket - Nakhon Si Thammarat

Thai Airways has a direct flight from Phuket to Nakhon Si Thammarat three times a week. There always is a stop-over at Surat Thani. Departures are in the early morning. Flight time is around 1:40hr.

Nakhon Si Thammarat - Phuket

Thai Airways has a direct flight from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Phuket three times a week. Departures are around noon. There is always a stop-over at Surat Thani. Flight time is around 1:40hr.

Phuket - Surat Thani

Thai Airways has one daily non-stop flight from Phuket to Surat Thani. Departures are in the early and in the late morning (different on different days). Flight time is around 35min.

Surat Thani - Phuket

Thai Airways has a daily non-stop flight from Surat Thani to Phuket. Departures are around noon. Flight time is around 35min.

Phuket - Trang

Thai Airways has a non-stop flight from Phuket to Trang twice a week. Departures are in the mid-morning. Flight time is around 40min.

Trang - Phuket

Thai Airways has a non-stop flight from Trang to Phuket twice a week. Departures are in the mid-morning. Flight time is around 40min.

International Flights

Phuket has international connections with Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Transportation within the town of Phuket

Tuk tuks cost 7 Baht per person per trip anywhere within town.

Transportation to/from Beaches

Buses to the beaches leave the town of Phuket from the market on Ranong Road every 30 minutes between 8:00 and 18:00. Buses to Laem Ka, Rawai and Nai Harn leave from the circle on Bangkok Road at similar intervals.

Fares: Laem Ka, Rawai 10 Baht; Kata, Karon 12 Baht; Nai Harn 20 Baht; Ao Makhatu 10 Baht; Patong, Surin, 12 Baht; Kamala 15 Baht; Ko Siray 8 Baht; Sarasin, Nai Yang 20 Baht; Wat Chalong 12 Baht; Ao Pho 7 Baht.

First-class hotels within town offer complimentary transport to their own beach clubs.

Tuk-tuks may also be hired to go from the town of Phuket to any of the beaches. Fares must be negotiated before each trip.

Airport Connection

Local buses leave from the Ranong Road market between 9:00 and 11:00. The fare is 15 Baht.

Limousines leave the Thai Airways International Office opposite the Ranong Road market according to flight schedules. The fare is 50 Baht per person.

Car Rental

Avis

Le Meridien Hotel, Karon Beach

Tel 32-1480 to 5

Holiday Inn Phuket, Patong Beach

Tel 32-1020 to 1

Phuket Cabana, Patong Beach

Tel 32-1138 to 40

Dusit Laguna Hotel, Bangtao Beach

Tel 31-1320 to 9

Phuket Island Resort, Laem Ka Beach

Tel 21-5950 to 5

Phuket Arcadia Hotel, Karon Beach

Tel 21-4812 to 6

Club Med, Kata Beach, Tel 21-4830 to 1

Airport, Tel 31-1358

Hertz

Patong Merlin Hotel, Patong Beach

Tel 32-1070 to 4

Thara Patong Hotel, Patong Beach

Tel 32-1520

Pearl Village, Nai Yang Beach

Tel 31-1376 to 83

Airport, Tel 31-1162

Pure Car Rent

Opposite Thavorn Hotel, Rasada Road

Tel 21-1002

Phuket Car Center

Takuapa Rd, Tel 21-2671 to 3

Five Kings Car Rent (Phuket)

Opposite Phuket Airport, Tel 31-1463

Phuket Horizon Car Rent

108/1 Rasada Rd, Tel 21-1151, 21-5200

Jeeps can be rented on Rasada Road and most beaches. Rates are some 700-1000 Baht per day excluding gasoline.

Motorcycles can be rented at the same places. Rates are between 150 and 250 Baht per day excluding gasoline.

Boats

Boats can be rented at Chalong Bay and Rawai Beach. Approximate prices:

Big boat for 24 to 50 persons to:

Phi Phi Islands, 3000 Baht/day

Mai Thon Island, 1500 Baht/day

Racha Island, 2000 Baht/day

Similan Island, 5000 Baht/day

Hae Island, 1000 Baht/day

Fishing, 2500 Baht/day

Phang Nga, 4500 Baht/day

Cruise around the island, 5000 Baht/day

Long-tailed boat for 10 persons to:

Mai Thon Island, 800 Baht/day

Hae Island, 500 Baht/day

Cruise around the island, 900 Baht/day

Racha Island, 1000 Baht/day

Fishing, 900 Baht/day

Boats can also be rented through:

Phuket Center Tour

27 Rasada Rd

Tel 21-2892, 21-3218, 21-5728

Sun and Sand Tour

Pearl Hotel, Montri Rd

Tel 21-1044 Ext 429

Yacht Charter Company

64/8 Rasada Rd, Tel 21-6556, 21-4639

Phuket Divers

7/70 Phunphon Rd, Tel 21-5738, 21-4649

Boat to Phi Phi Islands:

Phuket Horizon Tour

108/1 Rasada Rd, Tel 21-1151

Silver Queen

Phuket Merlin, Tel 21-4056, 21-1348

Tours

Several companies arrange local tours, beach trips, visits to pearl farms, island cruises and scuba-diving trips.

Travel Agencies

Phuket Travel & Tour

78 Ranong Road, Tel 21-5783

Phuket Island Tour

73/1 Rasada Road, Tel 21-1421

Sun and Sand Tour

Pearl Hotel, Tel 21-1044 Ext 429

Phuket Center Tour

27 Rasada Road, Tel 21-2892

Phuket Horizon Tour

108/1 Rasada Road, Tel 21-1151

Loan Island Tour

69 Phang Nga Road, Tel 21-2526, 21-3476

(Operate tours to Phi Phi Islands)