Phuket Transportation

Getting to Phuket

Phuket is certainly on the internation jet set map and has become one of Asia’s most visited destinations. Its international airport receives flights from many Asian cities and selected European airports. The island is also connected to the mainland by a causeway and is easily reachable by bus or car. The rail network, however, passes through Surat Thani province 100kms north and a transfer is needed.


Approaching Phuket by air you get a magnificent view of Pha Nga Bay

The most convenient gateway to Phuket is the International Airport, located at the Northern end of the island. It receives more than three million passengers a year and is fairly well equipped although a little small to cope with its growing popularity. Flights arrive from Bangkok (17 a day), Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne and as far away as London.

The airport is a 40 minute drive from Phuket Town, Patong or Kata, but Bang Tao and Kamala beaches are a little closer. The officially sanctioned airport limo service available outside the arrival area will undoubtedly rip you off and conventional taxis can be caught from the far side of the car park (5 minute walk), where a 100 baht levy is charged and the meter used if you insist on them turning it on.


by Air

Getting to Phuket by air couldn't be easier. Phuket is served by an international airport with a number of scheduled and charter flights from Europe and around Asia.

However, the majority of visitors still fly to Bangkok first, where there are over a dozen domestic flights to Phuket daily. With the growth in budget airlines such as Nok Air, Air Asia and Orient Thai (One2Go), ticket prices are now very low. There is also the national carrier Thai Airways, which is slightly more expensive but offers a higher level of service.

Flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Book your tickets early, especially during the high season from November to April.


Phuket International Airport

Phuket International Airport is situated at the northern end of the island about 45 mins drive from Phuket City. Tel: +66 (0)76-327-230 (information counter is extension 1111 or 1122).

Airport Transfer

On arrival, you can organize taxis, car rentals or minibuses from the arrival hall. There is an Airport Information Counter located on the first floor should you need any assistance.

Many hotels provide limousines (read modern saloon) to transfer guests who have reservations to their premises. You can make a hotel reservation at the airport.

There is also a limousine service that will take you anywhere you want. A trip to Patong should cost around 600 Baht, while Phuket City is about 400 Baht.

The same company operates a minibus service*. A trip to Patong costs around 150 Baht per person. The minibus takes a bit longer as you have to drop other passengers off along the way.

Alternatively, if you walk out into the car park, you can catch a meter taxi from the taxi stand. There is a 100 Baht surcharge for taxis from the airport, but they should still work out cheaper than the limousines.

* There have been an increasing number of reports of minibus drivers stopping at tour companies on the way to encourage passengers to book rooms, for which they receive a commission. Often they claim that all the hotels are full and you must book with them to get a room for the night. This is a scam. You should say that you have already booked a room, even if you haven't. This way they won't try and hassle you. If you experience this, please report it to the Tourist Police (tel: 076 225 361, 076 254 693).

Thai Airways International operates flights to Phuket daily. The travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes. Contact TG office in Bangkok - (02) 2800060, 6282000 - for flight schedule and reservation.

There are further domestic connections with Surat Thani and Hat Yai. Phuket also enjoys international connections with Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. Reservations may be made in Bangkok (Tel: 280-0060 and 628-2000), and in Phuket (Tel: 211-195, 212-946, 212-499 and 216-755) for both domestic and international flights.

Bangkok Airways (Phuket: (076) 225-033-4, Bangkok: 229-3434, 229-3456, 535-2429, 535-3756) offers direct flights linking Phuket with Koh Samui, the principal island in the Thai Gulf.

Orient Thai Airlines ( Phuket: (076) 232-302-3, 327-270-1, Bangkok: 267-3210-5, 535-2021-2) offers direct flights linking Phuket with Bangkok.

Thai Airways International

P B Air

Phuket Air

Silk Air

Air Andaman

Bangkok Airways

by Bus

Travelling to Phuket by bus from Bangkok takes about 14 hours. You can catch one from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), in Thonburi. (Charan Sanitwong rd, Bangkok, tel: 02 435 1200, 02 435 1199). Bus timetables can also be found at the Thailand Travel Company website: http://www.transport.co.th/Eng/SOUTH1.htm

Types of Buses

Not all buses are the same. A couple hundred baht more will buy you a lot more comfort. The standard air-conditioned buses cost around 700 Baht. These have 32 seats which are a little small seats and don't recline much.

For a more comfortable journey take the VIP buses which have much bigger seats and more legroom. These have 24 seats and cost about 1,050 Baht per person.

Long-distance buses will stop at a designated restaurant about half-way into the journey, where you can have a simple meal or buy snacks to take with you. If you are on a VIP bus, the price of the meal is included in the ticket.

There are also private coach and minibus services available from travel agents or some hotel tour desks. Be wary of booking private buses from agencies on Khao Sarn road. The service on such buses can be unbelievably bad.

Bus Terminal

The bus terminal in Phuket is located on Phang Nga road in Phuket City, down a side road opposite the Royal Phuket City Hotel. As well as regular buses to Bangkok there are services to other destinations in the South such as Hat Yai, Krabi, Surat Thani and Trang.

From Phuket Bus Terminal you can catch a tuk tuk or local bus to anywhere on the island.

A Word Of Warning

Thieves operate on long-distance buses so keep on eye on your valuables. Don't put anything valuable in the luggage compartment of the bus. You may find that its not there when you arrive. There have also been reports of thieves befriending tourist and offering them snacks which contain drugs to make them fall asleep, then robbing them while they doze.


by Car

Phuket is about 867km (539 miles) from Bangkok, with a travelling time of approximately 10 hours. There are many car rental companies in Bangkok, both international firms such as Avis and Budget, as well as local companies.

Driving in Thailand is quite pleasant outside of town and cities. Motorways are in good condition and mostly well sign-posted in Thai and English. Driving standards are poor but better than many other developing nations.

Route

Take Highway 4 from Bangkok, passing through Nakhorn Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuapkhirikan, Chumphon, Ranong and Phang Nga. The highway between Ranong and Phang Nga is quite scenic with forest-covered mountains on one side and the Andaman sea on the other

If you are renting from a local company, make sure that full insurance cover is included. To be covered by insurance, you will need an international or Thai driving licence.


by Train

Trains do not run to Phuket, which is unfortunate as train travel in Thailand is both a cheap and comfortable way to travel. However, you can take a train from Hualamphong in Bangkok to Phun Phin near Surat Thani, where you can catch a coach to Phuket. The train to Surat Thani is about 12 hours while the coach is another 5-6 hours.

There are about 14 coaches per day between Surat Thani and Phuket in both directions. Coaches begin running at 05:00, then leave at regular intervals until 15:30. Your train should arrive in the morning so you should not have any problems catching a coach.

Granted, this is a round about way of travelling to Phuket, but if you can't afford or can't get a flight, trains are an excellent alternative. Long distance trains usually travel at night, so you can sleep most of the way. And you can actually sleep quite comfortably, as opposed to buses where only a contortionist could get comfortable.

Trains have three different classes:

First-class
This consists of a lockable private air-conditioned 2-berth compartment with
washbasin. First-class is not available on all trains.

Second-class
This is further divided into fan sleeper and air-con sleeper carriages. Go for air-con as fan sleepers can be quite hot, even at night. The open windows also means that they are noisier than the air-con sleepers.

Third-class
This has hard bench seats, and is not recommended for long journeys, unless you like being uncomfortable.

All trains have a catering car where you can purchase hot meals at reasonable prices.

Travelling by train in Thailand is generally very safe, although you should not leave your valuables unattended.

For train schedules contact the State Railway of Thailand. Tel: 02 220 4334. Advance tickets are available at all main stations or the Bangkok Advance Booking Office. Tel: 02 225 0300 ext. 5200-3 or go to http://www.railway.co.th/httpEng


by Sea

The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the many different ships that stop at Phuket


Getting Around Town

Songthaew

These are small pickups fitted with benches along the side of the bed. They operate like buses, picking up and dropping off passengers as they go along, except that they have no fixed route. You need to flag one down and find out if where you want to go is on his way before boarding in the back. These have almost disappeared from Phuket since the tsunami, to be replaced by small four-wheeled tuk-tuks.

Tuk Tuk

A whole new fleet of bright red four-wheeled micro-vans has appeared on the streets of Phuket since the tsunami. Unfortunately, these are the most expensive tuk-tuks in Thailand. A 10 minute trip from Patong to Karon will set you back at least $5. As with tuk-tuks elsewhere in Thailand, you must neotiate the price before getting in.

Taxi

Metered taxis were recently introduced to Phuket. However, they are mostly only available at the airport. There are no other locations around Phuket where you can readily find cabs, although you can call them. Note that many hotels will often deny that there are taxis on Phuket. The meter starts at 200 Baht (US$5) and goes up according to time and distance.

In addition to the metered taxis, you'll also readily find unlicensed cabs waiting around the main tourist areas. They will often charge about the same rate you can negotiate with the tuk-tuks, but have air conditioning. However, keep in mind that these are unlicensed, and therefore uncontrolled, so there is some risk to using them.

Motorcycle

You can rent morotcylces from several places around town, and they make a great way to get around town, if you're able to ride. Note that helmets are required.

Car

There are a number of car rental agencies around town, including some of the international chains such as Budget, Avis and National. Driving in Phuket is not as difficult as Bangkok, but you'd still be well advised to rent a care with driver.

Samlor

The samlor (three wheels) is still one of the favourite local forms of transport in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Although a little slower than their motorised cousins the samlor is capable of negotiating the narrow lanes and soi's of these cities. Rides start at 10 baht and increase according to distance. Other uses include carrying shopping, courier and delivery of goods. Local school children often have their favourite "private" driver.