How to use Phuket Smart Bus?
Update: The Phuket Smart Bus rate is now 100 baht for any destination and you can pay cash on the bus (or use QR code)
The Phuket Smart Bus is a very comfortable and affordable way to go from beach to beach for a very reasonable price. It’s the first and only bus line in Phuket that connects all the west coast beaches and the airport, providing a useful public transport service that Phuket was badly lacking before.
The Phuket Smart Bus is the newest of the local Phuket bus services available. The other two bus services are the blue bus (songthaew) service and the Phuket Pink buses, both of which are based in Phuket Town (more info here: https://www.phuket101.net/phuket-blue-bus). All are cheap and slow, but if you are visiting Phuket with a small budget and if time is not an issue, you can save quite a bit by taking advantage of these bus options.
Phuket Smart Bus
The Phuket Smart Bus, the most interesting one for you, will take you from beach to beach, from Phuket airport to Rawai beach, and return for a low fare of 100 baht. The bus goes from Phuket International Airport to Rawai beach and stops at 15 stations along the way, almost every beach on the west coast: Bangtao Beach, Surin Beach, Kamala, Patong Beach, Karon and Kata Beach, and finally, Rawai: Bangtao Beach, Surin Beach, Kamala, Patong Beach, Karon and Kata Beach and finally Rawai.
Phuket Smart Bus has also added two more routes, giving Phuket visitors and locals more affordable transport options. Route 2 travels between bus terminal 1 in Phuket Town and Patong Beach, with a fare of 50 baht. The Dragon Line is a free bus service that goes around the Phuket Old Town area.
Phuket Smart Bus – Route Information
Route 1:
Runs along the west coast from Phuket airport to the southern end of the island with stops at Phuket Airport, Cherng Talay, Surin Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Promthep Cape, and Rawai Beach.
The list and map below list all the stops of the bus, but to give you a couple of essential hints:
- Phuket Airport: The bus stop is located at the Domestic Terminal. Go out through Gate No. 3 and walk straight; you will see Amazon Cafe; the bus is on the opposite side.
- Bangtao: at Boat Avenue (we recommend waiting at Boat Avenue and waving at the bus because in Cassia but can only enter in the morning. In the evening, the traffic jam is too heavy, and bus cannot go in)
- Patong: on the way FROM the airport, the bus stops at Jungceylon shopping mall. On the way TO the airport, it stops on the beach at the start of Bangla Road.
- Kamala: at BIG C and Phuket Fantasea
- Karon: at the famous Karon Circle and Karon Old Stadium
- Kata: Kata Night Plaza behind Club Med
Route 2:
Connects the Phuket bus terminal to Patong Beach with stops at Phuket Bus Terminal 1, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Chillva Market, Lotus’s Samkong shopping mall (bypass road), Andamanda Phuket Waterpark, Kathu Fresh Market, Makro Patong, Malin Plaza, and Patong Beach.
Dragon Line (Phuket Old Town):
PKCD Parking Lot, Queen Sirikit Park, Old Town intersection, Government Savings Bank, Royal Phuket City, Pearl Hotel, McDonald’s (at old Robinsons Mall), Ko-Ang Seafood Restaurant, Municipal Parking Lot (Daeng Plaza), Krungsri Bank, Suriyadet Circle (Fresh Market), Phuket Thai Hua Museum, Mongkhonnimit Temple, Limelight Avenue mall. Car parking is available at PKCD parking lot, Luang Phor Road, or the Municipal parking lot.
Phuket Smart Bus Timetable
Route 1 Phuket Airport to Rawai: Buses depart from the airport every hour from 8:15 am to 11:30 pm and operate every day, no holidays.
Route 2 Bus Terminal 1 to Patong: Operates daily every hour from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Dragon Line Phuket Old Town: Open for service every day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, with buses departing every 15 minutes.
Phuket Smart Bus – Fares and Payment Options
For the Airport to Rawai Phuket Smart Bus route, the rate is now fixed at 100 baht for any destination. You can pay cash on the bus, use a QR code or buy a refillable Smart Card onboard to pay the fare. Refill is available in designated shops or restaurants around the island.
The fare for Route 2 between the bus terminal 1 in Phuket Town and Patong is 50 baht.
NOTE: the bus is free for kids under seven years old! Please show a passport and inform the staff at the airport or the driver. The Dragon Line bus around Phuket Old Town is FREE for all passengers.
For those staying in Phuket a little longer and wanting a more budget-friendly way to get around, Phuket Smart Bus also offers day passes and multi-day, weekly and monthly bus passes.
Day Pass fares:
Route 1 (Airport – Patong – Rawai)
- 1 day pass 299 baht
- 3 day pass 499 baht
- 7 day pass 799 baht
- 10 day pass 1,000 baht
- 30 day pass 1,990 baht
These day passes can be used for both Route 1 and Route 2.
- Route 2 (Phuket Bus Terminal 1 – Patong)
- 1 day pass 159 baht
- 3 day pass 299 baht
- 7 day pass 499 baht
- 10 day pass 699 baht
- Student 30 day pass 790 baht
- 30 day pass 1,590 baht
These day passes may only be used for Route 2.
Phuket Smart Bus – Onboard Facilities
Phuket Smart Buses are air-conditioned with comfortable seating and have the following amenities onboard:
- Free WiFi
- USB charging ports at every seat
- CCTV security cameras
- Smart card payments via Phuket Rabbit Card
- Wheelchair accessibility
- GPS trackers for each bus
Phuket Bus Service offers a good alternative for travelling around Phuket, which is much cheaper than local taxis. If you need transport to the airport or are looking to have a lazy day of beach-hopping, the smart bus makes it easy and affordable. Though it’s not the quickest way to get around the island, the Phuket Smart Bus offers a comfortable journey that is well worth the cost of only 100 baht ($3) – less than a Starbucks coffee!
More Practical Info about Phuket
FAQs about Phuket Smart Bus
Q. How much does the Smart Bus cost?
a. The ride costs 50 baht for the shortest distance and 170 baht for the longest ride.
Q. Where do I find the Smart Bus at the airport?
a. The Smart Bus is parked on the left side of the domestic terminal when exiting.
Q. How often does the bus run?
a. The Smart Bus starts once an hour at the airport, on average, depending on the traffic.
Q. How do I pay for the bus?
a. Buy a refillable Smart Card onboard to pay the fare.