Buses from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town
For those arriving in Phuket by air, the cheapest way to get from the airport to your hotel is by taking an airport bus. Costing only 100 baht (a few dollars), the Phuket airport bus options are inexpensive, but they are not very quick or convenient.
Aside from the Phuket Smart Bus (more info here: https://www.phuket101.net/how-to-ride-phuket-bus), two bus services operate from Phuket International Airport: the government-run Phuket Airport Bus (http://www.airportbusphuket.com), which runs between Phuket airport and Phuket Town, and a private bus service called Phuket Bus Express (www.instagram.com/phuketbusexpress), which connects Phuket airport to Patong and Kata beaches.
If you booked your accommodation on any beach, there are better ways to get an airport transfer to your hotel.
1. Phuket Smart Bus
The Phuket Smart Bus is a very comfortable and affordable way to go from beach to beach for a very reasonable price. It is doing pretty well on the islands, and visitors love it.
There are several ways to use the many Phuket local bus services. 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.
2. Phuket Airport Bus – from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town
Phuket Airport Bus is easy to identify with its bright orange colour. However, despite its low price, chances are you will not find it very convenient. The bus only goes from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town’s old bus terminal, which is far from any of the beaches where most visitors stay. It might save you a bit of money if you booked a hotel in Phuket Town; keep in mind that you might still need a short tuk-tuk ride from the bus terminal to your hotel. If you have booked your accommodation on any beach, there are better ways to get an airport transfer to your hotel.
► Phuket Airport Bus Price
The ride costs only 100 baht and lasts 1.30 hours as the bus stops at eight stations along the way. You can purchase the ticket on board.
► Phuket Airport Bus Schedule
The Airport bus departs every hour from 6 am to 7 pm from the Phuket old bus terminal (not far from Royal Phuket City Hotel). From the airport, the bus departs every hour from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm.
► Phuket Airport Bus Stop at Domestic Airport
The bus is a little challenging to locate at the airport. It’s hiding at the very end of the domestic terminal, which can represent quite a walk if you arrive from the international terminal. Just turn left when you come out of the airport terminal and walk to the left as far as you can. This bus was probably created for locals flying frequently between Phuket and Bangkok, not so much for tourists. On the positive side, if you find the Orange Airport Bus stop, you will also see the Phuket Smart Bus stop that goes from the airport to all the main beaches of the West Coast at a low price.
► Phuket Airport Bus Route Map
3. Phuket Bus Express – from Phuket Airport to Patong and Kata
Phuket Bus Express is a small white air-conditioned bus that stops in front of Exit 2 at the Phuket airport domestic terminal. The bus makes 16 stops between Phuket airport and its final destination at Kata Beach. It’s also handy for anyone wanting to do some shopping in Phuket, as Phuket Bus Express stops at several shopping centres along the way, including HomePro Thalang, Robinson Lifestyle Thalang, Premium Outlet on the bypass road, Lotus Bypass shopping centre, and Jungceylon mall in Patong. It also stops at the two popular attractions, Siam Niramit Theatre and Andamanda Water Park.
Phuket Bus Express fare is 100 baht, and it operates from 8.45 am to 9.45 pm daily. Bus tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting them on IG, Facebook, or LINE.
► Phuket Bus Express Route Map
Phuket Airport Bus Location Map
Airport Bus Terminal in Phuket Town
More Practical Info about Phuket
