Getting to Phuket

Travel to Phuket 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 Phuket Air, Nok Air and Air Asia, ticket prices are now very low. There is also the national carrier Thai Airways, which is usually more expensive but you pay for the 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)

Travel to Phuket 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 between 400 - 550 Baht. These have 32-seats and have small seats which 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 750 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.

Travel to Phuket 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. (See road safety).

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.

Travel to Phuket 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

Information : http://www.phuket.net