Phuket have very limited public transport. The airport is located in the North of Phuket Island, 40 km from Patong. The ride in a minibus or taxi is approximately 45-60 min. depending on traffic.
Public bus
- Pink busses going from Jungceylon and Beach road to Phuket Town (across the island). The busses stop at numerous stops on the way, including Central Festival shopping mall and a BigC hypermarket in Phuket Town. The go a few times per hour and cost very little (20-40 baht).
- Airport smart bus. This leaves from Beach road near Bangla road and goes along the cost all the way to the airport (and return). It takes 90 minutes and costs 120 baht. There are one bus every few hours.
Private transport
Given the few viable public options, the good news is there is plenty of private options.
Always negotiate the price before the trip
Typical rates from Patong to
- Patong: 200-300 baht, no matter duration. Night time +100 baht
- Karon: 400 baht
- Kata: 5-600 baht
- Chalong: 6-700 baht
- Rawai: 700 baht
- Phuket Town: 500 baht
- Kamala: 500 baht
- Airport: 800-900 baht (but we do not recommend taking a tuk tuk that far)
Tuk Tuks
Tuk tuks are Thai traditional taxis. They are open vans with room for 4-6 persons, typically red. The do not have a meter.
Inside Patong any trip, no matter the duration is normally 200 baht. At night time some drivers ask 300 baht or more. Many drivers want 300 baht for the trip back to our house… Because ”it is uphill”.
Negotiate the price BEFORE the trip
Taxis
Taxis are either taximeter or GREEN LICENSE PLATE cars. All are airconditioned. Only taximeter taxis have a meter. But it is not certain the driver want to use it.
Price should be similar to Tuk Tuks. Negotiate the price BEFORE the trip.
You can order online via the apps InDrive (cheap), BOLT (reasonable) or GRAB (expensive, but still cheaper than hailing a taxi on the street or in the airport). Find the app in your appstore. The good thing is you see the price immidiately, and can choose to pay cash, or by credit card.
Minibus
Minibuses must have YELLOW license plate to be legal. They do not have a meter.
Price is a bit higher (100-200 baht) than tuk tuk and taxis. They have more seats and more room for luggage. Typically 10-12 seats for passengers.
Negotiate the price BEFORE the trip