Living & visas
Getting to Phuket and around the island
Phuket is one of Thailand's most accessible resorts: direct flights come from many cities, and from Bangkok it is under an hour and a half. On the island distances look short, but hills and traffic mean it pays to plan your journeys. Here is how to get there and how best to get around.
In short
- Phuket airport HKT runs 24 hours. In 2025 it handled about 17.5 million passengers; a new terminal is planned for around the 2030s.
- From the airport the Smart Bus runs to Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai for 100 ฿; there are also taxis, Grab and Bolt.
- On the island your own transport helps: a scooter from a few thousand baht a month, a car from 15,000 ฿ in season.
Phuket airport
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) is in the north of the island by Mai Khao beach and runs 24 hours.
- Two terminals, international and domestic, are connected and walkable.
- Capacity: in 2025 the airport handled about 17.5 million passengers against a design capacity of 12.5 million. A new international terminal is planned, expected around the 2030s.
Direct flights from Russia
The winter 2026/27 schedule runs from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. This winter AZUR air flies to Phuket from 18 Russian cities, including Moscow (Vnukovo). Other airlines' and tour operators' flights change from season to season, so check current schedules on carriers' websites. Charter baggage allowances are often limited.
From Bangkok
- By air: about 1 hour 25 minutes in flight, from both Bangkok airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Booked early, tickets can be inexpensive.
- By bus: overnight buses from Bangkok terminals take 12 – 14 hours.
From the airport
- Smart Bus (operator's website, October 2026): airport, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, 100 ฿ one way for any distance. Pay by contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PromptPay QR or cash. Passes from 299 ฿ for a day to 1,990 ฿ for 30 days.
- The orange bus to Phuket Town costs about 100 ฿.
- Official taxi counter: per a September 2025 review, about 800 ฿ to Patong and about 1,000 ฿ to Kata and Karon. Touts at the exit usually ask more.
- Grab and Bolt: there is a pick-up zone at the airport, and the app shows the price upfront.
- Minibus: cheaper than a taxi but waits until it fills up.
Getting around the island
Phuket is about 50 km north to south, its areas separated by hills, and public transport mostly runs on the main routes. So most residents use their own transport.
- Ride-hailing: Grab, Bolt and others. Residents say rides cost noticeably more than in Pattaya.
- Tuk-tuks: a beach-to-beach ride usually costs a few hundred baht; agree the price first.
- Scooter rental: per 2025–2026 reviews, from 3,000 – 4,500 ฿ a month for a Honda Click-type scooter, about 250 ฿ a day.
- Car rental: from 15,000 ฿ a month in season; SUVs and pickups cost more.
Traffic
- Rush hours around 9:00 and 17:00.
- Bottlenecks: the Kathu–Patong pass, the Chalong roundabout, Highway 402 in the centre and the road by Boat Avenue in Bang Tao.
- The coastal road between Patong and Kamala can be busy in the evening in season.
Allow extra time for airport runs, especially from the south.
New roads
- The Kathu–Patong tunnel, about 16.8 billion ฿: construction is planned from October 2027, opening in October 2031.
- The Phuket expressway: phase one targeted for around 2031.
- A tram on the airport–Chalong line is under discussion, with electric buses planned first. There is no government decision on the tram yet.
Summary
Getting to Phuket is easy, and on the island your own transport or ride-hailing works best. When choosing where to live, factor in the drive to the airport, school and work, see Phuket areas.
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FAQ
How do I get to Phuket from Russia?
By direct flights: in winter 2026/27 AZUR air flies to Phuket from 18 Russian cities. You can also fly via Bangkok, about 1 hour 25 minutes from there.
How do I get from Phuket airport to Patong?
By Smart Bus for 100 ฿, by taxi from the official counter (about 800 ฿ per a 2025 review) or via Grab and Bolt.
Is Phuket airport open at night?
Yes, Phuket airport runs 24 hours.
Do I need my own transport in Phuket?
It helps: areas are separated by hills, and public transport mostly runs on the main routes. Many rent a scooter or car.
Sources
- Phuket Smart Bus: routes, fares and passes
- CAAT: Phuket airport slots, summer 2026
- Khaosod English: Phuket expressway and tunnel, opening targeted for 2031, 16.09.2026
- Pattaya Mail: Phuket airport terminal expansion
- VnExpress: Phuket cracks down on tourist scooter riders, 02.2026
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
