Phuket International Airport (HKT) to Phuket
Most visitors take a taxi, Grab or pre-booked transfer straight to their beach, about 45–75 minutes. The cheaper airport buses run to Phuket Town and along the west-coast beaches.
The airport is at the far north of the island; most beach areas are 45–75 minutes away.
Best for most people: Taxi or Grab. Direct to your hotel door, fixed price before you leave, and the beaches are a long way from the airport.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taxi Official airport taxi counters and the public meter taxi stand in Arrivals | about 45–75 min | about 700–1,200 THB to Patong, Kata or Karon | 24 h | Meter taxis add an airport fee; confirm the total before setting off. | |
| ride-hailing Grab or Bolt from the signed pick-up area | about 45–75 min | about 600–1,000 THB to Patong | 24 h | Prices vary with demand. | |
| bus Phuket Smart Bus along the west-coast beaches (Patong, Kata, Karon, Rawai) | about 1.5–2 h | about every hour | about 100 THB | daytime, roughly 08:00–20:00 | Cheap but slow; check the schedule in Arrivals. |
| bus Airport bus to Phuket Town | about 1 h | about every hour | about 100 THB | daytime | Continue by local songthaew or taxi from town. |
| shared minivan Shared minivan counters in Arrivals to the main beaches | about 1–1.5 h with stops | leaves when full | about 150–250 THB per person | daytime and evening | May drop at a travel agent rather than your hotel. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- Patong is a long ride over a hill road; avoid evening rush hour if you can.
- Northern beaches like Mai Khao and Nai Yang are only 10–20 minutes from the airport.
- Agree on the drop-off at your hotel, not a nearby agency, when using shared minivans.
- Have some baht in cash for taxis and buses.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Phuket airport to Patong?
Expect about 700–1,200 THB from the official counters or meter taxi stand, including the airport fee, and around 45–75 minutes. Grab or Bolt are often a little cheaper. Confirm the total price before you leave, and make sure the driver takes you to your hotel rather than stopping at an agency.
Is there a bus from Phuket airport to the beaches?
Yes. The Phuket Smart Bus runs from the airport along the west coast to Patong, Kata, Karon and Rawai for about 100 THB, roughly every hour in the daytime. It is slow, around 1.5–2 hours to the southern beaches. There is also an airport bus to Phuket Town.
How long does it take to get from Phuket airport to my hotel?
Northern beaches such as Nai Yang take 10–20 minutes; Patong, Karon and Kata usually take 45–75 minutes by car; Rawai and the south can take over an hour. Traffic around Patong in the evening adds time. Buses and shared vans take considerably longer.
Does Grab work at Phuket airport?
Yes, Grab and Bolt both operate from Phuket airport with a designated pick-up area. Prices are shown before booking and can be paid by card in the app or in cash. Waits can be longer at busy times, in which case the official taxi counters are a reliable alternative.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.