Best ways to get from Bangkok to Phuket
Having done the journey numerous times, we have a really good idea of how best to get from Bangkok to Phuket. Plus, we’ve got some great first-hand tips after spending a month on the island during our 8 months in Thailand.
The main ways to cover the 850-kilometer distance from Bangkok to Phuket’s Old Town are by direct flight, overnight bus, train and van combo, and self-driving. To get a better idea of which is best for your travel itinerary, read more about each mode of transport below.
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Fastest: fly from Bangkok to Phuket
The fastest way to reach Phuket from Bangkok is by flying into Phuket International Airport in just 1 hour and a half with one of the multiple daily direct flights.
In Thailand, our carrier of choice for domestic flights is AirAsia. We almost always fly with them, as they provide great value for money.
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It’s worth comparing the price of a flight from Bangkok to Phuket with the cost of a bus.
Even in the peak season, you can find one-way flight tickets with a checked bag costing about 55 USD.
Once you arrive at the Phuket airport, you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus to your accommodation in Phuket Old Town or any popular beach destinations like Kamala, Kata, and Surin Beach.
There is also a Private Airport Transfer to your hotel in Phuket that you can book online.
Departure locations
Flights to Phuket depart from both Bangkok airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). We prefer flying domestically from DMK because we usually stay closer to it. However, BKK is also a great option, as it’s easy to get to from most other popular spots in the capital.
| Flight Bangkok - Phuket $ 39.72–1,040.37 1h 25m – 1d 17h | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Phuket $ 42.39–73.82 1h 20m – 1h 35m | |
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Money-saving: overnight bus from Bangkok to Phuket
The best way to save money while traveling from Bangkok to Phuket is by night bus, which takes between 12 and 16 hours.
Keep in mind: most buses from Bangkok to Phuket start in the late afternoon or evening, so you will likely arrive in Phuket in the early morning. However, compared to buses going to Krabi, there are currently a few morning buses departing Bangkok for Phuket so that you can arrive there by bus between 8 and 9 PM.
Upon arrival in Phuket, you are usually dropped off at the Phuket Bus Terminal 2, about a 15-minute drive north of the Old Town. But you can also get off the bus at Thalang, which is closer to the northern areas of Phuket, such as Mai Khao, Bang Tao, and Nai Thon.
| Bus Bangkok - Phuket $ 22.87–35.70 12h – 20h 39m | |
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Departure locations
Buses to Phuket depart from different terminals in Bangkok, so it’s worth checking out all the options, depending on where you stay in the capital.
The most common departure point is the Southern Bus Terminal, while some companies also depart from Mochit, the northern station closer to Don Mueang Airport.
However, if you are staying near Khao San Road, there is also one bus departing from there, which is super convenient. Check all options here.
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More comfortable: overnight train from Bangkok to Phuket
Depending on your Thailand travel plans, taking the train from Bangkok for a big chunk of the journey to Phuket might be a great idea.
While you can’t get directly to Phuket, you can ride the train to Surat Thani and then take a bus for the last four to five hours. The great thing about taking the train first is that you can take the first leg of the journey on a sleeper train.
The journey by train from Bangkok to Phuket can also be somewhat faster than the bus. The train takes about 10 hours, and then the van takes four to five hours from the train station to Phuket.
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On the way to Phuket, you can visit the Gulf of Thailand islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao as the ferry leaves from nearby Surat Thani.
Most flexible: driving a car from Bangkok to Phuket
Another option is to book a car in Bangkok and drive to Phuket. While this might seem like a crazy way to get from Bangkok to Phuket as a tourist, it’s really not. Especially if your budget permits and you’re flexible with time or traveling as a family or group.
We’ve never done this personally, as we had limited time to get to Phuket every time we went. But we know many others who did and also stopped at other destinations, like Khao Sok National Park, along the way.
Before embarking on this journey, make sure to read our article “Driving in Thailand as a Tourist,” which details everything you need to know.
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Rent a car! Thailand is very easy to navigate by car, which allows you to explore at your own pace.
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Bangkok to Phuket Travel Tips
- Take a hoodie or long-sleeved shirt for bus and train journeys from Bangkok to Phuket. The air conditioning can be pretty strong.
- We always recommend to book your transport in advance, and we always do it ourselves. It’s essential, especially if you want a specific type of transport that gets booked out in the high season, like the sleeper trains or VIP buses.
- Always check flight prices, as sometimes paying just a tiny bit extra is worth saving 10 hours of travel.
- Bring some snacks onboard, as stops are limited and may not always have the best choice of things. However, the best transport companies give you a small snack and a bottle of water at the beginning of the journey. We love it when they do that!
- If you’re traveling first to the nearby Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai, make sure to book the Koh Yao transfer.
To book transport in Asia, we always use this platform, the top transport booking platform in the region for flights, trains, buses, and taxis. Their user-friendly platform makes booking a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
The night bus from Bangkok to Phuket is a great money-saving option for traveling to the south of Thailand without sacrificing comfort. We have done this journey before and can highly recommend it to other travelers.
You can take multiple quick one-and-a-half-hour direct flights from Bangkok to Phuket to get there as fast as possible.
Yes! There are currently at least two buses departing Bangkok for Phuket in the morning and arriving on the island between 8 and 9 PM. This is an excellent option if you don’t like traveling overnight.
Our thoughts on getting to Phuket from Bangkok
The bus journey from Bangkok to Phuket is the most popular way to cheaply get from the capital down to the southern destinations of Thailand.
We’ve made many overnight bus journeys in Thailand, and they’re an excellent option for traveling longer distances cheaply. Plus, the buses on this route (Bangkok to Phuket) are usually VIP-style, with much more comfortable seats than your standard bus, frequent stops, and correct travel times.
However, we still prefer flying since we can arrive in Phuket with minimal time spent in transport and get there right for check-in to enjoy the island faster!
Conclusion: If you are on a budget, the best way to travel from Bangkok to Phuket is by bus or train. But the flight is super convenient if you have just a tiny bit bigger budget!
Ready to book your transport? Check the prices and timings below.
| Flight Bangkok - Phuket $ 39.72–1,040.37 1h 25m – 1d 17h | |
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| Bus Bangkok - Phuket $ 22.87–35.70 12h – 20h 39m | |
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| Taxi Bangkok - Phuket $ 339.70–1,412.73 11h 40m – 12h | |
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| Flight Don Mueang Airport - Phuket $ 42.39–73.82 1h 20m – 1h 35m | |
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| Taxi Don Mueang Airport - Phuket $ 462.35–1,412.73 12h | |
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| Taxi Suvarnabhumi Airport - Phuket $ 462.35–5,739.74 12h – 12h 41m | |
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