Exploring Phuket Island: Your Guide to Getting Around
Phuket is Thailand's largest island that offers an abundance of natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and vibrant nightlife. Navigating the island can be both an adventure and a challenge, given its size and diverse terrain. The most popular mode of transport within the towns and beach areas is renting a motorbike or scooter which provides flexibility to explore at your own pace. Ensure you have a valid driver’s license from your country (and International license) with motorbike category so as to comply with traffic law and travel insurance.
For those who prefer not to drive, tuk-tuks and taxis are plentiful. Negotiating fares upfront is key to avoiding surprises, as meters are often not used.
If you're planning to explore multiple areas or stay for an extended period, consider hiring a private car with a driver or using ride-hailing apps like Grab, which are convenient and reliable.
Public transport options such as Songthaews (converted pickup trucks) and public bus services are an economical way to travel between major towns like Patong, Phuket Town, and Kata Beach, though they may not cover remote spots.
For water travel, longtail boats and ferries connect the island to nearby destinations like the Phi Phi Islands and Krabi. Ultimately, the best way to get around Phuket depends on your budget, comfort level, and sense of adventure, making it easy to tailor your experience to your preferences.
See below for all the major transport hubs as a starting point when you arrive in Phuket Island.
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Address: 222 Tambon Mai Khao, Amphoe Thalang, Phuket.
Directions: Phuket Island at 33 kilometres from the centre of Phuket Town.
Phuket Islands International Airport located at the northern end of Phuket Island. You will need to take transport to Phuket Town located in the south of the island, or other towns and beaches on Phuket island.
If you are going to any of the many islands off Phuket then you will need a ferry/boat transfer. See the Phuket Island map with the offshore popular local islands for details.
Various transport options are available in the airport include public bus services, public taxi (metered fare), private limo, shared mini-van or book a private mini-van. See details below.
Terminal 1 International flights and Terminal 2 Domestic flights. Both are located in the same building complex.
Phuket International Airport Map
Phuket Terminal 2 Bus Station (North)
Address: Thepkasatri Road, Phuket Town.Directions: Songthaew to Thepkasatri Road near the Supercheap market.
Newer station located in north area of Phuket Town with long distance services to northern areas throughout Thailand.
Phuket Bus Station 2 Map
Phuket Terminal 1 Bus Station (South)
Address: PhangNga Road, Phuket Town.
Directions: Songtheaw to PhangNga Road, at the southern end of Thepkasatri Road where Phuket Road begins.
Old station located in south area of Phuket Town with services to International airport and southern areas.
Phuket Bus Station 1 Map
Phuket Airport Orange Shuttle Bus to Phuket Old Town (all stops)
Address: Just outside the domestic terminal exit. Phuket Domestic Airport Terminal .
Timetables: Orange Bus Timetables .
Bookings: Tickets available on the bus, payable with cash (Thai Baht).
The government Orange busses route 8441 service the central towns of Phuket Island with bus stops at Phuket Int'l, Airport Family Mart (The slate), Thalang (Wat Phra Nang Sang), Heroines Monument, Boat Lagoon, By Pass Highway (Krungsri Bank) / The Base Uptown, Central / Big C, Surakul Sport Stadium, Sino Inn (On Mae Luan Rd.), Phuket Merlin Hotel, Sino House, The Old Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (South). This is a large bus, low cost regular public transport service.
Phuket Airport Blue/White Smart Bus to Rawai Beach (all stops)
Address: Domestic Airport terminal exit 3.
Route Map: Smart Bus Route (English)
Timetables: Smart Bus Timetables (English)
Bookings: Tickets available on the bus, payable with cash (Thai Baht).
Phuket Smart Bus is the Public Transport in Phuket that operates a fix route bus running from Phuket International Airport to Rawai Beach and bus stops between for various tourist beaches and towns on the west side of Phuket Island.
Stops are from Phuket Airport to Thalang , Cherngtalay , Laguna , Surin , Kamala , Patong , Karon , Kata , Phromthep cape and Rawai. See the links above for exact bus stop locations. This is a large bus, low cost regular public transport service.
Stops are from Phuket Airport to Thalang , Cherngtalay , Laguna , Surin , Kamala , Patong , Karon , Kata , Phromthep cape and Rawai. See the links above for exact bus stop locations. This is a large bus, low cost regular public transport service.
Phuket Airport Taxi and Mini Van hire
Address: Phuket Airport terminal
Route Map: Destinations bookings desk.
Bookings: At counter on arrival, or to ensure availability, pre-book at Phuket Airport to Phuket Town Transfer . All other popular destinations available to be pre-booked.
Taxis and shared mini vans can be booked on arrival to most of the popular desitinations on Phuket Island.
Booking counters are thoughout the airport terminal.
Private limos and mini vans can be hired at much higher rates.
Booking counters are thoughout the airport terminal.
Private limos and mini vans can be hired at much higher rates.
Grab Ride-hailing Service
Address: Phuket Domestic Airport designated area outside the terminal.
Website: For information on the Phuket Airport Grab service .
Bookings: Online via the Grab App. Download the Grab App from their Grab website which also has all the information you need.
Grab is a ride-hailing service in South-east Asia where you can just grab or book a ride in private cars, regular taxis, SUV's and luxury vehicles, at a fixed price except for taxis.
You will find the designated Grab pickup and dropoff location at the corner of the Phuket domestic airport terminal.
You will find the designated Grab pickup and dropoff location at the corner of the Phuket domestic airport terminal.
Phuket Island Pier Terminals
Rassada Harbour and Pier Terminal
Services to Phi Phi Island, Krabi, Koh Lanta.
Rassada Pier is a harbour on the east coast of Phuket Town.
Rassada Pier is a harbour on the east coast of Phuket Town.
Rassada Harbour Map
Laem Hin Pier
Services to Rang Yai, Rang Noi, Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island).
You can ride the longtail boats from this pier.
Map
Phuket Boat Lagoon
Services to Phang Nga, Phi Phi Islands and Similans.
Phuket Boat Lagoon is also where you will often board speedboats and private tours and is located near Royal Phuket Marina.
Phuket Boat Lagoon is also where you will often board speedboats and private tours and is located near Royal Phuket Marina.
Phuket Boat Lagoon Map
Royal Phuket Marina
Services to Phang Nga, Phi Phi Islands and Similans.
Located on the east coast of Phuket Island.
Located on the east coast of Phuket Island.
Royal Phuket Marina Map
Ao Por Pier
Services to Phi Phi Islands, Ko Lanta, Ko Lipe, Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao Yai, Railay Bay.
Located on the north east coast.
Ao Por Pier Map
Bang Rong Pier
Services to Koh Yao Islands and Koh Naka.
Located on the north east coast.
Located on the north east coast.
Bang Rong Pier Map
Chalong Pier
Services to Coral Island, Koh Lone, Koh Bon, Maiton Island and Racha Island.
Chalong Pier is the main pier of Phuket Island.
Chalong Pier is the main pier of Phuket Island.
Chalong Pier Map
