Looking at how to travel from Phuket airport to Patong?
Patong is a popular beach town resort in the Phuket region, popular with backpackers the region is famous for it’s incredible nightlife scene.
Personally, I like to refer to Patong as the Benidorm of Thailand. Anything goes here, it’s good, it’s bad and it’s often ugly. Nevertheless, it’s somewhere you should definitely try to experience (if for nothing else but to tick it off the list) during your trip to Phuket, even if it’s just for one night.
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How To Get From Phuket Airport To Patong
Phuket International Airport is one of the largest airports in Thailand and serves more than 16 million passengers each year. The airport is located 40km by road from Patong and takes around one hour to reach by car.
There are a number of ways to travel from Phuket Airport to Patong. In this post, we’ll look at each method so you can find the right one for your journey.
Taxi
Travelling by taxi is the most convenient way to get from Phuket Airport to Patong. However, it’s also the most expensive.
The taxi rank at Phuket airport is located outside the main exit doors at the arrivals terminals. Follow the signs which are located above your head.
Taxies are often lined up looking to take you to your destination, however, they’ll often be people coming up to you offering you transfers to Patong for a ‘good price’ – this good price is never good enough, and often the car is unlicenced to carry passengers.
Once you get to the front of the queue, tell the driver where you are going in Patong and specify that you’re looking for them to use a meter (the meter is regulated by the Phuket council and is, therefore, the best price you’ll get).
The cost of a taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong will be between 700 baht and 900 baht. This price includes the 100 baht airport fee.
Public Bus
There are a number of buses that run from Phuket Airport to Patong. Some run direct, while others stop in Phuket town (where you may or may not have to change to another bus to run from Phuket Town to Patong).
Airport Bus Express
Located outside the main passenger terminal (follow to the signs overhead), the airport bus express runs directly from the airport to Kata, Karon and Patong.
Buses run from 7.30am until 8pm and the journey takes around 2 hours but costs just 150 baht per person (or 200 baht if you’re travelling to Kata or Karon).
Airport Bus
An alternative to the Airport Bus Express is the Standard Airport Bus. This bus travels from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town every hour from 7.30am until 6.30pm and departs from outside the arrival hall (follow signs overhead). The journey costs 100 baht and takes around 1.5 hours.
Once at Phuket Old Town Bus Terminal you’ll need to change to a bus heading to Patong. Buses leave the terminal every hour between 7.00am and 9.30pm, take one hour and cost 50 baht per person.
Minibus companies are located on the ground floor of the arrivals terminal and offer a taxi / bus combo at a reasonable price.
Shared minibuses cost 200 baht per person between Phuket Airport and Patong. However, while you may go directly to the Patong region you’ll likely find your journey is extended by an hour as you wait for the minibus to fill with passengers and drop off other passengers at other hotels.
Pro Tip: You can also pre-book this transfer for 300 baht per person online in advance. Payment is taken by debit/credit card and takes out the hassle of organising a shared minibus transfer upon your arrival.
Airport Limousine
Airport limousines aren’t actually limousines as you and I think of them. Instead, they are what I would refer to as smart taxi’s. These modern, clean, comfortable cars cost around 800 baht and include no additional airport fee – unlike the standard 100 baht charged by regulated taxis.
The airport limousine counters are located inside on the ground floor of the arrivals terminal and often also sell shared minibus tickets. You’ll be able to request a taxi and leave straight away.