Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most popular island, famous for its incredible beaches, countless activities, and wide selection of accommodations. The island is located in southern Thailand, surrounded by the Andaman Sea.
The fastest, easiest, and my personally recommended way of getting to Phuket from Bangkok is by plane, taking just 1 hour and 30 minutes. I take a plane to Phuket because it’s the most convenient and, even compared to cheaper options, is still affordable (400 THB difference compared to train + van combo)
The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Phuket is by train to Surat Thani and minivan to Phuket (this option is only cheaper than flying if you select a non-sleeper seat, a bed on the train will work out more expensive).
The journey from Bangkok to Phuket takes 1 hour 30 minutes by plane, 14 hours by bus, or 12 hours by car.
| Type | Journey time | Starting price (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Plane (fastest) | 1 hour 30 minutes | 900 THB one way |
| Bus | 14 hours+ | 783 THB one way |
| Train & Minivan (cheapest) | 16 hours+ | 547 THB one way (non-sleeper train seat + shared minivan taxi) |
| Taxi | 12 hours+ | 8,000+ THB one way |
Let’s take a look at each mode of transport in more detail.
Plane (recommended – fastest)
The fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Phuket is by plane, taking approximately an hour and 30 minutes.
Flights to Phuket from Bangkok fly out from Don Mueang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) departing from 7 am until 10 pm.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the primary airport in Phuket, located in the North of the island. Onward transport available at the airport include shared and private Taxis or pre-booked airport transfer.
Airlines flying direct to Phuket from Bangkok: Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways
Prices start from 900 THB per person for a single one-way ticket, depending on the time of the year, flight time, and airline.
Compare prices with Skyscanner:
Airlines flying to Phuket
| Airline | Departure Airport |
|---|---|
| Nok Air | Don Mueang (DMK) |
| Thai AirAsia | Don Mueang (DMK) & Suvarnabhumi (BKK) |
| Thai Vietjet Air | Suvarnabhumi (BKK) |
| Thai Lion Air | Don Mueang (DMK) |
| Thai Smile | Suvarnabhumi (BKK) |
| Bangkok Airways | Suvarnabhumi (BKK) |
Insider tips:
- Book an early morning flight to get the cheapest fare
- Bangkok Airways has complimentary lounge access for all ticket holders
Bus
Prefer to take the bus? Buses operate out of Mochit Station, Southern Terminal Bangkok, and private stations.
The bus trip from Bangkok to Phuket takes approximately 14 hours, but the buses are equipped with an onboard toilet and make several services stops along the way.
Private bus companies operating the route are Transport Co Ltd, Lignite Co Ltd, Sombat Tour, and Monthanathip Tour & Travel.
Prices start from 783 THB per person for a single journey ticket, depending on the operator and timetable.
Compare prices on 12Go:
Bus Timetable
| Operator/Departure Station | Departure | Arrival | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Co Ltd Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) | 6:45 | 21:12 | 14h 27m |
| Transport Co Ltd Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) | 16:45 | 07:12 | 14h 27m |
| Transport Co Ltd Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Chatuchak) | 18:00 | 08:27 | 14h 27m |
| Transport Co Ltd Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok (Sai Tai Mai) | 16:30 | 06:57 | 14h 27m |
| Lignite Co Ltd Southern Bus Terminal Bangkok (Sai Tai Mai) | 18:30 | 06:30 | 12h |
| Sombat Tour Sombat Tour Viphavadee 13 Bus Station | 16:00 | 06:45 | 14h 45m |
| Monthanathip Tour & Travel Montanatip Office | 19:00 | 12:00 | 17h |
Timetable is subject to change check 12Go for the latest timetable.
Train & Minivan
Unfortionally there is no direct train from Bangkok to Phuket but you can get a train to Surat Thani and then get alternative transport such as a taxi or bus to Phuket.
The 12-hour train to Surat Thani Train Station operates out of Bang Sue Station (renamed Krung Thep Aphiwat Train Terminal in 2022).
The majority of the trains going to Surat Thai offer sleeper seats which transform into flat beds for sleeping. Sleeper train seats start from 1,000 THB for a one-way trip depending on train type and class. Sleeper seats for trains 31, 83, 167, and 85 can be booked directly on Klook
Standard seats are available starting from 217 THB depending on train number and class.
Once you arrive at Surat Thani you can book a shared minivan or private taxi to Phuket with prices starting from 330 THB per person. A taxi to Phuket takes around 4 hours from Surat Thai.
The total journey by train and taxi to Phuket is approximately 16 hours, not including waiting times during transit.
Train Timetable
| Train no/Route | Departure | Arrival | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 (non-sleeper) Special Express Bangkok-Surat Thani | 07:50 | 18:50 | Adult: 608 THB Child: 484 THB |
| 39 (non-sleeper) Special Express Bangkok-Surat Thani | 22:05 | 09:25 | Adult: 608 THB Child: 484 THB |
| 171 Rapid Bangkok-Sungai Kolok | 12:30 | 01:33 | Adult: 217-728 THB Child: 164-604 THB |
| 31 Special Express Bangkok-Hat Yai Junction | 14:30 | 02:31 | Adult: 908-2,379 Child: 784-2,120 |
| 37 Special Express Bangkok-Sungai Kolok | 15:10 | 03:35 | Adult: 908-2,379 Child: 784-2,120 |
| 169 Rapid Bangkok-Yala | 15:35 | 04:27 | Adult: 217-728 Child: 164-604 |
| 83 Express Bangkok-Trang | 17:00 | 05:25 | Adult: 257-1,839 Child: 204-1,580 |
| 167 Rapid Bangkok-Kantang | 18:30 | 07:47 | Adult: 217-728 Child: 164-604 |
| 85 Express Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat | 19:30 | 08:32 | Adult: 217-728 Child: 164-604 |
Timetable subject to change check railway.co.th for up-to-date times.
Taxi
Prefer to get a taxi to Phuket? private taxi charters take around 12 hours, starting from 8,000 THB per trip depending on operator and vehicle type.
The benefits of booking a taxi charter include pickup/dropoff at your desired location, which could be more affordable if you’re traveling in a larger group.
Compare prices on 12Go or through ride-hailing applications such as Grab or Bolt.
Summary
There are multiple transport options when traveling from Bangkok to Phuket, including plane, bus, train + minivan, and private taxi.
The fastest way to travel to Phuket is by plane, and the cheapest is the train + minivan combo. However, this combo it’s less convenient, so I still prefer to travel by plane.
Hopefully, in the future, there will be direct high-speed trains to Phuket that can compete with flying.
Need more information for planning your Phuket trip? Check out these additional articles:
