Phuket International Airport serves Thailand's largest island, a celebrated beach destination in the Andaman Sea, approximately 32-35 km from Patong Beach.
Gateway to the beaches of Patong, Kata and Karon, as well as excursions to Phang Nga Bay.
How to get to Phuket International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to HKT
Parking near Phuket International Airport
The multi-story parking is right beside the terminal.
Fares are in line with the standards of a major tourist hub.
How to get to Phuket from HKT
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Phuket Airport: Private Transfer to or from Khao Lak
Phuket Airport: Private Hotel Transfer with Meet & Greet
Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport
Phuket: Transfer from Airport and Ferry to Phi Phi Island
Car rental at Phuket International Airport
Desks of major car rental companies are in the arrivals area.
You'll need to bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card; the agency almost always also asks for the IDP.
Hotels near Phuket International Airport
Mai Khao and Nai Yang
2-10 minutes by car depending on the hotel; several addresses are right in Sa Khu, the sub-district where the terminal is located.
Best for: Short layovers and morning departures, or those who want quiet beaches in Sirinat park without moving away from the airport.
- The shortest transfer on the island, handy for those arriving late or with a dawn flight
- Mai Khao and Nai Yang beaches are quieter and less built-up than the south coast
- Far from Patong, Kata and the island's nightlife: 45 minutes or more
- An area with few independent restaurants, meals are mostly taken at the hotels
Recommended hotels
- Wyndham Phuket Airport In Sa Khu, about 2 minutes by car from the terminal and 16 minutes on foot from Mai Khao beach; spacious gardens and a pool for those with an overnight stay between two flights. View availability
- Chao Wilai Residence I Naiyang Beach I HKT Airport Holiday homes about 5 minutes from the airport with free pick-up included; Nai Yang beach is about 15 minutes on foot. View availability
Kamala
About 17 km from the airport, 35-45 minutes by car; several hotels in the area offer their own shuttle.
Best for: Those who want a quieter beach than Patong but with restaurants and bars close at hand, accepting a 35-45 minute transfer.
- A white-sand beach with a more relaxed atmosphere than Patong, but still with restaurants and bars
- Hotel shuttle available around the clock on request at some properties
- 35-45 minutes from the airport, among the longest transfers of the areas north of the island
- Nightlife more limited than in Patong, if that's what you're looking for
Karon and Kata (south coast)
43-44 km from the airport, about 45-55 minutes by car, more during the afternoon peak hours.
Best for: Those looking for the more surf-oriented, less commercial beaches of the west coast, accepting the longest transfer on the island.
- Karon and Kata beaches are wider and less crowded than Patong
- Viewpoints and coastal paths reachable on foot or with a short ride
- The longest transfer on the island together with Phuket Town, worth considering with a morning flight
- Heavy traffic on the road south in the late afternoon
Recommended hotels
Phuket Town
About 30 km from the airport, 30-45 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Best for: Those who want the Sino-Portuguese old town, local markets and lower prices, giving up a beach right outside the hotel.
- Markets, Sino-Portuguese architecture and local cuisine at lower prices than on the coast
- Patong is still reachable in about 20 minutes for an evening by the sea
- No beach on foot: even the actual old town requires a short extra ride from the hotel
- An area less geared to beach tourism, more for those basing themselves in the town
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, among Thailand's busiest for international tourism, handles intense traffic year-round.
An advance of 3 hours is the norm recommended for international flights.
Map of Phuket International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Are Phuket taxi fares fixed?
Yes, official zone-based fares: check the board at the taxi counter in the arrivals area, approximately 700-800 THB for Patong.
Q. Is it true that Phuket, despite being Thailand's largest island, is one of the country's smallest provinces?
Yes, it's the country's largest island but at the same time one of the administratively smallest provinces by area, a paradox explained by the fact that most of Thailand's territory is on the mainland.
Q. Patong or Kata/Karon: which is better?
Patong has the liveliest nightlife; Kata and Karon are quieter beaches, both at a similar distance from the airport.
Q. Is Phuket a good base for Phang Nga Bay?
Yes, boat excursions to this spectacular bay with limestone formations are easily arranged from the island.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
