Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the main entry point for tourists traveling to the island of Phuket. The airport is in the northwestern part of the island, near Mai Khao Beach. The end of the airport runway nearly touches the beach. The spot is popular with tourists for watching planes land and take off directly above the beach.
The island's airport is the third busiest in Thailand after Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang International Airport, serving the Bangkok region. Before COVID-19, nearly 18 million passengers passed through Phuket Airport in 2019, with 7 million traveling on domestic flights and 11 million on international flights.
Phuket Airport is the gateway to the island paradise. Visiting Phuket, you're likely to be flying in and out of this airport. So here's a handy guide to Phuket International Airport. It has everything you need to know and what to expect for a seamless and hassle-free journey through the airport.
Table of Contents
- Phuket Airport Overview
- Flights to Phuket Airport
- Arriving at Phuket Airport
- Departing Phuket Airport
- Changing Foreign Currency
- Shopping and Dining
- Other Facilities and Services
- Transportation From the Airport
- Car Rental Service
Phuket Airport Overview
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Aerial view of Phuket International Airport | Alex Beltyukov |
Phuket Airport is a medium-sized airport, and you'll find it relatively easy to navigate without walking long distances. The airport is modern, clean, and well-maintained, not to mention a helpful and friendly airport staff. Immigration and customs procedures are well-organized, but you can expect long queues on busy days.
The airport has a single runway and is equipped to handle a range of aircraft sizes. Phuket Airport has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic flights. Though you're unlikely to transfer between terminals, you can walk (10 minutes) or use the free shuttle bus running between the terminals.
Phuket Airport has the necessary facilities and services for the convenience of passengers. You'll find shops, restaurants, cafes, currency exchange, and various transportation options. There's also a lost and found counter, medical center, and airport information desk. There's even a prayer room for Muslims.
Flights to Phuket Airport
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International Flights
You can fly directly to Phuket from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing. Other cities include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Taipei, Guangzhou, and Kunming. Airlines flying to Phuket include Thai AirAsia, VietJet, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air China, and Jetstar Asia.
Direct flights from the Middle East include Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Muscat (Oman Air and SalamAir). Turkish Airlines flies once daily to Phuket from Istanbul. Australia's Jetstar has daily flights from Melbourne and Sydney.
Most flights from Europe are during the high season. Among them is TUI Airways, which flies seasonally, including charters from London, Manchester, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Gothenburg, and Stockholm. Another is Sunclass Airlines, which operates seasonal charter flights from Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, and Stockholm.
Domestic Flights
Almost 90 percent of the domestic flights to Phuket are from Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport, or Don Muang Airport. Airlines serving the route include Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Bangkok Airways. If you're flying internationally and not directly to Phuket, any of these 2 Bangkok airports would be your best option.
Beyond Bangkok, Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet connect Phuket with Chiang Mai, in Thailand's northern region. Bangkok Airways operates flights from Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, another popular island destination. The airline also has flights connecting Pattaya on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Arriving at Phuket Airport
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International Flights (Terminal 1)
If you hold a passport that lets you enter Thailand without a visa or have applied and have a visa stamped on your passport, have your Thailand Arrival Card filled out before proceeding to immigration. If you're a citizen of a country eligible for a visa-on-arrival, you can obtain the visa at the airport before proceeding to immigration.
Immigration procedures are well-organized. That said, for a medium-sized airport, passenger arrivals can reach 30,000 a day during the high season! You can expect long and sluggish lines waiting to be processed by immigration. Be patient and have all your documents ready for speedy processing by the immigration officer.
You'll find the baggage carousels after passing immigration. Retrieving your baggage may take some time. If you have nothing to declare, walk through the Green Lane, stopping only if the customs officer asks you. If you have things to declare, enter the Red Lane and submit your customs form to the officer.
Domestic Flights (Terminal 2)
If you're on a domestic flight to Phuket, you'll get through the airport much faster. You'd have already undergone immigration and customs clearance at a prior entry point in Thailand, such as airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Koh Samui. So there are no long lines to wait for clearance at Phuket Airport.
Departing From Phuket Airport
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It's advisable to arrive at least 3 hours before your international flight, and 1.5 hours before a domestic flight. Check with the airline you're flying for more precise information, including check-in time. Ensure you arrive at the correct terminal, as terminals for international and domestic flights are separate buildings.
Factor in how long it'll take you to reach Phuket Airport. Under favorable traffic conditions, the travel time to the airport from Patong Beach and Phuket City takes 40-50 minutes, Rawai Beach 50-60 minutes, and Karon Beach 60-70 minutes. Under less favorable conditions, you should add an extra 20-40 minutes.
Baggage wrapping and free trolleys are available at both international and domestic terminals. Check-in luggage has to pass through a security scan before you check in. After check-in, proceed to immigration for clearance (only for international flights) and security check before entering the departure lounge to wait for your flight.
Changing Currency at the Airport
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You'll get more Thai Bahts (THB) if you convert your money in Thailand. If you prefer to have some Thai Bahts (for peace of mind) before going to Phuket, convert just enough to cover yourself for the first day. Once in Phuket, you can exchange your money at the local exchanges for better rates and more Thai Bahts.
At Phuket Airport, you'll find currency exchange counters in the arrival and departure halls. Widely accepted currencies for exchange include USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD, GBP, EUR, MYR, JPY, and CNY. You'll get better rates from currency exchanges outside the airport, but you may need some Thai Bahts to cover your initial expenses.
You'll also find ATMs. They work with Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard, Visa, and UnionPay. To confirm, look for logos on the machines showing the networks they work with. Thai ATMs usually charge foreign cards 220 THB for each withdrawal, regardless of the amount. Your home bank may also charge a fee.
Shopping and Dining at the Airport
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For a medium-sized airport, there's a decent range of shops at both the international and domestic terminals. You'll find the shops on the landside (before security) and the airside (after security). You'll find several convenience stores and stores selling souvenirs, handicrafts, traditional dried snacks, Thai fragrances, and books.
For duty-free shopping (airside of the international terminal), there's King Power, the largest duty-free retailer in Thailand. You'll find the typical duty-free items such as tobacco and alcohol. There are also perfume, cosmetics, and fashion like clothing, bags, jewelry, and watches by some of the prestigious international brands.
Whether for a full meal or a light snack, there are no shortages of dining options at the international and domestic terminals. Options include Western and Thai foods. It's not only restaurants you'll find but also fast-food, snack bars, coffee shops. They are on the landside and airside at both terminals.
International chains Burger King, Subway, and Dairy Queen are at both terminals, while Starbucks is only at the international terminal. Or try out the many options serving Thai food. There's a food court at the domestic terminal serving cheaper meals. It's mainly Thai food here and comes with many positive reviews.
Other Facilities and Services
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Airport Information: If you need assistance at the airport, you'll find the information counter in the arrival hall at Terminal 1 (international flights) and Terminal 2 (domestic flights). Staff are multi-lingual, with at least an English speaker available.
Tourist Information: If you need travel-related information, the Tourism Authority of Thailand operates a counter in Terminal 1. Besides asking for tourism-related information, you can pick up some free travel literature, including maps.
Left Luggage: If you don't plan to check into your hotel immediately and have luggage to store, you can use the luggage storage service at the international terminal near the police counter. This service is available for a small fee charged by the day.
Lost and Found: If you've lost or misplaced your luggage or personal belongings at the airport, try the lost and found counter. There's a counter located in the arrival area of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
WiFi and Mobile Charging: You can connect your mobile device to the airport's free WiFi service for 2 hours. Connect to the @AirportTrueFreeWiFi on your device. Charging stations for mobile devices are at various locations in the airport.
Medical Assistance: If you require medical attention, the airport has a medical center or clinic in Terminals 1 and 2. A doctor is always available at the clinic to provide medical assistance.
Airport Lounges: Thai Airways passengers flying in premium class can access the Royal Orchid Lounge in Terminals 1 and 2. Bangkok Airways passengers flying premium can access the Blue Ribbon Lounge in Terminal 2. For a fee or membership program, passengers can access the Coral Lounges in Terminals 1 and 2.
Muslim Prayer Rooms: While Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, there are prayer rooms for Muslim passengers and airport staff in Terminal 1 and 2. The prayer rooms have ablution facilities and a separate area for women.
Transportation From the Airport
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Arriving at Phuket Airport, several transportation options are available to reach your destination on the island. Before choosing your options, consider your destination, budget, and personal preferences. Each option has specific advantages which may be more suitable based on your needs.
Limousine and Minibus
Several companies operate counters offering both private limousine and minibus services. The booking counters are inside and outside the arrival hall at international and domestic terminals. Fares are fixed, depending on your destination. Fares for the limousine service also depend on the type of vehicle you prefer.
The limousines are the most expensive but offer the highest level of comfort. That said, shared minibuses are the top choice for many travelers. They are cost-effective, and the minibus can drop you off at your destination. Hiring a private minibus can be cost-effective when traveling in a group large enough to fill the vehicle.
Metered Taxi
Taxis at Phuket Airport use the meter, and the fares are calculated according to the official rates set by the local authorities. Taxis are readily available, and you'll find them at the ranks outside the two terminals. There's no need to book in advance. Just approach the taxi queue, and a staff will assign you to the next available taxi.
Compared to airport limousines, taxis are much cheaper. To give you an idea of the taxi fare, Mai Khao Beach, 10 km (6 miles) from the airport, costs 380-460 THB (10-13 USD). The fare to Patong Beach, 37 km (23 miles) away, costs 900-1,100 THB (25-30 USD). There's a 100 THB (3 USD) surcharge for hiring a taxi at the airport.
Phuket Smart Bus
Phuket Smart Bus is an affordable option from the airport. The buses travel along the coast from Phuket Airport in the north to Rawai Beach in the south. During the journey, they make 15 stops, with some popular beach destinations along the way including Laguna Phuket, Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon, and Kata, before reaching Rawai.
You can find the buses waiting outside the domestic terminal, near Gate 1-3. The service operates daily, leaving every hour from around 8:30 AM until 10:30 PM. The fare costs 100 THB (3 USD) to any destination, and pay directly to the driver. The buses are air-conditioned and there's a storage compartment for large luggage.
Airport Bus Phuket
Airport Bus Phuket travels between the airport and Phuket City, the capital of Phuket Province. Unlike the Phuket Smart Bus, which travels south mainly along the coast, the orange-colored Airport Bus Phuket travels south inland to Phuket City. The final stop in the capital is Phuket Bus Terminal 1, near Phang Nga Road.
You'll find buses waiting outside the domestic terminal near the arrival hall. Buses operate daily, departing every hour from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. Fares range from 30 to 100 THB (1-3 USD), depending on distance, and paid when boarding. The buses are air-conditioned, and you can expect a comfortable ride.
Car Rental Service
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Renting a car offers the convenience to explore the island at your own pace. International rental companies at the airport include Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt. Local operators include Chic Car Rent, Drive Car Rental, and Thai Rent a Car. Some are located at both terminals, and some are at the international or domestic terminal.
To rent a car, you have to be at least 21 years old (age may vary by rental agency). You must have a valid driver's license from your home country. If your license is not in English, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Citizens from the ASEAN countries don't need an IDP, and can use their national driver's license.
It's good to book the car in advance, especially when coming to Phuket during the high season, since available cars may be limited. Ensure you understand the return procedures for the rented car, including where and when to drop the car at the end of the rental period.
In Thailand, driving is on the left side of the road, and car steering is on the right. Gasoline (petrol) stations are readily available on the island, and you can choose between regular and premium grades. Having a GPS device or a navigation app on your mobile phone can be very helpful for getting around the island.
