Getting around paradise (Transport in Phuket)

Member Name: alphason

Product:	Transport in Phuket
Date:	07/08/08 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: /

Disadvantages: /

Visitors to Phuket in Thailand can often find things a little bewildering to start with, hopefully this guide to transportation options will help.

**By Air**

Phuket International Airport is located in the North West of the island and is approximately 30 KM from the capital Phuket Town. It is a fairly small airport with a single runway, but it's busy. The airport is used by International carriers such as Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Thomas Cook. Some budget airlines also use Phuket airport to fly domestically and within South East Asia such as Air Asia, Nok Air, Tiger Airways. There are many daily flights to Bangkok.

The cheapest option to travel into Phuket Town from the airport is by taking the airport bus at around 60 minutesin duration. The first bus in the morning leaves at 6.30 and the last in the evening is at 20.45. The fare is 85 Baht (£1.30) one way if you travel all the way to Phuket Town, here you can make connections to the beach resorts. Catch the bus outside of the arrivals hall, just turn immediately left, or outside of the departures hall next to Burger King.

The next option is by minivan, a little more expensive than the bus but a better option if you are heading directly to the beach resorts. Look out for the counters just outside the arrivals area. The cost to Phuket Town is 100 Baht (£1.60), to Patong Beach 150 baht (£2.30) or to Kata/Karon areas 180 Baht (£2.80). The journey is sometimes a bit slow so allow up to 1.5 hours as you sometimes go to the office on route to wait for feeder buses, this also turns into a good opportunity for them to try to sell you some tours.

Red and Yellow coloured meter taxis are available at the end of the terminal building, come out of arrivals turn left and keep walking. Approximate fares to Phuket Town are 400 Baht taking 30 minutes (£6.20), Patong 550 Baht 45 minutes (£8.50) and Kata/Karon 650 Baht 60 minutes (£10).

The luxury option is a limousine, again counters are just outside of arrivals where you can purchase your ticket. Now limousine just means large family car, unless you add 250 baht to these prices for a luxury car. Phuket Town costs 600 Baht (£9.30), Patong 650 baht (£10) and Kata/Karon 750 Baht (£11.50).

**Bus Services**

All long distance bus services in Phuket start from and arrive in to the bus terminal in the centre of Phuket Town. There are getting close to 20 departures daily to Bangkok, taking 13 to 15 hours. Prices range from 270 Baht (£4.30) for a basic non air conditioned bus going up to 755 Baht (£11.50) for a VIP 24 seat bus. Other destinations include Hat Yai, Krabi, Ranong, Samui, Trang and Suratthani.

Local services are operated by small open sided buses called Sawngthaew, these operate between the beach resorts and Phuket Town. Prices vary for distance travelled but usually not more than 25 Baht (40 p), you can just flag down these buses as they pass.

**Taxi's within Phuket**

The metered Red and Yellow taxis are a rare beast outside of the airport of Phuket thanks to the Tuk-tuk mafia. Tuk-tuk's really are Phuket's taxi service and you will see them everywhere, in the beach resorts you won't be able to get rid of them. Fares should always be negotiated first with the driver and will not be less than 50 baht (75 p) for a very short journey, a trip between beach resorts may cost up to 500 baht (£7.70). Try to avoid Tuk-tuk's that hang around outside tourist spots as these will generally be more expensive. You can also charter a Tuk-tuk for a day's sightseeing tour.

If you are a little more adventurous you can try a motorbike taxi, you can flag them down in the street or find them hanging around on street corners. They are easily recognisable by the brightly coloured red bib's they wear. Again negotiate the fare first but expect a short trip to be around 40 Baht (60 p). If you need to hold on grip the handle behind you and not your driver! A fast but sometimes hair raising experience.

**Boat Services**

There are many services between Phuket and Phi Phi Island, the trip takes around 1.5 hours and will cost between 350 and 500 Baht one way (£5.40 - £7.70). Departures are mainly from Rassada Pier but there are other locations also. You can also travel to Ao Nang in 2 hours for 400 Baht (£6.20) or Lanta Yai Island in 4.5 hours for 600 Baht (£9.25). Travel agents can often arrange a service with hotel pick up included.

Rawai in the South West of the island is also a good place for catching boats to nearby islands or for private tours. Prices are up for individual negotiation with the longtail boat owners.

**Rentals**

You can hire a small motorcycle from around 150 Baht per day (£2.30), Honda Waves are a manual bike or you can opt for an automatic such as Yamaha Mio or Honda Click. Insurance is not included or available on bike rentals so be careful, you also don't get a helmet so you should buy one as it's a legal requirement.

Car hire is readily available and will start from a small jeep at around 650 Baht (£10) per day upwards including insurance. A decent family sized car with air conditioning will run around 1,000 Baht (£15.40) upwards.

**Contact Information**

All numbers are from inside Thailand from the UK use +66 and don't dial the first 0.

Airport Bus 076 232 371

Phuket international Airport 076 327 230

Phi Phi Family (Boat to Phi Phi Island) 076 225 831

Ao Nang Travel (Boat to Ao Nang/Lanta) 076 232 040

Phuket Town Bus Station 076 211 977

Summary: Phew, my most researched review yet!