The gateway to one of the world's favourite holiday destinations, Phuket International Airport is a bustling transport hub, connecting the Thai island of Phuket – the “Pearl of the South” – to the rest of the world.
Flights to Phuket International Airport are offered by a huge variety of carriers (including low-cost airlines Firefly, AirAsia and SilkAir), all looking to deliver you safely to Thailand's pristine shores.
A major player in the country's tourism industry, your dream Thai holiday will begin from the second you enter Phuket Airport's arrivals hall. Friendly staff, a wide variety of things to do and trinkets to buy and easy transport connections to take you into the city all feature at Phuket International.
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Although Phuket International has two terminal buildings, one is dedicated to international flights and the other to domestic flights – so it is unlikely that you'll need to transfer between the two. If you do have to, the airport is small and it is easy to walk between the two terminals.
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Getting to and from Phuket International Airport (located 30km from the centre of Phuket) is a breeze, with plenty of stress-free options available to weary travellers.
Bus: There is a private bus service that operates between Phuket International and the town of Phuket. The buses run on the hour between 6.30am and 9.30pm, costing just THB 70 (about £1.50). Tickets can be bought on the ground floor of the arrivals hall, and you'll find the buses (metallic grey, with pink and cyan stripes) in the parking lot outside the terminal building.
Shuttle: Airport shuttles (for guests only) are offered by the following Phuket hotels: Patong Beach Lodge, The Corner Guesthouse, Club Bamboo Boutique Resort, Phuket Center Apartment, and Sugar Palm Karon Resort
Taxis: Ignore the hordes of touts and make a beeline for the official metered taxi stand (located about 50 metres outside the arrivals hall, to the right). The official metered taxis are red and yellow, and do not accept one that has a “broken meter”. There is a fee of THB 100 (£2) to use these taxis, but it will still work out cheaper than taking an unofficial cab. Typical fees from the airport include THB 350 (Kamala Bay), THB 400 (Phuket), THB 450 (Karon Beach), THB 550 (Patong) and THB 650 (Karon) – between £7 and £13. The journey time to any of these destinations should be between 20 and 30 minutes.
Limousines: As you leave the arrivals hall, you'll see plenty of finely dressed gentleman holding placards, advertising limousine rates to take you directly to your hotel. These prices are somewhat negotiable – but will certainly be more expensive than a regular taxi or a bus.
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There is short- and long-term parking available at Phuket International Airport, in the form of a single parking garage located just outside the terminal buildings.
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Money and communications: Numerous ATMs and bureaux de change are scattered throughout both terminal buildings.
Luggage: Left baggage and lost-and-found offices are located in the arrivals hall of both terminal buildings.
Conference and business: There are no formal business or conference facilities available at Phuket International, although there is a post and telegraph office in the departures area, where you can send and receive faxes, and make copies of important documents.
Other facilities: Other facilities at Phuket International include a newsagent, convenience store, travel agents and tour offices, medical facilities and full access and facilities for disabled passengers.
Wi-Fi: TrueMove 3G provides Wi-Fi access for a fee.
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