Getting to Thailand from around the world is easy with over 70 international airlines servicing the land of smiles. They include Aeroflot, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Swiss Air and many more. Thai Airways, the national airline, connects Thailand directly to 33 countries making them the country's most comprehensive service provider.
Many flights from countries such as USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, Australia and New Zealand, land in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and are connected by numerous domestic flights to Phuket. Phuket also has an international airport welcoming many visitors direct from overseas destinations.
The Phuket International Airport welcomes more than 6.5 million passengers a year, it is located in the north of the island and is the second largest airport in the country, second only to Bangkok. There are frequent direct flights to domestic, regional and worldwide locations. Scheduled and charter flights increase during the high season making it possible to travel direct from many major cities in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. For the telephone numbers of major airlines in Phuket, go to the Useful Contacts page.
Travellers in Bangkok heading south to Phuket can catch the train run by the State Railway of Thailand. The nearest station to Phuket is Surat Thani which is serviced by two trains from Bangkok, the Special Express Train and the Express Train. Both are overnight sleepers with comfortable accommodation. The railway staff convert the daytime seating into fold down beds, with clean bedding each evening. The Special Express Train runs on the southern line (final destination Sungai Kolok) and costs THB 1,179 for a lower bed and THB 1,379 for an upper sleeper. The Express Train (final destination Nakhon Si Thammarat) is slightly cheaper at THB 1,139 for the lower and THB 1,339 for the upper bed. The above prices apply to the first class air conditioned coach, for the latest prices and further information visit www.railway.co.th. From Surat Thani train station there are tour buses and mini vans available to take you to your final destination, Phuket, which is approximately 250 km away. The bus journey takes approximately 3 hours.
There are bus services to Phuket from a number of mainland destinations including Bangkok, Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Krabi, Hat Yai and Satun, all using the main bus terminal in Phuket Town. From Bangkok the overnight bus service is faster and cheaper (approximately THB 800) than getting the train to Surat Thai and additional bus to Phuket. However some find the journey better on the train as the bus can make stops during the night and the seats are not as comfortable. Also several private Bangkok bus services have suffered from a bad reputation over the years, so it is recommended to take the public BKS service from Bangkok's southern bus terminal, they provide air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses. For more information contact the southern bus terminal on 02434 7192 or 02434 5557-8. The journey takes approximately 13 hours.
To get to Phuket from Bangkok by car, drivers need to take Highway 4, heading south. The provinces you will pass through along the way are Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap-Khirikan. When arriving at Chumphon take a right heading to Ranong. Once at Ranong keep heading south through Kraburi and Kapoe districts and then to Phang Nga province. Phang Nga is the neighbouring province to Phuket, to reach Sarasin's Bridge, which connects Phuket to the mainland, you will drive through Kuraburi, Takuapa, Thai Muang and Klok Kloy districts. The total distance is approximately 862 kilometres. Remember to drive on the left!