Key hubs
Phuket airport and railway station
- Airport
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) at Mai Khao in the north of the island, about 32 km from Phuket Town and roughly 45 to 60 minutes by road to Patong
- Railway station
- None. Phuket is not on the rail network; the nearest practical station is Surat Thani, at Phun Phin on the mainland, followed by a long road transfer
- Getting around
- Pre-booked car or app cab is easiest for families. The Phuket Smart Bus runs along the west coast from the airport to Rawai. Agree tuk-tuk fares first.
How to reach Phuket by air
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is in the north of the island, about 32 km from Phuket Town and about 45 to 60 minutes by road to Patong. When we checked in November 2026, non-stop services were listed from Delhi (IndiGo, Air India), Bengaluru (Air India Express from June 2026) and Hyderabad (Air India Express). Mumbai services are also advertised. Confirm the current schedule with the airline.
How to reach Phuket by train
There is no railway on Phuket and no useful train service to it. The nearest practical station is Surat Thani, located at Phun Phin on the mainland, followed by a long bus or van journey. Almost every traveller from India flies instead.
How to reach Phuket by road
The island is joined to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge in the north, and long-distance buses from the Thai mainland arrive by this route. Within the island, Phuket Town is about 14 km from Patong by a hill road, and traffic can be slow at peak times.
Getting around Phuket
A pre-booked car is the easiest choice for families and seniors. App cabs work across the island, and tuk-tuk fares need agreeing before the ride. The Phuket Smart Bus runs about 56 km along the west coast from the airport to Rawai with stops at the main beaches; check the operator's current times and fares.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Phuket
- Book a car and driver for the south-coast days. The hill roads to the Big Buddha and Promthep Cape are short but steep, and tuk-tuks are open to the heat.
- Ask a tour operator exactly how you board the boat before booking Phang Nga Bay. Our sources do not cover step-free access, and transfers between boats and canoes can be awkward.
- Note Bangkok Hospital Phuket for emergencies: it has a 24-hour emergency department and international accreditation. Buy travel insurance that covers treatment and evacuation, and carry prescriptions in their original packets.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.