How to get to Phuket: guide and tips

The fact that Phuket is an island cannot be reached by water transport from other resort areas. The most popular resorts of Pattaya and Phuket are separated not only by seas, but also by oceans. In order to get from one place to another, one would have to overcome a multi-day route, skirting the Malay Peninsula along the way, past Singapore and the coast of Malaysia. The country's government is discussing the issue of the future connection of the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand by a water channel, but so far only the development of this project is underway.

Today, yachts and cargo vehicles are moored in the port of Phuket, and small passenger ships carry tourists only to the islands located near Phuket. Tourists arriving on large cruise ships are brought to the island by boats. Basically, you can get to the island only through air or road transport.

In addition to regular flights, during the months of the tourist influx, there are charters. Every year, the flow of air passenger flights has millions of people, breaking records from season to season. A flight from Moscow airports takes an average of 9 hours. If you are Russian citizens and do not plan to stay on the island for more than 30 days, then you do not need to obtain a visa. A direct flight by Aeroflot from Moscow is considered the most expensive, if you want to save money, then choose flights with transfers. Phuket Airport is located 32 km from the city center.

The bus stop is located on the left side of the airport terminal. Tickets can be purchased at special counters. The orange bus will cost 100 baht and take about an hour if there are no traffic jams at that time. Buses run at intervals of one and a half hours from 6.00 am. Another type of bus that you can use to get to Phuket Town is the more comfortable, but also more expensive Smart Buses, running from 6.00 to 21.00. The ticket price will cost 170 baht.

By bus

A very popular transport in the Kingdom is a regular bus, which is quite suitable for unpretentious travelers and will help to significantly reduce transport costs. The main part of the bus routes from the capital of Thailand to Phuket departs from the South Terminal. The mode of movement of buses from 6.00 to 21.30. You can also get to the island by buses departing from the North Station, but there are not many flights here. Travel time will be approximately 12 hours.

The most expensive is travel by VIP-class buses. Here you will be offered massage chairs that can be expanded for convenience, as well as the opportunity to watch films that are in the local language. You will not become hungry, because. All passengers are given dry rations. Buses of this class are equipped with air conditioning, so passengers are provided with blankets.

The bus route around the island runs along the main highway and to the center of Phuket Town, the final stop is the new bus terminal 2. If the hotel you need is on the route, you can ask to be released earlier.

From Pattaya, the island can be reached by a comfortable bus that departs from the North Station at 17.00. The bus arrives in Phuket at 8.40 am. Dinner is included in the ticket price, with a stopover provided for this.

By car

Renting a car gives you the opportunity to independently travel around Thailand, which will allow you to visit a large number of attractions of the kingdom. It is possible to rent a car anywhere in the country where there is a Car Rent sign informing tourists about this service, which are provided by both local and foreign companies. In order to rent a car in Thailand, you must be at least 21 years old and have a driving experience of 2 years, and an international driver's license is also required. It is worth paying attention to the fact that left-hand traffic operates in the country.

On a ferryboat

Phuket can be reached in 5 hours using the services of the ferry, which departs from the province of Krabi. It will turn out much faster if you sail on a speed boat, the travel time will take about 3.5 hours.

Transport in Phuket

All parts of the island are interconnected by the main highway. You can also move along the mountain roads that run along the perimeter of Phuket, along the entire line of the sea. Public island transport is practically not developed, most often Tuk-tuks are used here, which are a pickup truck with a covered body, in which passenger benches are located. The price for the service is not fixed, they are set by the drivers themselves, so you need to familiarize yourself with the prices in advance. In addition to the Tuk-tuk, it is possible to use the services of a round-the-clock taxi.