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Phuket is Thailand's largest island, 693 kilometres (431 miles) south of Bangkok. Patong gets the crowds and the nightlife, and the Old Town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses are worth a wander. Flying is the quickest option, taking 1h 15m. Overland, the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket is the train at $17 (565 THB). The bus costs a little more and takes about as long.
Distance from Bangkok to Phuket
Bangkok and Phuket are about 693 km (431 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 826 km by road. The quickest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 15m.
4 ways to travel from Bangkok to Phuket
There are four ways to travel from Bangkok to Phuket. You can choose between the train, bus, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 15m–12h 30m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at $17 (565 THB).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Bangkok→Suratthani8h 20m
- Suratthani→Phuket4h
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Bangkok to Phuket by Train + Bus via Surat Thani
Phuket does not have a railway station. This means you first have to travel to the nearest train station which is located in Surat Thani.
If you are hoping to spend a day or two in Surat Thani, this is a great way to see it on your way to Phuket. Keep in mind this is an extremely long journey and is even the most expensive option.
The trains depart from the Hua Lamphong Railway Station and arrive at the Surat Thani Train Station. From Surat Thani railway station it still takes about 4-5 hours to cross the 220 km distance to Phuket.
Step 1: Bangkok to Surat Thani by Train
There are multiple trains bound for Surat Thani, but we recommend booking train #85 or #167 so you can catch the connecting bus to Phuket.
If these trains are full, you can opt to take train #39 or #41, although they do not offer sleeper berths. A second-class air-conditioned seat costs $22 (730 THB).
Train tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
If you want to explore Surat Thani first, you can take the orange bus from the train station to the city centre for $0.60 (20 THB). There are also taxis available which charge $4.20 (140 THB).
Surat Thani town is about 15 km east of the railway station and the trip to the centre should take about 20-30 minutes from the railway station.
Honestly, there isn’t much to see in Surat Thani, though. That’s why we recommend continuing with a van to Phuket. These vans conveniently leave from the bus terminal next to the railway station.
Step 2: Surat Thani to Phuket by Bus
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Bangkok to Phuket by Bus
Though travelling from Bangkok to Phuket by bus is long and can be exhausting, it can be cheaper than a flight, especially during the busy season.
There are several bus companies offering daily trips from Bangkok to Phuket.
Phuket Travel and Bus Express used to have trips on this route, but they have not resumed their operations yet since the pandemic.
If you opt to take the bus, we recommend taking the night bus, so you don’t need to spend all day on the bus.
Departure station
Most buses heading to Phuket from Bangkok either depart from the Bangkok Southern Terminal or Mochit Terminal.
Both bus stations are about 10 km from Bangkok City Centre, but Bangkok Southern Terminal comes with the advantage that you can also get there with Bangkok’s metro system. It will take around 20-30 minutes to reach the bus stations from Bangkok City Centre by taxi.
The Transport Co. has departures from both Bangkok Southern Terminal and Mochit Terminal. On the other hand, Sombat Tour and Lignite buses all depart from the Bangkok Southern Terminal.
Bus schedule from Bangkok to Phuket
Arrival station
All buses coming from Bangkok arrive at either Phuket Terminal 2 or at Thalang. These bus terminals are 16 km distance apart.
If you arrive at Phuket Terminal 2, a car ride to the old Phuket Town is just 10 minutes. On the other hand, if you arrive in Thalang District, it will be a 30-minute journey to the town.
You can take a local bus to Phuket or for more comfort, you can also catch a songthaew or opt to spend a little extra and take a taxi to your hotel.
Tourist Buses
There are also other tourist buses which you can book through travel agencies. The majority of these tourist buses leave from the Khao San Road area. Unfortunately, you will likely end up paying more without any additional comforts for this option.
Also, be aware that there have been some reported cases of theft and unreliable service from these tourist buses. For this reason, we do not recommend booking these tourist buses on Khao San Road.
Bangkok to Phuket by Flight
The most convenient and fastest way to travel from Bangkok to Phuket is by flight. Most of the low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, and Thai VietJetAir offer multiple flights per day.
Fares start around $22 (725 THB) for a one-way trip when booked in advance. During promotions, flights can even go as low as $9.90 (330 THB).
On the other hand, during the peak season and on Thai holidays, ticket prices can be extremely inflated. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.
The flight takes about 1h 15m to reach Phuket from Bangkok.
Airports in Bangkok
Low-cost airlines AirAsia and Thai VietJetAir both offer flights departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport. There is not much difference in time to get to the airports, so we recommend just booking a flight that is most convenient for you.
Other airlines operating on this route are Thai Lion Air and Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai Airways, and Bangkok Airways.
Arrival at Phuket Airport
All flights land at Phuket Airport. Phuket airport is located in the northeastern part of the island. The airport is approximately 30 km from Phuket Town and 40 km from the popular (party) destination Patong.
To get from the airport to your destination, you can arrange a pick-up from your hotel or book a shuttle service at the airport. See our route page of Phuket Airport for more information on how to get to your accommodation from the airport.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Bangkok to Phuket by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Bangkok to Phuket.
Rates start from $355 (11,734 THB) for a 2-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about $185 (6,179 THB) per person. Travel time is around 12h.
Private Transport options from Bangkok to Phuket
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Bangkok to Phuket, roughly 693 kilometres (431 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $17 (565 THB). The quickest trip takes 1h 15m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Bangkok to Phuket?
The distance from Bangkok to Phuket is 693 kilometres (431 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket?
The fastest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket is by flight and takes 1h 15m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket?
The cheapest way to get from Bangkok to Phuket is by train with ticket costs starting from 565 THB.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Travel Writer
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She's loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand's beaches also have a special place in her heart.
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