Be prepared to ride in the back of a pickup truck
Since the article is called “How to get to Bangkok Phuket cheaply,” we will start with the cheapest option, the most expensive option, which is also the fastest, is at the end of the article.
— The cheapest, but least comfortable way to get from Bangkok to Phuket is to hitchhike. The mentality of the Thais will not allow you to stand on the road for a long time; they, being Buddhists, always want to provide help to those who need it. The most important thing in the case of the Bangkok-Phuket route is to get out on the highway, and stopping a car on the Bangkok-Phuket highway will be much easier than it seems (checked personally). The same applies to the Phuket-Bangkok route. First you need to go outside the city, or better yet, outside the island, onto the highway. And then everything is simple. A separate article will be devoted to the rules for hitchhiking.
Bus station in Phuket
- Bus. Phuket-Bangkok or Bangkok-Phuket.
The cost will depend on the comfort class you choose. Buses in Thailand are divided into five classes (More details in our article). The cost of a Bangkok-Phuket or Phuket-Bangkok ticket will range from 500 to 1400 baht per person, depending on the level of comfort you require. There is only one bus station in Phuket (not to be confused with the old bus station in Phuket Town - you don’t need to go there). The required station is located here:
Every day, an average of 5 buses of different classes depart from Phuket to Bangkok, so there will be no problems with tickets (We bought tickets ourselves more than once 30-40 minutes before the bus departure). There are several bus stations in Bangkok. To be more precise, there are 4 of them: North, East, South and West. Buses from Phuket arrive at the South Station (Ekamai bus station), which is located here:
Buses from Bangkok to Phuket also leave from this station. Travel time is from 11 to 15 hours, depending on the class of bus. *Note: Sometimes bus stations may be closed for renovations. If it is very important to you where the bus arrives or someone meets you in Bangkok, then it is better to clarify the name of the destination when purchasing a ticket.
Thailand map
- Airplane.
In Thailand, several companies are engaged in air transportation, which creates good competition between them, and we, the consumers, benefit from this, as prices become lower and the quality of the services provided increases. If you get the timing right and get a good promotion, you can buy a ticket for a Bangkok-Phuket or Phuket-Bangkok plane for only 500 baht and more. On average, a ticket costs 1,500 - 2,000 baht (including luggage. Please note that low cost airlines, such as Air Asia, do not include luggage in the ticket price; you will need to pay extra for it. On average, it is 300-400 baht for 20 kg of luggage). Flight time is 1-1.5 hours.
- Train.
We are not writing about the train in this article, because... This is certainly a cheap way to travel, but there are no trains from Phuket to Bangkok. The nearest station will be just 300 km north of Phuket in the province of Surat Thani.
As always, I would like to add a request to write us your questions in the comments and we will be happy to answer them.
The distance from Bangkok to Phuket is 691 km in a straight line, about 840 km by car. You can get to the resort island by plane, bus, train with a subsequent transfer to a bus, or by rented car. Choose the option that is convenient for you.
Bus Bangkok - Phuket
From Bangkok to Phuket, buses depart from the Southern Bus Terminal. The journey by VIP bus will take approximately 13 hours.
Most flights depart in the afternoon, between 17:00 and 20:00, to allow passengers to sleep during the long journey.
Bus schedule Bangkok - Phuket and prices 2019
Ticket price - from 1152 baht. For some flights prices are higher - up to 1,789 baht.
It is better to purchase tickets on the spot, at the ticket office of the bus station, but remote purchase is not excluded. The intermediary is the website 12go.asia, which not only allows you to buy a ticket online, but also provides more than comprehensive information about the schedule.
Train from Bangkok to Phuket + bus
Part of the journey from Bangkok to the island can be covered by train. The most acceptable option is to take the train to Surat Thani, where you can change to a bus. The least tiring journey will be on an overnight train, which has sleeping berths.
From the Surat Thani railway station, approximately 30-40 minutes after the train arrives, you can take a bus to Phuket.
Tickets can be purchased on the spot, although there are also combined options that allow you to pay for the entire route in Bangkok. You can also use the 12go.asia website to purchase remotely in advance.
Route Bangkok - Phuket by car
The distance from Bangkok to Phuket by car is 840-850 km, depending on the route chosen. An independent journey by car will take at least 10 hours. Since the road ahead is not long, we recommend that you study the route in advance and mark down the places you want to see during this short trip.
Car rental in Bangkok
You can rent a car for the trip at one of the rental points. All prices and conditions are available in advance - through the Rentalcars search:
Search for a rental car
Airplane Bangkok - Phuket
You can fly from Bangkok to Phuket from Bangkok Don Muang Airport or Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Flights are offered by Thai airlines such as Air Asia, Nok Air, as well as Thai International Airways and Bangkok Airways.
Ticket prices for the above airlines vary greatly. Air Asia, Nok Air are called budget airlines, while Bangkok Airways positions itself as a “boutique airline”. It is undoubtedly the leading Thai carrier in terms of service and lounge facilities, especially in Bangkok. The same level of service is offered by the national carrier Thai International Airways.
Flights from Bangkok to Phuket
The usual cost of a flight from Bangkok to Phuket is from 920 baht. You can save money at airline promotional rates.
Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes. Flights operate daily.
Use the search form above to find the most convenient flight option.
There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Phuket and we will discuss how to get there in this article. If you did not buy a ticket directly to the island of Phuket, but flew to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, you have 3 options: buy a ticket on local airlines (Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, etc.), travel 12 hours by bus, or order a transfer. We will discuss the features of each method below.
Fast passage:
Flight Bangkok - Phuket
Perhaps this is the fastest way. All you need to do is book your air tickets in advance and when you arrive in Bangkok, you can transfer to another plane, but there are several nuances:
- The cost of a flight starts from $50, which is a definite plus if you are 1-2 people.
- Flights are operated not from Suvarnabhumi Airport (where you arrive), but from the old Don Muang Airport (DMK), which means you need to take a taxi and spend time and money not moving from one airport to another, this is +$10 to the price.
- The time between flights can be long. Example - many flights from Moscow arrive in Bangkok at 9-10 am, and departures to Phuket take place at different times - 17:45, 20:30, etc.
- The average travel time is only 1 hour 15 minutes, which is a definite plus.
How to book a flight?
You can search for the cheapest air tickets using the form below.
Just enter the departure city “Bangkok”, the arrival city “Phuket” and do not forget to switch to the “one way” tab. See screenshot below.
The service will find the tickets you need and all you have to do is choose the option you like and place your order.
Everything is extremely simple, but if difficulties arise, see this article:
Available airlines include: Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Lion Air, Thai Airways, etc. Also note that you are arriving at Phuket airport, which is quite far from the resorts of Patong, Karon and Kata beaches, so you will have to take a taxi or order a transfer in advance. This article will help you:
Ride on a VIP bus Bangkok-Phuket
The most interesting method and it is definitely worth trying if you are in Thailand for the first time and have never traveled on their VIP buses. Of course, it’s a stretch to call them VIP, but the comfort here is at a high level.
In fact, you can sleep on the chairs, they give you food, water and blankets, but this is how you will ride if you choose seats on the second floor in front.
Basic moments:
- Price is approximately $30 per person.
- Departure is usually in the evening at 19:30 - 20:30 from the Mo Chit or Sai Tai Mai bus station.
- Arrival in Phuket at 7 am.
- You can ride lying down and even get some sleep.
- A taxi from Phuket Town (where you will arrive) will cost approximately $12-$15 to Patong, Karon or Kathu (approximately 500 Thai baht).
How to buy bus tickets?
You can do this either immediately upon arrival at the bus station, or in advance, sitting at home in front of your laptop screen. Why shouldn't you procrastinate? Everything is trivial - there may not be the seats you need for the flight you need, or you will travel in single seats or near the toilet, do you need it? Therefore, it is better to book tickets in advance. This can be done on the Thai website, do not be intimidated by the interface, see the detailed instructions:
Order a transfer Bangkok - Phuket
This option is suitable for people who are not used to bothering and saving money, and is also suitable for large companies. Judge for yourself, for about $350 you can order a minibus for 7 people, which comes out to $50 per person. At the same time, you do not need to wait for anything, search or go anywhere. At the right time, you will be met at the airport by a driver holding a sign with your name written on it. He will take you to the island. The price of a passenger car for 4 people will be approximately $300.
Many tourists, planning their holidays in Thailand, choose the island of Phuket. And this is no coincidence: there are many pristine beaches, rainforests, waterfalls and entertainment here. In addition, you can fly to Phuket by direct flight from Russia. And this wonderful fact also plays an important role when searching for a suitable resort. Indeed, it is very convenient after a long flight to immediately take a taxi and get to a hotel on the seashore in a matter of minutes.
However, it is impossible to come to Thailand and not see its wonderful capital - Bangkok. The distance to it is not close - about 700 kilometers. Fortunately, there are many ways to quickly and conveniently travel from Phuket to Bangkok for interesting and educational excursions.
By plane
What is the fastest way to get from Phuket to Bangkok? Of course, by air. The most popular air carriers in Thailand are Air Asia, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air. Airplane tickets can be booked in advance on the websites of these companies or purchased directly at the ticket office of Phuket International Airport. The cost of a one-way flight per person is on average 2-3 thousand Thai baht. Before flying to Bangkok, please note that local flights in Thailand operate only during the daytime, from 6 am to 9 pm.
The flight from Phuket to Bangkok does not last long: about an hour and a half. The plane usually arrives at Bangkok's central airport, Suvarnabhumi, from where the Airport Link skytrain connects to the main part of the city. But sometimes the final point of an air flight from Phuket can be the second Bangkok airport - Don Mueang. In this case, in order to take the metro, you will first need to take a free shuttle to Suvarnabhumi. This type of transport is often called "Shuttle Bus". Transfers operate 24 hours a day, transporting you through Bangkok between the two airports.
By bus
What is the best way to get to Bangkok from Phuket if the plane seems too expensive? In this case, many travelers prefer to travel to the Thai capital by intercity bus.
Today there are two bus stations on the island of Phuket:
- Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (Phuket Bus Terminal One), located on Phangnga Road
- Phuket Bus Terminal 2 (Phuket Bus Terminal Tu), located on Thepkrassatri Road near Mission Hospital
Buses to Bangkok depart from each bus station almost every hour. To make your trip more comfortable, it is better to purchase tickets:
- 1st class – about 700 baht
- VIP class - about 1000 baht
As you can see, public transport is much cheaper than air travel. The comfortable buses have air conditioning and a toilet. Comfortable reclining seats allow you to take the most comfortable position and make the 14-hour journey as comfortable as possible. Along the route, the bus to Bangkok always makes stops at small bus stations, where you can take a walk, as well as visit shops and cafes. The VIP ticket price includes a full lunch including hot rice, vegetables and chicken.
By train
You can not only fly to Bangok from Phuket by plane or take a bus. Many travelers who are looking for how to get to the Asian capital opt for the railway. Travel agencies in Phuket sell combined tickets, the price of which includes:
- minibus ride to Surat Thani train station
- train ticket to Bangkok
The price of such a ticket is about 1,500 baht per first class carriage. How long is the train journey? About the same as by bus – about 14 hours. However, trains are usually more convenient because you can take a ticket for the night express and get a good night's sleep during the trip.
By car
How to get to Bangkok by car directly from Phuket? This is not difficult to do, since the island is connected to the mainland by three bridges. It is enough to rent a car in one; rental prices here start from 900 baht per day. In addition, lovers of vivid impressions hitchhike around Thailand. The conditions here are excellent: the weather is always warm and the drivers are good-natured. There is only one problem: if the driver does not understand English, it will hardly be possible to explain to him where you are going if you just show the place on the map.
Phuket– probably the most popular and famous place in Thailand. Thousands of tourists visit this island every year, so the question of how to get to Phuket on your own often arises. There are several ways, depending on your capabilities, preferences and direction. Typically, people are interested in the following question: how to get from Bangkok to Phuket on your own? Which is quite logical, because... Bangkog is the capital and main “gate” of the country. This time we will try to briefly talk about moving from the capital to the above-mentioned island.
Book tickets online
If you are a supporter of booking and purchasing tickets online, you can use the convenient 12Go.Asia service to search and book tickets for public transport. Today, the 12Go.Asia database includes 7 countries in this region and more are planned to join. In addition, it is very convenient for understanding the cost of travel along the desired route. To get acquainted with it, use the search form below by entering the cities and dates you need and clicking “find tickets”.
By plane
By plane- the fastest, but also the most expensive method, we would recommend it to those who are limited in time, or not at all strapped for money. The following airlines operate flights:
Tickets can be purchased directly on the websites of these companies (detailed example). However, due to the fact that promotions, all kinds of discounts and sales follow one after another, in order not to miss out on the best offers at the moment, we recommend using the search service for the cheapest air tickets - Aviasales. Find cheap flights to Bangkok Phuket.
Attention! When purchasing tickets, pay attention to the departure airport, it can be either international Suvarnabhumi or domestic Don Muang. Well, and also about the “high” cost of the flight Bangkok - Phuket - Bangkok - when we say that this is an expensive method, we, of course, meant the relative high cost. If we talk about this in monetary terms, then the average minimum cost of this option (round trip!) is ≈ 2,500 rubles per person. Flight time is approximately 1 hour.
By bus
By bus– depart from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal. Buses Bangkok - Phuket come in the following classes:
- Second class - cost 626 baht, departure at 18:30 and 19:15
- First class - cost 785 baht, departure at 19:45
- VIP class - cost 974 baht, departure at 07:30, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00
All of them are quite comfortable, equipped with air conditioning and toilets (example of a trip from Bangkok to Samui). The difference is in the number of seats (VIP is the least) and meals (included in all classes, but slightly different). Travel time is approximately 12 hours.
By train
By train– Departure from Bangkok Central Station, Hualamphong Station. However, we note that there is no direct railway connection, and therefore no train from Bangkok to Phuket. But, despite this, in our opinion, this is one of the best and most interesting ways to move from Bangkok to Phuket (of course, if you have the time). The trip will be a combined one - train/bus, but you shouldn’t be afraid of this, such transfers in Thailand are organized to a solid standard and do not cause any difficulties or inconveniences (example of a combined transfer). All you need to do is buy a combined ticket Bangkok - Phuket and then you will be taken to your final destination, arranging a transfer from train to bus. The total travel time is about 15-16 hours. Those who decide to follow a separate route need to take a train to the city of Surat Thani, and then independently transfer to a bus to Phuket.
Train schedule Bangkok – Surut Thani:
Train number and class Departure Arrival
- 43 Passenger 08:05 16:30
- 171 Ambulance 13:00 00:09
- 35 Passenger 14:45 00:46
- 37 Passenger 15:10 01:53
- 169 Ambulance 15:35 03:02
- 83 Express (sleeper) 17:05 04:02
- 173 Ambulance 17:35 05:09
- 167 Ambulance 18:20 05:38
- 85 Express (sleeper) 19:30 06:27
- 41 Passenger 22:50 08:11
Because The schedule may change, so for more up-to-date information we recommend visiting the Thai railway website www.railway.co.th
Here it is worth paying attention to the fact that the same class of carriages on an Express train and others may differ significantly in quality. If you choose a train, you obviously want to enjoy this leisurely journey, and our advice is to choose Express I class. Of course, it will be a little more expensive (just over 1,000 baht per person), however, if you are traveling as a couple with your loved one, then why not take the opportunity and ride with him in a comfortable 2-seater compartment with wide shelves and in a carriage, which has showers? And don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to order the most delicious food in your compartment. Well, if necessary, buy wine and fruit in advance...
A convenient option is Express No. 85 (departure 19:30, arrival in Surat Thani 06:27), then VIP bus (departure 08:00, arrival in Phuket 14:00).
If you travel by train from Phuket to Bangkok on your own, then it is more convenient to change from bus to train not in Surut Thani itself, but at Phumpin station, which is located a little closer to Phuket.
By taxi
Kivi Taxi– truly the most expensive way, the minimum cost of a taxi Bangkok – Phuket is from 15,800 rubles. However, it can be an excellent option for those traveling in a group of 7 - 8 people and with a lot of luggage, because... in this case, you can rent a minibus to Phuket (cost from 18,400 rubles). Order a taxi Bangkok - Phuket
Tourist transfer
Minivans and tourist buses- one of the simplest ways. You can easily find tickets at numerous agencies on Khao San Road; don’t forget to bargain when purchasing.
As a summary
In our personal opinion, all the ways you can independently get from Bangkok to Phuket are briefly characterized as follows:
- The best time/cost/quality ratio is, of course, air travel.
- The most optimal in terms of cost/quality - bus and train in II class carriages
- The cheapest is a train in the simplest carriages (like our ancient reserved seat cars in the general version)
- The most comfortable and romantic is the 1st class carriage on the Express train combined with a VIP bus.
Have a nice trip and holiday in Phuket!
updated: April 6, 2018 by: Sergei
