Transportation at Phuket Airport
Latest Information on Buses and Taxis for Travelers to Phuket
Phuket International Airport (PIA) currently deals with 520 flights per day, a 20% increase on this time last 'year.
According to local newspaper, the Phuket Post (25 Aug-7 Sept 2007), the amount of Australians coming to Phuket has increased by 53% and the number of Britons, by 44%. Such increases are largely due to the rise in low-cost airlines coming to Phuket, such as the Australian Budget airline – Jetstar Asia and regional airlines One To Go, Air Asia and Nok Air.
Last year’s high season led to criticisms by passengers of Phuket airport’s lengthy immigration queues and transportation problems. Complaints of poor service regarding the only contracted airport limousine service, prompted Khun Pornchai Eura-aree, Airport General Manager, to “give passengers more options.”
Transportation Problems on Phuket
One of Phuket’s few failings is its lack of an island-wide transportation system. Tourists to Thailand often complain of high transportation costs and limited choices. This has largely to do with what local residents lightheartedly refer to as the ‘taxi mafia’; drivers who are very protective of their domain and who do not welcome any competition.
There are ‘unwritten’ rules on the island regarding local tuk-tuks and taxis. You cannot, in theory, make arrangements to use the same driver to and from the airport, as he does not have juristiction to pick you up from the airport area.
Transportation Options at Phuket Airport
1. Airport Bus Service
The airport bus service provides an alternative for budget travelers who do not wish to spend around 500 – 700 Baht on an airport taxi.
Airport buses depart from just inside the airport exit gate, about 200 meters from the arrivals terminal.
These orange and grey buses run at hourly intervals between 6.30am and 8.30pm, and cost a maximum of 52 Baht to the bus terminal in Phuket Town. The whole trip from the airport to Phang Na Road takes around an hour and there are drop off points along the way at the Nai Yang intersection, Heroines Monument, Tesco-Lotus and Big C.
Having reached Phuket Town, travelers then need to board a local Songtaew (local communal taxis) to get to Phuket’s main beach resorts, Kata, Karon and Patong. Songtaews cost around 30 Baht, depending on the destination. Therefore the whole journey from north to south will cost around 80 Baht. A trip from Phuket Town to Karon, for example, costs 25 Baht. However, Songtaews do not run in the evening.
Return airport buses start at 5.30am and run until 9.30am, from the bus terminal in Phang Na Road, just across from the Royal Phuket City Hotel.
2. Airport Limousine - Non-metered Taxis
With the local government decision in December 2007 to offer additional transportation services, passengers will now have a choice of two non-metered taxi companies, encouraging healthy competition and therefore providing a better service to customers. The new company, Phuket Mai Khoa Co Ltd will join the established Phuket Limousine and Business Service Cooperative (PBC) in offering transportation to passengers. A typical fare from the airport to the main beach resorts in the south is around 700 Baht.
3. Airport Metered Taxis
These legitimate metered taxis are a welcome addition to Phuket International Airport, as they are cheaper than the airport limousines. The average fare to the south of the island is around 400 Baht. They are harder to locate, due to friction with the existing limousine company, who understandably tries to protect its interests (and prime position) at the airport.
Walk out of the arrivals hall and go passed all the taxis touts at the front of the building. The metered taxi stand is off to the side, and the yellow and red taxis are parked round the corner. There is a flat charge of 100 Baht , which is normal practice when departing from Thailand’s major airports. State your destination, and you will be issued with a receipt and assigned a driver. This receipt also acts are as a complaint slip should you be overcharged or experience a problem. This way drivers are held accountable and are more inclined to give good customer service.
The Phuket Gazette reports that local government has committed to giving metered taxis a special desk in the arrivals hall, and will allocate them several spaces at the front of the arrivals terminal. Only time will tell if this actually materializes.
4. Airport Pick Up Service
Another option is to make prior arrangements for an airport pick up through your hotel or resort. This may prove a little more expensive but guarantees you a ride and saves you having to run the gauntlet of taxi touts outside the arrivals building.
5. Car Rental
There are also a number car rental companies situated within the arrivals terminal and it is possible to negotiate discounts if renting long-term or during low season.
Your range of options depends very much on how much you want to spend and what time you arrive at the airport. If arriving late at night or early in the morning, then choices are more limited.
The official Airports Authority of Thailand website includes detailed information on Phuket International Airport.
