Phuket International Airport is an airport serving Phuket, a popular tourist destination in Southern Thailand. The airport is the busiest air field in Thailand outside of Bangkok, the nation’s capital, serving dozens of both domestic and international travel destinations.
Airlines & Aviation
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is served by 50 scheduled airlines, both domestic and international, serving more than 14 million airline passengers a year.
The country’s second busiest airport, it links the island with 37 travel destinations around the world.
Chartered flights link the airport to additional travel destinations, many of them operating on a seasonal basis.
The airport is a hub for Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Airways.
Several international airlines also serve the airport. Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways offer long-haul from the airport.
Famous for their superior in-flight service, these three Gulf-based carriers offer connections to a vast array of travel destinations in Africa, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East through their hubs in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai.
Changing Money
You can change money at the airport at currency exchange counters or ATMs.
You will usually get a better rate if you exchange money away from the airport.
If you need cash to get to get your hotel, exchange only enough to get there and then exchange the rest of your cash at your destination.
Ground Transportation
If you are staying at a hotel, your hotel might provide a complimentary or a paid shuttle service.
Otherwise, you will be on your own. Your options include …
- Private Airport Transfer by Car – the most comfortable but also the most expensive option. It is best to reserve them in advance.
- Taxi Meters – always insist on a metered taxi, but expect to pay a 100 baht surcharge on top of the fare on the metre. If you don’t take a taxi with a meter, you will have to negotiate a fare (always do this in advance). Chances are you will be charged more than if you travel by taxi meter.
- If you would prefer to book a taxi in advance, check out Taxi2Airport.
- Phuket Airport Bus – buses depart hourly for the Phuket Bus Terminal in Phuket Town between 6.30 am and 9.30 pm. The fare is 90 haht for large buses and 100 baht for minibuses. There are also buses to Patong, Kata, and Karon, departing hourly from 7.30 am. The cost 150 to 200 baht.
- Minivans – this is the cheapest option, but not usually the fastest or the most convenient. Fare range from 120 to 200 baht.
Airport Location
The airport is located in the northwestern part of the island, right behind Mai Khao Beach. It is 32 kilometres north of Phuket City.
The closest beach resorts are located in Nai Yang, with many of them offering complimentary shuttle bus services to and from the airport.
This is the fourth in a series of Passengers’ Guides to the Airports of Thailand (AOT).