How to go from Phuket International Airport to Patong - By bus, Grab, and taxi

Phuket is a very popular travel destination from Malaysia, offering plenty to do, and lovely beaches with activities for all the family. If your trip will be to the Patong area you need to navigate the route from Phuket Airport to Patong beach on arrival.

You can get from Phuket Airport to Patong in several different ways - all by road. Consider making your journey by bus, taxi, hire car or Grab for the best balance of convenience and cost. This guide walks through how to make your journey easiest based on your specific requirements. We’ll also talk about the Wise card, a handy tool to have to save as you spend in THB and 40+ currencies.

Can I go to Patong directly from Phuket Airport?

Yes. You can go to Patong directly from Phuket Airport by road¹. If speed and convenience is the most important thing for you, then getting a taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong probably makes sense. However, you can also choose to take a bus service which is cheaper, but takes a little longer, or hire your own car if you need the flexibility of travelling as and when you want to within Phuket.

Here’s a summary of your key options for a Phuket Airport transfer to Patong:

Phuket to Patong distance

Depending on the exact route taken, and where in Patong you end your journey, the Phuket to Patong distance should be just a little under 40 kilometres by road. Traffic can vary enormously, so if you arrive in peak hours, expect the travel time to be a little longer.

How to go to Patong from Phuket Airport?

The Phuket Airport to Patong distance is pretty short, but depending on the congestion the journey may take a little time. Bear this in mind when selecting your travel method. If cost is most important, the bus may be the best option. But if money is less of an issue, getting your own private card through Grab or a licensed taxi can make the journey faster - and of course, more peaceful and relaxing.

Phuket Airport to Patong by bus

Phuket airport is served by several different buses, but not all routes go to Patong. Instead, some of the services head straight for Phuket Town, which means that they go inland and don’t necessarily pass the beach areas. Be sure to check the available stops before you board.

Probably the easiest way to get from the airport to Patong by bus is by using the Phuket Smart Bus service, which departs from the stop close to Exit 3 in the main terminal. The service runs from the Phuket Airport to the following stops:

• Bann Khian
• Cherngtalay
• Surin Beach
• Kamala
• Patong
• Karon
• Kata
• Rawai

This covers Patong Beach and many of the other local popular tourist resorts, making this a great transport option. Tickets cost 100 THB which is an excellent price even for budget travelers. Buses go from 8:15 in the morning to 22:30 in the evenings, although you may want to call ahead to check the frequency of services around your arrival time. The bus service can be contacted on:

Phuket Smart Bus - 086 3061257

Phuket Airport to Patong by Grab

Getting to Patong from the airport with luggage, a large group or a family may be easiest by car. This can be the most expensive option, but you’ll be able to select your vehicle size to take account of your bags and the group size, and get dropped off right at your door. That convenience can be worth paying for, and may help to ensure your trip gets off to a great start.

There’s a Grab collection area outside of Entrance 1 in the arrivals area of the main terminal. You’ll be able to order your ride from here and get delivered right to your doorstep. The drive from Phuket Airport to Patong by Grab can take about an hour at a quieter time of day, but may be up to 1.5 hours at peak hours.

The other option from the airport to Patong is to hire a car for self driving. This might make sense to people who are taking in Patong as part of a broader trip around Phuket. If you also want the flexibility to visit other sites or move around the island, getting your own car could be the solution. The airport has many different car rental services to choose form, including⁶:

• Yesaway
• Sixt
• Thai Rentacar
• Drive Car Rental
• Europcar
• Asap Car Rental
• Budget Car Rental
• Avis
• Hertz

Car hire providers are located in different areas of the airport, so you might want to pick one close to where you’ll be arriving. If you have a strong preference for a provider, you can also check the airport information to find out where the hire desks are located. Many operate 24 hours, but not all do - so be sure to also check the opening hours before you get to the airport.

Phuket Airport to Patong by Taxi

Taking a taxi from Phuket Airport to Patong is super convenient and means you can sit in air conditioned luxury on your journey. You’ll also be able to share the ride costs with your party. While this is always going to be more expensive than grabbing a public bus, the Phuket Airport to Patong taxi price may not look so bad if you share your ride with several other people. Plus it means you don’t have to worry about carrying your cases at the other end as you can get dropped off right at your door.

Getting from the airport to Patong Beach using the airport minibus taxi or limousine service may have a fixed price, which can be about 800 THB, depending on the service you select. There’s a private minibus taxi option which goes from Entrance 1 of the main terminal, which should do you a fixed price deal:

Phuket Airport minibus taxi/limousine service - 076 351720

There’s also a taxi service which goes from the domestic terminal if you’re arriving on a connection. In this case you’ll pay a metered fare, which is regulated by the Ministry of Transport. Additional fees of 100 THB apply on top of the meter rate, when getting collected at the airport. You can contact this service as follows:

Phuket Airport EVme VIP taxi - 800 687548

Travel from Patong to Phuket Airport

Assuming your trip from the airport to Patong went smoothly, getting home on the other side should also be a breeze. Just do the same in reverse. If you’re getting a bus it’s worth checking the timetable to avoid waiting around at the stop. And if you’re getting a taxi or Grab, ask your hotel to give you advice about the likely travel time for your departure.

The drive from Patong to the airport can vary in terms of time, and while you don’t want to miss out on precious beach time, ending your vacation with a stressful rush through peak traffic isn’t any fun either.

Pay for transport, food, and shopping with the Wise card to maximise your MYR to THB conversions

During your trip to Thailand, you’ll need smart and cheap ways to make your money go further. Meet the Wise card.

You can open your Wise account online or in the Wise app to order your physical Wise card in the app for a low, one-time fee of 13.70 MYR, and receive it in about 5 working days. You’ll also get instant access to virtual Wise cards for use with Apple Pay or Google Pay. You’ll be able to add money in MYR and either convert right away to THB for spending, or let the card do the conversions for you.

In either case you get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees. Plus, for those times when only cash will do, you can make some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR in Thailand to get your baht for absolutely no Wise fees.

Get instant transaction notifications to your phone as you spend, top up your Wise account easily on the go, and manage your card in a few taps. No hassle, just simple, safe, and low cost spending in Thailand and 150+ other countries.

💳 Get your Wise card today

1. Phuket Airport transport
2. Phuket smart bus
3. Phuket airport minibus taxi
4. Phuket Airport EVme VIP taxi
5. Phuket Airport Grab
6. Phuket Airport car rental options