The cheapest way to get to Phuket from Bangkok. Bangkok Phuket: distance What is the distance from Bangkok to Phuket

Today there will be less emotional “snot” and more information that worries many people planning a trip. I think that after reading about our experience, you will decide for yourself whether it is scary, cold and inconvenient to travel from Bangkok to Phuket by bus.

We spent the morning of the trip planning and booked a hotel in Phuket. We collected and packed all our things, ate noodle soup in the same place as yesterday, and left our hotel.

The bus to Phuket departs from Sai Tai Mai South Bus Station. To get to Sai Tai Mai, you need to take a bus from Mo Chit North Bus Terminal.

So the first task for us was to get to this very Mo Chit terminal. We got on the metro and got to the Chatuchak Park station. As soon as we got up from the MRT, we immediately realized that we didn’t know where to go next, but our feet carried us towards the Chatuchak market. We walked through the rows, the merchants had already begun to remove their goods. How much is there! I noticed that the prices, at least those that are written (I think you can still bargain), are quite acceptable. The market is large, in which direction to go is not at all clear. We stopped and started looking at the map, but it was not detailed. Seeing our confusion, a young Thai man - one of the traders - approached us and offered help, pointed us in the right direction, and gave us a map of the market. My soul immediately became more cheerful. According to the map we reached the end of the market, but where after that is again unknown. Suddenly we noticed a Tourist’s Information booth, but this time there was no luck - the girl spoke very little English and couldn’t really advise anything. But the sticky taxi drivers immediately said that they knew where Mo Chit was and would deliver you there for 100 baht. We declined their services, but were grateful that the men showed us the direction.

Proud and rebellious, we walked and walked along the road, past shopping shops. We stopped to rest near a furniture store and again turned our attention to the map. They asked at the shop, the owner, a young Muslim, offered help, indicated the direction and asked to wait for him for 5 minutes. We were wary. A few moments later, the man calls for him and opens the car door. Stunned, we sit inside, dragging all the junk in there and ask him: “How much will the trip cost?” To which the Thai man smiles and says that he is not a taxi driver and will take us out of the kindness of his heart (this is during working hours!). We didn’t drive for long, of course, about 5-10 minutes, but the kindness of this man, who did not disdain to invite foreigners into his car with their (not very clean) backpacks, delighted me and made me think. To be honest, many of our car owners love their iron friend more than their children and wives, devoting all weekends to washing and polishing the car. Cult of things, what to do!

Take a look at Google map, it shows the shortest walking distance to the MoChit terminal. Distance - 2 km. We lengthened this path for ourselves many times over, bypassing the market and wandering around in loops, not knowing where to go. If you are light, you can easily cover this distance on foot in about 25 minutes; if you have heavy luggage, take a taxi and bargain.

Meanwhile, having said goodbye to the kind man, we found ourselves near the Mo Chit bus station and the taxi barkers standing at the entrance began to rub their hands when they saw their clients. But it was not there! We passed by, refusing their services. We asked some girl nearby which bus would take us to Sai Tai Mai, to which we received the answer - No. 170. Having walked a little further, we saw information kiosks with people sitting there, where they not only told us the bus number - 170, but also showed us the direction where it stands.

We got into an old tarantass, told the conductor the end point of the trip, paid 19 baht on the nose and, happy with our small victory, began to wait for the rest of the passengers, at about 16.00. After 10 minutes, having boarded a couple more people, the bus set off.

Our ticket to Sai Tai Mai

Sai Tai Mai is the farthest bus station. At first I assumed that the journey would take a maximum of an hour, but when dusk began to fall, and then it became completely dark, and our bus still had not reached its destination, I began to feel uneasy. The thought arose that perhaps the conductor had forgotten about us, but after asking several people nearby, it turned out that we had not passed Sai Tai Mai yet. And so, at 17.50, night, we fly out of the bus and rush towards a room similar to a bus station. Taxi drivers stand in front of the entrance, offering to take you to Phuket according to the meter, the final amount is unclear. The unknown did not suit me and we ran on, looking for where tickets were sold. The blogs read information that the bus leaves at 18.00. The clock was the same. There was no ticket sales point on the first floor, but we saw the “Ticketing” sign with an arrow and ran to the second floor, then to the third. The station is full of shops with clothes, food, cafes, but since there was little time, we did not pay attention and ran on. In the end, we found the window we needed, where they informed us that we needed a ticket to Phuket. The woman offered only 2 options:

For 1300 baht per person, the bus leaves at 19.30;

For 794 baht per person, leaving at 18.00;

(for some reason it was impossible to buy tickets for 600 baht)

We chose the second option, but I was very worried about the question: had the bus already left, since it was already 18.05. To which the woman, using pantomime and a watch, explained that the bus leaves at 18.20.

Having bought tickets, we ran to the buses, found terminal No. 70, our bus number and flew there.

Finally, it was possible to take out the packed camera and take a few shots from the bus.

Before leaving, we still managed to run to the toilet for 3 baht and buy 2 bottles of water 0.6 liters for 10 baht each (it turned out to be completely unnecessary, on the bus we were given a 0.6 bottle for free each).

The buses are comfortable: with blankets, comfortable seats, and reclining footrests.

I get very tired from sitting, but I even managed to sleep well on this bus. The seats are much more comfortable than on an airplane. The only negative is the cold, at first you don’t feel it, then it gets stronger. My preparation saved me: I read in blogs about the Thais’ excessive love for air conditioning, so I put on a sweater and covered my legs with a blanket. Before the trip, in addition to water, we were each given a bag of sweet bread (which was very helpful, since we ate for the last time in the morning, and then we simply didn’t have time). Then we watched a film in Thai for 2 hours about beans that grew to the sky and giants. Then we fell asleep.

We woke up only once, stopping at 1:00 a.m. local time for a snack. I remember angry posts on travel blogs on this topic. And we were just glad, because apart from yesterday’s breakfast and sweet bread we didn’t eat anything. The stop lasted a maximum of 20 minutes. After running through the aisles with fruits, cookies and all sorts of snacks, we bought noodle soup: 1 serving for 50 baht, pineapples for 40 baht and some kind of sweet similar to chak-chak for 45 baht. We warmed up a little, ate, got on the bus and pretty quickly everyone fell asleep again. The courteous conductor woke us up at 6.00 in the morning, took the blankets at 6.30, and at 6.50 we were already standing at the new Phuket bus station - Bus terminal 2.

So, to summarize,

You can get to Sai Tai Mai Station, where the bus to Phuket leaves, from the northern terminal of Mo Chit by bus 170 for 19 baht per person.

Cost of a VIP ticket for the Bangkok-Phuket bus: 794 baht from the nose. A 0.6 bottle of water, sweet bread and a warm fleece blanket for the duration of the trip are included as a gift.

The ride is very comfortable, you will sleep better than on an airplane. A movie is shown on the bus until 10 p.m., then the lights are turned off and it becomes quiet.

The information about the cold has been confirmed, take a jacket + warm tights or jeans, socks; You can't keep warm with just a blanket.

We had only one stop for a snack, which lasted no more than 20 minutes (information from bloggers with children, where they wrote that they wake you up every 2 hours and shout something, which makes it impossible to sleep, was not confirmed);

The bus leaves at 18.20, at 6.50 - you are already in Phuket.

About how Phuket met us and what adventures followed -

  1. Airplane.
  2. Train.
  3. Automobile.
  4. VIP bus.
  5. Transfer.

But which one will be the most comfortable and won’t hurt your wallet too much?

Google Maps / google.ru

The distance from Bangkok to Phuket is 691 km in a straight line. Agree, the path is not short. Therefore, a tour to your desired destination should be chosen wisely. Comfort, coziness, speed and high quality of service - perhaps these factors pay the most attention.

You have several options to choose from when traveling from Bangkok to Phuket. We will tell you about each of them in more detail.

Departure by plane

This method is most popular when sending from any point. In addition, it is worth noting that in these parts air transport is used more often than land transport.

Thousands of flights take place around the world every day, which indicates its demand. This type of movement is considered the fastest. Potential tourists are interested in how long to fly? 1 hour 15 minutes is the average travel time. Undoubtedly, this cannot but rejoice.

Linny Heng / flickr.com

Additional aspects:

  • The price for a flight ranges from $40 to $150.
  • Departure from Don Muang Airport, not from Suvarnabhumi (you will also have to pay for a taxi to get from one airport to another).
  • The time between flights can be long (sometimes up to several hours).

Tickets to Phuket - Bangkok should be purchased well in advance of the flight, as they sell out quickly. Their prices vary, but cheap ones are easy to find. When purchasing them on specialized online resources, such as, you should pay attention to all the options offered, including many profitable ones. On the same resource you can purchase train and bus tickets.

Each tour is good in its own way. The island's airport has international status. More than 50 flights depart daily from Bangkok to Phuket, which is considered the busiest. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, then use Don Muang Airport, where the cost of a flight is approximately $40. The average flight time is 75 minutes, after which you will spend about 40 minutes on a bus to get to Phuket Town.

Among the well-known airlines, it is worth highlighting the cheapest:

  1. AirAsia.
  2. 12 Go.
  3. Nok Air.

Dennis Jarvis / flickr.com

These companies have already earned the love and gratitude of their customers. Many positive reviews online are clear proof of this. By contacting at least one of them, you can be sure that their work will definitely not disappoint you. With their help, you will not worry about whether you will be able to go on a tour that includes a trip from Bangkok to Phuket.

Railway transport

People turn to trains for various reasons. Some people are afraid of heights, others don’t want to drive a personal car. For many years, this type of transport has been popular with customers - although it is not the fastest, it provides you with all the necessary amenities.

Clay Gilliland / flickr.com

Modern trains include a lot of advantages that could only be dreamed of a decade ago. It is thanks to them that you will not think about how to get to Phuket from Bangkok.

Probably the only disadvantage of this type of travel is that there is no direct flight to the island. Accordingly, you will have to travel with transfers. Which train to choose for this tour? Any one heading south. Then you need to get off in the city of Surat Thani. From there, a short journey awaits you by bus to your desired location.

Trains are different and depend on the speed and number of stops:

  • ordinary;
  • ambulances;
  • express trains;
  • special express trains.

Clay Gilliland / flickr.com

As for the cars, they are also divided into several classifications:

  1. First class (includes single and double compartments).
  2. Second class (both reserved seat and soft seats available).
  3. Third class (soft and hard benches).

Air conditioning is only available in first class carriages. Occasionally they can be found in second grade. In other carriages they are completely absent.

The trip to both Bangkok and Phuket takes different times, depending on the speed of travel. Basically it can last from 4 to 12 hours, including transfer.

Ride on a VIP bus

A large number of tourists are not even aware of the existence of this method of transportation. In general, buses play a big role in the transport system of Thailand. They can hardly be called truly luxurious, but they have a number of advantages that are rarely found anywhere.

shankar s. /flickr.com

Important points of the trip:

The relatively low cost of a ticket on the route from Bangkok to Phuket is approximately $30 per person (you can buy it either at the station itself or online on the website).

  • Departure from the station is often in the evening, arrival is usually early in the morning.
  • The duration of the trip is on average 12 hours.
  • Sleep at any convenient time (even get enough sleep).
  • Supply of food and water.
  • The comfort of a two-story salon.
  • There are stops every 3 hours.
  • Landing in Phuket Town, to get to Kathu, Patong or Karon you will have to spend about $15 by taxi.

Most flights depart at night. We recommend choosing the one that should be done during the day. Because during the trip you will be able to watch Thailand from the window. At the stopping places there are shops where you can get something to eat. By the way, the goods there are not very expensive.

Traveling by car

If saving is not your style, then you can go to Phuket with your own transport. It must be remembered that the costs will be extremely high, and the trip will last a very long time. And, in general, all the joyful emotions can quickly disappear when you realize that you will have to drive for about 11 hours (not counting the additional time spent stopping).

Among the positive aspects it is worth mentioning that:

  1. In your car you are your own boss.
  2. Sleep and eat whenever you want.
  3. No need to waste time buying a ticket.

Otherwise, this method is hardly worth using - the costs both in money and time will be considerable.

Transfer order

This option is suitable for those who do not think about funds. $350 is the price of the trip. Of course, for one person it will be quite expensive. But if, for example, a company of seven fellow travelers becomes a client, then each will have to pay only $50. A tangible difference that is noticeable to the naked eye.

neajjean/flickr.com

Minibus or car – the choice is yours. Nothing more is required. The driver with a sign (with your name written) will be waiting for you at the station. Then he will put you in the car and take you to the island. Remember - with more passengers the trip will become much more profitable! You can order a transfer for such a trip on the website.

Perhaps this method will be the most comfortable. But the journey will take about 10 hours.

Video: Bangkok - Phuket, optimal route.

Bottom line

Travelers are provided with a lot of opportunities, thanks to which they can get to the specified area without much difficulty. It is important to choose the best option so that the journey is not only comfortable, but also memorable.

Surely you will no longer have to think about how to get from Bangok to Phuket. We have described for you the most convenient ways to move. They are suitable for absolutely anyone, regardless of your financial status.

reibai/flickr.com

If you want to get to your desired destination as quickly as possible, then the only way is air travel. A little over an hour and you will already be where you intended. The flight Phuket - Bangkok will bring a lot of positive emotions, because in addition to the speed of the flight, you will also find pleasant service.

Perhaps you would like to travel back from Phuket to Bangkok. All you have to do is choose the tour that suits your liking… and your budget.

There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Phuket: by plane, by express bus, by train with a transfer to a bus, or by taxi or pre-booked transfer. The cost of a plane ticket starts from $40, the flight duration is 1 hour 25 minutes. An express bus from Bangkok to Phuket will take you to your destination in 13 hours 10 minutes, the ticket price is at least $19. A combined trip (train + bus) lasts 16 hours, a ticket that includes both types of transport costs from $35. Finally, a taxi or transfer service will cost the traveler $420 and lasts 10 hours. If you are wondering how many kilometers are from Bangkok to Phuket, we inform you: the distance between the cities is 840 km.

If you prefer to sleep most of the way, choose the Bangkok - Phuket express bus. However, keep in mind that Thais usually turn on the air conditioning at full power, so stock up on warm clothes. The train from Bangkok to Phuket is another option for an overnight trip, but after it there is a transfer to a bus, and you will have to travel during the day. If you prefer the option with a transfer, it is best to purchase a comprehensive ticket. You can buy tickets individually on the spot, but they sell out very quickly, and there is a risk of not leaving on the desired flight. The situation with plane tickets is similar: they should be purchased in advance, preferably several months in advance.

Phuket - a piece of paradise

The island of Phuket is in incredible demand among tourists, because here everyone will find something to their liking. Many people settle on the island with their children and spend time on the beach; others enjoy active recreation, such as diving and surfing. Sightseeing lovers will also not be bored: it is worth taking a look at the Big Buddha statue, which is 45 meters high. The Buddhist temple Wat Chalong also deserves attention; both individual tourists and entire excursions come to see its beauty. Well, to enhance the unforgettable experience of the island, be sure to ride elephants!

Plane from Bangkok to Phuket. Flights

Price

Expectation

Travel time

For whom

The plane is the fastest way to get to the island, because it flies only 1 hour 25 minutes. Flights on Bangkok Airways and Thai International Airways start at $40. Departure is from Suvernabhumi Airport, there are no night flights. Getting from Phuket airport to popular beaches takes 30-60 minutes, you can do this by taxi. There is also the option to fly with low-cost airlines (AirAsia, NokAir) from Don Muang Airport. Although these flights are cheap (from $22), low-cost airlines have never been known for their reliability: flights can be canceled or delayed indefinitely.

Airplane Bangkok – Phuket:

Direct flight Bangkok Airways/Thai International Airways (low-cost airlines AirAsia and NokAir flights from Dong Muang)

Schedule:

From 06:25 to 21:55

Route:

Suvernabhumi Airport (Don Mueang Airport for low-cost airlines) - Phuket Airport

Travel time:

From 1 hour 55 minutes (1 hour 25 – plane, from 30-60 minutes – to the beaches)

Expectation:

From 45 minutes between flights

Comfort:

Average: clean spacious interior, comfortable high chairs, fresh newspapers.
Low for low-cost airlines

Price:

From $48 (40 – plane, 8 – taxi to the beach)

For whom:

For wealthy tourists, for businessmen, young couples, for traveling with children.

How to get from Phuket airport to the beach:

Bus Bangkok – Phuket. Express

Price

Expectation

Travel time

≈16 hours

For whom

Individual tourist

Before taking the Bangkok to Phuket bus, you will have to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the South Bus Terminal (2.5 hours). The trip by express bus itself takes at least 13 hours and 10 minutes, depending on the carrier. The price also varies - from $19 to $28, depending on what class you are traveling in (1st, 2nd or VIP). This type of transport runs from early morning until evening; there are no night flights on the schedule. Even though the ticket is relatively cheap, the express bus has all the facilities you need for the trip: free snacks, Internet, etc. Tickets can be purchased at the South Bus Terminal ticket office in Bangkok.

Express bus from Bangkok to Phuket:

Direct flight to Phuket

Bus schedule Bangkok – Phuket:

From 06:40 to 20:30

Route:

Bangkok South Bus Terminal – Phuket Bus Terminal

Travel time:

From 15 hours 40 minutes (13 hours 10 – express bus, 2 hours 30 minutes – bus to Bangkok bus station)

Expectation:

Comfort:

High: soft chairs, Wi-Fi, toilet, spacious interior, air conditioning, free snacks.

Bus ticket price Bangkok - Phuket:

From $19.2 (19 – express bus, 0.2 – bus to the Southern Bus Station)

For whom:

For couples without children, for young tourists, for those who want to save money, without large luggage.

How to find the express bus stop at Bangkok Airport:

You can get to Bangkok South Bus Terminal by bus No. 556 or by taxi.

Price

Expectation

1 flight per day

Travel time

≈16 hours

For whom

Individual tourist

There is no direct train connection between Bangkok and Phuket, so you can get to Surrat Thani by train and from there by bus to Phuket. It is best to purchase a combined ticket, which includes the cost of both the train and the bus. The train travel time is 11 hours 40 minutes (plus the road to the railway station and from Surratani to Phuket), the ticket price is $52 in 1st class and $35 in 2nd class. You can buy your ticket online or at the Hua Lamphong Railway Station ticket office.

Train number 85 to Surratani

Schedule:

1 flight, daily at 19.30

Route:

Bangkok Railway Station Hua Lamphong - Surrat Thani - Phuket

Travel time:

16 hours 10 minutes (1 hour – public transport to the railway station, 11 hours 40 – train, 3.5 hours – bus to Phuket)

Expectation:

1 flight per day

Comfort:

Medium: spacious interior, coffee tables, high chairs with armrests, daily newspapers.

Price:

From $36.3 (from 35 – train, from 1.3 – public transport to the railway station)

For whom:

For couples without children, without large luggage, who know the route, for young tourists.

How to find the train platform from Bangkok to Phuket:

The train departs from Hua Lamphong Railway Station. From Suvarnabhumi Airport you can get there by metro: Airport Rail Link (lower floor of the airport) to Makkasan station, then transfer to the MRT underground metro to Hua Lamphong station.

The main options to get to from are by plane, bus and train. They differ greatly in time, but not much in money, especially if you buy air tickets in advance. In addition, it is easier and cheaper to get to popular ones on your own from the airport.

The distance between Phuket and Bangkok is approximately 860 km. If you are a driving enthusiast, you can drive it on excellent roads in about 10-13 hours. A large selection of cars is available at airports and the city. The car can be rented either on site or. In principle, it is not at all necessary to do such a motor rally, but it is also excellent and you can drive around the island to your heart’s content.

Flight Bangkok - Phuket by plane

Bus Bangkok - Phuket

If you want a really cheap way to get from Bangkok to Phuket, then your choice is the bus. Almost all buses arrive at, located in the northern part. For those who live here or are planning to sail from - this is good.

But this method has one big disadvantage. If you live on one of the popular beaches (Patong, Karon, Kata) and are not oriented towards Phuket, then getting cheaply from the bus station will be quite difficult and tiring. And paying 500 baht to Patong for a taxi, saving on the flight from Bangkok, is somehow strange.

But if you are not looking for easy ways, then first you need to get from to. Then transfer to the bus that runs around Phuket. With luggage and children, this is quite tiring. The entire journey from the bus station will take at least 2 hours.

If you still decide on this method, then here are the places where you can go to Phuket from Bangkok on your own.

1. Bus stations Yuzhny and Mochit.

You can take a direct bus from the (Southern Bus Terminal) and (Mo Chit) bus stations. The ticket price depends on the class and comfort of the cabin and starts from 600 baht. Travel time is 12-13 hours (depending on traffic jams leaving Bangkok). All transport is air-conditioned and the only difference is the number of seats - the fewer there are, the higher the cost, since there is more space, which means you can stretch your legs and put a bag. The seats are also different - in the cabin, where there are fewer seats, they recline almost horizontally. Almost all flights are evening, from about 17:00.

Tickets are sold at station ticket offices, and you can buy them online from some companies.

Below you can see the approximate schedule of buses going to Phuket.

2. Khaosan area.

You can also get to Phuket by. There are many agencies in the area offering flights from the capital. The price of bus tickets from Bangkok to Phuket is about the same - 600 - 1000 baht, but the quality of transport is often worse. In addition, buses can only go to Surat Thani (although there are direct flights, but they are more expensive), and there you will be transferred to another transport (minibus, bus). Moreover, at this transfer point you can wait 1-2 hours for a transfer.