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Although Phuket is an island, getting here is very straightforward. The majority of tourists arrive through Phuket International Airport. However, you can also get to Phuket by road, rail (in a roundabout way), and of course by sea if you have your own boat.
By Air
Getting to Phuket by air couldn't be easier. Phuket is served by an international airport with a number of scheduled and charter flights from Europe and around Asia.
However, the majority of visitors still fly to Bangkok first, where there are over a dozen domestic flights to Phuket daily. With the growth in budget airlines such as Nok Air, Air Asia and Orient Thai (One2Go), ticket prices are now very low. There is also the national carrier Thai Airways, which is slightly more expensive but offers a higher level of service.
Flights from Bangkok take about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Book your tickets early, especially during the high season from November to April.
By Bus
Travelling to Phuket by bus from Bangkok takes about 14 hours. You can catch one from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), in Thonburi. (Charan Sanitwong rd, Bangkok, tel: 02 435 1200, 02 435 1199). Bus timetables can also be found at the Thailand Travel Company website: http://www.transport.co.th/Eng/SOUTH1.htm
By Car
Phuket is about 867km (539 miles) from Bangkok, with a travelling time of approximately 10 hours. There are many car rental companies in Bangkok, both international firms such as Avis and Budget, as well as local companies.
Driving in Thailand is quite pleasant outside of town and cities. Motorways are in good condition and mostly well sign-posted in Thai and English. Driving standards are poor but better than many other developing nations.
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