Phuket Guide: Where to Stay, THB 100 Airport Bus, Red Flags
Stay in Patong for nightlife, Kata or Karon for beach days and Phuket Town for the cheapest beds. The Smart Bus from the airport costs THB 100 flat. A counter taxi car to Patong costs THB 800. Do not swim where a red flag flies.
On this page
Phuket’s beaches are on the west coast, Phuket Town is in the southeast and the airport is in the north. Your first two choices are the beach and the airport transfer. Patong suits nightlife, Kata and Karon suit beach days, and the Smart Bus from the airport costs THB 100.
For living guides, rent and area-by-area detail, see the sister site Phuket Anchor (opens in a new tab).
Which Phuket area fits you
Pick the area first, then the airport transfer.
| Area | Fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Patong | Nightlife | The largest and most popular beach resort, known for nightlife |
| Kata | Beach days, surf | A busy, clean beach with good surf |
| Kata Noi | Quieter than Kata | Kata’s quieter sister beach |
| Karon | Longer beach stay | The second most developed beach after Patong |
| Kamala | Quiet | A quieter beach north of Patong |
| Rawai | Island trips, beach dinners | A jumping-off point for local islands, popular with locals for eating on the beach |
| Chalong Bay | Boat tours | The most popular yacht anchorage and the main gateway to the islands off Phuket |
| Phuket Town | Budget | The administrative centre, with the cheapest accommodation |
Phuket airport transfers and what they cost
Four transfers leave the arrival area, and the fares run from THB 100 to THB 1,400.
Smart Bus
The Smart Bus costs a flat THB 100 on the airport, Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai line. The route runs Airport, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai southbound and back the same way northbound. The pick-up is at Entrance 3 of the Domestic terminal.
Children under 6 ride free with a paying adult. Pay with a contactless Visa, Mastercard or JCB card, a PromptPay QR code or cash, and you need no app. Times are approximate and vary with traffic.
8411 airport bus to Phuket Town
The 8411 bus to Phuket Town costs THB 100 from the airport. Board at exit 3: turn left and follow the sign to the public transport parking area. The service runs from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m..
Pay by QR code or cash on the bus. The route reaches Phuket Bus Terminal, where you can change for Patong, Kata, Karon and Chalong.
Taxi and limousine counters
EVme VIP Taxi works from the Domestic Terminal around the clock. It charges by the meter from THB 150 for the first 2 kilometres, plus a THB 100 airport taxi fee.
The limousine counters stand in front of Exit Gate 1 at the Domestic Terminal and Exit Gate 2 at the International Terminal. The counter states all-inclusive rates with no hidden fees or surcharges. A taxi car takes up to 3 passengers and a Fortuner up to 4.
| Destination | Taxi car | Fortuner |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket Town | THB 650 | THB 900 |
| Patong | THB 800 | THB 1,200 |
| Kata and Karon | THB 1,000 | THB 1,400 |
| Rawai and Nai Harn | THB 1,000 | THB 1,400 |
| Chalong Temple | THB 750 | THB 1,100 |
| Bang Tao, Surin, Layan | THB 700 | THB 1,000 |
| Kamala | THB 750 | THB 1,100 |
| Mai Khao, Sai Kaew | THB 600 | THB 900 |
The Fortuner column is marked as only 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Which transfer to pick
A taxi car to Patong costs THB 800. The Smart Bus to the same beach costs THB 100. Heading to Phuket Town, the 8411 bus costs THB 100 and the counter taxi car costs THB 650.
Flying in from Bangkok, Bangkok Airways advertises Phuket fares from THB 1,500. The Smart Bus phone number is 086 306 1257.
Monsoon season, red flags and park closures
The southwest monsoon covers Thailand from mid-May to mid-October and brings heavy cloud and rain, especially along the coasts. Phuket is on the west coast of the south, which faces this monsoon. The rainy season runs from mid-May to mid-October.
Dates move. The start of the rainy season can come 1 to 2 weeks early or late.
Red flags and swimming
Thailand has lifeguards on duty at designated beaches and operates a flag system. Follow all warning signs, especially red flags. People have drowned in strong riptides, especially in monsoon season.
Jellyfish can swim close to the shore, particularly in the rainy season from May to October, and stings can be fatal. Island boats have sunk or collided, usually because of overloading, poor maintenance or rough seas in monsoon season.
Park closures near Phuket
Phang Nga Bay national park closes Koh Lawa Yai, Ao Khian and Koh Boi Yai from 1 August to 30 September. Maya Bay, Loh Samah and Lo Ko bay on Phi Phi close for the same two months. Similan Islands tourism is closed from 16 May to 14 October.
The Similan park opened for the season on 15 October 2026. The Andaman marine parks, including Phi Phi, Lanta and Phang Nga Bay, have opened for the season. For the Gulf side and a month-by-month view, read Best Thai Islands by Month.
Sights and national park fees
Wat Chalong is free to enter, and parking is free. It opens daily from 07:00 to 17:00. Shoulders, chests and knees must be covered. A typical visit lasts 1 to 2 hours.
The temple has a 60 metre chedi sheltering a bone fragment of the Buddha, and visitors can climb to the top-floor terrace.
National park tickets follow the Department of National Parks groups, in force from 7 June 2022.
| Park | Foreign adult | Foreign child |
|---|---|---|
| Sirinat National Park, Phuket (group 2) | THB 200 | THB 100 |
| Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Le, Ko Mai Phai (special charge) | THB 400 | THB 200 |
| Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi, other sites (group 2) | THB 200 | THB 100 |
| Ao Phang Nga National Park (group 3) | THB 300 | THB 150 |
The listed prices do not include vehicle fees. A child is aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3, disabled people and monks are exempt.
Getting around Phuket
The Smart Bus Route 2 runs from Bus Terminal 2 via Phuket Town to Patong Beach. Bus Terminal to Patong costs THB 50. The free Dragon Line is a city shuttle. Unlimited rides all day come with the Day Pass card.
Scooters and jet skis
Motorcycles and scooters for hire in tourist areas are often unregistered and cannot be used legally on a public road. By law you must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Riding without a valid licence could invalidate your travel insurance.
Do not hand your passport over as a guarantee, for example to motorcycle or jet-ski rental businesses. Rent from a reputable company and document the vehicle’s prior damage.
Scams, tourist police and emergencies
Call 1155 for the tourist police hotline for crimes involving tourists. There is a tourist police station for Phuket. A Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud Center sits at Phuket International Airport, tel +66 76 327100.
For an emergency, 191 is the Royal Thai Police number and 1669 is the number for a medical emergency. The Tourist Police app offers immediate assistance and translation, and it works for tourists without a Thai SIM card.
Give a tuk-tuk or taxi driver exact instructions on where to go, and decline sight-seeing detours. Know the baht and the change owed before paying. Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers.
If a stranger says a sight is closed, trust the hours listed in a guidebook or online. Read the full tourist police guide and the list of emergency numbers.
Phuket Immigration Office
The Phuket Immigration Office is at 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000. The phone is 0 7622 1905 and the hotline printed on its page is 1178.
The office is open Monday to Friday, with a morning session from 8.30 and an afternoon session to 4.30 p.m.. It is closed Saturday, Sunday and national public holidays.
A tourist extension costs THB 1,900. File at the immigration office covering the area where you live.
Two smaller points serve Patong and Thalang. The Patong Office is at Patong Beach, Kathu, and opens Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.. The Blue Tree Office is at 4, 2 Srisoonthorn Rd., Thalang.
Related guides: extend a visa exemption, the address notification form and the stay report.
Not confirmed: Bangkok to Phuket coach fare: no operator fare is confirmed, so check the operator's counter at the Southern Terminal. Smart Bus first and last departures are on a timetable image, so confirm the last bus at the stop. Park rates come from the 2022 schedule, so ask at the ticket booth.
Common questions
Which area of Phuket is best for a first visit?
Patong is the largest and most popular beach resort and is known for nightlife. Kata is a busy, clean beach with good surf, and Kata Noi is its quieter sister.
How much is a taxi from Phuket airport to Patong?
The limousine counter charges THB 800 for a taxi car and THB 1,200 for a Fortuner. EVme VIP Taxi runs on the meter from THB 150 plus a THB 100 airport fee.
Is there a cheap bus from Phuket airport?
The Smart Bus costs THB 100 flat on the airport, Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai line. The 8411 bus to Phuket Town also costs THB 100.
When is the rainy season in Phuket?
The rainy season runs from mid-May to mid-October. The start can come 1 to 2 weeks early or late.
What do red flags mean on Phuket beaches?
Thailand runs a flag system at lifeguarded beaches, and the advice is to follow all warning signs, especially red flags. People have drowned in strong riptides, especially in monsoon season.
Is Wat Chalong free?
Entry to Wat Chalong is free and parking is free. It opens daily from 07:00 to 17:00.
How much is the national park fee in Phuket?
Sirinat National Park is a group 2 park, so a foreign adult pays THB 200 and a child THB 100 under the June 2022 rates.
Who do I call in Phuket for a tourist scam?
Call 1155, the tourist police hotline for crimes involving tourists. A fraud assistance centre also sits at Phuket International Airport.
Where do I extend my stay in Phuket?
File at the Phuket Immigration Office, 482 Phuket Rd., Talad Yai. A tourist extension costs THB 1,900.
Read next
Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.
Spotted an error? Report it.