How to Get from Bangkok to Phuket? Ultimate Guide 2024/2025

Phuket and Bangkok are two sides of the experience of visiting Thailand. Bangkok, with its bustling urban scene and royal Thai heritage, and Phuket, with golden beaches and exciting nightlife.

Getting from one to the other is easy. Flights will get you there the fastest, and by road can save you some money. Decide for yourself with this ultimate guide for how to get from Bangkok to Phuket.

How Far Is Bangkok to Phuket? The Location Map of Bangkok & Phuket

Bangkok sits in the Chao Phraya River Delta, divided into modern and traditional sides by the winding river. Located near the Gulf of Thailand in the central part of the country, it is home to cultural attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Bangkok is also the place to try out royal Thai cuisine, and get a glimpse of modern life there.

Around 840 kilometers away by road, Phuket is an island in the Andaman Sea on Thailand’s southwestern coast. It is the second largest island in the country and is connected to the mainland by two bridges. Phuket is a popular destination in itself and also a gateway to other islands in Thailand like the Phi Phi Islands and Similan Islands.

Flight from Bangkok to Phuket: the Most Convenient Way for Only One Hour

The easiest and fastest way to travel is to fly from Bangkok to Phuket. At least 24 flights a day depart from Bangkok from both Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. Multiple airlines, including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, and Thai AirAsia, fly the route, making airline tickets easy to get.

The flight time to Phuket airport is a little over one hour. Ticket prices vary a little depending on the time of year, but Nok Air regularly has prices around 30 USD. With so many flights to choose from, finding one that matches your schedule is convenient.

7 Days Classic Thailand Tour Package

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket

Train from Bangkok to Phuket: Not Recommended without Direct Train

The train is not the best option for getting from Bangkok to Phuket. No direct trains connect the two places. Instead, travelers have to switch to a bus at the closest transfer point, Surat Thani.

There are around eight trains a day from Bangkok to Surat Thani. Ticket prices range from 5-45 USD. There are both daytime and overnight trains with sleeper berths. Make sure to get a seat or sleeper with air conditioning for the 8-12 hours ride. Tickets are available online or at the train station.

From Surat Thani, you have to switch to a bus to get to Phuket. The bus station is only around 15 minutes away from the train station by taxi. Tickets cost between 9-45 USD, and the bus takes 4-5 hours to reach Phuket. With better options available, this way is not recommended.

Take a train heading to Surat Thani

Bangkok to Phuket on Road: the Cheapest Way only from $19

Going by road is the cheapest option. Bus tickets from Bangkok to Phuket start from 19 USD and go up to 25 USD. Thirteen buses leave from Bangkok Mochit Bus Terminal or Southern Terminal Bangkok each day. The journey takes 10-12 hours, so you’ll either need an overnight bus or leave at 6:45 to arrive on the same day. Buses arrive at Phuket Bus Terminal 2 or Thalang Phuket.

Private cars and taxis can also be booked to go to Phuket from Bangkok. The trip can cost anywhere from 63-400 USD, depending on the type of car. It takes 10-12 hours to reach Phuket Airport or Phuket Town Hotel Transfer.

Bus from Bangkok to Phuket

Is There a Ferry from Bangkok to Phuket?

Unfortunately, there are no ferries from Bangkok to Phuket. The best option if you want to take a ferry to Phuket is to fly from Bangkok to Krabi and take the ferry from there.

It costs around 31 USD to fly to Krabi from Bangkok, and it takes one hour and 20 minutes. There are around eight ferries a day to Phuket from various departure points in Krabi. Speedboat ferries take 1h20m to 1h50m to reach Bang Rong Pier.

Fancy ferry tour from Krabi to Phuket

When Is the Best Time to Visit Bangkok and Phuket?

If you plan on visiting Bangkok and Phuket on your Thailand tour, the best time to visit is when the dry seasons overlap. November to February is the best time to visit Bangkok. Temperatures are cooler, and rain is minimal. The dry season in Phuket also starts in November and continues until April.

Peak tourist season in Phuket is from December to February, so be aware that it can be crowded during this time. The shoulder seasons, when the dry season is starting or ending, are some of the best times to avoid crowds. The temperature is still comfortable, and rain is minimal, so you can enjoy all the great outdoor activities. 

8 Days Thailand Island Hopper Tour Package

Phuket – Koh Phi Phi – Krabi

Most Recommended Tour from Bangkok to Phuket

Many great tours include Bangkok and Phuket. Our 7-day Classic Thailand Tour Package is a seven-day tour that takes you to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. It starts with two days in Bangkok, exploring the city’s top cultural attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.

Then, two days in Chiang Mai, visiting Elephant Nature Park and enjoying street food in the city’s markets. The last two days in Phuket give you lots of time to enjoy the beaches or water activities like kayaking and swimming.

On a 12-day Highlights of Thailand Tour Package, you can enjoy Bangkok and Chiangmai before going to Khao Sok National Park to stay in a floating bungalow. The park is home to the world’s oldest lush forest, mountains, valleys, and a variety of wildlife.

Then, it’s time for beaches and marine life, starting with the island of Koh Phangan, Angthong Marine Park, and three days in Phuket. Your time in Phuket will include free time to enjoy the beach and a tour of nearby Phi Phi Island.

12 Days Highlights of Thailand Tour Package

Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Khao Sok National Park - Koh Phangan – Koh Samui – Phuket - Koh Phi Phi - Phuket

Conclusion

It’s easy to get from Bangkok to Phuket by air or road without spending a fortune. You’ll find the two places complement each other, showing you two sides of life and culture in Thailand.

If you have an idea for a Bangkok and Phuket tour that you don’t see among our tour packages, contact us to tailor your trip, and we’ll handle all the arrangements to ensure it’s a trip you never forget.