Generally,
if your desired resort knows your arrival time, you will be
picked up by the resort's mini-bus. If not, there are many
private taxi services (pickups) waiting for new guests. Listen
to words like "taxi sir ?". Limousine service is also available
at Phuket airport.
Hints: ask for the price before entering
any taxi - and bargain!
If you have a clear destination,
avoid any discussions or suggestions for "a better hotel".
Always the best is to have a pickup service from your hotel. You
may also call the hotel from Phuket, Bangkok or wherever you
are now.
By Car Take
Route 4 from Bangkok to the south. Along the way pass the
provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi,
Prachuap-Khirikan, and at Chumphon go right to Ranong. From Ranong,
go south through Kraburi and Kapoe Districts to Phang-nga
Province.
In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takuapa, and Thai
Muang Districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy. Then, cross
the Thao Thep Kasattri or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Island.
The distance is 867 kilometers.
Travel Time from Bangkok: 8 hours
By Sea
The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Puket is visited by both
cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your
travel agent for information about the many different ships that
stop at Phuket. Timetables ferries
Ferries to Phuket
Ferries
Day.
Dep
Arr.
Adult
Child
(2-12 yrs)
Ao Nang
to Phuket
Daily
15.00
17.00
Phuket
to Ao Nang
Daily
8.30
10.30
Ferries to
neighboring islands
Express boat
Day
Dep.
Arr.
Adult
Child
(2-12 yrs.)
Phuket - Phi Phi
Daily
08.30
10.00
350
250
Phuket - Phi Phi
Daily
13.30
15.00
250
150
Phuket - Phi Phi
Daily
-
-
650
500
Phuket - Phi Phi
Daily
-
-
450
250
Phuket - Racha
Daily
8.30
10.00
300
300
Phuket - Racha
Daily
-
-
550
550
Phuket - Similan
Daily
8.30
10.00
700
700
Phuket - Similan
Daily
-
-
1400
1400
Joint ticket
Day.
Dep
Arr.
Adult
Child
(2-12 yrs)
Phuket - Surat - Samui
Daily
8.00
17.30
350
350
Phuket - Surat - Phangan
Daily
8.00
20.30
450
450
Phuket - Surat - Koh Tao
Daily
-
-
-
-
Phuket - Phi Phi - Krabi
Daily
8.30
15.30
500
500
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air–conditioned buses leave the
Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily at 18:30. The bus ride from
Bangkok to Phuket bus Terminal in Phuket town takes 14 hours or
more for the nearly 900 kilometers.
The fare is around THB 700 to 800. There are also regular mini-bus
trips from Singapore and Penang which are reasonably priced.
Southern Bus Terminal Tel. (02) 4347192, 4345557-8, Phuket Central
Company Tel. (02) 4355019, Phuket Travel Tel. (02) 4355018, Phuket
Bus Terminal Tel. (076) 211480.
Please use Sawadee's
online
booking system for hotels in Bangkok.
Timetables
buses
By Air
Phuket has an international airport; both regularly schedule and
charter flights from around Asia, Australia and Europe.
Phuket Airport: tel. (076) 327 246, 327 144, 327 230 -7
Thai Airways International operates flights to Phuket daily.
The travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes.
For further information of flight contact :
Thai Airways International : tel. +66 (02) 280 0060, 280 0070, 628
2000
http://www.thaiairways.com
You can fly to Phuket with Bangkok Airways as well, but it is not
a direct flight. Passengers need to transfer at Samui before going
to Phuket. Flights take off for Bangkok-Samui-Phuket every morning
and afternoon.
Bangkok Airways: tel. +66 (076) 225 033 -5
By train
A sleeper train leaves from Hua Lumphong Railway station in
Bangkok to Surat Thani, and then transfer to a bus across to
Phuket. This is a equally gruelling journey, though very scenic.
For further
information contact Railway station.
Getting
around:
Jeep & Car You
can find several agencies in Phuket town that rent Suzuki jeeps.
If you rent for a week or more you can get a little discount. Your
best choice in the centre of Phuket town is Pure Car Rent (tel 076
- 211 002) at 75 Th Rasada.
Motorbike
Along Th Rasada between Th Phuket and Th Yaowarat or from varios
places at the beaches you can hire motorcycles.
Bigger bikes (over125cc) can be rented at a couple of shops at
Patong and Karon.
Bicycle
The cheapest vehicle you can rent is a bicycle.
Tropical Trails (tel/fax 076 - 263 239 offers fully supported
half-day and full-day cycle safaris around Phuket as well as on
neighbouring Ko Yao Noi. Phuket Mountainbike Club (tel 076-280
116) organises mountainbike tours and rentals for half and
full-day journeys as well.
Driving Safety Tips :
Renting the Vehicle
Most rental companies will hold you responsible for any damages
occurring while you are renting the vehicle. Make note on the
contract of any dents, scratches or missing parts before you
drive off with the vehicle. If you have never ridden a vehicle
before, do not hesitate to ask for instruction. Make sure
everything on the vehicle is functional. Brake lights and
turning signals, low and height beams should working properly.
Wear a helmet
This point of safety cannot be stressed enough. More deaths
occur from motorcycle accidents due to head injuries than any
other cause. If you do go down on a motorcycle, your head is
bound to hit either the road, a rock or another vehicle before
any other part of your body. Ask your rental agency for an extra
helmet if you plan on having a passenger on the vehicle.
Road Conditions
Riding a vehicle in any unfamiliar environment can be risky.
The shoulder of road i.e. the area to the immediate left of the
road can be used as an emergency lane to avoid fast approaching
traffic from behind. Be aware that these areas usually consist
of loose gravel or sand and is sometimes eroded. Be careful when
pulling off the side of the road and on to these shoulder areas.
Care must also be taken driving around turns where gravel
sometimes falls of construction trucks.
Right of Way
In many countries, any person or vehicle on a road or in a lane
has the right of way. Such is not the case in Thailand. Yield at
all times to oncoming traffic that may come over into your lane.
Yield at all times to traffic coming from behind by moving over
as far to the left of the lane as possible allowing plenty of
passing room. You may need to, as mentioned before move onto the
shoulder of the road. Use your mirrors. When wanting to pass
another vehicle, use your horn in a polite manner i.e. a short
honk will allow the person in front of you to know where you
are. Make sure your high beam lights are off when approaching
traffic at night.
General Tips
Keep your eyes on the road ahead, to the right, to the left and
behind at all times. Be aware. Watch for people, animals and
debris on the road. Should you notice a company driver or hotel
limousine service driving recklessly, Make note of the time and
hotel name and phone number and call the General Manager to
report the incident.
Generally,
if your desired resort knows your arrival time, you will be
picked up by the resort's mini-bus. If not, there are many
private taxi services (pickups) waiting for new guests. Listen
to words like "taxi sir ?". Limousine service is also available
at Phuket airport.
By Car
Getting
around:
Jeep & Car
