Phuket International Airport
Also known as: Phuket Airport, HKT Airport, Phuket Airport Thailand, Phuket Intl Airport.
Private transfer from HKTSee pricesSee pricesAbout Phuket International Airport
Phuket International Airport (HKT) serves the island of Phuket in southern Thailand. It sits at Mai Khao in Thalang district, on the island's northwest coast, about 32 km north of Phuket Town.
Domestic flights link Phuket with Bangkok's two airports and cities such as Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Koh Samui, flown by Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai VietJet Air, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air. International routes reach Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Chinese and Indian cities, the Gulf, Istanbul, and seasonal points in Europe and Russia.
The airport has an International Terminal and a Domestic Terminal, side by side and linked by a covered walkway.
Most beach areas lie south of the airport along the west coast. By car, Patong takes about 40 to 60 minutes, while Kata and Karon take about an hour, and traffic between 4 pm and 7 pm can add more. From the airport, travelers head to Mai Khao, Bang Tao, Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Phuket Town and Khao Lak on the mainland.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Airports of Thailand (AOT)
- Passengers per year
About 17.5 million in 2025
- Runway
One runway, 09/27, 3,000 m long
- Location
Mai Khao, Thalang district, about 32 km north of Phuket Town
Arrival tips for Phuket International Airport
International flights arrive at the International Terminal, where you clear immigration and customs. Foreign visitors must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival; since 15 September 2026 the visa exemption for most eligible nationalities is 30 days. Waits can grow when several international flights land together, so keep your TDAC confirmation and passport ready.
After collecting your bags, use the green channel only if you have nothing to declare. Limousine counters are just outside the baggage claim area in both terminals, and pre-booked drivers wait in the arrivals hall with name signs.
Metered taxis leave from stands just outside both terminals, and a surcharge applies on top of the meter. Use these stands or the counters rather than drivers who approach you in the hall. Grab has a marked pickup point, while the Phuket Smart Bus leaves from the Domestic Terminal's departures level.
Phuket is hot all year, with a rainy season from about May to October. Thailand uses Indochina Time (UTC+7) with no daylight saving, and the currency is the Thai baht.
Ground transportation
With most beaches 40 to 60 minutes away and few direct public options, a taxi or pre-arranged car suits most travelers.
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Book a transfer from HKTTaxi from Phuket airport
Metered taxi stands are just outside both terminals, and limousine counters with fixed fares by zone are inside near baggage claim. Patong takes about 40 to 60 minutes; an airport surcharge is added to the meter.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals hall with a name sign. It is the most direct way to reach hotels in the south of the island or in Khao Lak, about 90 minutes away.
Rideshare
Grab has an official pickup booth outside Exit 8 at the International Terminal and near Exit 1 at the Domestic Terminal. Prices are shown in advance but can surge at busy times.
Phuket Smart Bus
Route 1 runs roughly hourly from the Domestic Terminal's departures level, near Exit 3, down the west coast via Patong, Karon and Kata to Rawai. It takes about an hour to Patong and about two hours to Kata or Rawai.
Airport bus to Phuket Town
The airport bus runs hourly from 05:00 to 19:00 to Phuket Town, with eight stops, in about 1 hour 30 minutes. It does not go to the beaches.
Shared minibus
Shared minibuses to the main beach areas have a counter at the Domestic Terminal. They wait until full and drop passengers at several hotels, so the trip can be slow.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Covered walkway
The two terminals stand next to each other and are linked by a covered landside walkway of about 10 minutes.
- 2
Connecting flights
Passengers transferring between international and domestic flights are escorted by airline staff along a connecting path on Level 2, then clear immigration, customs and security as needed.
Terminals
International Terminal
Handles all international flights, including scheduled and seasonal charter services. It also hosts the metered taxi stand and limousine counters for international arrivals.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroflot, AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, IndiGo, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines
Domestic Terminal
Handles flights within Thailand, including services to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other Thai cities. The Phuket Smart Bus stop is on its departures level.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet Air
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Phuket airport from Patong Beach?
Patong is roughly 40 to 60 minutes by car from Phuket International Airport, which sits at the northern end of the island. Traffic between 4 pm and 7 pm can add 30 to 45 minutes. The Phuket Smart Bus also stops in Patong, taking about an hour from the airport.
How far is Phuket airport from Phuket Town?
Phuket International Airport is about 32 km north of Phuket Town, around 40 minutes by car. An airport bus runs hourly from 05:00 to 19:00 to Phuket Town, with eight stops along the way, and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Taxis and Grab are also available.
How long does it take to get from Phuket airport to Kata and Karon?
Kata and Karon beaches are about an hour by car from Phuket airport when traffic is light, and longer during the evening rush. The Phuket Smart Bus serves both beaches on its way to Rawai, taking about two hours to Kata, with stops along the west coast.
How many terminals does Phuket airport have?
Phuket airport has two passenger terminals side by side: the International Terminal for international flights and the Domestic Terminal for flights within Thailand. They are linked by a covered landside walkway of about 10 minutes, and connecting passengers are escorted between them by airline staff.
Which airlines fly to Phuket?
Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai VietJet Air, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air fly domestic routes, mainly to Bangkok. International airlines include Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, IndiGo and Aeroflot, plus several seasonal charter carriers.
Are there metered taxis at Phuket airport?
Yes. Metered taxi stands are located just outside both the International and Domestic terminals, and an airport surcharge is added to the meter fare. Airport limousine counters inside the terminals offer fixed fares by zone. Use the official stands and counters rather than drivers who approach you inside the hall.
Is there a bus from Phuket airport to the beaches?
Yes. Route 1 of the Phuket Smart Bus runs roughly hourly from the airport down the west coast to Rawai, stopping at beaches including Patong, Karon and Kata. It leaves from the Domestic Terminal's departures level near Exit 3, not from the arrivals area.
Can I use Grab at Phuket airport?
Yes. Grab has official pickup points at Phuket airport, outside Exit 8 at the International Terminal and near Exit 1 at the Domestic Terminal. Prices are shown in the app before booking but can rise at busy times. Other ride-hailing apps may not pick up at the terminal kerb.
What do I need to enter Thailand at Phuket airport?
Foreign visitors must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival. Since 15 September 2026, travelers from most visa-exempt countries can stay 30 days, so check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
How do I get from Phuket airport to Khao Lak?
Khao Lak is on the mainland north of Phuket, in Phang Nga province, about 90 minutes by road from the airport. Because the airport is at the northern end of the island, it is the closest starting point in Phuket. Taxis from the airport stands and pre-arranged cars both make the trip, which follows the main road north off the island.
What time zone is Phuket in and what is the weather like?
Phuket uses Indochina Time (UTC+7) all year, with no daylight saving time. The island is hot throughout the year, with a rainy season from about May to October and drier months from November to April. The local currency is the Thai baht.
How busy is Phuket International Airport?
Phuket International Airport handled about 17.5 million passengers in 2025, of whom about 10.8 million flew internationally. It is operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT) and has a single 3,000 m runway. International arrivals can bunch together, so immigration waits vary through the day.