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Phuket Airport: Transfers and Taxi
Phuket Airport is the third busiest airport in whole Thailand. Tourist travel from this air hub both to popular Phuket locations: Karon beach, Kata beach, Patong beach, and to the neighbouring provinces: Krabi, Phi-Phi, Khao Lak, or even to Pattaya and Bangkok.
Thailand, like other Asian countries, has serious problems with transport system, so it makes sense to study all the pitfalls before the trip.
How to Get from Phuket Airport to Phuket Town or the Other Way Round
If on the mainland of Thailand train connection is quite well-developed, on the island territory of Phuket the main means of transport remain buses, tuk-tuks, and songthaew, local kind of taxi with benches for passengers, build in the body of a minivan. Besides, It is possible to travel to big cities on big shuttle buses. And the locals prefer riding rollers.
If now you are planning your route to or from Phuket Airport, consider the following options:
- city buses, running from Phuket Town to the island center. They do not have numbers on them, but it is written “Airport-Town” instead;
- microbuses to popular city beaches: Kata, Karon, and Patong;
- taxi, taken on the spot, i.g. “Taximeter” or “Limousine service”;
- transfer from Phuket Airport to hotel, booked in advance.
It is not possible to order a taxi via the app on Phuket. Instead, the locals and tourists share the contacts of drivers and get in touch with them via Thai messengers (i.e. LINE).
Transfer vs. Taxi from Phuket Airport, taken on the spot
Advantages of a private transfer
You will not get taken hostage by a extortive taxi driver. When you get in a taxi, you believe that you will pay according to meter. However, upon arrival the driver may declare he wants more money and will not open the trunk with your suitcases, until you get tired of arguing. This is a signature trick of local taxi drivers, so a transfer service from Phuket Airport paid in advance may help you save money and nerves.
You will not get lost between forests and villages. You can easily find a taxi from Phuket Airport to Krabi, Bangkok or Koh Chang. However, beyond the familiar island, taxi drivers easily get lost and disoriented. Many of them drive without GPS, so you risk to be figuring out the route yourself most of the way. All transfer drivers regularly travel to other towns and are familiar with all regions of Thailand.
Disadvantage of a private transfer
25% more expensive. You can use a taxi service from Phuket Airport to beach resorts for 750–800 baht (approx. 22–25 dollars), and the cost of a transfer going on the same route will be equal to 33 dollars.
Transfers from Phuket Airport vs. Buses
Advantages of a private transfer
Twice as fast. A bus will get you from the airport to your hotel in two hours, taking into account waiting time and changes, whereas a transfer will take you there in 50 minutes. Buses, in general, drive very slowly, because the wage of a driver depends on the number of passengers, having get on on the way. Average bus speed is 20 km/h.
No need to search for bus stops. By bus you will have to get from Phuket airport to bus station in the city and change to a bus going to a particular district. For those, who have no sense of direction, such quest will be exhausting.
Travel on soft seats instead of benches. In most tuk-tuks and songthaew passengers are supposed to seat on wooden benches. Kiwitaxi transfer cars are way more comfortable.
Disadvantage of a private transfer
A trip on a bench costs 7 times cheaper. 140 baht (~ 4 dollars) vs. 28 dollars for a trip in a comfortable car.
Transfer vs. Share Taxi from Phuket Airport
Advantages of a private transfer
You will not be forced to buy an excursion. Share taxis from Phuket Airport stop by the excursions office on the way, where you will be forcefully convinced to buy a tour. Transfer drivers are not engaged in such trading and will simply drive you to your hotel.
Get to any beach in Phuket. Share taxis go only to the popular island beaches: Karon, Kata, Patong - places with high concentration of hotels. If you stay near Nai Harn or Surin Beach, you will have to travel with changes. Kiwitaxi transfer will bring you to any location not only in Phuket but in whole Thailand.
Disadvantage of a private transfer
Share taxi costs 5 times cheaper. A trip price will make 180 baht (~ 5,2 dollars), but you may leave a considerable sum in the excursions office: Thai people are good at persuading.