Phuket International Airport (HKT) sits on the island's northern tip, roughly 30km from Patong and closer still to the quieter north-west beaches like Bang Tao and Nai Yang.
Flights
Phuket receives direct international flights from major Asian hubs (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong) as well as seasonal long-haul charters from Europe and Russia during high season. Most long-haul travellers connect through Bangkok's two airports or Singapore.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
- Metered taxi: available at the official taxi counter just outside arrivals. Fares are distance-based and posted on a board.
- Airport bus / shared minivan: the cheapest option, running to major beach areas on a schedule rather than door-to-door.
- Private transfer: pre-booked through your hotel or a tour operator — fixed price, driver waiting with a name sign.
- Grab (ride-hailing app): works in Phuket and is often the most transparent pricing option, though airport pickup rules can be stricter than in Bangkok.
Getting around once you're there
Phuket has no metro or train system. Options are metered taxis, tuk-tuks (agree a price first), rented scooters or cars, and ride-hailing apps. Renting a scooter is common but requires an international driving permit to be properly insured — accidents involving uninsured tourist riders are a real and recurring issue on the island.
Domestic connections
For travellers combining Phuket with other parts of Thailand, domestic flights connect to Bangkok and several other regional airports, generally a faster option than the long road journeys involved in overland travel to most other Thai destinations.
Airport facilities
Phuket International Airport has both a domestic and international terminal, connected by a short walkway — worth checking which terminal your connecting flight uses if your itinerary involves both, since it's easy to assume they're the same building.