Home › Diving › Thailand › Information › Travel › Airports › Phuket
The official IATA location identifier of Phuket International Airport is HKT. It's one of the busiest airports in Thailand and the main gateway to the southern provinces.
This help guide contains useful information about Phuket's regional hub for domestic and international flights, with extra details about the airport's services and facilities.
Anyone heading to the holiday resorts in Phuket will benefit from some insider information.
After all, knowing what to expect and how to get around is going to help to make your arrival and departure run a lot smoother.
The renovated Domestic Terminal at Phuket International Airport was opened in 2018. It features sixty six (66) check-in counters, seven (7) gates with sky bridges, as well as larger areas for baggage claim, and for the arrival and departure areas.
The International Terminal handles many of the international flights, with some ongoing expansion works to increase capacity. According to official figures, it can handle around 7,200 passengers during the peak hours.
Once you understand Thailand taxi colour codes, you should have no problem getting a ride from the airport. But remember, there may be a surcharge for airport pickup.
You can use ride-hail apps, and they are usually cheaper, but you need to be mindful of the correct pickup point locations. Moreover, you may need to walk to one of the designated meeting points.
The "Airport Bus Phuket" (e.g., Line 8411) runs between Phuket airport and Phuket City, with several other stops available. Depending on the route and designation, you should allow up to ninety (90) minutes for the journey, and the cost should be less than one hundred (100) Thai baht.
The coastal service runs from the north of the island (including the airport) to the popular beaches in Phuket, such as Kata, Patong, and Kamala.
But, you may be better off booking a private transfer if you have excessive luggage, if you will be arriving late, or if you prefer to have a direct drop-off at your hotel (pre-booking is highly recommended).
Always allow a little extra time for immigration and baggage claim, especially during Phuket's peak travel seasons.
Be familiar with the current luggage limits if you will be transferring between terminals or using the public buses or shared transport.
Try to have Thai Baht currency (THB) available to pay for small purchases, such as transport and tips. There are exchange counters and ATMs available at the airport, but you're likely to get better rates outside of the hub.
Pro Tip: Most of the high-end and exclusive hotels in Phuket offer free airport pick-ups. Being able to book these ahead of your arrival can make your holiday go much smoother.
Pro Tip: The short video [16:53 minutes] presented by "Travel Here" contains a comprehensive overview of Phuket International Airport (HKT).