Phuket International Airport (HKT) is a large international airport serving the Thai island of Phuket. It is the country’s third-busiest airport after the two serving the capital, Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK).
Phuket Airport sits at the northern end of Phuket Island, around 32 km from the popular Patong Beach or 40 km from Phuket Old Town. Reaching famous beaches in the south and southwest, such as Kata, Karon, or Rawai, takes 60 to 90 minutes.
The airport is a popular entry point into Thailand for holidaymakers from across the world. The high season is from November to March, when the island, and by extension the airport, experiences the greatest number of tourists and flights.
Major Airlines
Over 60 airlines serve Phuket Airport. Owing to its popularity in tourism, a lot of those are international that only fly 1 route.
Domestic airlines include Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Airways, Thai VietJet Air, and Thai Airways. Most domestic traffic is to the capital’s two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, while other domestic destinations include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Khaen, and Udon Thani.
Internationally, large world carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines operate year-round flights, allowing further connections to hundreds of places via their hubs.
European carriers with direct flights from the continent to Phuket include Air France, LOT Polish Airlines, Finnair, and Scandinavian Airlines.
During the high season (November to March), the airport sees a massive increase in charter and seasonal flights. Carriers such as Azur Air, Norse Atlantic Airways, Sunclass Airlines, Sunday Airlines, TUI Airways, and others connect Phuket directly to cities across Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, and others.
To see all airlines serving Phuket Airport together with their route maps, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Phuket Airport has two terminals:
Domestic Terminal: Older but modernized and much smaller of the two. Consists of two floors - Arrivals on the first and Departures on the second. Has 11 gates.
International Terminal: Newer and more modern - significantly expanded in 2016. Consists of four floors - Arrivals, passport control plus airline offices, Departures, and restaurants & shops, respectively. Has 16 gates.
The two terminals are adjacent and connected by a 200-meter-long, covered pedestrian corridor.
There also exists a Terminal X that is exclusive to charter flights.
The International Terminal has a transit area. If you are connecting to another international flight, follow the “Connecting Flights” signs. You will go through Security but not Immigration. Then you end up in the Departure area with all gates for your next flight.
All other transfers require that you leave the terminal and walk to the other. It’s good to allow at least 60 minutes between flights.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Free WiFi is available in both terminals. Connect to “AOT Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT” or “@AirportTrueFreeWiFi” to begin browsing. You will have to accept the terms and conditions.
Your connection is limited to 60 minutes at a time, but you can freely reconnect after that.
You can purchase a Thai SIM card right at the airport upon arrival. All three network providers (AIS, DTAC, True) have desks there. The plans offered are normally more expensive than in the city, but save you the hassle of looking for a shop later.
Other passenger services at Phuket Airport include:
ATMs: Most major Thai banks have machines in the Arrivals area of each terminal. Note the withdrawal fee for foreign cards is 250/350 THB (VISA/Mastercard), regardless of the amount.
Currency exchange: You will see several currency exchange desks in the public area of Arrivals. Don’t exchange airside, as the rates there are much worse than outside. Nonetheless, the rates in Phuket Town are better still.
Luggage storage: Located in the Arrivals Hall of either terminal, open 24/7. Costs 100 THB per day per item.
- Lost and Found:
International Terminal: Information counter, Floor 3, Departures.
Domestic Terminal: Information counter, Floor 2, Departures.
Tourist Assistance Center (TAC): Located on Floor 1 of the International Terminal, public area.
Baby care room: One available airside in the Domestic Terminal.
Kids area: A fun and safe area for children, located airside in the International Terminal.
Drinking water: Fountains can be used to fill water bottles free of charge in the airside area of both terminals.
Find out the best things to do in Phuket.
Lounges at HKT
Phuket Airport has two airline lounges and 5 public lounges.
Thai Airways maintains a Thai Royal Orchid Lounge on Floor 2 of the Domestic Terminal (airside). It offers food and drinks, wi-fi, showers, rest areas, and other amenities. It’s open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM.
Bangkok Airways also has its Blue Ribbon Lounge on Floor 2 of the Domestic Terminal. It’s open from 6 AM to 9:30 PM every day with many of the same amenities.
In the International Terminal, all lounges are part of The Coral group and publicly accessible.
The Coral First Class Lounge: Floor 4, airside.
The Coral CIP Lounge: Floor 3, airside.
The Coral Premium Arrival Lounge: Floor 2, airside.
The Coral Premium Lounge: Floor 4, airside.
These lounges accept lounge membership passes such as PriorityPass.
Dining Options at Phuket Airport
In the Domestic Terminal, you can go to the Coral Food Hall in the public area of the airport. It houses a variety of vendors and restaurants offering Thai and international cuisine at affordable prices, even for an airport. The Food Court is open from 6 AM to midnight every day.
Inside the International Terminal, there are many global chains such as Burger King, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks, etc. Most food options are located on the fourth floor, after Security.
Popular coffee houses inside Phuket Airport include Café Amazon, Inthanin Coffee, and Aimm's Café.
Thai food is also very well represented by the likes of Thai Street Food (Floors 3 and 4) and Aroi (Floor 3), both within the International Terminal.
Lastly, it’s worth noting the Bill Bentley Pub, located on the third floor of the Domestic Terminal - a relaxing bar that serves a variety of tap beers and cocktails.
Transportation at Phuket Airport
Three main transportation options exist for travelers arriving at or wishing to get to Phuket Airport: taxis, buses, and minibuses.
Taxis are the most popular option for the convenience they offer, though significantly more expensive than public transport, especially if you’re traveling alone. Official airport taxis to Patong cost around 800 THB.
Ride-hailing via Grab or Bolt, the two most popular apps in Thailand, is also possible. Both companies have stands outside the terminals, where staff can help you order a car on the app. Prices tend to be about 20% cheaper than regular taxis.
The most useful budget transport is the Smart Bus. It is a white and blue branded bus that runs every 60 minutes along the west coast beaches, including Bang Tao, Surin, Kamala, Patong, Kata, and Rawai. Tickets cost 100 THB. The last bus from the airport is at 10:30 PM.
The Airport Bus is another useful option. It is branded in orange and connects the airport with the Phuket city center with stops such as Boat Lagoon, Premium Outlet, Irrawaddy Bypass, and Panthep Condo Town on the way. It also costs 100 THB with the last bus from the airport at 8:30 PM.
Lastly, the Airport Express Bus, colored white, yellow, and blue, offers a faster way to Patong Beach. Tickets cost 150 THB. It goes at a frequency of 1 hour and stops in Thalang and Kathu on the way. The last bus from the airport is at 8 PM.
The airport also has shared minivan services, which can be booked at the "Taxi Minibus Service" stands in the Arrivals Hall of either terminal. These have no timetables and go only when full, usually at a frequency of around 30 minutes between 8 AM and 7 PM. Minibuses are more expensive than regular buses, but still significantly cheaper than taxis - 150 THB to Phuket Town or up to 200 THB to Karon.
Car Rental at Phuket Airport
Traffic in Phuket can be a bit hectic at times. Many travelers opt to rent a scooter and explore the island on two wheels. This may not be an option for all, though, due to legal constraints or if you’re not confident enough on a motorcycle.
Renting a car can make sense, especially if you travel as a family or you want to venture out on the Thai mainland.
The car rental companies available at Phuket Airport are Asap, Budget, Chic Car Rent, Drive Car Rental, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Thai Rent, Yesaway, Avis, and Bizcar.
All of them have desks in the Arrivals hall, but you should consider booking online in advance, especially during the high season.
Hotels near Phuket Airport
Phuket is Thailand’s most popular tourist destination, and there are thousands of hotels to pick from. Unless you have a very early flight and want to minimize road travel in the morning, you can pick a hotel pretty much anywhere on the island.
Near the terminals, there are more than a dozen small hotels and guesthouses. Examples of well-rated hotels include Phuket Airport Place, Dos's House, and Panphuree Residence
If you’re looking for a resort-style accommodation close to HKT, check out Splash Beach Resort, which sits near Mai Khao Beach just north of the airport.
Phuket, Thailand
