When I visited Thailand on my honeymoon, the island of
Phuket was at the top of our list. The island is known for its beaches and classical architecture and has a viewpoint that is said to have the best sunsets in Thailand. There is a reason Phuket is a top destination for many travellers in Thailand, newlyweds included.
But like most Americans, I flew into Bangkok, which is typically the more direct, more affordable entry point for travellers coming from the United States. After a stay in the capital, I hopped on a local flight to Phuket International Airport (HKT), located in Mai Khao, Thalang District, in the northern part of Phuket. The airport serves the entire island, including tourist hot spots like the beaches of Kata and Kamala.
After trying it out for myself, here are my top tips for flying in and out of Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Phuket International Airport is the third-busiest airport in Thailand in terms of passengers, surpassed only by Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
. Just be prepared to spend a bit more than you would .
However, if you’re looking for the lowest cost option, like I was, it is better to fly into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK), stay a day or two, and then book a short, local flight to Phuket. You’ll get to see another side of Thailand, and the flights from Bangkok are frequent, direct and take about one hour 20 to 30 minutes.
s two airports and Phuket, so you’ve got options.
Some of these, like Thai Airways, are well regarded. Others, like Nok Air, which I flew, are low-cost regional airlines with fewer frills but great prices.
If you’re flying with a low-cost carrier, like I did, I recommend booking your flights directly on the airline’s website. Be aware that with low-cost carriers you’ll often need to pay extra for things like choosing a seat, boarding early and bringing luggage.
In my opinion, the Phuket Smart Bus is a fantastic option. It picks up right at the airport and makes stops at popular beach towns down the coast, including Surin Beach, Kamala, Patong, and Kata. You can pay with cash or a QR code, or just book your ticket online in advance.
Another choice is a minibus or a local taxi. These cost a little more but are still a bargain compared to UK taxi fares. The final price will depend on your destination, of course. This is how I got to my hotel from Phuket International Airport during my honeymoon.
HKT has on-demand rideshare services. The apps used most in Phuket are Grab, Bolt and inDrive.
I’ve personally used Bolt without issue during my travels. InDrive , but if you have all three apps, you can shop around on arrival to instantly see which fare or which service has cars more immediately available.
HKT is a small airport with three passenger terminals in total: an International Terminal, a Domestic Terminal and a third (TX) that is only used during very busy periods. International flights fly out of the International Terminal, while domestic flights fly in and out of the Domestic Terminal.
Despite its smaller size, this is one of the busiest airports in the entire country. For that reason, I always tell travellers to allow plenty of time to check-in and get through security at HKT.
To avoid the stress of long lines, I always tell people to arrive early for a departing flight, especially if you need to check a bag.
Once you arrive in Phuket you can log into the free Wi-Fi network to call a car, navigate to your hotel or check-in with family back home.
. The HKT website suggests using a VPN and turning off file sharing for extra security on a public network.
If you need to use the airport Wi-Fi, be brief and don’t use it to do something personal or sensitive, like check your bank account.
in advance.
In addition to the Coral Lounges, Star Alliance members will be happy to know that there’s a Thai Airways lounge, officially named the Royal Orchid Lounge. .
If you follow my advice and get to the airport with time to spare (and don’t have lounge access), you can explore the shops and restaurants. Luckily, HKT has a decent selection for its size.
You can find an abundance of duty-free shops offering things like cosmetics and perfume, along with souvenir and local vendors selling Thai products like dried fruit, coconut products and Thai tea.
For food and drink, Phuket Airport has American brands like Starbucks and Burger King or try a local cafe serving Thai and other Asian dishes. And of course, there are plenty of coffee shops to keep you going.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
