Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

106 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Getting To and Around Phuket

Arriving by Air Arriving by Road The Airport Authority of
Thailand (AOT) has a limo
Phuket International The short Sarasin Bridge service, which operates
Airport (HKT) receives links Phuket island with from the airport at a fixed
daily direct flights from the mainland. There are rate. Grab Taxi has a
Australia, North America, frequent buses to all major convenient app. A govern-
Europe, and throughout towns in Thailand. Buses ment crackdown on
Asia. International big- between Bangkok and illegal taxis has made the
name and budget airlines Phuket take around 12 situation better, but it’s still
as well as charter flights hours. Buses coming from important to avoid press-
com pete with the national the north circumvent ure from drivers – don’t
carrier, Thai Airways, so Bangkok (the journey from be rushed into a cab, and
there is quite a choice. An Chiang Mai takes 20 hours). make sure that the fare is
even greater number of Reclining “VIP” seats on clearly under stood. If you
flights arrive at Phuket buses offer you the most meet a driver you like, get
from destinations within comfortable ride. Minivans their cell phone number
Thailand, including Surat also run between Phuket and call them when you
Thani, Bangkok, Chiang and other cities in Thailand, need a lift.
Mai, Ko Samui, Utapao but the bus is preferable
(Pattaya), Udorn Thani, for safety and comfort. Getting Around
and Hat Yai. Airlines Long distance buses by Songthaew
include Air Asia, Nok Air, arrive at Phuket Bus
and Bangkok Airways. Terminal 2, located 3 An inexpensive way of
The flight from Bangkok miles (5 km) north of traveling between towns,
to Phuket takes only town. From here there are the songthaew (literally
about 90 minutes. connections by various “two rows”) has a row of
Phuket International modes of transport to center-facing benches
Airport is located in the every part of the island. running down each side
northern part of the The closest train station of a pickup truck. Rides
island, about 30 minutes’ to Phuket is in Hat Yai, start from about B20 per
drive from Phuket Town, an 8-hour bus ride or a person for short dis tances.
or an hour from the major 30-minute flight away Journeys from Phuket
southern beaches. The from Phuket. Town to various beaches
mainland beaches in When considering a bus cost about B50–100 per
Phang Nga province north trip, compare prices with person. They can also
of Phuket, such as Khao the budget airlines – be charter ed to any
Lak, are even closer. depending on the season, destination, and will wait
the bus is not always the to take you back.
Arriving by Sea best value, although it is
certainly more scenic. Getting Around
Passenger ferries, water by Minivan
taxis, speed boats, and Getting Around
private charters arrive by Taxi These are similar to a
at the Rassada Port from songthaew, but they are not
Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, Trang, Metered taxis are easy to open air, ply more fixed
Ko Lanta, and Ko Lipe. find at the airport, but else- routes (such as the Phuket
There is also an inter- where they are few and far Bus Terminal to all the
national ferry to/from between, so it is essen tial beaches), don’t stop for
Langkawi Island in to negotiate a fare in passengers to get off and
Malaysia, with connec- advance. Near major taxi on as frequently as a
tions to Penang. Cruise stations, sign boards will songthaew, and cannot be
liners also call in at display a list of the maxi- chartered. The routes and
Phuket. Rassada Port is mum fares to a range of stops are not always clear,
just a ten-minute taxi ride destinations, but still verify but your hotel staff can
away from Phuket Town. the fare with the driver. advise you.

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