From Patong to Phuket Airport and Airport to Patong
Travel from the Phuket airport is generally fast and efficient but is somewhat more expensive than it should be due to lack of competition.
The best way to do it is to stay in a hotel with a shuttle bus service. Many people actually stay in a "nice" hotel one night simply to use the shuttle bus service and then move on to cheaper accomodations the next day!
Those staying in Phuket can take advantage of the the Airport bus.
It is clearly identified with English letters, runs every 60 to 90 minutes, makes scheduled stops and costs only 52 baht!
It can be caught or exited at the Phuket airport on the first floor outside the Arrival Hall or on the second floor next to Burger King restaurant.
More information about the airport bus can be had at telephone numbers 076-211036 or 076-212213 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (TAT).
The airport bus does NOT go to Patong, but it is possible to get off the airport bus at the Festival center (Big C), walk through the center, and catch a local bus to Patong for 20 baht or so.
Metered taxis to Patong and Phuket town are also available at the airport although the drivers will not always use their meters! The price usually heard for their service is about 550 baht for the trip to Patong and 400 to 450 for the trip to Phuket.
Nevertheless, they are a relatively good deal. They are easily identified - red and yellow - and are located to the right of the main building.
The official airport Limousine Service – the "limousine" is a large, gray taxi - provides good taxi service but the rate for the smallest taxi for trips to Patong and Phuket is 800 baht.
Tickets can be bought at the counter on the first floor. Riders should be aware that drivers will try to "steer" them to accommodations where they get commissions so it is necessary to be firm about the desired destination.
The shared minivan service, which is relativey cheap and also run by the Limousine Service, should be avoided if word of mouth stories are to be believed.
The vans are said to wander about rather aimlessly dropping people off here and there at the leisure of the driver. Generally, a trip to the airport is easy to arrange and cheap.
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