Getting Around Phuket: Smart Bus, Taxi, Grab and Bolt
Smart Bus fares run from free to 100 baht. The airport limousine counter charges a fixed 800 baht to Patong and 1,000 baht to Kata for a car seating 3. Grab and Bolt show the price before you book. Riders and passengers on motorbikes must wear helmets.
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Smart Bus fares run from free to 100 baht. For a fixed price from the airport, the limousine counter charges 800 baht to Patong and 1,000 baht to Kata for a car seating up to 3. Grab and Bolt show the fare before you book, and Grab takes cash, card or GrabPay.
A sample day, priced
Every fare below is published by the operator. Street taxis, songthaews and tuk-tuks carry no posted tariff, so agree the price before you get in.
| Leg | Option | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Airport to Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai | Smart Bus Route 1 | 100 baht flat |
| Bus Terminal 2 to Patong Beach | Smart Bus Route 2 | 50 baht flat |
| Central Festival, Old Town, OTOP market | Dragon Line loop | Free |
| Airport to Patong | Limousine counter, car seating up to 3 | 800 baht fixed |
| Airport to Kata or Karon | Limousine counter, car seating up to 3 | 1,000 baht fixed |
| Airport to anywhere, any hour | EVme VIP Taxi | Meter from 150 baht for the first 2 kilometers, plus 100 baht |
| Anywhere with a signal | Grab or Bolt | Estimate shown before you book |
Smart Bus
Pay with contactless Visa/Mastercard, QR PromptPay or cash.
Route 1 runs hourly from the airport to Rawai (06:30 to 17:30) and from Rawai to the airport (06:00 to 17:00). It calls at Patong, Karon and Kata in that order southbound.
Times are approximate and vary with traffic. For a full day of hopping on and off, the Day Pass card gives unlimited rides all day.
Dragon Line
The Dragon Line is a free circular city shuttle connecting Central Festival, Old Town and OTOP Market. See the Phuket Town guide for what is on the loop.
Bus Terminal 2
Route 2 runs from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to Patong Beach at a 50 baht flat fare. The terminal’s Maps address is W99W+296, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand.
W99W+296, Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Airport buses
The AOT airport bus runs from the airport to the city between 8.15 and 20.15 hrs, and back between 9.15 and 21.15 hrs. It ends at the Old Bus Station (City). Its fare is calculated on the distance travelled, paid by QR code or cash on the bus.
The Airport Bus Express runs from the airport to Patong Beach between 08.00 and 20.00 hrs, and back between 06.00 and 18.30 hrs. Both board in front of the arrival hall exit.
For the Smart Bus, go to the Domestic Terminal, close to the arrival exit. Prices by beach and the step-by-step walk: Phuket Airport to Patong and Kata.
222 Moo 6, Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Taxis
Street taxis and tuk-tuks run without a posted tariff in Phuket, so settle the price first. The airport limousine counter has fixed prices. A car seating up to 3 costs 650 baht to Phuket Town, 750 baht to Chalong Temple and 1,000 baht to Rawai.
EVme VIP Taxi works from the Domestic Terminal, 24 hours. It charges by meter, starting at 150 baht for the first 2 kilometers, plus a 100 baht airport taxi fee.
Contributor-reported prices for Phuket average 100 baht at the start and 35 baht per kilometre (October 2026). Treat that as a yardstick for a quote, not a tariff.
Grab and Bolt
Grab covers private hire, taxi, van and motorcycle rides in Thailand. The trip cost appears before you book its car services, excluding tolls and surcharges. Pay with cash, credit card, debit card or GrabPay.
Bolt in Phuket has Economy for basic cars, Bolt for mid-size everyday cars, Van with seating for 8, XL with seating for up to 6 and Taxi for local taxis. Fares depend on distance and ride type, with an upfront estimate once you enter the destination. Add a card for in-app payment; cash may also be offered depending on location.
At the airport, Grab has pick-up zones inside the airport premises, and in-app directions lead you to the pick-up point. Bolt can pick you up from HKT, and its app shows the pickup points.
Side by side: Grab vs Bolt in Phuket.
Motorbikes, helmets and licences
Riders and passengers must wear a helmet under Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, and the fine is up to 2,000 baht. A rider whose passenger has no helmet is fined double.
A visitor who drives a car or motorcycle in Thailand is required by law to hold an international driving licence. Show it with your passport and national licence when asked. Someone staying temporarily can apply for a one-year temporary licence at the Department of Land Transport or a Provincial Land Transport Office.
Renting a car
Car rental services are on the first floor of the airport. Rental cars are returned at the front car rental counter at Phuket Airport.
Settling in? See the guides for Rawai, Chalong and Phuket Town.
Photo credits
- A Phuket taxi on the road: Wikimedia Commons, Phuket, Thailand December 2021 - Yellow taxi (Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0) (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 2.0 (Sharon Hahn Darlin))
- A Phuket tuk-tuk: Wikimedia Commons, PhuketTukTuk (Martybugs (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0) (opens in a new tab) (CC BY-SA 3.0 (Martybugs (talk)))
Not confirmed: Songthaew and tuk-tuk fares are not posted anywhere official: agree the price before you get in. Scooter rental prices are not confirmed: ask the shop for the daily rate and the deposit.
Common questions
How much is the Smart Bus in Phuket?
Smart Bus fares run from free to 100 baht. Route 1 is a 100 baht flat fare and Route 2 is a 50 baht flat fare.
How do I pay on the Smart Bus?
Pay with contactless Visa/Mastercard, QR PromptPay or cash.
Is there a free bus in Phuket Town?
The free Dragon Line is a circular city shuttle connecting Central Festival, Old Town and OTOP Market.
Do I need a helmet on a scooter in Phuket?
Yes. Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act requires riders and passengers to wear a helmet, with a fine of up to 2,000 baht. A rider whose passenger has no helmet is fined double.
Can I ride a scooter in Phuket on a tourist visa?
A visitor who drives a car or motorcycle in Thailand is required by law to hold an international driving licence.
How much is a limousine from Phuket Airport to Patong?
The airport limousine counter charges a fixed 800 baht to Patong and 1,000 baht to Kata or Karon for a car seating up to 3.
Does Grab show the price before I book?
The trip cost appears before you book Grab car services, excluding tolls and surcharges.
Which Bolt category fits a group?
Bolt Van seats 8 and Bolt XL seats up to 6.
Read next
Places in this guide
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (10)
curiousonethai
An international driving permit won’t help much if you don’t have a valid motorcycle license/endorsement in your home country. Yes motorbikes are fun. On a sunny day they can be miserably hot. They make a run across town or down to the local 7/11 pretty painless. They also make independent adventures and discovery possible. You always have to have your eyes on the other vehicles on the road and even then you can’t always prevent collisions or accidents. Thailands roads aren’t always smooth and pothole free. It’s easy to get in over your head after riding one a bit and thinking you’ve mastered it. A helmet is mandatory, the law in Thailand and could be the one thing that keeps you from dying.
throw-away-doh
This is the correct answer. You need to have both 1) A valid motorbike license in your home country and 2) and international drivers license. Those things you see driving around that you call scooters are not scooters. Scooters in your home country can be driven without a motorbike license if they are 49cc. There are literally zero bikes in Thailand with 49cc engines. They are all 100cc or more and need a motorbike license.
D_Phuket
At each checkpoint you'll be fined either 500 or 1,000 baht with no valid license. I have a Thai license but get stopped regularly (3 times in the past 5 days). I show my license and go on my way. You'd also be completely uninsured. All damages and medical costs for you and others you injure would be paid by you. Even if you have travelers insurance, since you'd be driving illegally, it wouldn't cover you.
its6lake
Best way to get around? And suggestions for things to do Hello, we are coming to Phuket shortly we are a couple in our early 20s and are staying at a hotel that’s about a 9 minute drive out of Patong. I’ve used Grab before in Kuala Lumpur but I’ve heard they can be a bit dodge in Phuket. Also what are some recommendations for things to do? So far we are going phi phi island, I’d like to experience bangla road (what should I avoid and what should I do in bangla) would love to know your suggestions! I’d also love to go fishing. Thanks
Ugachaka_Sherloxx
They have Bolt in Phuket..a short trip around town would cost THB 200, which I think is the basic fare. This is I supposed relatively expensive but cheaper than Grab.
Lashay_Sombra
Cheapest bike, but also most risky and unless properly licenced for bikes and got corresponding IDP (latter not needed for many SEA licences) can quickly get expensive due to fines (and is case of accident most expensive) Next cheapest, motorbike taxi, but not suitable for long distances Next Bolt and Indriver. But check hotel reviews to see if a mafia block them picking up Next Grab (same applies about mafia) Next taxis outside hotel..if any
lovelypeonies
Kata Beach & Phuket old Town - Should I cancel the vacation? :( Hi!! I have a flight tmr flying to Phuket and staying for 9 days. My accommodations are booked in Kata Beach and Phuket Town. Both of which are non-refundable :( Does anyone knows if the flooding situation is getting better on the road from the airport, in Kata and Phuket Old Town area? Also, any recommendations on just forfeiting the deposit for the whole holiday or just take the risk and take the flight tomorrow to Phuket? P.S. still kicking myself for booking those non-refundable options ><
stoked_man
It only affected Patong. It really is crazy though that the water level can rise that high with just a single day of rain. Once the rain stops it drains pretty quickly.
accidentalnegligence
Old Phuket town was completely flooded yesterday (literal road and shops full of water, past knee height) and there were issues getting to the airport. Forecast has rain for the next 4-5 days. Up to you whether to cancel or not, it'll be harder to get cabs but you should still be able to get around. It won't be the best beach weather, so depends what you want to do. I'm currently training in Chalong and personally like the rain. Comes down to what you want to get out of your trip, and if you'll still be able to.
D_Phuket
Floods came and went quickly. Yesterday I drove from Patong to the airport and back. Going, i went along the beach roads, and returning, the main north/south Thepk asattri road. All roads were open, I drove at the normal speeds, and there were no floods. Understand that Phuket water drains quickly - usually within just 3 or 4 hours. Even Bangla road, which was flooded on Sunday morning, was clear and fully open on Sunday night. Yes, the rains have been highly unusual (even for the rainy season), but the rains will come to an end.