Fly to Bangkok Airport, which is your next destination.
The distance from Phuket to Bangkok is approximately 850 km by road. Since there is neither a railway nor a ferry service on the island, flying is the best option for almost everyone. The flight time is between 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes. Around 50 flights depart daily between Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Prices start at around 1,000 baht (US$30) and can be booked several weeks in advance. The airport is crucial. If your return flight departs from Suvarnabhumi on the same day, book with an airline that lands there and avoid the 60- to 90-minute transfer across the city.
Check the current flight times and seat availability for flights from Phuket to Bangkok on 12Go.
The overland option is the night bus from Phuket 2 bus station (12–13 hours, 715–1,200 baht), which arrives at the southern bus station (Mo Chit) in Bangkok around dawn. The train connection consists of a four-hour minibus ride to Surat Thani and then one of nine evening trains heading north (a total of 16–19 hours). The train experience is more important than the travel time. Below you will find information on the airlines that fly to which airports, the travel time from the beach to Phuket Airport, all bus companies, the northbound trains with their booking periods, and the respective arrival points in Bangkok.
Where to stay in Bangkok
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Key Facts (2026)
The route is approximately 850 km by road; there is no train or ferry connection to Phuket.
A flight of 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 35 minutes, 12 to 13 hours by night bus, 10 to 12 hours by car or 16 to 19 hours by minibus to Surat Thani and then by night train.
Approximately 50 flights per day, flight time 1 hour 20–1 hour 35 minutes
Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air fly to Don Mueang. Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai VietJet fly to Suvarnabhumi, and Thai AirAsia also operates some of its flights from there.
The journey from Patong to the airport takes about 50 minutes.
The journey to Kata takes 55–60 minutes in normal traffic, and to Rawai 65–75 minutes. A taxi or Grab from Patong costs about 700–900 baht; the Smart Bus (100 baht) is significantly cheaper but takes 1 hour 20–1 hour 30 minutes.
The night bus journey takes 12–13 hours and costs 715–1200 Baht.
All buses depart from Phuket Bus Terminal 2. Evening services are operated by Phuket Transport Co., Phuket Travel, and Lignite Tour, arriving at the Southern Terminal, Mo Chit, or both between approximately 5:00 and 7:00 AM.
The train journey consists of a minibus to Surat Thani, then a sleeper car.
The journey to Phun Phin train station by van or bus takes approximately four hours and costs 330–400 baht. Nine northbound trains depart between 6:25 pm and 11:28 pm, so you should leave Phuket around 1:00 pm to catch the early trains.
There is no ferry from Phuket to Bangkok.
Ferries from Phuket travel to Phi Phi, Krabi, and Phang Nga Bay. Booking a ferry here involves a combination of bus and boat travel through the Gulf Islands, which is slower than the connections mentioned above.
All routes from Phuket to Bangkok compared (2026)
Flight availability is displayed by booking portals several weeks in advance, comparing peak and last-minute prices without baggage. Bus fares, according to operators and busonlineticket, range from 715 to 1,200 baht (converted at an exchange rate of 33.5 baht per US dollar); 12Go charges an additional fee. Train options include a minibus for 330–400 baht, a third-class seat for 250 baht (lower end), and a first-class sleeper for 1,300–1,500 baht (upper end).
Bookable departures · updated daily
Phuket → Bangkok: Departure times you can book now
All flights currently bookable via 12Go on this route, sorted by booking class. The prices shown are distributed across the different booking classes; the exact price for a seat and a specific date can be found on the booking page.
bus
12Go timetables and fares are updated daily. Services that operate only locally—regular trains, weekend trips, and ferry terminal tickets—are not listed; these can be found in the table above. Sponsored link: We may receive a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Check the current bus connections from Phuket to Bangkok.
12Go lists evening buses from Terminal 2 with live seat reservation and instant e-tickets in English. Flights are also offered, but connections with layovers are shown for this route. Therefore, compare direct flights using a flight search.
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Fly and choose Bangkok airport depending on your next activities.
Six airlines, two airports, and the 60- to 90-minute transfer time between them
The Phuket–Bangkok route is one of Thailand's busiest domestic flights, with around 50 departures daily between approximately 6:30 a.m. and after 11:00 p.m. Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air fly to Don Mueang, the hub for low-cost carriers north of the city. Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai VietJet fly to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok-sur-Mer, and Thai AirAsia also serves some of its Phuket flights there. The flight time is between 1 hour 20 minutes and 1 hour 35 minutes. When booking two to four weeks in advance, prices typically range from 1,000 to 2,500 baht (US$30–75) without baggage. Prices are higher during the peak travel season of December/January, Songkran, and for last-minute bookings.
On this route, the airport is more important than the airline. If you have an international connecting flight home, land at the airport your connecting flight departs from, as the journey between Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi takes 60–90 minutes by taxi or airport shuttle. With separate tickets, allow at least three to four hours between landing and your international departure, and even more if you need to change airports. If you're staying overnight in Bangkok, both airports are suitable. Don Mueang is closer to Chatuchak and the north of the city, while Suvarnabhumi is closer to Sukhumvit. Thanks to the Airport Rail Link, Suvarnabhumi is also easier to reach without a taxi.
Getting from the beach to Phuket Airport
The airport is located at the northern tip of the island, so the south coast is over an hour away.
Phuket Airport is located in the far north of the island, so getting there is part of your journey home. In normal traffic, the drive takes about 50 minutes from Patong (approx. 41 km), also 50 minutes from Karon, 55–60 minutes from Kata, 65–75 minutes from Rawai and Nai Harn, and 15–20 minutes from Mai Khao and Nai Yang. In the evenings during peak season, you should allow 20–30 minutes. A metered taxi or a Grab ride from Patong costs approximately 700–900 baht. Your hotel can usually book a car for you at a fixed price.
The Smart Bus runs from the west coast beaches to the airport for a flat rate of 100 baht, making stops along the entire route. From Patong, the journey therefore takes between 1 hour 20 and 1 hour 30 minutes. With plenty of time and light luggage, this is a good option, but risky if you have an early flight. During peak season, plan to arrive at the airport 90 minutes to two hours before your domestic flight.
The night bus from Terminal 2 departs in 12-13 hours.
Southern Terminal or Mo Chit at dawn – and why your passport should always be within easy reach
All buses to Bangkok depart from Phuket 2 Bus Terminal, north of Phuket Town. Most departures are between 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM, arriving at dawn. The state-run transport company offers five daily departures (7:30 AM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM): express buses for 780 baht and VIP buses for 1,200 baht. After a 12–13 hour journey, the bus stops at Bangkok's southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai) before continuing its journey to Mo Chit 30–60 minutes later. Phuket Travel's VIP bus 24 departs at 5:40 PM and arrives in Mo Chit around 5:30 AM. Lignite Tour offers double-decker buses for intercity service in the afternoon and evening. The fares charged by the various providers range from 715 to 1,200 Baht.
The VIP-24 configuration is recommended. The seats are arranged in a 1+2 configuration, recline fully, and are equipped with a blanket and water. The buses make a stop during the night for a meal. Expect one or two passport checks by the police on the southern highway. Therefore, it's best to keep your passport with you and not in the luggage compartment. A VIP-24 trip filmed in October 2025 departed Terminal 2 promptly at 5:00 PM, made a stop for a complimentary meal around 1:00 AM, and arrived in Mo Chit at 5:34 AM.
Which bus station you arrive at in Bangkok is important. The South Bus Station is located on the Thonburi side and is not connected to the rail network. From there, you can reach Khao San Road or the riverfront in 20–30 minutes by taxi. From the Mo Chit BTS station and the Chatuchak Park MRT station, a taxi costs 60–100 baht. From there, you can reach Sukhumvit Road or Silom more easily by taxi. Book one or two days in advance via 12Go or directly at the bus station. Outside of public holidays, seats are usually still available on the same day.
Phuket → Bangkok Buses by Operator (2026)
Timetables and fares for Transport Co. can be found at siamtickets; departures from Phuket Travel and Lignite are available on 12Go's live list; arrivals are also available on 12Go, and two trips around 2025 both terminated at Mo Chit (one trip cost 1,112 baht for a VIP seat on a 24-seat bus). According to busonlineticket, the route costs between 715 and 1,112 baht with various providers. Transport Co. also stops opposite the Thalang police station on the way out of the island.
There is no train connection from Phuket, therefore the railway line runs via Surat Thani.
A four-hour minibus ride to Phun Phin, then one of nine evening trains heading north.
Phuket has no train connection, so traveling from Phuket to Bangkok by train involves two stages. First, you'll take a bus or minibus to Phun Phin Station in Surat Thani (approximately four hours). Buses to the station cost 370 baht and depart from Terminal 2 at 6:00, 7:30, 8:30, 11:00, and 13:40. Minibuses run roughly hourly from 7:00 to 15:00 for 330–400 baht, some offering hotel pick-up. Next, you'll take one of the nine northbound trains to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat). These are usually overnight trains from the far south, departing between 18:25 and 23:28. Book the two stages separately: the minibus via 12Go or at the terminal, and the train via the SRT's D-Ticket website or at the ticket counter in Phun Phin.
For early travelers, a departure from Phuket around 1:00 PM is recommended, while for late travelers, departure no later than 3:00 PM is advised, as the minibus journey can take up to five hours in traffic. Express trains No. 86 (7:31 PM, arriving 6:10 AM) and No. 84 (8:23 PM, arriving 7:05 AM) offer both first-class twin cabins and air-conditioned second-class sleeper cars and arrive at a reasonable time. Special train No. 32 (10:24 PM, arriving 8:10 AM) features the newest carriages. An air-conditioned second-class sleeper berth costs approximately 700–900 baht at the station, and first-class 1,300–1,500 baht. The door-to-door journey takes 16–19 hours, compared to 12–13 hours by bus. Therefore, the train journey is worthwhile for the sleeper berth and the overall travel experience. Seats on all trains here can be reserved 90 days in advance, except for the two trains from Sungai Kolok (Nos. 172 and 38), where reservations can be made 30 days in advance.
The best-rated hotels in Bangkok
Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Bangkok. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you have already entered your travel dates.
Trains from Surat Thani (Phun Phin) to Bangkok (2026)
The journey times are taken from Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide of December 5, 2025. Daytime train No. 40 (departing Phun Phin at 9:00 AM) is not accessible from Phuket in the morning and is therefore not listed. These trains originate in the far south and arrive in Phun Phin one hour late. Seat availability is based on our calculations according to the SRT fare levels of April 2026 (90 days where your journey covers at least 60% of the train route). The distance from Surat Thani to Bangkok is approximately 635 km, and only the Sungai Kolok Line trains are shorter than this.
The night bus from Phuket to Bangkok
Two recent night bus journeys from Terminal 2, filmed by other travelers. YouTube only loads when you press "Play".
Where you will land in Bangkok
Two airports, two bus stations and Krung Thep Aphiwat
Suvarnabhumi Airport has the Airport Rail Link on its lower level. From there, you can reach Phaya Thai in 26 to 45 minutes, where you can connect to the BTS. Don Mueang is connected to Krung Thep Aphiwat via the SRT Dark Red Line. Buses A1 and A2 run to the Mo Chit BTS station for 30 baht. Taxis will take you to most destinations in the city for 250–400 baht. The South Railway Station has no rail connection, so a taxi is necessary. It's a short taxi ride from both the Mo Chit BTS station and the Chatuchak Park MRT station. Trains terminate at Krung Thep Aphiwat, where the MRT Blue Line runs directly below.
From Bangkok to Phuket (southbound)
The same flights in the opposite direction and the night buses from Mo Chit and the South Terminal.
Arrival by plane is a mirror image of arrivals from both Bangkok airports. Night buses depart in the late afternoon and evening from Mo Chit Airport and Bangkok's southern bus station, arriving in Phuket at dawn. The "Bangkok–Phuket" travel guide provides information on prices, departure airports, and all travel options from Phuket Airport to your beach.
Bangkok → Phuket: Departure times you can book now
Check the current bus connections from Bangkok to Phuket.
The same live display board from 12Go for the journey south, with night buses from Mo Chit and the Southern Terminal, as well as instant e-tickets.
Trip booked? Plan your graduation in Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Phuket–Bangkok route.
Fly. Flight time is 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 35 minutes, with approximately 50 departures daily and prices starting from around 1,000 baht (US$30), which can be booked several weeks in advance. Land at Suvarnabhumi if your international flight departs from there, or at Don Mueang for the cheapest budget flights. The alternative by land is the overnight bus from Terminal 2 (12–13 hours, 715–1,200 baht).
No. Phuket does not have its own railway line. You travel by bus or minibus to Phun Phin Station in Surat Thani (approximately four hours, 330–400 baht). From there, you take one of the nine northbound trains to Krung Thep Aphiwat, departing between 6:25 p.m. and 11:28 p.m. The entire journey takes 16–19 hours and is more about the sleeper car experience than the travel time.
Fly. There is no direct train connection. The train route includes an additional four-hour minibus ride to Surat Thani and takes a total of 16–19 hours. In comparison, a flight takes only 1 hour 20–1 hour 35 minutes and often costs about the same as a sleeper car berth plus the minibus fare. Only take the train if you absolutely must sleep in a sleeper car.
The flight time is 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 35 minutes. Including the drive to Phuket Airport (approximately 50 minutes from Patong, over an hour from Kata or Rawai) and the waiting time at the airport, you should allow a total of four to five hours door-to-door.
Yes, there are approximately 50 direct flights daily. Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion Air fly to Don Mueang; Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, and Thai VietJet fly to Suvarnabhumi, as do some Thai AirAsia flights. Some booking sites also show flights with a layover on this route, so you should check whether it's a direct flight.
Suvarnabhumi is ideal if you have an international connecting flight, as the journey between the two airports takes 60–90 minutes. Don Mueang is particularly suitable for budget airlines if you are staying overnight in Bangkok. Both airports are well-served by the city; Suvarnabhumi also offers a connection to the Airport Rail Link to central Bangkok.
The journey takes 12–13 hours, almost entirely overnight. Buses usually depart from Phuket 2 bus station between 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM and arrive at Bangkok's southern bus station or Mo Chit between approximately 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fares range from 715 to 1,200 Baht. I would recommend booking the VIP 24 buses with 1+2 seating.
A private car for the approximately 850 km journey costs about US$180–280 per vehicle and takes 10–12 hours on Route 4. It is only worthwhile if you share the costs with a group or bring luggage that cannot be transported by plane; flying is faster and significantly cheaper per person.
The route is approximately 850 km (530 miles) on Route 4, between 845 and 875 km depending on the starting and ending points. This corresponds to a flight of 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 35 minutes, a journey by night bus of 12 to 13 hours, a car journey of 10 to 12 hours, or a journey by minibus and sleeper car via Surat Thani of 16 to 19 hours.
No. There is no passenger ferry between Phuket and Bangkok. Ferries from Phuket go to Phi Phi, Krabi, and the islands of Phang Nga Bay. Any "ferry connection" listed on booking websites for this route is a combination of bus and boat travel through the Gulf Islands.
Under normal traffic conditions, allow approximately 50 minutes from Patong, 55–60 minutes from Kata, and 65–75 minutes from Rawai or Nai Harn. Add an extra 20–30 minutes on evenings during peak season. Plan to arrive at the airport 90 minutes to two hours before your domestic flight during peak season. The Smart Bus (100 Baht) takes 1 hour 20–1 hour 30 minutes from Patong.
These are different trips. Bangkok offers temples, food, markets, and nightlife in one huge city; Phuket, on the other hand, offers beaches, islands, and resorts. Most first-time visitors combine both: a few nights in Bangkok and the rest on the coast. Our comparison of Bangkok and Phuket will show you which city is better suited for whom.
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Continue your journey from Bangkok
The next stage, with the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
Return journey? Bangkok to Phuket – All 27 routes from Bangkok
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I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.
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