Phuket International Airport

About Phuket Airport

Thailand’s third-busiest airport (after the two airports in the Bangkok metropolitan region) handles about 17 million passengers a year, playing a crucial role in the Thai tourism industry as the gateway to the popular resort region of Phuket Island.

What facilities are at Phuket Airport?

Phuket Airport has a fast-track Concierge service, luggage storage, 2-hour complimentary Wi-Fi and other basic services. There are two terminals at Phuket Airport: domestic and international.

Terminal 1 – International

Phuket’s Terminal One handles all international flights in and out of the airport. Airlines that operate from this terminal include Thai Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Virgin Australia, Air Asia and Jetstar. Facilities at the terminal include a range of fast food outlets, duty free shopping and pay-per use Airport Lounges.

Terminal 2 – Domestic

All Thai domestic flights operate from Phuket Airport’s Terminal Two. Head here if you’re catching a domestic flight with Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile, Thai AirAsia, Orient Thai, Nok Air, or Bangkok Airways.

Check-in

Allow up to three hours to check in at the airport if you’re travelling on a long-haul flight out of Phuket, or two hours for a regional flight. Domestic flight check-in starts 90 minutes prior to departure. We recommend also adding an additional half-hour or hour onto your journey due to slow-moving traffic on your way to the airport. When you’re catching an international flight out of Phuket you’ll need to pay an International Departure Tax of around 700 Thai Baht per person.

Baggage

If you need to store luggage at the airport for a few hours or days, left luggage services are available on the first floor of the Domestic Terminal arrivals area. Fees start at 80 Thai Baht per bag, per day. Arriving into Phuket and have booked a hotel transfer? Note that hotel operators are not permitted inside the airport so look for your driver once you have collected your bags and made your way outside.

Is there a currency exchange?

Changing your holiday money at the airport is easy with several currency exchange booths in the Arrivals area, and one in the Departures area of the International Terminal. You’ll also find ATMs in the airport. However, if you want to arrive with some Thai Baht in your pocket – a good idea if you’re going to be catching a taxi – you can order and pick up your foreign currency before you leave home, at Travel Money Oz.

Transport and terminal transfers

What’s the best way to get to and from Phuket Airport?

Buses, Taxis and Car Hire: At the arrivals level you’ll find airport metered taxis ready to whisk you away to some of the regions most popular destinations including Phuket city (roughly 400 Thai Baht, 30 minutes), Patong Beach (around 550 Baht, 40 minutes) or Kata/Karon (from 600 Baht, one hour). Fixed price airport limousines and luxury mini-bus services are also located at the arrivals level of the airport. Car hire is available at the airport for those who wish to drive themselves, with Thai Rent A Car, Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz all operating from the airport. If you’d rather arrange your car hire before you leave home, you can book it here.

Parking: The car park at Phuket Airport has fixed rates depending on vehicle size. The first 15 minutes is free for all vehicles, costing 20 Baht for the first hour after that for a regular 4-wheel car, capped at 200 Baht for a 24-hour period.

How do I transfer between terminals?

To transfer between the domestic and international terminals at Phuket Airport you’re looking at about a 20 minute walk. Alternatively you can jump on the free shuttle bus that runs frequently between the terminals.

What restaurants and bars are at Phuket Airport?

Due to its role as more of an ‘end point’ airport than a layover spot for frequent flyers, Phuket Airport has a reasonable selection of dining options. You’ll find a restaurant as well as several snack bars and cafes in the terminals.

Shopping at Phuket Airport?

If you’re keen to do a little shopping at Phuket Airport, you’ll have all the Duty Free staples to choose from, such as cosmetics, perfume and liquor, with some additional stores like phone retailers and souvenir shops in the airport as well.

 

What lounges are at Phuket Airport?

Airport Lounges

Coral Executive Lounge

Priority Pass operates four Coral Lounges at Phuket Airport: two in the Domestic Terminal and two in the International Terminal. Most of the facilities are the same, although this guide refers specifically to the Coral Executive Lounge in Terminal 1 (International) by Gate 7. This lounge provides a tranquil space away from the busy crowds, with 180-degree views over beautiful Mai-Khao Beach. The lounge is available to all international travellers on a pay-per-use basis, and access can be packaged with airport concierge and fast-track immigration services. If you’re travelling with children, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a kids’ corner, and whether you’re travelling with children or not, you can enjoy a foot massage, or relax with a drink and read the paper. The Coral Lounge serves up a range of Thai, Chinese Japanese and Western dishes, alongside snacks, tea and coffee.

The ‘Lux’ Luxury Lounge

Another pay-per-use lounge, the ‘Lux’ Lounge at Phuket Airport also offers fast-track immigration and concierge services for both arriving and departing international passengers. This lounge also provides a relaxing space with light refreshments including Starbucks coffee and alcoholic beverages, with international newspapers, magazines and TV for entertainment. Business services at The Lux include Wi-Fi access, an iPad, a MacBook Air, printing and local phone calls. The Lux Lounge is located Airside in the International Terminal, Departures, Level 2 near Gate 4.

Airline Lounges

Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge

Featuring both a Business Class and First Class section, Thai Airways Lounge is a 60-seater lounge with a small Business Centre and a good range of light refreshments from sandwiches and pastries to noodles and Thai specialities. Providing a relaxed space to settle in and watch TV or catch up on emails, the Thai Airways Lounge is located airside in the International Terminal near the departure gates.

What hotels are near Phuket Airport?

Phuket has some of Thailand’s most dream-worthy accommodation but there are always solid reasons for needing or wanting to stay at an airport hotel. Perhaps you have an early departure or arrive late and just want to head to the comfort and privacy or your own room as soon as possible. Below we’ve provided a brief guide to a couple of Phuket Airport hotels. You can browse the entire range of Phuket accommodation options here, or have a chat to your local Flight Centre Travel Expert about which cheap Phuket hotel deal might be the perfect holiday package for you.

Le Fay Airport Residence

This neat and tidy budget-friendly hotel is just a 4-minute drive from Mai Khao Beach and only minutes from the airport. The 16 air-conditioned rooms offer complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary bottled water and a 24-hour front desk.

Room Hostel@ Phuket Airport

Also a great choice if you’re watching your travel budget, Room Hostel@ Phuket Airport offers ten air-conditioned rooms with room service during designated hours, daily housekeeping, express check-in and 24-hour reception.