Phuket Smart Bus: Fares, Timetable and Route Guide

The Phuket Smart Bus is the cheapest way to travel from Phuket International Airport to the west-coast beaches, charging a flat 100 baht per ride whether you get off at Surin, Patong, Kata or Rawai. The air-conditioned buses run every day along the island's main tourist corridor, take contactless cards, and are a sensible alternative to a taxi if you are travelling light and your hotel is close to the main road.

What is the Phuket Smart Bus and who runs it?

The service is operated by Phuket City Development Co., Ltd., a Phuket-based company, and it has been carrying passengers from the airport since 2018. There are three lines today. Route 1 links the airport with Patong and Rawai and is the one most visitors use. Route 2 runs between the bus terminal in Phuket Town and Patong Beach. The Dragon Line is a small free shuttle that loops around Phuket Town, connecting Central Festival, the Old Town and the OTOP market.

It is a public bus with fixed stops rather than a door-to-door transfer, so it suits solo travellers, couples and anyone happy to walk a few hundred metres with a suitcase.

Where does Route 1 stop?

From the airport the bus heads south through Thalang and Baan Khian, then follows the coast road through Cherng Talay and the Laguna area, Surin Beach and Kamala, where it stops near Phuket FantaSea and Big C. It climbs over the hill into Patong (the main stop is by the PEA office), continues to Karon Circle, then serves Kata Night Plaza and Kata Palm before finishing at Rawai Beach. Buses run in both directions on the same route.

If you are staying around Kata or Karon, our guide to things to do in Kata Beach will help you plan the days after you arrive.

How much does a ticket cost?

According to the operator's official fare table, a single ride on Route 1 costs 100 baht flat, Route 2 costs 50 baht and the Dragon Line is free. Children under six travel free with a paying adult, and there is no separate foreigner price. Regular riders can buy unlimited passes:

Route 1 pass	Price
1 day (24 hours)	299 baht
3 days	499 baht
7 days	799 baht
10 days	1,000 baht
30 days	1,990 baht

A one-day pass only pays for itself if you plan at least three rides, for example airport to Patong, a trip to Kata and back. Cheaper Route 2 passes start at 159 baht for 24 hours.

How do you pay on board?

You do not need an app or a booking. The Phuket Smart Bus payment page lists four options: tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or JCB card on the reader, use Apple Pay or Google Pay, scan the on-board QR code with a Thai banking app, or pay cash. If you pay cash, small notes make life easier for the driver. You can ask for a printed receipt.

What are the timetable and journey times?

The current timetable has been in force since 16 January 2026. Buses leave the airport from 08:15, then roughly every half hour through the day, with the last departure listed at 23:30. Heading the other way, the first bus leaves Kata at about 05:20 and Patong at about 06:00, which helps if you have a morning flight.

Scheduled times from the airport are roughly:

• Surin Beach: about 45 minutes
• Kamala: about 1 hour
• Patong: about 1 hour 20 minutes
• Karon: about 1 hour 30 minutes
• Kata: about 1 hour 40 to 50 minutes
• Rawai: just over 2 hours

The operator stresses that times are approximate and depend on traffic, and Patong in particular can add delays in the evening. Its website has a live GPS tracking page, which is worth checking before you walk to a stop.

Is the Phuket Smart Bus better than a taxi or Grab?

For one or two people the saving is large. Fixed limousine-counter fares listed by the airport operator are around 800 baht to Patong and 1,000 baht to Kata for the whole car, while two bus tickets cost 200 baht. A family of four with big luggage, or anyone landing late at night or staying up a steep side road, will usually find a car more practical. Ride-hailing prices vary, so compare them in the app; our Grab vs Bolt in Phuket comparison explains how the two apps differ, and our Phuket airport transfer guide covers private options.

Is there a new EV bus from the airport too?

Yes. On 2 November 2026 the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation launched a separate electric bus service, route 8580, with ten air-conditioned buses. As reported by The Thaiger, it runs from the airport along the inland Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama IX Road to Ban Rawai, with fares from 40 baht. It does not follow the beach road, so it suits Phuket Town, Chalong and Rawai rather than Patong or Kata. Read more in our report on the new Phuket EV bus to Rawai.

Tips for riding the Phuket Smart Bus

• Check the official timetable before you fly, as it was last changed in January 2026 and can change again.
• Work out the nearest stop to your hotel on a map; hillside hotels may still need a short taxi ride.
• Keep a contactless card handy so you can board quickly with luggage.
• December is peak season, so expect fuller buses and slower traffic; see our Phuket in December guide.

FAQ

Does the 100 baht fare apply to every stop?

Yes. On Route 1 between the airport, Patong and Rawai, one ride costs 100 baht whether you travel one stop or the whole route.

What time is the last bus from the airport?

The timetable valid from January 2026 lists the last airport departure at 23:30, but times can shift, so confirm on the operator's site.

Can I pay with a foreign credit card?

Yes. Any contactless Visa, Mastercard or JCB card works on the reader, as do Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is also accepted.

Does the Phuket Smart Bus go to Phuket Town?

Route 1 does not. Route 2 links the Phuket Town bus terminal with Patong for 50 baht, and the free Dragon Line loops around the Old Town.

Photo: fitri agung / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0