How to get from Phuket Airport to Karon Beach by Smart Bus

As a person who travels relatively regularly Thailand, and especially in Phuket, I will share precise information on how to get from Phuket airport to Karon beach in the most profitable and comfortable way. Of course, there are several ways: taxi, private transfer, minivan and, of course, bus. But today we will analyze in detail the most economical option - Smart Bus Phuket. And "smart" in its name, it must be admitted, is not just a marketing ploy. This bus really manages to combine a pleasant price (only 100 baht!), a decent level of comfort and, what is important, a predictable route. And the latter in Phuket, I tell you, is a real luxury!

The History of the Convenient Route from Phuket Airport to Karon

I remember how the question of "how to get from Phuket airport to Karon Beach" used to cause mild panic among tourists. There were two ways to get there: either pay a pretty penny for a taxi (and sometimes haggle until you're hoarse), or travel with transfers on local buses through Phuket Town (which are still running), losing precious vacation hours. It was easier then, but now it's just beautiful...

And yes, in 2018, something clicked in the heads of the local authorities, and civilization came to the island in the form of Smart Bus. And you know what? It really turned the entire transport system of the island upside down! Now getting from Phuket airport to Karon has become not only calmer, but also much cheaper.

Travel time from airport to Karon beach

Let's start with the facts: the trip from Phuket Airport to Karon Beach will take from 1.5 to two hours. Yes, yes, but don't faint. Of course, a taxi is faster - 45-50 minutes, well, an hour, if there are severe traffic jams, but the price will be from 800 to 1500 baht. (It is possible and cheaper, of course, but that's another story. If you are interested in how to leave by taxi baht for 600-700, read the info: Taxi from Phuket Airport to Karon.) Well, here there are only a hundred local Baku residents, air conditioning and the opportunity to leisurely explore half of the island along the way.

After all, the route passes through many tourist locations, which gives an excellent opportunity to immediately get your bearings on the island. On the way from the airport to Karon, you can see the beaches of the northern coast, luxury hotels in the Laguna area, Patong Beach, and just get acquainted with the surroundings.

How to find a bus at Phuket Airport

This is where the fun begins! Finding the Smart Bus at Phuket Airport is a quest for some, but it is quite doable even for novice travelers. But you should be patient and follow the signs (which, by the way, are not always obvious, but they are there, honestly!).

For those arriving on international flights:

1. First, go down to floor G. It sounds simple, but in reality you will have to get lost between crowds of people meeting you and groups of Chinese tourists. Look for signs "Ground Floor" or simply "G".
2. Turn left to exit 6. The main thing here is not to be distracted by the tempting taxi and transfer signs. Believe me, many tourists give up at this point!
3. Follow the signs to exit 3 of the domestic airlines terminal. Yes, it sounds confusing, but in reality everything is logical. Along the way you will see many shops and cafes - do not get distracted!
4. Your main landmark is the Amazon cafe with its distinctive green logo. If you see it, you've won! The bus stop is right across the street.

For those arriving domestic flights the easier way: head straight for exit 3, turn left, walk past the Amazon cafe (yes, it's here again) and the bus stop will be right in front of you.

And you know what? Despite the apparent complexity, this route is much easier than navigating some other popular airports! (Hello, Abu Dhabi!) Well, so that there is absolutely no confusion left, I am posting exact coordinates the place we need:

Bus schedule from Phuket airport to Karon

Buses from Phuket Airport to Karon Beach operate throughout the day.

Schedule and intervals:

• First flight: 8:15 am
• Last flight: 23:30
• Frequency: approximately every 1-1.5 hours
• Additional flights may be added during high season.

Important point: "regularity" is a relative concept here - after all, as they say: "this is Thailand, baby!" But I must admit that the service has become much more predictable lately. In 2024, the schedule is being followed quite strictly, especially in the morning hours.

I'm posting it current schedule as of November 2024.

It has been in effect since September 4, 2004, but it may change someday. That's why I'm giving a link to the official page to check the relevance of the schedule on phuketsmartbus.com. But there are more simple option: see the schedule at the stop upon arrival:

And a little advice on the topic: if your plane arrives in the evening, do not risk the last bus. It is better to book a transfer in advance. Trust me: there is nothing worse than looking for alternative transport in an unfamiliar place at 1 am! Although you can use my advice on taxis at the link at the beginning of the article.

By the way, the smartbus type of public transport is equipped with a GPS tracking system, so you can always get up-to-date information on the location of a particular bus. in real time. By the way, this is a frame from the official site, so it is always relevant...

Comfortable travel to Karon Beach

And here comes the fun part. Smart Bus is not those ancient blue ones Songthaew with wooden benches, which can be found on many routes around the island. This is a modern bus, specially designed for a comfortable trip from Phuket Airport to popular beaches, including Karon.

By interior equipment:

• The air conditioning works so well that sometimes you even want to take out a sweater, which you certainly didn’t take to Thailand
• There is Wi-Fi, and — oh miracle! — it really works. The speed is sufficient for instant messaging and even for watching YouTube
• USB ports at each seat, which is a lifesaver for those who forgot or didn’t have time to charge their phone after a 12-hour flight
• Seats with adjustable backrests - you can take a nap (not in all buses, but almost)
• There is space for luggage, and believe me, it is quite roomy.

There are other advantages and benefits:

• A special entrance for wheelchair users, which, admittedly, is a rarity in Asia
• Surveillance cameras for the especially paranoid traveler
• GPS tracking, convenient for your family to know where you are stuck :))
• Information screens with route
• Stop Announcement System in English

Detailed route to Karon

The bus route passes through all the significant places of the west coast:

We are essentially interested in either "Ring of Karon" or "Karon Stadium".. The first one is at the beginning of the beach closer to Patong, and the second one is at the end, closer to Kata. So choose accordingly where it is more convenient for you to get off.

By the way, not far from Karon Ring there is its night market, which you can read about here: Karon Night Market…

Fare and payment methods

Here everything is as simple as pie: 100 baht per person for a trip from Phuket airport to Karon beach. Agree, the price is more than democratic! Especially considering that taxi drivers will ask at least 8-12 times more.

You can pay for travel:

• Cash, so make sure you have small bills, preferably the exact amount (you can change a little at the airport, the rate is not good of course, but what can you do, and when exchanging 100 greenbacks the rate is higher - costs)
• Phuket Rabbit Card. If you plan to stay on the island, it might make sense to get one upon arrival.

Practical tips for traveling from the airport to Karon

During my trips on the Smart Bus, I have accumulated several useful observations that I would like to share.

1. The first thing you can take care of before your trip is installing the Phuket Smart Bus app (but you should know that it is not official and all data comes to it from the official website https://phuketsmartbus.com/), and it is more convenient to use, and it also has several webcams built in, you can watch them on the road. By the way, do not forget to download the offline map of Phuket in Google Maps in advance - the Internet can fail at the most inopportune moment.
2. The location of your hotel deserves special attention. I strongly recommend that you clarify its exact address and the nearest bus stop in advance. There have been cases when tourists passed the necessary stop simply because they could not determine their exact location. Karon Beach is not huge, but trudging in the heat from Karon Ring to somewhere closer to Kata to a hotel is not a pleasure. And do not forget to change money into small bills - drivers do not always have change, especially for large bills.
3. The bus itself has its own tricks. If you know you have a tendency to motion sickness, it is better to choose seats closer to the driver - the roads in Phuket are quite winding. By the way, about the roads: the landscapes outside the window are so picturesque that many passengers, engrossed in looking, forget to follow the route. Therefore, I advise you to periodically glance at the app and, just in case, warn the driver about your stop.
4. Particular attention should be paid to the season. During the rainy season, which lasts from May to October, an umbrella will be your best friend. And during the high season, especially from December to February, be prepared for the bus to be quite crowded. At this time, it is better to arrive at the stop 10-15 minutes before departure to guarantee a seat.

Typical mistakes tourists make when traveling from the airport to Karon

During my observations, I noticed several common mistakes that are worth telling a little about. The most common of them is waiting for the bus in the wrong place. It would seem that what could be more logical than waiting for transport at the main exit of the airport? However, in the case of Smart Bus, this is fundamentally wrong. Remember the story about the Amazon cafe? That's exactly where the stop you need is.

The second stumbling block is the lack of preparation for a long trip. Many tourists, having heard about a bus, for some reason imagine a short half-hour trip. As a result, they find themselves on the road without water, a snack or any entertainment. But two hours on the road can seem like an eternity, especially if you have just survived a long flight.

A separate story is missing the right stop. This usually happens for two reasons: either a person falls asleep, lulled by the air conditioner and the measured hum of the engine, or is so carried away by the views outside the window that he loses track of time. In some cases, the language barrier is to blame - not all drivers speak English well, and the names of the stops may not sound quite as you expect.

Luckily, all these problems are easily solved with proper preparation. The main thing to remember is that a comfortable trip starts with proper planning. After all, it’s much easier to figure out the bus route than to learn even a few phrases in Thai!