Public transport in Phuket comes in three flavors: songthaews (blue open-air trucks, 30-50 THB), Smart Bus (air-conditioned buses from the airport to Rawai, 100 THB), and pink city buses within Phuket Town (5 THB). All songthaew routes start from Ranong Road Market in Phuket Town and fan out to the beaches. They run from 06:00 to 17:00-18:00, every 20-40 minutes.
Quick Comparison: Transport Options in Phuket
| Transport | Price | Hours | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songthaew (blue) | 30-50 THB | 06:00-18:00 | Phuket Town to beaches |
| Smart Bus | 100 THB | 05:30-23:30 | Airport to Rawai (all beaches) |
| Pink Bus | 5 THB | 06:30-20:00 | Within Phuket Town |
| Bolt / Grab (taxi) | from 150 THB | 24/7 | Any route |
Songthaew — Blue Trucks to the Beaches
A songthaew is a converted pickup truck with a roof and two benches in the back. All routes start from Ranong Road Fresh Market in central Phuket Town. To board, simply wave at the driver. To get off, press the buzzer on the ceiling or tap a coin on the railing.
Songthaew Routes from Ranong Road
| Route | Destination | Price | Last Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuket Town → Patong | Via Kathu, to Sea Pearl Hotel | 50 THB | ~17:00 |
| Phuket Town → Karon → Kata | Via Chalong, to Kata Beach Hotel | 50 THB | ~16:30 (return ~18:00) |
| Phuket Town → Kamala → Surin → Bang Tao | Via Kathu, to Laguna | 40 THB | ~17:00 |
| Phuket Town → Nai Harn → Rawai | Via Chao Fa East Road | 40 THB | ~16:00 |
| Phuket Town → Chalong Pier | To the pier | 30 THB | ~17:00 |
| Phuket Town → Panwa (Aquarium) | Cape Panwa area | 30 THB | ~17:00 |
| Phuket Town → Sarasin Bridge | Northbound via Thepkasattri Rd | 50 THB | ~17:00 |
| Phuket Town → Bang Rong Pier | Ferry to Koh Yao | 40 THB | ~16:00 |
Prices current as of May 2026. Schedules are approximate — songthaews depart when full.
Route Map
All songthaews start from Ranong Road Market in central Phuket Town and fan out along the coast. The Smart Bus runs along the west coast from the airport to Rawai.
Smart Bus — Airport to Rawai
The Phuket Smart Bus is an air-conditioned bus that runs from the airport along the entire west coast to Rawai. The fare is a flat 100 THB regardless of distance. Payment methods: cash, PromptPay QR code, contactless Visa/Mastercard (available since January 2026), or the Phuket Rabbit Card.
Smart Bus Stops (27 stops)
Airport → Thalang → Cherng Talay → Laguna → Lotus → Surin → Kamala → Fantasea → Big C Kamala → Kalim → Patong (Holiday Inn) → Secret Cliff → Karon (Circle) → Karon Stadium → Kata (OZO, Palm, Beyond) → Sai Yuan → Rawai
Smart Bus Schedule
| Direction | First Bus | Last Bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → Rawai | 08:15 | 23:30 | ~1 hour |
| Rawai → Airport | 06:45 | 19:30* | ~1 hour |
* The 20:00 departure from Rawai terminates at Patong. An early 05:30 service starts from Kata. Travel time airport-Rawai: approx. 2 hours. Live tracking: phuketsmartbus.com
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Message usPink Buses — Around Phuket Town
Three air-conditioned routes within Phuket Town. The fare is just 5 THB. They run from 06:30 to 20:00, every 20-30 minutes. Handy if you're staying in town and need to reach shops, markets, or the bus terminal.
Songthaew vs Smart Bus vs Bolt — Which Is Best?
| Songthaew | Smart Bus | Bolt (Taxi) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Patong | 50 THB | 100 THB | 300-500 THB |
| Air conditioning | No | Yes | Yes |
| Schedule | No fixed times | Every hour | Any time |
| Evening / night | No (until 17-18:00) | Until 23:30 | 24/7 |
| Stops | Anywhere on route | Fixed stops only | Door to door |
| Best for | Budget, daytime | Airport, evening | Comfort, night |
Practical Tips
- Songthaews are irregular — they run every 20-40 minutes, even less frequently toward evening. Don't rely on them for tight schedules
- Return trips from beaches end early — the last songthaew from Nai Harn leaves around 16:00, from Kata around 18:00
- Smart Bus is more reliable — fixed schedule, live tracking on phuketsmartbus.com or Google Maps
- Traveling with 2+ people? — Bolt might be cheaper than Smart Bus (100 THB x 2 = 200 THB vs Bolt ~300 THB for the car)
- No direct songthaew between beaches — to get from Patong to Karon, you'd need to transfer in Phuket Town
- For longer stays — consider renting a scooter from 150 THB/day, it's more convenient and cheaper
- Contactless payment on Smart Bus — Visa and Mastercard tap-to-pay has been available since January 2026, so you don't need Thai cash
Sources: Airports of Thailand (AOT), Bolt Thailand, phuketsmartbus.com
Read Also
- Best Beaches in Phuket — TOP 12
- Similan vs Phi Phi — Which Islands to Choose
- How to Get from Phuket Airport to Your Hotel
- Thailand Visa 2026 — Types, Rules, Extensions
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