Ruth Haines
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is Thailand's second-busiest airport, with over 16 million passengers passing through its two terminals each year. The airport is located directly behind Mai Khao Beach, with flights passing over the beach upon landing and Phang Nga Bay upon takeoff. Phuket Airport is known for its compact size, ease of navigation, and long queues at immigration. It offers various transportation options, including rental cars, shuttle services, buses, taxis, and limousines, as well as currency exchange services and duty-free shopping.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Phuket International Airport |
| Airport Code | HKT |
| Location | 222 Moo 6, Mai Khao, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand |
| Runway(s) | 1 |
| Terminals | 2 |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 12.9 million (2015) |
| Annual Aircraft Movements | 84,758 (2015) |
| Annual Flights | 100,000+ |
| Airlines | 50+ |
| Transport to/from Airport | Car, Airport Shuttle, Bus, Taxi, Van |
| Duty-Free Shopping | Yes |
| Currency Exchange | Yes |
| ATM | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
The airport is known for its remarkable location, situated directly behind Mai Khao Beach. During the high season, aircraft approaching the airport pass over the beach before landing, providing a unique view of the landscape. The airport's proximity to the beach and the subsequent increase in air traffic during the high season led to a proposal for a new international airport in 2022. The new airport would serve the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi and alleviate air traffic congestion in the region. However, the proposal has been put on hold as of 2022.
Phuket International Airport offers a range of transportation options for arriving and departing passengers. The airport shuttle service can be conveniently booked in advance, and rental car services are also available, with a return counter located at the front of the airport. For those who prefer public transportation, there are several bus routes serving the airport, including the Smart Bus service, which operates from the Domestic Terminal and serves popular beach destinations. Additionally, there are inexpensive hourly bus services to Phuket Town and the Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches.
The airport provides essential services such as currency exchange and ATMs in both the Arrivals and Departures areas. It is recommended to use the ATMs, as the currency exchange counters can get very busy and have less favourable exchange rates. The airport also features duty-free shopping, with some of the cheapest prices, and a variety of dining options in the Departures hall.
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Transport to and from the airport
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is located on Phuket Island, approximately 33 km southeast of Phuket Town.
There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport. Here is a detailed breakdown:
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the airport and can be found outside the International Terminal. Official taxis are red and yellow. A taxi ride to Phuket Town costs around €20 (THB 750) for up to four passengers, and the journey takes about 30 minutes to the city centre.
Private Transfer
Private transfers offer a convenient and comfortable door-to-door service to and from the airport. This option is ideal if budget is not a concern.
Bus
The airport bus, also known as the Smart Bus, provides a direct connection to Phuket Town. It departs from the airport daily and drops passengers off at the Central Bus Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The bus fare is €3.10 (THB 120), and buses are available every hour. The bus route covers popular stops such as Thalang Lotus Shopping Mall, Heroines Monument, and Phuket Rajabhat University Junction.
Shuttle Bus
The airport shuttle service, operated by Phuket Smart Bus, offers a ride-share option to the island's west coast. This shuttle is blue and white and has a fixed fare of THB 100 ($2.70). While it is a cheap option, it makes multiple stops, which can increase the travel time.
Shared Minivan
Shared minivans are available just outside the arrival hall and can take you directly to your hotel in Phuket city centre. Fares cost around THB 200 ($5.40) per person, but you may need to wait for the minivan to fill up before departing.
It is worth noting that Phuket International Airport also offers car rental services for those who prefer to drive themselves.
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History of air accidents
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the airport in Phuket, Thailand. Phuket is a favourite tourist destination in the region, with international passengers mainly coming from the Asia Pacific and Europe.
On 15 April 1985, a Thai Airways Company Boeing 737-200 crashed, killing all 11 people on board. The crew had radioed air traffic control to inform them that both engines had shut down, but no cause could be determined for the engine failure.
On 31 August 1987, Thai Airways Flight 365, a Boeing 737-200 from Hat Yai International Airport, crashed into the ocean on its final approach, killing all 83 people on board. The primary cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error.
On 16 September 2007, One-Two-Go Airlines Flight 269 (OG269), a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Bangkok to Phuket, crashed into an embankment beside runway 27 at Phuket International Airport. The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 burst into flames on impact during an attempted go-around after an aborted landing, killing 90 of the 130 people on board. The crash was attributed to pilot fatigue, with both the captain and first officer having worked hours in excess of legal flight limits. Poor weather conditions and wind shear were also contributing factors.
In 2009-2010, One-Two-Go Airlines was prohibited from operating in European Union nations due to safety concerns. The airline was rebranded as Orient Thai Airlines in July 2010.
Phuket International Airport was closed following the 2007 crash, and another crash in December 1998 that killed 101 people raised concerns about the safety of low-cost airlines in Asia.
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Arrivals and departures
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is located directly behind Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, Thailand. It is one of the busiest airports in Thailand, with over 16 million passengers passing through its two terminals each year. The airport is quite compact and easy to navigate, with a good amount of shops and strict security.
Arrivals
Upon arriving at Phuket Airport's international terminal, passengers must pass through Immigration. There are 15 counters available, but the airport is known for its long queues, so it is recommended to have your arrival and departure cards filled out in advance. Currency exchange services are available in the Arrivals area, but they tend to get very busy and have long queues. ATMs are also available and may be a quicker option, but it is advisable to notify your bank before travelling to avoid any issues.
The Arrivals hall has a variety of transportation options, including limousine services and taxi meters. The taxi meter counters are located outside the airport building, and fares include an extra 100 baht airport service charge. There are also two inexpensive hourly bus services available from the airport. The first service, with bright orange buses, travels to Phuket Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town. The second service, with cream-coloured buses and a blue stripe, goes to Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches.
Departures
It is recommended to arrive at Phuket Airport at least 3 hours before the departure time for international flights and 1 hour for domestic flights. However, due to the airport's small size, these times may be reduced, but it is always best to check with your airline. Restaurants and currency exchange services are available in the Departures hall. For more duty-free shopping options, there is a large duty-free mall near Phuket Town where goods can be purchased and then collected at the airport before departure.
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Nearby accommodation
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is located in Mai Khao Beach, Phuket, Thailand. The airport is known for its remarkable location, as planes pass over the beach before landing and take off over the beautiful Phang Nga Bay.
There are a variety of accommodation options near Phuket Airport, catering to different budgets and preferences. Here are some choices:
- Phuket Airport Hotel – This 3-star hotel is one of the closest to the airport. It offers comfortable rooms with king-size, twin, or triple beds, along with amenities like air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, and high-speed WiFi. The hotel features a tranquil tropical garden and a swimming pool.
- Airhub Hostel Phuket Airport – Located in Ban Bo Han, 1.2 miles from Nai Yang Beach, this hostel provides free WiFi and free private parking. It is praised for its friendly staff and cleanliness.
- David Residence – Found in Nai Yang Beach, 1.4 miles from the beach itself, this accommodation offers free bikes, private parking, a garden, and a restaurant. Guests commend the comfortable beds and nice showers.
- Coriacea Boutique Resort – This resort is situated on the peaceful beachfront of Mai Khao Beach in northern Phuket. It boasts an outdoor pool and free WiFi access.
- Louis' Runway View Hotel – Located in Nai Yang Beach, within a short distance of Nai Yang Beach and Blue Canyon Country Club, this hotel provides a terrace and free WiFi.
- Dos' House – Also in Nai Yang Beach, 1.7 miles from the beach, Dos' House offers a terrace, free private parking, and free WiFi. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and convenience, and the host provides airport drop-offs.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Phuket, Thailand, is called Phuket International Airport. Its airport code is HKT.
There are several ways to get from Phuket International Airport to your hotel. You can take a taxi, limo, bus, shuttle, or rental car.
Phuket International Airport is quite compact and easy to navigate. It is known for its long queues, so be prepared for that when passing through Immigration. There are currency exchange services and ATMs available in both the Arrivals and Departures areas.
