Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
Local Phuket transport is terrible. The systems in place make tourists either stay on their
chosen beach, rent a car or motorbike (which can be hazardous) or take overpriced
private car 'taxis' or túk-túk (pronounced đúk đúk ). There are sŏrng·tăa·ou (passenger
pick-up trucks) which run to the beaches from Phuket Town, but often you'll have to go
via Phuket Town to get from one beach to another (say Hat Surin to Hat Patong), which
can take hours.
That said, when it comes to transport to and from the airport, the stranglehold local
drivers have enjoyed may be coming to an end. At research time, Phuket authorities had
evicted the legions of drivers who used to gather at the doors to baggage claim and
haggle and tug for passengers. Now, just seven drivers, of metered taxis only, will be al-
lowed in at any one time, making for a far more soothing first step on the island.
BUS
You'll find the bus terminal ( 0 7621 1977; Th Thepkrasattri) just to the east of central
Phuket Town, within walking distance of the many hotels. Services from here are listed
in the following table.
FARE
(B)
DESTINATION
BUS TYPE
DURATION (HR)
Bangkok
2nd class
543
15
Bangkok
air-con
680
13-14
Bangkok
VIP
1058
13
Hat Yai
air-con
556
6-7
Ko Samui
air-con
430
8 (bus/boat)
Krabi
air-con
150
Phang-Nga
ordinary
90
Ranong
ordinary
209
6
Ranong
air-con
270
5
Surat Thani
ordinary
195
6
Surat Thani
air-con
220
5
Trang
air-con
240
5
TOP OF CHAPTER
 
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