Bangkok to Phuket by Bus – Book Tickets from THB 784

Bangkok to Phuket Destination Reviews

Lucy

NEVER BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY! The bus was meant to leave at 4 o’clock was delayed by two hours which we didn’t find out until we got there then we was told it will get to Phuket for 7 am at 4 am. It stops off in the middle of nowhere and you’re told to wait for three hours till the next bus comes so altogether it took us 19 hours and we didn’t get to Phuket till 11:30 and was left in the middle of nowhere for 3 1/2 hours until the next bus come and you can’t get a taxi as it’s not near anything.

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Jan 1, 2026

Sirene G

The departure was at 8:25 PM and the scheduled arrival in Phuket was 10:45 AM, but we arrived around 8:00 AM+. It was very fast and smooth. The conductor was very kind and always smiling. They gave us a lot of free snacks at night, then again in the morning, and even served hot coffee which was really good. I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with bus services here in Thailand. My first experience was in Chiang Mai when I joined the Pocari Sweat Trail 2025, and the service was already excellent. By the way, I’m Filipino, and compared to my bus experiences in the Philippines, this is totally different. Thailand’s bus service is really the best! Booking through 12Go was also very fast and hassle-free. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Sai

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus VIP 24, Lignite (ลิกไนท์ทัวร์), Jan 1, 2026

Arpit

It is over priced

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Montanatip (Montanatip), Dec 31, 2025

Vivian M

Great travel, the app website 12go still very bad, shit feedback and horrible informations. And you work with scammers

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Bus + Van, Holiday Travel Agency (Holiday Travel Agency), Dec 30, 2025

Amey P

Bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani was good ...after that they shifted to a local bus and bus took around 7-8 hours stopping almost every stop till Phuket bus terminus ....overall ok ok experience considering the price

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Bus + Van, Holiday Travel Agency (Holiday Travel Agency), Dec 30, 2025

Carma

The bus left me without me in the middle of the night after a pee stop. And the bus was dirty and smelled like piss

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus VIP, Bangkok Booking Center, Dec 29, 2025

Zhang Q

We didn't leave until 18:00 without prior notice. At 5 a.m. in Surat Thani, all passengers were driven out of the car, sat on the roadside and waited for another bus to pick us up at 7:00 a.m. Finally, they arrived in Phuket at 11:00, which disrupted all the plans of the day.

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Dec 29, 2025

Pyone M

Very disappointing experience. The bus was 2 hours late with no notice or explanation. During the trip, the driver informed us that we had to change buses at Surat Thani at 5am, which was not advertised or mentioned at booking. On top of that, we were told to pay an extra 200 baht per person, again not disclosed in advance. After the forced transfer, we were left waiting for hours, and by 7:30am the minibus started travelling and arrived at my hotel in patong at 1300hr. This was extremely difficult, especially traveling with a child, who became overtired and distressed due to the delays and lack of information. Poor communication, hidden costs, and no regard for passengers’ time or wellbeing. I would not recommend this service, particularly for families

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Dec 29, 2025

Alice J

We booked an express bus from Bangkok to Phuket. When we arrived to the office we were told it was delayed 2 hours. A bus then brought us to Surat Thani and we were waiting over 2 hours for the next bus. Ended up arriving to Phuket over 5 hours after our scheduled time

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Tara Tour and Travel (ธาราทัวร์แอนด์ทราเวล), Dec 28, 2025

Guralivu

They arrive exactly in the time and I was happy. I can proceed with my schedule. Thank you very much.

Bangkok to Phuket, Bus Express, Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด), Dec 19, 2025

4.4

1425 customer reviews

46%

30%

15%

Bangkok to Phuket Bus Schedule

Operator	Class	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Price	Rating
Transport Co	Express	06:45	20:45	$22.68	4.1
Lignite	Intercity	07:45	19:45	$22.68	4.3
Lignite	Intercity	08:30	20:30	$22.68	4.3
Tara Tour and Travel	Express	16:00	07:00	$28.55	3.0
Transport Co	Express	16:45	06:45	$22.68	4.1
Transport Co	Express	17:25	07:25	$35.28	4.1
Lignite	VIP 24	17:50	05:50	$35.28	4.5
Lignite	Intercity	18:20	06:20	$22.68	4.3
Lignite	Intercity	18:40	08:40	$22.68	4.3
Lignite	Intercity	19:00	09:00	$22.68	4.3
Lignite	Intercity	19:20	09:20	$22.68	4.3
Lignite	Intercity	19:40	07:40	$22.68	4.3

How to get from Bangkok to Phuket by bus

Bus travel remains one of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel between many destinations. Getting from Bangkok to Phuket by bus may not be the fastest way of travel, yet many travellers prefer to rely on the bus on this route; with easy online booking and tickets of different classes for all tastes and budgets available, the bus from Bangkok to Phuket a conscious and budget-friendly option.

Check the timetable before you book your ticket and read other travellers’ reviews to choose the trip that suits you best. Note that there may be several bus terminals at your departure or arrival point – always double-check where you are leaving from and arriving to. It may prove crucial if you have connecting trips.

Here is the list of operators serving the route: .

How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Phuket by bus?

Buses normally need between 11h 20m and 13h 30m hours to get to Phuket from Bangkok. Note that the travel time is for your reference only and can depend on different factors such as traffic and weather conditions. Heavy rainfalls almost inevitably make the trip longer due to poor visibility or floods. Road and surface repairs which happen quite often, result in detours and longer travel times. Major national holidays, long weekends, or peak season periods may cause delays both in departures and arrivals – plan accordingly to avoid disappointment, especially if you have further connections and a tight schedule.

On this route, Phuket Travel (ภูเก็ตท่องเที่ยว) offers the fastest service. Lignite (ลิกไนท์ทัวร์) buses usually take the longest time to complete the journey.

Remember, though, that tickets offering the shortest travel time are normally the most expensive ones. Yet it pays to spend a bit more to ensure your bus goes direct without additional stops and uses highways instead of local roads.

How much does it cost to get from Bangkok to Phuket by bus?

The price of your bus ticket will depend not only on the distance you need to cover but on the class of your coach. E.g. expect to shell out more for VIP or sleeper buses while ordinary buses though being the cheapest option, often are a compromise on comfort and travel time. Of course, they do their job, too, and can be the only option if you hop on/off in the middle of the route.

Anyway, travelling by bus between Bangkok and Phuket remains an affordable option. The cheapest ticket is offered by Transport Co (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด) and costs USD 24.87. A Lignite (ลิกไนท์ทัวร์)'s ticket will set you back USD 24.87 on average.

Travelling by bus essentials

If you are planning to travel during the high season, weekends, or national holidays, booking your bus tickets in advance is highly recommended. The demand is at its highest, yet very often, the number of coaches serving the route remains the same. The earlier you reserve your seat, the better. On some routes, you need to secure your ticket more than a month in advance; on others, a couple-of-days advanced booking is enough. During such periods, try to book online beforehand whenever possible, as showing up at the bus station without a ticket may result in many-hours of waiting in the queue or leave you downright stranded.
VIP, 1st, Gold, and similar bus tickets are the most expensive option, but they provide a higher level of comfort. Normally the price of such tickets will include wide soft reclining seats, blankets, water and snacks or lunch, and sometimes some toiletries. Upper-class buses travel faster, make fewer stops during the route, and normally provide more spacious seating to their passengers and a better travel experience.
Not all buses have an on-board toilet, but generally, for all trips longer than three hours, all operators schedule a bathroom and/or a lunch stop. While operators definitely do their best to keep on-board toilets clean, the smell may be an issue sometimes. For longer trips, booking a seat a bit farther from the toilet may be a good idea. Also, using bathroom stops for your toilet needs is always better than trying to find your balance in an on-board toilet on the run.
If you travel by an air-con bus, make sure to pack layers. A hoodie, a warm scarf, or a beanie hat may prove a good idea. Air-conditioning on buses tends to be excessive, and running nose and sore throats abound after even not the longest bus rides.
Always use the security belts even if your bus ride attendant or driver does not insist on it. Your safety comes first – for you, for sure. All buses normally are equipped with security belts, but they may be fixed behind your seat. Take time to find the belt and fix it appropriately.
To avoid being disturbed by overhead lights, switched on during stops even at night, and too loud music or sound from the on-board entertainment system, have earplugs and a sleeping mask at hand.
As a courtesy to other passengers, avoid using strong perfumes or smelly foods. Some foods like cheeses or durians are forbidden to take on-board – check in advance. Alcohol is also prohibited on the majority of buses.
Note that if the bus requires refuelling en-route, passengers will be asked to get off the bus. Operators are not allowed to refuel with passengers on board due to safety reasons. Usually, it takes from 5 to 10 minutes and is often combined with a toilet/lunch stop.
If not stated otherwise in your tickets, arrive at the bus station 20-30 minutes before departure. It will give you enough time to find the departure platform and check-in. For international trips, you may need more time for check-in and border formalities.

Transportation from Bangkok to Phuket

Facts about the bus from Bangkok to Phuket

Cheapest Bus	$25
Fastest Bus	11h 20m
Earliest Bus	6:45 AM
Latest Bus	7:50 PM
Daily Bus Routes	15
Distance	1205 kilometers
Bus Companies	Lignite, Montanatip, Nara Travel, Oniam Transport, Phuket Travel, Transport Co

Popular Routes

Buses from Bangkok to Phuket