Working back from your international flight
A common recommendation is to arrive about 3 hours before an international flight. Add the 1 hour 10 minutes of driving and you get the latest pick-up times below. They have no spare margin, so add your own.
| Flight departs | At the airport by | Pick-up in Karon by |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 | 3:00 | 1:50 |
| 10:30 | 7:30 | 6:20 |
| 15:00 | 12:00 | 10:50 |
| 21:00 | 18:00 | 16:50 |
Treat the 3 hours as general advice, not a rule of ours. For a domestic flight, follow your airline's check-in guidance and work back from that.
The road from Karon, in order
- Leave Karon by Patak Road or the beach road and follow Route 4028 inland.
- Reach Chalong Circle, the large roundabout in Chalong.
- Take Chao Fa Road toward the Phuket bypass road.
- Join Highway 402 heading north.
- Pass the Heroines Monument roundabout in Thalang.
- Continue to the airport at the northern end of the island.
The driver can choose another way if traffic or roadworks make it faster.
What changes the 70 minutes
Early morning and late night roads are quiet, and the drive runs close to the stated time. In the daytime, local traffic builds around the junctions near Chalong Circle and on the bypass. Heavy rain slows everything down. If your flight is early in the afternoon, a pick-up in the late morning hits more traffic than one at dawn.
The 70 minutes cover driving only. Loading bags, a late checkout and the queue at check-in are extra.
Karon compared with other beaches on departure day
| Beach to the airport | Distance | Time by road |
|---|---|---|
| Patong | 40 km | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Karon | 43 km | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Kata Beach | 46 km | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Nai Harn | 48 km | 1 hour 10 minutes |
The fare is the same for all four, from 999 THB per car. See the Karon price page.
Questions about this transfer
How far is Karon from Phuket airport?
43 km by road, about 1 hour 10 minutes in normal traffic.
What time should I leave for a 10:30 international flight?
If you aim to be at the airport about 3 hours before departure, which is a common recommendation, that is 7:30. The drive takes about 1 hour 10 minutes, so the pick-up is at 6:20 with no margin. Leave earlier if you want a cushion.
Is the drive the same distance as from the airport to Karon?
Yes, 43 km in both directions. The time on the day depends on the traffic in the direction you travel.
Does rain make a difference?
Heavy rain slows traffic across the island, so add some time on a wet day.
Does the time include check-in?
No. It is driving time between your hotel and the airport. Loading the car and checking in come on top.