The route in four steps
| Step | What it is like |
|---|---|
| 1. Out of the airport | You leave the terminal area at the northern end of the island and join Highway 402, Phuket's main north-south road. |
| 2. South on Highway 402 | The road runs south through Thalang district. This is the longest stretch of the trip. |
| 3. West through Cherngtalay | The car leaves the main road and heads west toward the coast through Cherngtalay. |
| 4. Bang Tao | You reach the beach area, where the Laguna Phuket complex and Boat Avenue are, and drive to your hotel along its 6 km. |
What the 34 minutes include
The figure is driving time in normal traffic to the Bang Tao area. It leaves out immigration, baggage and the walk to the meeting gate, which come first, and your driver waits for you. A hotel at one end of the beach can add a few minutes to the central figure. A wet evening or a busy hour on the coast roads adds more.
On a trip this short, ten extra minutes is a large share of the whole, so keep that in mind if you must check in by a fixed time.
Bang Tao next to its neighbours
Layan, just north of Bang Tao, is 2 km farther from the airport and takes the same 34 minutes. Surin to the south adds 6 km and 6 minutes to Bang Tao's figure. Mai Khao is the nearest of the group, up at the northern end.
| From the airport to | Distance | Time by road |
|---|---|---|
| Mai Khao | 17 km | 25 minutes |
| Bang Tao | 18 km | 34 minutes |
| Layan | 20 km | 34 minutes |
| Surin | 24 km | 40 minutes |
| Kamala | 27 km | 49 minutes |
Each of them starts at 999 THB per car. The Bang Tao price page covers what is included.
When the road is slower
Late at night and early in the morning the roads are clearer. Late afternoon and evening bring more traffic on the roads toward the beaches, and heavy rain slows everything. Neither changes the fixed price. They change the time, so allow a margin if something is waiting for you at the hotel.
Questions about this transfer
How many kilometres is Bang Tao from Phuket airport?
18 km by road to the Bang Tao area. A hotel at the far end of the beach adds a little.
How long does the drive take?
About 34 minutes in normal traffic. Evening traffic and rain can add to it.
Is Bang Tao closer than Patong?
Yes, by a long way. Bang Tao is 18 km and 34 minutes, Patong is 40 km and about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Is Layan or Surin farther than Bang Tao?
Both are slightly farther. Layan is 20 km and 34 minutes, Surin is 24 km and 40 minutes.
Which road does the car use?
Highway 402 south from the airport, then west through Thalang district and Cherngtalay to the coast.