Kamala next to the other west-coast beaches
| From Phuket airport to | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Bang Tao | 18 km | 34 min |
| Layan | 20 km | 34 min |
| Surin | 24 km | 40 min |
| Kamala | 27 km | 49 min |
| Patong | 40 km | 65 min |
| Karon | 43 km | 70 min |
The beaches in the table lie in a line down the west coast, so the times climb as you go south. Kamala sits in the middle of that line, and the step from Kamala to Patong is 13 km and 16 minutes.
Why 27 km takes 49 minutes
Do the sum and the average comes out at about 33 km/h. That looks slow until you remember what the trip includes: leaving the airport area, island roads with junctions and traffic lights, and a slow final approach through a resort village.
The 49 minutes is driving time to the Kamala area in normal traffic. It starts when the car moves, not when your plane touches down. Immigration, baggage and the walk to the meeting gate come before it, and the driver waits for all of that.
What makes it faster or slower
- Early morning and late night: the roads are clear and the car can come in under the average.
- Daytime in the busy season: more cars on the main roads, so expect the full 49 minutes or a little over.
- Evening: people head out for dinner, and the last stretch to a hotel near the beach can take longer than it looks on the map.
- Heavy rain: traffic slows everywhere, and the final approach to the hotel slows most.
If you have a tight check-in, a dinner booking or a tour pick-up on the same evening, work from the 49 minutes and add a margin on top.
After the distance, the price
The transfer is a fixed price per car, 999 THB for a sedan, and it does not grow if the road is slow. The price page has all four cars, and you can book on the Kamala airport taxi page.
Questions about this transfer
How many kilometres is Kamala Beach from Phuket airport?
27 km by road. A hotel at the far end of the bay can add a little.
Is Kamala the closest beach to the airport?
No. Bang Tao is 18 km, Layan 20 km and Surin 24 km from the airport, all closer than Kamala at 27 km. Patong, Karon and Kata Beach are further.
How long will I be in the car if my flight lands in the evening?
About 49 minutes in normal traffic. In the evening the last part through Kamala can be slower, so a few extra minutes are possible.
Does the 49 minutes include collecting my luggage?
No. It is only the drive. The driver meets you at the gate after immigration and baggage, and waits if you are delayed.
Is the drive to Kamala shorter than the drive to Patong?
Yes. Kamala is 27 km and about 49 minutes. Patong is 40 km and about 65 minutes.