Bangkok to Phuket by bus

I am going Bangkok for a two-week stay with my husband and sister in law and her family. We would like to also make a quick visit to Phuket within the two weeks we are there and are considering going from Bangkok to Phuket by bus.
This mode of transport would work out to be cheaper than getting a flight and it would be a bit fun. All we would like is the details for the Bangkok to Phuket bus, such as the timings, cost and duration.

 

Hello, welcome to the forum!

(Images from Thailand Life, Arty Dubs, 12 Go and Phuket)​

Overview

The distance from Bangkok to Phuket is about 841 kilometres. If you're using a taxi or a private vehicle, this distance can be covered in about 11 to 12 hours. With public transportation, like buses, the journey would be longer, owing to the stopovers that they take along the way. But if you want to save some money or maybe just experience the local way of travelling, bus journey would fit those categories. Be prepared for the long journey, bring a jacket and wear some warm clothes as these buses are known for their very cold air-conditioning. Most of all, just enjoy the scenic ride, after all, the journey is just as important as the destination itself.

Bus Stations in Bangkok

Bangkok has three main bus stations and you need to known which areas they cater to, so that you'd understand which one is suitable for your journey. Plus, you'd also know how to reach them from anywhere else in Bangkok.

1. Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal) - This is the largest bus terminal of Bangkok, located in the Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road of Chatuchak district. It mainly serves three areas, namely: Northern routes (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lampang), Northeastern routes (Surin, Loei and Yasothon) and Southern routes (Koh Samui, Hat Yai and Phuket). Though it serves some southern areas too, this bus terminal is primarily known for its north and northeastern routes. Yes, you can also board a bus from here to Phuket, but their number will be more limited. For those planning to reach the neighbouring countries of Laos and Myanmar, this is also the bus station that you need to reach for these destinations. Reaching this bus station is very easy, as the Mo Chit BTS Station is located close to it. From the Mo Chit BTS Station, take the Exit 1 or 3 and simply ride a city bus that reaches the Mo Chit Bus Terminal directly. Or you can also just hire a motorbike taxi or a taxi proper to take you to the bus terminal. You can also ride a subway train and reach the Chatuchak Park MRT Station and take the Exit 1, where there are direct buses to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal.

• Main Routes Served - Northern, Northeastern and Southern (Few)

• How to Reach - By Train to Mo Chit BTS Station + City Bus (Bus No. 3 or Bus No. 77)

2. Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Eastern Bus Terminal) - This is another bus terminal in Bangkok, located in the Sukhumvit Road of the Watthana district. It mainly serves one area, the Eastern routes, going from Bangkok to areas like Chantaburi, Trat and Laem Ngob Pier. Unlike the former bus terminal, the Ekkamai Bus Terminal is located just next to the Ekkamai BTS Station, within walking distance. Just make sure you reach the Exit 2 and from there, walk few minutes to reach the bus terminal proper

• Main Route Served - Eastern Routes

• How to Reach - By Train to Ekkamai BTS Station + Walking

3. Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal (Southern Bus Terminal) - This is the last of the three main terminals of Bangkok, located in Chimphli in the Taling Chan district. Now, this is the main bus terminal for Southern routes including Phuket, as well as other areas like Koh Samui, Ranong, Krabi, Trang and many more. It takes a bit more effort to reach the bus terminal though, as it doesn't have its own BTS station nor MRT station. Your best option would be to hire a taxi though if you're located far from the terminal, the fare rate might be high. There are city buses that reach directly the best terminal from different points in the city though. For example, you can board a train going to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station and from here, you can board a bus going to the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal (Bus No. 35, Bus No. 40 and Bus No. 507). There are also buses from both the Mo Chit Bus Terminal and Ekkamai Bus Terminal to the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal.

• Main Route Served - Southern Routes

• How to Reach - By City Bus

★The Verdict★ - You can reach Phuket from Bangkok by buses either from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal or from the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal. However, the latter has more buses as it is considered as the designated Southern Bus Terminal of Bangkok.

Buses from the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal to Phuket

You have two main options, either board any of the government-operated buses or board any of the privately-operated buses. Of course, the government-operated buses are more affordable though comfort is still not compromised. On the other hand, the privately-operated buses cost slightly higher but provides the same kind of comfort as the government-operated ones, while others are more luxurious.

1. By The Transport Company or Baw Khaw Saw (BKS) Bus - The Transport Company or Baw Khaw Saw (BKS) is the government bus company of Thailand. You can find the counters of this bus company in the first floor of the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal. The bus company occupies the first 14 counters in this floor. All the buses are air-conditioned or rot air ones but They depart from the specific platform in the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal and drop off passengers at Phuket Town proper.

The Transport Company Buses (Timings and Fares)

Bus Number	Bus Type	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Journey Duration	Fare
Bus Number 1	Rot Air	6:00	9:30	13 Hours and 30 Minutes	998 Thai Baht
Bus Number 2	Rot Air (Ordinary)	6:20	18:00	12 Hours and 30 Minutes	660 Thai Baht
Bus Number 3	Rot Air	7:30	20:00	12 Hours	998 Thai Baht
Bus Number 4	Rot Air	16:30	18:30	11 Hours and 30 Minutes	998 Thai Baht
Bus Number 5	Rot Air	20:20	7:20	11 Hours and 30 Minutes	998 Thai Baht

These are all the buses operated by The Transport Company. These buses have daily schedules, the earliest one departs from the bus terminal at around 6:00 in the morning, while the latest bus departs from the bus terminal at around 20:20 in the evening. All buses are air-conditioned ones, designated by the rot air category. Fares for the air-conditioned first class buses are at 998 Thai Baht while fare for the air-conditioned ordinary one is at 660 Thai Baht. Journey duration is around 11 hours and 30 minutes to 13 hours. You can book any of these buses from the terminal or from the official website of The Transport Company.

2. By Phuket Central Tour Bus - This is a private bus company that also has a few buses originating from the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal and terminating at Phuket Town. You can find the counters of the Phuket Central Tour at the Level 1 of the 3rd Floor of the bus terminal (Counter Numbers 29, 65 and 66). They have three types of buses, an express or ordinary one, a VIP one and a VIP 24 one. All buses have video on board, a free meal and also free blanket usage for passengers. VIP buses though have an on-board toilet, which may or may not be an advantage, depending on the location of your seat.

Phuket Central Tour Buses (Timings and Fares)

Bus Number	Bus Type	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Journey Duration	Fare
Bus Number 1	Express	16:30	6:45	14 Hours and 15 Minutes	666 Thai Baht
Bus Number 2	VIP	18:30	8:45	14 Hours and 15 Minutes	777 Thai Baht
Bus Number 3	VIP 24	19:50	10:05	14 Hours and 15 Minutes	1,035 Thai Baht

These are all the buses operated by the Phuket Central Tour from Bangkok to Phuket. The earliest bus departs from the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal at around 16:30 in the afternoon, while the latest bus departs from the same bus terminal at around 19:50 in the evening. Fares for the buses vary, with the express one being the most affordable at 666 Thai Baht per passenger, the VIP bus on the mid-range at 777 Thai Baht per passenger and the VIP 24 bus being the most expensive at 1,035 Thai Baht per passenger. Journey duration is around 14 hours and 15 minutes. You can book any of these buses from an affiliated booking site like this one.

3. By Phuket Travel Buses - Last on this section is another private bus company, the Phuket Travel Buses. Their buses also depart from the same bus terminal and terminate at Phuket Bus Terminal 2. Their counters in the bus terminal are located at the Level 1 of the 3rd Floor (Counters Number 23, 63 and 64). They have two types of buses, namely, the P1 (ordinary) and VIP 24 (luxury). All these buses have video on board and socket plugs for your gadgets.

Phuket Travel Buses (Timings and Fares)

Bus Number	Bus Type	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Journey Duration	Fare
Bus Number 1	P1	6:30	19:40	13 Hours and 10 Minutes	646 Thai Baht
Bus Number 2	P1	16:30	5:40	13 Hours and 10 Minutes	646 Thai Baht
Bus Number 3	VIP 24	17:40	7:30	13 Hours and 50 Minutes	1,004 Thai Baht
Bus Number 4	P1	19:30	8:40	13 Hours and 10 Minutes	646 Thai Baht
Bus Number 5	VIP 24	19:30	9:20	13 Hours and 50 Minutes	1,004 Thai Baht

These are all the buses operated by Phuket Travel, running from Bangkok to Phuket. The earliest bus departs from the Sai Tai Mai Taling Chan Bus Terminal at around 6:30 in the morning while the latest bus departs from the same bus terminal at around 19:30 in the evening. Fares are at Rs. 646 Thai Baht for the P1 buses while it's at 1,004 Thai Baht for the VIP 24 buses. Journey duration is around 13 hours, more or less. You can book any of these buses from an affiliated booking site like this one.

Buses from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Phuket

There are also a few buses running from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Phuket. However, most buses originating from this bus terminal to Phuket are operated by the government bus company.

1. By The Transport Company or Baw Khaw Saw (BKS) Bus - The Transport Company operates three buses running from Bangkok to Phuket. You can find their counters in the first floor of the terminal (Counters Number 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24). Both buses are rot air ones, or simply, air-conditioned ones so journey is just as satisfying and comfortable. The buses depart from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal and terminate at the Phuket Bus Terminal 2.

The Transport Company Buses (Timings and Fares)

Bus Number	Bus Type	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Journey Duration	Fare
Bus Number 1	Rot Air	7:35	19:35	12 Hours	650 Thai Baht
Bus Number 2	Rot Air (VIP)	18:20	7:20	12 Hours	1,011 Thai Baht
Bus Number 3	Rot Air	18:45	7:45	12 Hours	650 Thai Baht

These are all the buses operated by The Transport Company running from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Phuket. The earliest bus departs at 7:35 in the morning while the latest bus departs at 18:45 in the evening. Fares vary, the ordinary rot air buses are at 650 Thai Baht per passenger while the VIP rot air bus is at Rs. 1,011 Thai Baht per passenger. Journey duration is around 12 hours, more or less. You can book any of these buses from the terminal or from the official website of The Transport Company.

Conclusion

Now, you can easily plan your bus travel from Bangkok to Phuket. Public transportation in Bangkok can be confusing in the beginning, but with a little patience and guidance, you can get the hang of it. Further, it's best to book these buses early, especially if you're planning to visit Thailand during peak tourist season, as they're bound to be fully booked. Don't hesitate to ask around as well as most locals are quite friendly. However, avoid boarding buses directly from the Khao San Road, where there are Phuket-bound trips but scams and thefts around these buses are quite rampant.

Good luck and I hope this helps you!