Phuket is a big island, and taxis add up. A cheap way to get around phuket is the Phuket Smart Bus: fixed fares, printed times, and a stop in front of Friends Hostel. Airport to Rawai is 100฿, Town to Patong is 50฿, and the Dragon Line in Old Town is free.
Cheap way to get around Phuket
Ride the Phuket Smart Bus. Airport–Rawai 100฿ (west-coast beaches), Phuket Town–Patong 50฿, Dragon Line around Old Town free every 30 minutes. Check the timetable, arrive 5–10 minutes early, keep small bills for the ticket.
Smart Bus at a glance
| Route | Price | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket Airport ↔ Rawai (via Patong, Karon, Kata) | 100฿ | ~2 hr 10 min end to end |
| Phuket Town (Bus Terminal 1) ↔ Patong | 50฿ | ~1 hour |
| Dragon Line (Old Town loop) | Free | Loop, every 30 min |
| Bus Terminal 1 ↔ Bus Terminal 2 | See Smart Bus | ~20 minutes |
Official site and contact: phuketsmartbus.com · tel 086 306 1257 · Line @pksb. Timetables below started 15–16 January 2026 — confirm they still match before you rely on a last bus. Those four lines are the practical cheap way to get around phuket if you would rather not haggle a taxi.
The stop in front of Friends Hostel
You do not need a taxi to reach us. The Smart Bus stops in front of Friends Hostel — get off and walk into reception. That is the cheap way to get around phuket on day one: airport line, one fare, door of the hostel. The building is about a 15-minute walk from HKT if you prefer not to wait; the same Airport–Rawai line is the cheap hop with luggage.
First or last night on the island: stay here, then ride the west-coast line south. More on budget accommodation near Phuket Airport and Nai Yang Beach.
Route 1: Airport ↔ Rawai Beach (100฿)
The west-coast “beach line.” South: Airport → Surin → Kamala → Patong → Karon → Kata → Rawai. North is the reverse.
Then ~every 30 min 09:00–22:00
Extra 22:40
Last from HKT 23:30
Toward the airport: first bus leaves Kata Palm 05:20, at HKT 07:32. Last from Rawai 19:30, at HKT 21:52. Allow about 1.5 hours HKT → Patong and about 2 hours 10 minutes HKT → Rawai. Bring water. Some afternoon departures from the airport (yellow on the official sheet — e.g. 14:00, 15:00, 16:00) continue to Promthep Cape for sunset.
Route 2: Phuket Town ↔ Patong (50฿)
The easy Town–Patong run. Printed timetable: starts at Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (not Terminal 2). Stops include Sanamchai, Vachira Phuket Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Chillva Market, Lotus Samkong, Andamanda, Kathu Fresh Market, Makro Nanai, Malin Plaza, then Patong Beach Bus Stop. About one hour.
| Direction | Hours |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 → Patong | 06:00–20:00, extra 15:30 and 16:30 |
| Patong → Terminal 1 | 06:00–21:00 (last 21:00), extra 14:30 |
Route 3: Dragon Line — free Old Town loop
Free, every 30 minutes, 07:00–19:00. AC, Wi-Fi, charging, GPS, CCTV. Useful in the heat: Thai Hua Museum, Wat Mongkol Nimit, Dibuk Road, Suriyadet Circle, Surin Circle, Limelight, Bus Terminal 1.
Route 4: Bus Terminal 1 ↔ Bus Terminal 2
Terminal 2 is long-distance coaches from other cities. This shuttle is about 20 minutes. T1 → T2 hourly 05:00–19:00 (no 12:00). T2 → T1 hourly at :30, 05:30–19:30 (no 12:30). From T1 you can take the Patong bus or the free Dragon Line. Check current fare on the Smart Bus site.
First-time tips
A cheap way to get around phuket still needs a photo of the timetable and small bills. Then it is easy.
- Photo the timetable on your phone; or ask reception
- Be at the stop 5–10 minutes early
- Small bills for the ticket
- Pack light for the long west-coast ride — what to pack for a hostel stay in Phuket
When the bus is not the move
A cheap way to get around phuket still fails a 05:00 flight, a landing after 23:30, or a group with three suitcases. Then Grab or a shared van. For everything else, the Smart Bus is the fare that does not surprise you. Broader mix of songthaews and vans: transportation guide: how to get around Phuket on a budget.
FAQ — cheap way to get around Phuket
What is a cheap way to get around phuket?
The Phuket Smart Bus. Airport to Rawai 100฿, Phuket Town to Patong 50฿, Dragon Line in Old Town free.
Is there a free bus in Phuket?
Yes. Dragon Line, Old Town loop, every 30 minutes 07:00–19:00.
Where is the Smart Bus stop near Friends Hostel?
In front of the hostel. Get off and walk into reception.
How long is Town to Patong?
About one hour. Last bus from Patong 21:00.
Last bus from the airport?
23:30 on the Airport–Rawai line (confirm on the current sheet).
Can I walk from HKT instead?
Friends Hostel is about 15 minutes on foot. Use the bus if you have bags or it is dark.
Ready to explore?
You do not need a 1,500฿ taxi to see the island. A cheap way to get around phuket is the Smart Bus to the stop outside Friends Hostel, then the free Dragon Line and the 50฿ Patong bus when you head south.
Get off the bus. That’s the hostel.
Adult-only (12+). 15-minute walk from HKT if you skip the bus. Lockers, 1 Gbps WiFi, Super Chef next door. Sleep here and use the Smart Bus as your cheap way to get around phuket.
