Bus Travel

Buses travel regularly between Bangkok and all major destinations in the Andaman coast. There's also good bus service within the south. Many Bangkok travel agents charge three times the price for bus tickets, and organize a long, exhausting, and convoluted trip with various stops to the main bus stations. It’s best to visit a Tourism Authority of Thailand office to purchase your tickets, and then get to the bus station under your own steam; you will save both time and money. Buses leave from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal, generally in the late afternoon and evening. The trip to Phuket takes from 12 to 14 hours, depending on the bus and road conditions. You'll need to go to either a travel agent or to the bus station to check exact times and purchase tickets in advance, especially for VIP buses. Costs run from B550 for a large 32-seat air-conditioned bus to B1,300 for a 24-seat air-conditioned VIP bus. Most long-haul VIP buses travel overnight, but day trips are recommended, as Thailand's highways grow even more dangerous at night. There are buses from Phuket to almost every major destination in southern Thailand. This includes, but is not limited to: Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Hat Yai, Satun, Phang Nga, and the ferry crossing to Koh Samui. You can check departure times at your hotel or the centrally located bus station just east of Montri Road, two blocks north of Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. Private buses are less reputable than public buses.