Phuket Airport is at the northern tip of the island. Every beach destination is south, with drives ranging from 20 to 55 km. Here is what each transport option costs.
Cost by destination
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Grab | Transfer | Minibus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mai Khao Beach | 10 km | 300-500 THB | 250-400 THB | 400-600 THB | 150 THB |
| Bang Tao/Laguna | 18 km | 400-600 THB | 350-550 THB | 500-750 THB | 200 THB |
| Kamala Beach | 25 km | 500-800 THB | 400-650 THB | 600-900 THB | 200 THB |
| Patong Beach | 35 km | 600-900 THB | 400-700 THB | 700-1,000 THB | 200 THB |
| Karon Beach | 40 km | 700-1,000 THB | 500-800 THB | 800-1,100 THB | 200 THB |
| Kata Beach | 45 km | 700-1,000 THB | 550-850 THB | 800-1,100 THB | 200 THB |
| Phuket Town | 30 km | 500-700 THB | 400-600 THB | 600-900 THB | 200 THB |
| Rawai/Nai Harn | 50 km | 900-1,300 THB | 700-1,000 THB | 1,000-1,400 THB | 200 THB |
| Khao Lak | 80 km | 2,000-3,000 THB | N/A | 1,800-2,800 THB | N/A |
All metered taxi fares include the 100 THB airport surcharge. Prices approximate.
Understanding the options
Metered taxis from the official counter are the standard. The 100 THB surcharge is added to whatever the meter reads. Traffic affects the final fare, but the meter runs on both time and distance, so heavy traffic adds modestly.
Grab is consistently the cheapest for sedan transport. The catch is the pickup logistics (designated area outside arrivals) and lower availability after 23:00.
Transfers cost more but include the meet-and-greet, fixed pricing, and vehicle selection. The premium over a taxi is roughly 100-300 THB for most routes.
The shared minibus is 200 THB per person to most beach areas, regardless of distance. Economical for solo travelers, but the wait-and-stop pattern means the time cost is significant.
Currency context
For reference, at typical exchange rates:
- 100 THB is roughly 2.80-3.00 USD / 2.60-2.80 EUR
- A taxi to Patong at 750 THB is about 21-22 USD
- A transfer to Patong at 850 THB is about 24-25 USD
In the context of a Phuket holiday, the price differences between transport options are relatively small.
What pushes the price up
Traffic. The single road south from the airport has bottleneck points. Rush hour (16:00-19:00) adds time and metered fare.
Late night. Metered fare does not change, but Grab shows surge pricing and taxi availability drops, pushing you toward the pricier remaining options.
Vehicle size. Upgrading from a sedan to a minivan adds 200-500 THB for transfers.
Khao Lak. This destination is north of the airport (80 km) and significantly more expensive to reach. The minibus does not serve it, and Grab drivers rarely accept the trip.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Thai taxis, but rounding up is appreciated. For transfer drivers who help with luggage, a 50-100 THB tip is a kind gesture.
The bottom line on cost
Grab is the cheapest option if you can manage the logistics. Metered taxis are the middle ground. Transfers cost the most but offer the smoothest experience. The shared minibus is the budget option but only makes sense for solo travelers. The actual price differences between taxi and transfer are modest enough that convenience should drive the decision more than cost.