Phuket City Airport (HKT) Flights & Information

For a small airport, on a small island, this is a very busy place and the third busiest airport in the country, with tens of millions of people coming in and out. Many smaller airlines use this airport in the northern part of the island, but I’ve also flown here with big names like Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

The airport is open 24 hours a day, so there are flights at all hours. I’ve spent many holidays in Phuket, and always love arriving and immediately feeling that sunshine and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a special place, worth protecting and respecting as a tourist.

Location

Just 20 miles from downtown Phuket, this is the number one airport to get to this popular resort destination. I love that iconic Mai Khao Beach photo of planes landing what appears to be right over holidaymakers’ heads – and yes, I have also been on that beach to see them coming in.

Terminals

Phuket Airport has three terminals to cope with all its traffic: one for domestic flights, one for international flights and one more called Terminal X, that only deals with charter flights. The domestic and international terminals are well connected and you can walk to either one landside in roughly 15-20 minutes. There’s also a shuttle service that runs all day that is very convenient – just follow the signs and hop on.

Check-in counters

Many of the airlines are now phasing in self check-in desks, where you can also self-tag and then drop off your luggage. This is more common in the international terminal. Note that the number of self check-in counters changes all the time, so allow yourself plenty of time in case you do need to check in at a desk.

Getting to the airport

Although the airport is close to the main downtown drag of Phuket, it’s still a 45-minute drive due to traffic. This island gets very busy, so always leave plenty of time to get here. Unfortunately, you won’t find the usual rideshare services in Phuket, so I always recommend getting a taxi.

You’ll find metered taxi counters outside of both the domestic and international terminals –just follow the signs. Most of the taxi drivers speak English well, and Phuket town is roughly 30 minutes’ drive away.

Car rental at the airport

I love driving around Phuket, and hiring a car has always been my number one choice when traveling here. It’s the biggest thrill to discover secret beaches and have your own car filled with a cooler of cold drinks.

At the airport, the car rental places are easily located right in the terminal buildings, and you have a choice of international and national brands. As so many people travel through here, the car rental services can get very busy, so I always recommend booking ahead to avoid long waits.

Shopping at the airport

One fascinating thing about Phuket Airport is how seriously they take their shopping here. You’ll find a wide array of options for such a small airport, from Memories of Thailand where you can grab souvenirs and gifts to shops selling beautiful coral jewelry and a fantastic minimart and convenience store (with very interesting and unique products local to this part of the world). So, go explore and find some things you may never have seen before. The airport also has an expanded duty free area.

Dining at the airport

There’s nothing I love more than Thai food, with its spicy, sweet flavors. My favorite dining spot in the airport is located on the domestic side and is called Thai Catering, where you can order everything from noodles and stir fries to fresh soups. This is the place that caters for Thai Airways, so it makes sense to open it up to passengers. The airport also has many other places to pick up snacks and quick bites, so you won’t go hungry here.

Internet

There’s Wi-Fi offered throughout the terminals, where you can connect for free for two hours. After that, you have to re-register and connect again. Just be mindful that the connection here is not secure, so be aware of what kind of work you’re doing while connected. And if you need to plug in and sit somewhere relatively quiet and comfortable to do some work, you’ll find plenty of plugs and seating options all over this very clean airport.

Immigration

When arriving on an international flight, you have to first clear immigration before picking up your bags or anything else. The airport is in the process of modernizing, but be warned that the lines can be very long here and take extra time. There are various ways to avoid this though. In the past I’ve booked a VIP service through my hotel, and that often lets you bypass all this chaos. It’s a fairly inexpensive option and, in my opinion, well worth the time it saves.

Other amenities

Despite the fact this airport does get busy, it’s not big so you can still get around it easily. I love how simple the airport is to navigate, and how convenient everything is. You’ll also find plenty of ATMs here (it’s always good to have some cash in Phuket, and in Thailand in general), as well as banks and money changing machines.

I like to stash a little cash in my wallet and then some in my backpack or tote bag just in case. I also love picking up a last-minute postcard here, which I’ll pop in the mail for my mom, as there’s a post office right in the international arrivals hall.

Luggage storage

I’ve often hopped small planes all over Thailand and Indonesia, so having somewhere to leave a bag is vital for me, as I need to be able to travel light. There’s a luggage storage area in the airport’s international terminal where you can leave a bag or two (it’s very affordable).

In the past I’ve landed on the international side and left some luggage there for a long period with no problems – whenever I wanted to extend the period, I just called them. You can also use the luggage storage network Nannybag and do it all online.

Lounges

Although people traveling to Thailand generally want to get out and spend as much time as possible on those glorious beaches, sometimes you need more time at the airport. Phuket Airport has a few lounges to choose from, and you can use Priority Pass for all of them – my favorite on the international side is Coral Premium, with its comfy leather chairs and delicious Thai food. Note that they limit the time you spend in most of these lounges.

Airport hotels

If you happen to get stuck at Phuket Airport for one reason or another, there are a few airport hotels close by. I’m personally not a massive fan of any of them, so I would just go stay somewhere better for your layover, or delayed flight time. Of course, the Amanpuri is the finest hotel on the island, but The Slate is excellent too and very close to the airport (just a few minutes in a taxi).

Car parking

What inevitably happens on these beach holidays is that you end up running to pick up friends at the airport as they arrive. Luckily, parking at Phuket International Airport is easy. The parking lot (where you pay just a small fee) is located right across from the domestic terminal side.

Something unique

On the international side, tucked away close to gate 11, you’ll find a Thai massage place. I love going there and having my feet worked on before getting on a long flight. This is one of those great finds that are part of the local culture, and you’ll thank me when you get there. It’s also not expensive and is very well run.