Phuket Airport to the train, step by step
There is no railway on Phuket, and none is planned. If you want to continue your trip by train, the nearest station is Surat Thani at Phun Phin, about 300 km north — five to seven hours overland by bus. Onward from there you can reach Bangkok overnight, or take a bus-and-ferry ticket across to the gulf islands. For most people flying into Phuket, another domestic flight or a bus is the honest answer, and we say so rather than pretending otherwise.
There is no railway on Phuket, and none is planned. If you want to continue your trip by train, the nearest station is Surat Thani at Phun Phin, about 300 km north — five to seven hours overland by bus. Onward from there you can reach Bangkok overnight, or take a bus-and-ferry ticket across to the gulf islands. For most people flying into Phuket, another domestic flight or a bus is the honest answer, and we say so rather than pretending otherwise.
Phuket has no trains, but Surat Thani is the door to the gulf islands — and this airport is a short hop from it.
The route, one step at a time
Follow these steps from the arrivals hall to the platform. Each one is signed in English at the airport.
Airport buses and shared minivans run to Phuket Town, where the long-distance bus terminal is. Roughly an hour depending on traffic.
Long-distance buses run up the peninsula to Phun Phin. Comfortable enough, but this is most of a day — check whether flying makes more sense.
Ten trains a day serve Bangkok from here, nearly all overnight sleepers. This is the same station used for the gulf island ferries.
Trains you can catch from here
Surat Thani station (Phun Phin) is the station these services use. Pick one to see schedules and fares.
Good to know before you land
Half a day on the road to reach a train you then spend another night on rarely wins. Compare the bus to Bangkok, roughly 12 hours, or a domestic flight, before committing to the rail route.
If you are heading for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, Surat Thani is genuinely useful — bus-and-ferry combinations run from there and from the airport directly.
Searching for a train to Phuket brings up plenty of pages implying one exists. There is not one, and saying that clearly saves you a wasted day.
Ready to book the train?
Pick a route from Surat Thani station (Phun Phin). We take the booking by hand and email your ticket — foreign cards are refused on the SRT site often enough to plan for it.