By current standards, Phuket International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Thailand. Estimates released by the airport’s management state that the airport welcomes over 30,000 passengers a day, which has exceeded pre-COVID levels of tourist arrivals in Phuket.
With plans underway for the airport’s further expansion, there’s no stopping the growing arrival of tourists arriving in Phuket, both domestically and internationally. But for guests who have already booked their vacations on the island, navigating the busy airport is already part of the challenge.
So what does a visitor need to do to navigate Phuket International Airport? All it takes is some strategic thinking.
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Tips on How to Get Around Phuket International Airport
While the layout of Phuket International Airport is straightforward for the most part, getting there and moving around the facilities can pose a challenge. We’ve compiled a few tips for guests at Phuket’s most luxurious villas on the best ways to navigate the airport without the added stress.
1. Allow Time for Arrival and Departure
The traffic in Phuket may mean that you will need more time to arrive at your villa or depart much earlier than usual. With heightened security precautions instituted since June 2025, you may also need more time to get through security checks on top of immigration and customs.
When you arrive in Phuket, give yourself at least 1-2 hours to get through immigration, customs, and baggage claim. For departures, plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours before your flight so you can get through the long lines and stay relaxed once your requirements are processed.
2. Connect Only to Official Airport Wifi Networks
Another piece of advice that goes both ways for departures and arrivals is the use of the airport’s official free wifi network. This network can be identified as “AOT Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT” on your phone or computer.
If you’re using the airport wifi to connect to social media or a messaging app, simply connect yourself to the free wifi network and follow the instructions to log in. Once you’re finished and you’ve left the airport, remember to disconnect and forget the network every time.
3. Get Your Currency Exchange and SIM Cards at The Airport
If you haven’t already exchanged your travel currency for Thai baht, you can do that at the airport in Phuket. This is especially recommended for international villa guests since not all villas in Phuket are located close to commercial areas where money changers and ATMs are located.
Arriving in Phuket should also give guests the opportunity to get a mobile SIM card from a Thai carrier before going to the villa, especially if they do not have roaming service and/or are staying for a long time on the islands.
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4. Keep Your Emergency Contacts Just in Case
If anything happens to you at the airport, it’s not just important to have the usual emergency numbers. For peace of mind, you will also need the contact information of your villa manager in Phuket and the number of a trusted loved one back home if something gets in the way of your arrival or departure.
5. Don’t Forget to Smile
Many Thais welcome expressions of gratitude and appreciation, especially when they’ve helped guests get around the airport. Always greet airport staffers with a wai and a smile, and it will go very far to make both of your days.
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Why Private Airport Transfers Are Important in Phuket
While there are public transport options to and from the airport, traffic on Phuket’s roads have become congested in the last few years, and it’s been a challenge for every driver and guest to navigate the streets. That’s why guests often have the option of booking a villa with complimentary round-trip airport transfers.
With a complimentary airport transfer, a dedicated driver can be sent to pick up the guest at the airport within each terminal’s designated pickup areas. This adds convenience for villa guests, since it saves money and time by dropping off guests directly at the villa’s doorstep for free.
At the International Terminal, the pickup areas are usually at Entrances 1 and 2 on Level 1, which is on the right-hand side if exiting from baggage claims and close to where the kiosks for currency exchange and mobile SIM cards are located. Domestic Terminal passengers can opt to exit at the front of the building and look out for the placards with their names.
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Take The Stress Out of Going Through the Airport
Like many airports around the world, Phuket International Airport can get busy and congested at certain times. That doesn’t mean that going through the airport will always be a stressful experience; it just means that guests should heed practical advice so that they don’t miss their flights and airport transfers.
For more practical advice on how to navigate the airport on your way to your Phuket villa, feel free to discuss your options with the reservations and Guest Experience teams handling your villa bookings. They may be able to provide you with airport maps and steer you toward effective solutions for pickup and drop-off.
Give yourself enough time and patience when navigating through Phuket International Airport, and you can start and end your trip to Phuket on the right note.
Find out more about our favorite island destination with About Phuket.
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Featured Image by Longitours
