Phuket Bus Terminal 1: Real Guide (2026)
Phuket Bus Terminal 1 sits in central Phuket Town off Phang-Nga Road. It’s a single compact building. Easy to navigate. No maze of platforms or confusing signs.
This is your hub for minivans to beaches and airport buses. Long-distance trips to Bangkok? Wrong terminal. You need Terminal 2, 4km north. Here’s what actually works.
Layout & Navigation
You walk into one building. Ticket counters line the left wall. Waiting area straight ahead with rows of plastic seats. Restrooms at the far end. Taxi office near the main entrance.
No second floor. No hidden gates. Everything visible from the entrance. Takes 30 seconds to scan the whole terminal.
Essential Facilities
Free restrooms at the back. Clean enough. No toilet paper fee.
Small convenience stores sell water, snacks, phone chargers. Prices slightly inflated but not airport-level robbery. 7-Eleven across the street if you want normal prices.
No ATMs inside the terminal. Walk 2 minutes to Phang-Nga Road for Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn ATMs.
No luggage storage. No lockers. No SIM card booth. Buy SIM cards at 7-Eleven or Klook before arrival.
No showers. This isn’t an airport.
Food Situation
No food court inside. No restaurant. Vending machines only.
Walk 5 minutes into Phuket Town. Street food stalls on Ranong Road sell pad thai for 40-60 THB. Local restaurants near the Old Town serve rice dishes for 50-80 THB.
Weekend market (if Saturday/Sunday) 10 minutes walk. Cheap grilled meat, mango sticky rice, fresh juice.
Getting Around Phuket Island
Blue Bus and Smart Bus run to beaches and airport. Buy tickets at counters inside. Airport bus costs 100-150 THB, takes 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.
Minivans to Khao Lak leave from here. Patong to Phuket Town buses stop nearby on Phang-Nga Road.
Taxis wait outside. Taxi office quotes fixed prices but drivers often ignore meters. Expect 400-600 THB to Patong, 800-1000 THB to airport. Negotiate before getting in.
Grab works in Phuket Town. Open the app, set pickup at ‘Phuket Bus Terminal 1’. Cheaper than taxis. Driver might call because the pin drops weird. Walk to the main road if needed.
Pre-book airport transfers via Kiwitaxi if you have heavy luggage or arrive late. Drivers meet you with a sign. No haggling.
Survival Tips
No public WiFi confirmed. Use your phone data or buy a tourist SIM.
Charging points exist near some seats. Bring your own cable. Not enough outlets for everyone during peak hours.
Terminal isn’t 24-hour. Closes around 10pm. Don’t plan overnight stays here. Book a guesthouse in town if you have a gap between buses.
Seating fills up fast during high season (November-March). Arrive 30 minutes early for popular routes.
Where to Go Next
Most travelers head to these spots:
Schedules change seasonally. Check current availability on 12Go to avoid sold-out buses during holidays.
What Actually Matters
Terminal 1 works for island hopping and airport runs. Clean. Organized. Not fancy.
Bring cash for tickets. Some counters take cards but machines break. ATM is a short walk away.
Eat before you arrive or walk into town. No real food inside.
Confirm your bus leaves from Terminal 1, not Terminal 2. Check your ticket twice. Taxis to the wrong terminal cost 150-200 THB.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get from Phuket Bus Terminal 1 to Patong Beach?
Blue Bus or Smart Bus from Terminal 1 to Patong takes 1 hour, costs 50-100 THB. Taxis charge 400-600 THB. Grab is cheaper at 250-350 THB depending on traffic.
What buses leave from Phuket Bus Terminal 1?
Airport buses, minivans to Phuket beaches (Patong, Kata, Karon), and some southern routes like Krabi. Long-distance buses to Bangkok and Surat Thani leave from Terminal 2, not here.
Is Phuket Bus Terminal 1 open 24 hours?
No. Terminal closes around 10pm. Don’t plan overnight stays. Book a guesthouse in Phuket Town if you have a long layover.
Is there luggage storage at Phuket Bus Terminal 1?
No luggage storage or lockers. Keep bags with you or leave them at your hotel before heading to the terminal.
Taxi price from Phuket Bus Terminal 1 to airport?
Taxis charge 800-1000 THB. Airport bus costs 100-150 THB and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. Grab costs 400-600 THB depending on time of day.
