Quick Options Ranked by Reliability

ModeTimeCostComfort
Flight1h 20m flight + transfers900-3,000 THB⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lignite VIP Bus12-13h800-1,200 THB⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transport Co. VIP12-14h750-1,100 THB⭐⭐⭐

Flight wins on speed and reliability (score 9/10). Bus wins on price and convenience if you’re already at Sai Tai Mai. Lignite edges out Transport Co. for seat comfort and punctuality.

Bus vs Flight: Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable

Cheapest is Transport Co. VIP at 750 THB. You save 150-400 THB versus Lignite and up to 2,250 THB versus a last-minute flight. Trade-off? Slightly older buses and less predictable arrival times.

Fastest is flying. 1h 20m in the air. But add 1-2 hours from Sai Tai Mai to the airport (taxi or BTS+Airport Link), 1 hour check-in, 30 min baggage claim, 30 min taxi from Phuket airport to Patong. Real door-to-door time is 4-5 hours. Still beats 12 hours on a bus.

Most reliable is the flight. Weather delays happen but buses hit traffic jams, roadworks, and random police checkpoints. Lignite scores 8/10 for punctuality. Transport Co. scores 7/10. Flights score 9/10.

💡 TIMING HACK: Take the 18:00 Lignite bus. Arrives Phuket around 06:00. Most hotels let you drop bags early and shower at the pool. Saves a night’s accommodation.

Sai Tai Mai → Phuket Bus Schedules, Ticket Prices & Booking Links

Lignite Tour runs daily night buses from 17:30 to 20:00. Peak departures are 18:00 and 19:30. Book on 12Go to lock in seats 3-7 days ahead during November-April high season. VIP24 seats (upper deck, rows 1-3) sell out first.

Transport Co. Ltd. departs 17:00, 18:30, and 20:30 daily. Prices fluctuate by 50-100 THB depending on day of week. Friday and Sunday nights cost more. Check 12Go for live seat maps and compare prices across both operators.

Flights run from 06:00 to 23:00. AirAsia and Nok Air offer 900-1,500 THB fares if you book 3-4 weeks out. Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways charge 2,000-3,000 THB but include checked bags and meals. Compare all flight options on Trip.com or Traveloka before committing.

a city with tall buildings in the distance

Comfort & Amenities Comparison by Operator

Lignite VIP24 buses have 2-1 seat layout on the upper deck. Legroom is 38-40 inches. Seats recline 135 degrees. USB charging ports at every seat (sometimes they work). Toilet is functional for the first 6 hours. Snacks include water, crackers, and a small sandwich. Blanket provided but thin. AC blasts at 18°C all night. Bring a jacket.

Transport Co. VIP buses use 2-2 layout. Legroom is 34-36 inches. Seats recline 120 degrees. Charging ports are hit or miss. Toilet is smaller and gets dirty faster. Snacks are basic water and crackers. Blanket quality varies by bus age. AC is equally aggressive. Safety record is solid because it’s government-run with mandatory maintenance checks.

Flights offer standard economy seats with 30-32 inch pitch. AirAsia and Nok Air charge 200-400 THB for checked bags (15-20 kg). Meals cost 100-200 THB onboard. Thai Airways includes 20 kg checked bag, meal, and drink. Suvarnabhumi flights are more comfortable than Don Mueang because the airport has better lounges and food options while you wait.

💡 LUGGAGE CHECK: Buses allow 1 checked bag (~20 kg) plus 1 cabin bag. Surfboards and dive gear need early check-in or pay 200-500 THB surcharge. Flights charge 400-800 THB for sports equipment.

From Bangkok City to Sai Tai Mai & From Phuket Bus Terminal 2 to Your Hotel

Getting to Sai Tai Mai from central Bangkok takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. Taxi from Sukhumvit costs 150-250 THB. Grab is 120-180 THB. BTS to Wongwian Yai station then taxi is 80-120 THB total. If you’re coming from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Old Town, add another 30-60 minutes. Allow 2 hours buffer before your bus departure.

Phuket Bus Terminal 2 is in Phuket Town, 30 km from Patong Beach. Taxi to Patong costs 500-700 THB. Grab is 400-600 THB. Local songthaew (shared pickup) to Patong costs 100-150 THB but waits until full and takes 90 minutes with stops. If you arrive at 06:00, taxis are scarce. Pre-book a private transfer on Kiwitaxi for 600-800 THB fixed price or wait 20-30 minutes for Grab drivers to wake up.

Flying into Phuket International Airport puts you 45 km from Patong. Airport taxi costs 800-1,000 THB. Grab is 600-800 THB. Airport bus to Phuket Town costs 100 THB then songthaew to Patong adds 100 THB. Total 200 THB but takes 2.5 hours. Worth it if you’re solo and broke. Not worth it if you’re tired or traveling with family.

green and brown mountain beside sea during daytime
💡 LATE ARRIVAL: If your bus arrives at 02:00-05:00, sleep on a bench at Phuket Bus Terminal 2 until 06:00 when taxis show up. Or book a cheap guesthouse in Phuket Town for 300-500 THB and move to the beach later.

Which Option Should You Pick?

Take the bus if you’re on a budget and don’t mind 12 hours on the road. Lignite is worth the extra 50-100 THB for better seats and punctuality. Departs Old Town area around 17:00 if you factor in travel time to Sai Tai Mai. Similar long-distance routes like Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Pattaya or Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to Chiang Mai follow the same overnight logic.

Fly if you value time over money. Book early for 900-1,500 THB fares. Avoid same-day connections from Sai Tai Mai because Bangkok traffic will wreck your schedule. Better to fly from Don Mueang if you’re staying north of Sukhumvit or Suvarnabhumi if you’re near the airport already.

Skip the bus if you have back problems, need to work on the road, or travel with kids under 5. Twelve hours is brutal for toddlers. Flight is faster and less stressful even with the airport transfer hassle.