HKT — Phuket — Taxi Fare Guide

Phuket International Airport (HKT) has an official taxi counter outside the terminal where staff issue you a ticket for a government-regulated metered taxi. The meter starts at THB 50 with a per-kilometre charge (about THB 12/km for the first 15 km, THB 10/km thereafter), and a compulsory THB 100 airport surcharge is added to every departure. In practice a metered run to Patong shows around THB 600–700 on the meter, totalling roughly THB 700–800.

Alongside the meter, you may be quoted fixed coupon fares: commonly THB 650–800 to Patong, THB 350–450 to Phuket Town, and THB 500–650 (sometimes quoted higher at THB 1,100–1,200) to Kata and Karon. Walk-up drivers and touts outside the official counter often ask THB 800–1,200 or more, so always start at the counter. Beware of the informal "limousine" desks that steer you to pricier private cars.

Grab operates at HKT with a designated pickup point on the bridge between the International (T2) and Domestic (T3) terminals; fares are shown upfront and typically run THB 900–1,150 to Kata/Karon, with 10–30% surge during peak hours (roughly 10:00–13:00 and 17:00–20:00) and heavy rain. Grab is convenient for transparent, no-haggle pricing even if not always the cheapest.

Practical tips: Use the official taxi counter and insist the meter is switched on, or confirm the coupon price in writing before departure; the THB 100 surcharge is legitimate but should be the only extra. For safety, avoid unmarked cars from touts approaching you in the arrivals hall and keep small notes for the fare. Traffic to the west-coast beaches is slow over the hills, so allow extra time in the evening. Fares are approximate and vary by season and surge.