You can get from Phuket Airport to the beaches of Karon, Patong, Kata by bus, minibus and transfer. By bus you will have to go with a change, first from the airport to Phuket Town, and from there by a separate route to the beaches - together with the waiting time, the trip will take 2 hours and 40 minutes. Minibuses go directly to Karon, Kata and Patong, but they cost a little more from 180 baht, and you will spend 2 hours on the way with waiting. By transfer or taxi, you will get much faster in 50 minutes and $ 25. The distance from the airport to Karon is 45 km, to Kata - 48 km, to Patong - 35 km.
Unfortunately, public transport on the island is poorly developed, so tourists do not have much choice. Minibuses will quickly take you to the beaches, but small minibuses do not have special places for luggage. In addition, you will not leave the airport before the minibus is full; you can spend at least an hour waiting. Most of these minibuses will take you to the excursion sales office. The bus is suitable only for those who are well-versed in Phuket and are not afraid to make transfers on unfamiliar streets on their own. Do not forget to exchange currency for local buses - only Thai Baht is used. You can pay for a taxi in dollars. Transfer and taxi to Karon, Kata and Patong are suitable for families with children and inexperienced tourists, as well as for everyone who arrived on an overnight flight.
If you are interested not only in getting to Phuket, but also having fun there, be sure to read our detailed digests in the new Travel Blender project. For example, you can find out,. For those who prefer to explore the country through its gastronomic wonders, we have a voluminous guide "Restaurants and Phuket Cuisine, Where to Book a Table". And if you are confused by the stories about low-quality alcohol in Thailand, be sure to read our guide to Phuket wine bars and bars to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
Karon, Kata, Patong beaches in Phuket
The most popular beach in Phuket and the tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe same name is Patong (from Thai "banana forest"). There are a lot of Russians here and the infrastructure for fun is well developed: shops, restaurants, nightclubs. During the season, it is crowded with vacationers, so hotels sometimes stand in the interior of the island, and there is a special shuttle to the beach.
The second most popular beach is Karon, which is about 5 km long. Its coast is divided into small and large Karon, which reaches Cape Sai, separating it from Kata. A special highlight of this beach is given by its "singing sand", which creaks due to the fact that it contains a lot of quartz.
Kata Beach, located on the other side of Cape Sai, stretches for 1.5 km, and we also love russian tourists... There is white and soft sand, and the descent into the sea is gentle. There are many shady corners under the casuarine trees, as well as restaurants with local and European cuisine.
The cost
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
Ind. tourist
Municipal buses do not run from the airport to the beaches. They go to Phuket Bus Terminal, and already there you have to change to a bus to a specific beach (Karon, Patong, Kata). Such a trip does not really save time (up to 2 hours on the way and 1 hour of waiting), and for the money it is not more profitable than a trip in a minibus. The only plus: roomy interior and luggage compartment.
Timetable:
from 09:00 to 20:00
Route:
terminal - Phuket Bus Terminal - Karon / Kata / Patong
Travel time:
Expectation:
1 hour at the airport
Comfort:
low: space for luggage
Price:
from 150 THB (100 - to Bus Terminal, 50 - to the beach)
For whom:
light, no small children, knowledge of the route
How to find the bus stop at Phuket Airport:
The bus stops are located on the first floor to the left of the exit next to Burger King and on the second floor near this fast food restaurant.
Minibus to Phuket beaches (group transfer)
The cost
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
Getting from the airport to the beaches of Karon, Kata and Patong by minibus (group transfer) will be much faster and slightly more expensive than by a regular bus. However, these shuttles lack luggage space, they are small and very uncomfortable. At night, such minibuses do not run at all. The biggest disadvantage of minibuses is that on the way to the beach you will be taken to the excursion sales office and offered to buy something.
Timetable:
there is no clear schedule, they don't go at night
Travel time:
Expectation:
Comfort:
Price:
180-200 THB depending on the beach
For whom:
light, no small children, no bulky luggage
How to find the minibus stop at Phuket Airport to the beaches:
The counters with tickets for a seat in a group transfer are located inside the airport building and look something like this. After purchasing your ticket, you will be explained how to get to the minibus.
The cost
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
Karon, Patong and Kata beaches can be reached in just 50-55 minutes. Although this option more expensive than buses and group transfer, but you will not be taken on the way from the airport to the tour desk and you will not have to change trains at the Bus Terminal. Taxis and transfers to the beaches of Phuket are the best option for mothers with babies and elderly tourists, and at night is the only way to get to desired hotel... You can order both a comfortable sedan and a minibus for a group.
Timetable:
around the clock
Route:
phuket airport - the beach you need
Travel time:
from 50 minutes
Expectation:
If ordering locally: 5 minutes
If you book in advance: pick up at the airport without waiting
Despite the developed infrastructure, phuket public transport rather poorly developed. There are several routes available to tourists from popular beaches to Phuket town and that's it. There are no minibuses running every 10 minutes around the city, when compared with Pattaya. This niche in Phuket is occupied by taxi drivers and tuk-tuk, which many refer to as the mafia. They have nothing to do with the familiar to our understanding of the mafia, which deals with all kinds of crime, but the beaches are divided into sections where there are racks or small bamboo huts in which these very "groups" sit and offer their services, prices for taxi rides and tuk -tuka are the same and can be easily compared with Moscow ones (below we have given photos with the prices of taxis from the beaches of Kata, Karon and from the Central Festival shopping center).
Tuk-tuk taxi fare from Kata and Karon beach
Taxi fare tuk-tuk Central Festival (Phuket town)
By the way, they do not allow an outside taxi driver to take tourists from their territory and in every possible way hinder the development of public transport (in 2013, the island's authorities had an initiative to create a public bus from the airport to Patong, which was blocked by local taxi drivers in every possible way, they say this will leave them without work, as a result stand in the airport parking lot). But local authorities took taxi drivers seriously in 2013, after several incidents with tourists who were forced to use taxi services and a case of beating tourists, several "mafiosi" even received real prison sentences. Per last year more and more often, positive news comes that taxi drivers independently bring things to tourists that they have forgotten in transport. Therefore, you should not be afraid of this "mafia", but before traveling by taxi and tuk-tuk, you must be sure to discuss the route and the exact cost, you can even bargain a little if you see that the taxi driver is willing to bargain, because they often do not concede the price tag and believe that it is better to bring 1-2 clients per day than to drive cheaply all day and earn more By the way, many Thai residents adhere to this line, laziness is more likely in their blood, or it's all the constant sun to blame.
Bus schedule Kata-Karon-Phuket Town
Unfortunately, we could not find such a counter for the second route, but the schedule should be the same, that is, public transport runs from 6:00 to 17:00.
Phuket public transport routes:
The first is Kata Karon Phuket Town. The cost of the trip is 35 Baht. Starts from Kata Municipality, which is opposite of Kata beach resot and near the elephant fountain in Kata. The bus travels along the central Kata road to Karon Beach (travels along the embankment), after passing Karon it turns towards the south (Chalong ring) and goes along Chaofa west in the direction of the Central Festival, by the way, it does not drive up to the shopping center, but stops within walking distance from it ...
The second is Patong Phuket Town. Cost 35 Baht. It starts from the Patong embankment, travels along the entire embankment directly to Phuket city to the very center of the city (on the way it stops right near the Central Festival).
Unfortunately, there are no buses from the beaches of Kata and Karon directly to Patong and you need to use a taxi or a tuk-tuk.
FROM northern beaches Phuket to Patong have to get by taxi, as public routes pass away from tourist spots.
How to use public transport in Phuket
To get on a public bus, it is advisable to come to final stop, so you will have a better chance of finding a seat on the benches on the bus. After the bus starts slowly and moves at a low speed, so that those who want to use it have time, especially on the beaches of Kata, Karon, Patong, after leaving the tourist area, the bus stops only in certain places, usually Bus stations. If you need to get off, there is a button in the bus, when pressed, the driver stops. It's simple, but do not forget to take drinking water on the road.
Motobike taxi
If you do not want to spend money on a taxi and wait public bus there is no desire, then you can use a motorbike taxi... A motorbike taxi is usually dressed in an orange cape, which differs from ordinary drivers and they stop themselves if they see tourists on the road. He will take you to the desired point for reasonable money, but driving as a passenger on a 2-wheeled vehicle is unsafe, so think twice - is this savings worth the risks you incur on the road.
It is advisable to agree on the price and route in advance!
Karon is one of beautiful beaches Thailand, which is located near the capital of the island. This beach is considered one of the most beautiful on the island and surpasses even Patong in length. High waves, a lot of free space - that's what attracts tourists here who choose this resort. In this article we will tell you how to get to this beach on your own from the airport and other resorts on the island.
How to get from the airport
If you are planning to stay in one of the Karon hotels, it is better to take a pre-ordered taxi from the airport. Transfer from international airport Phuket will cost around 30 euros. It's more expensive than using public transport, but the savings aren't worth the trouble.
But the buses will take you only to the bus station, where again you will need to communicate with local residents and look for a taxi. It is better to immediately order a car and a driver who will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel door.
If you still decide to get there on your own, then below are all the necessary information and links.
- Fare : 100 baht (per person)
- Travel time : up to 1 hour 20 minutes
The bus is the most budgetary and profitable travel option. From the schedule adjusted for the arrivals of aircraft. You can view the bus schedule and order a ticket on the official website of the carrier. The bus makes 15 stops along the way. Get off at the 11th stop (Surakul Stadium).
How to get from Patong to Karon
Distance between resort areas is only 8 km. If you want to change the beach, then to move to short distances it is better to use a tuk-tuk taxi, the parking of which can be easily caught on the streets of the resorts. A tuk-tuk ride from Karon to Patong costs about 400 baht (10 euros) for the whole car.
Lovers of public transport can travel the same route by bus. The trip will cost 30 baht per person.
- about a kilometer. Going to a nearby beach is easy in 20-30 minutes. Lovers of comfortable beach holiday and noisy entertainment are more often chosen by Karon. is he better than those, which is located closer to Patong, where it rages night life.
From Kata via Karon there is a regular bus to the capital of the island. The fare is the same. Public transport between beaches west coast does not run. Therefore, you can travel from Kata or Karon only by rented car or taxi.
Conditions for a beach holiday
Both beaches are relatively clean and well maintained. The sea water in the high season is clear, the bottom is flat, without corals. In and monsoons on both beaches, underwater and reverse currents occur, which are warned by prohibiting flags. But on Karon the waves are higher. It is believed that due to the greater length of the coast, Karon Beach more windy weather. Surfers at low tourist season prefer Kata.
The entrance to the sea is shallow and convenient at both resorts. But on Karon, the depth increases sharply, on Kata - gradually. Therefore, families with children are more likely to prefer the latter option. The disadvantage of resting on Kata is the perceptible ebb and flow, which are not so noticeable on Karon.
Vegetation on the coast Karon Beach few. You can hide from the scorching sun only under rented umbrellas or under casurines on the northern and southern extremities. On Kata, the situation is better, there are much more shady places.
Karon's advantage - large area coastal zone... It's easier to find here free place, it is more comfortable to rest due to the lack of crowd sensation. Many travelers like the "singing" sand in Karon. But Kata is more comfortable, with picturesque views of the nearby island of Pu, rocky hills covered with tropical vegetation from the coast.
If we compare the beaches of Kata and Karon, we cannot fail to mention the busy highway that runs along the coast. Karon Beach... Vacationers hear the noise of passing cars. Kata Beach is better because the highway is farther from the coast. From the highway, a road descends to the beach, along which transport rarely travels and does not cause trouble for others.
The choice of water activities is equally good on both beaches: banana rides, jet skis, parasailing. Prices do not vary significantly. For diving and snorkeling, it is easy to find places near the coast at the ends of the beaches, near the stones. But on Kata, in relative proximity to the coast, there is the picturesque island of Pu, which was chosen by fans of deep-sea diving.
Infrastructure, accommodation, prices
On Karon, on the street along the beach, there are more shops, pizzerias, cafes. In the shady area, exercise equipment and playgrounds are installed. At leisure, vacationers visit a fair near the lake, a temple, Dino Park Mini Golf... There is no shortage of retail outlets on Kata, but the infrastructure is slightly less developed.
One of the main differences between Karon Beach and Kata Beach is the livelier nightlife.... On Patak road a wide selection of both expensive and budget cafes, restaurants, including those with Russian cuisine. Massage salons, souvenir shops, points are open. Bars work on Bangla plaza and Soi one man... On Kata, the choice of nightlife is much more modest.
On both beaches, most of the hotels are located across the road. Only a few have been built on the first line. On the coast near the hotels, access from the sea is open, since according to the law of the country, all beaches are municipal. Housing prices are about the same. But, according to the reviews of experienced tourists, it is easier to find budget options on Kata: bungalows, one-story blocks of rooms, cottages in the immediate vicinity of the sea.
Deciding which beach to choose, Kata or Karon, should be based on your own preferences. For a more relaxing stay, the first option is suitable. Families with small children go to Kata, it is considered safer. Karon attracts fans of noisy entertainment. According to statistics Karon Beach ranks second in popularity among tourists after Patong, and Kata - the third.
Kata Beach is located in the southwest in, about 20 km from its capital -. The length is 1 km, the width is 30-40 m. In the north, the highway is connected to, so the boundaries of these two towns are blurred and at first it is not always clear where one ends and the other begins. But this is only by land, and there is a large rocky formation between them by water, so there is no passage along the coast.
Kata beach on Phuket map
In the south, the beach is the same - it is connected by a road to, but by the sea they are separated by hills. This middle position makes Kata very attractive, because within walking distance there will be three beaches at once, which differ from each other and have their own characteristics.
Photos
Review of Kata Beach
On Kata, behind the sandy coastal strip, there is a small patch of grass, after which the roadway begins. On the other side of it is a long fence that runs parallel to the highway, behind it are several hotels. Thus, there are no restaurants right next to the coast (like in neighboring Karon, for example). Only in the southernmost part, where the highway turns left, there are several places on the shore where you can eat and enjoy the sea views at the same time.
Kata Beach is a typical sandy coastline with several rows of sun loungers and parasols. The cost of their rental is 100 baht per day. There is an opportunity to play volleyball. All available aquatic species entertainment - motorcycles, skiing, parachuting behind a boat, "bananas". For swimming, it is better to choose areas fenced with buoys, since the rest are the launching pad for the departure and return of jet skis and boats - so it is quite dangerous there.
By the way, keep in mind that the Kata beach is prominent.
Fun on the beach
Entertainment 
Kata is not just limited to the coast. Of course, they are not on a par with Patong (or even Karon), but here you can have a good time, especially in the evenings. The town is spread over three streets running parallel to the sea, where there are many shops, massage parlors, restaurants, bars (which are full of accessible girls), Internet cafes, and a couple of markets. So there is something to do. Travel agencies offer numerous trips as well as. There are a lot of inscriptions in Russian, and the Russians themselves are in abundance.
In the southern part of Kata, where the beach road turns left, there is a place where you can learn to surf.
Not a bad place family fun is, which is located on the road connecting Kata and Karon. Although this is a mini-golf course, everything is done so unusual that you can come just like that (the entrance is paid, but if you don't play golf, then 120 baht instead of 240) to look at dinosaurs, watch an artificial volcano erupt and immerse yourself in a prehistoric era.
Shops and shopping
In terms of shopping, the Kata area is not as good as Phuket Town or Patong, as there are no shopping centers and large markets either. But if you came to the island to take a break from worries, swim, swim and bring home a few souvenirs, then the local shops will be enough for you. In addition to souvenirs, there is a large selection of clothes and shoes.
Attractions in the Kata area
The main attraction of Kata Beach is observation deck, which is located to the south, halfway to Nai Harn Beach. For some reason, it is called, although it is quite far from Karon Beach. Most likely Kata belongs to municipal district Phuket - Karon, hence the name. The observation point is small - there is only one gazebo with excellent views of Kata, Karon and Kata Noi. Since this observation deck is the most easily accessible in Phuket, there are enough tourists here and most of the panoramic photos of the island posted on the Internet are taken from here.
Few people know that there is another viewpoint next to it, although not such panoramic views open from it. But there are no people there. You can get to it along a small asphalt road that leads from Karon View Point (not to be confused with the main highway). If you stand on the main road facing Karon View Point, then the road to the second site is on the left, perpendicular to the main road. After 5-7 minutes, she will take you to the place. The path itself will run through a beautiful rainforest - great places, in a word! If you have your own vehicle, then by all means take a look here. In the photo, we conditionally named this site Karon View Point 2.
How to get to Kata
From Phuket Town
You can get from Phuket Town (and vice versa) very cheaply by public transport - blue buses. The fare is 30 baht. Between these two settlements about 20 km, but since the bus is slow (especially at the beginning of the journey, since it picks up passengers, plus traffic jams), then expect that the trip will take at least an hour. In Phuket Town, buses leave from Ranong Road, its location is indicated on the map at the bottom of this page. Choose the one where Phuket-Kata-Karon will be written.
At Kata, the stop is located 100 meters from the sea, where the road running parallel to the coast turns sharply to the left (50 meters from the toilet and showers). She is also marked on the map below. From there, the bus first goes to Karon, then exits on highway 4028, and from the Chalong ring it follows Chao Fa street, through Villa Market and. Then it makes a turn at shopping center Central Festival (those who wish can go out for shopping) and soon arrives at Ranong Road.
If you go independently from Phuket Town by motorbike or car, then move along the Chao Fa highway to the south. At the Chalong ring, turn right and drive in a straight line (immediately after the turn, on the right side there will be a latex shop, products from which are very popular among our compatriots). Move along it for several kilometers. Soon the sign will show that you have to turn left to Kata Beach. If you go in a straight line, the road will lead to Karon, and then to Patong.
From Patong and Karon
It is easy to get to Kata from Karon on foot in 15-30 minutes (depending on where you start from - from its southern end or northern).
You cannot walk from Patong on foot, since the path will run through the mountains. It is better to use a tuk-tuk (at least 300 baht) or on your own vehicle. In the latter case, you need to go south from Patong, there is one road, so don't get lost. When approaching Karon (when descending the mountain), sometimes policemen are on duty, who have run out of money and they collect fines from everyone who does not have a helmet while driving a motorcycle or a category A driver's license if
