Songthaews — the covered pickup trucks with bench seats in the back — are Phuket's most affordable transport option and one of the most misunderstood. Many new expats see them but aren't sure how to use them. The system is informal, routes aren't always posted, and the difference between a "shared" songthaew and a "chartered" one can mean the difference between paying ฿30 and ฿300 for the same journey. This guide explains exactly how it works.
Quick Facts — Songthaews & Buses in Phuket (April 2026)
- Songthaew fare (shared, within Phuket Town routes): ฿25–30
- Inter-area songthaew (e.g., Phuket Town → Rawai): ฿35–50
- Chartered songthaew (private hire): ฿200–500 depending on distance
- Airport Smart Bus to Patong: ฿100; to Rawai: ฿170
- Inter-provincial bus (Phuket → Bangkok): ฿600–1,100
- Main terminal: Phuket Bus Terminal 2, Thepkasattri Road
- Phuket Town colour-coded routes: Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange
- No app or real-time tracking for songthaews — flag them down on the road
What Is a Songthaew?
Songthaew (สองแถว) literally means "two rows" in Thai — a reference to the two bench seats running along each side of the truck bed. They're typically Toyota or Isuzu pickup trucks with a metal frame, canvas or hard roof, and open sides that let the breeze through (important in Phuket's heat). Passengers sit facing each other, holding the handrail on bumpy roads.
They operate in two modes that look identical from the outside:
- Shared mode — The driver follows a fixed route, picking up and dropping off multiple passengers along the way. You pay a flat fare at the end. This is the cheap option.
- Chartered mode — The driver takes you directly to your destination without stopping. Priced like a taxi. This is much more expensive and requires negotiation before departure.
If you get into a songthaew without agreeing "shared route" terms, the driver may assume you're chartering it and charge taxi prices at the end. Before boarding, ask "pai [destination] rot ruam mai?" (Going to [destination] shared route?) — or simply tell a local where you're going and ask them to clarify for you. The confusion mostly disappears once you've done it a few times.
Phuket Town: The Colour-Coded System
Phuket Town has the island's most organised songthaew network, with colour-coded routes covering the town and connecting to some outer areas. The system isn't perfectly consistent — some drivers operate across multiple routes — but the colours provide a useful starting point:
| Colour | Route Coverage | Frequency | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Inner Phuket Town circuit | Every 15–30 min (daytime) | ฿25 |
| Blue | Phuket Town → Patong → Kata → Karon | Every 30–45 min | ฿30–40 |
| Green | Phuket Town → Chalong → Rawai | Every 30–60 min | ฿35–50 |
| Orange | Phuket Town → Ban Koh Kaew (north) | Infrequent | ฿25–35 |
| White (unmarked) | Various inter-area routes (check with driver) | Variable | ฿30–50 |
The main songthaew stand in Phuket Town is on Ranong Road, near the Phuket Bus Terminal 1 (the old terminal). This is where you'll find the most reliable departures, particularly in the morning.
Key Songthaew Routes for Expats
Phuket Town → Rawai / Nai Harn
One of the most useful routes for expats living in the south. The green-line songthaew runs via Chalong junction, which is useful if you need to change for other areas. The full journey takes 40–55 minutes depending on stops and traffic. Fare: ฿35–50. Runs from approximately 7am to 6pm; service is thin after 5pm.
Phuket Town → Patong
The blue-line route. The road goes over Patong Hill — a dramatic mountain crossing that takes about 45 minutes from town. Fare: ฿30. Frequency is better in the morning than afternoon. After the tourist season (low season, May–October), some drivers run this route less frequently.
Phuket Town → Kata / Karon
Continues on the blue line past Patong. Total journey from Phuket Town: 55–70 minutes. Fare: ฿35–40. Useful for residents in Kata who need to reach Phuket Town without paying Grab prices.
Chalong Junction Connections
Chalong junction (the roundabout with the big temple) is the informal transfer point for south Phuket songthaews. You can change here between routes heading to Rawai, Nai Harn, Kata, and Phuket Town. Local knowledge of who's waiting where is the navigation tool — ask other passengers or the drivers.
Songthaews in Phuket don't run to a strict timetable. In practice, they leave when they have enough passengers or when the driver decides it's time to go. During rush hour (7:30–9am and 4:30–6:30pm) they fill and depart quickly. At midday and in low season, you might wait 20–30 minutes for a shared-route departure from a quiet stop.
The Airport Smart Bus: Phuket's Best Value Airport Transfer
The Airport Smart Bus is a legitimate, air-conditioned bus service running from Phuket International Airport to major tourist and residential areas. It's the cheapest way for a single traveller to get from the airport to their accommodation — dramatically cheaper than taxis.
| Route | Fare | Journey Time | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport → Phuket Bus Terminal 2 | ฿80 | ~45 min | ~8:30pm |
| Airport → Patong | ฿100 | ~75 min | ~8:30pm |
| Airport → Kata Beach | ฿150 | ~90 min | ~8:30pm |
| Airport → Karon | ฿150 | ~90 min | ~8:30pm |
| Airport → Rawai | ฿170 | ~120 min | ~8:30pm |
The bus departs approximately every 30–60 minutes. Buy your ticket at the airport bus counter in the arrivals hall (ground floor). Luggage is stored underneath. The bus makes scheduled stops — you need to be at the right stop, not a random roadside point.
Inter-Provincial Buses from Phuket
For longer journeys off-island, buses depart from Phuket Bus Terminal 2 on Thepkasattri Road (near Central Festival mall). The main destinations and approximate prices (April 2026):
| Destination | Bus Type | Journey Time | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krabi Town | VIP / Standard | ~3.5 hrs | ฿180–250 | Multiple daily |
| Surat Thani | VIP / Standard | ~5 hrs | ฿250–380 | Multiple daily |
| Hat Yai | VIP / Standard | ~7 hrs | ฿350–500 | Several daily |
| Bangkok (overnight) | VIP 24-seat / 32-seat | ~12–14 hrs | ฿600–1,100 | Evening departures |
| Ko Samui (via ferry) | Combined bus/ferry | ~5.5 hrs | ฿450–650 | 2–3 daily |
How to Use Songthaews: Step by Step
- Find a songthaew. They run along main roads. In Phuket Town, look at Ranong Road. On the main roads south (Chao Fa Road, Thepkasattri Road), flag one down on the roadside.
- Signal the driver. Raise your hand or arm. The driver will slow down if going your direction.
- State your destination. Tell the driver or assistant where you're going. If they nod and wave you in, you're on the right truck. If they shake their head, they're not going that way — wait for the next one.
- Board and find a seat. The covered back has bench seats. Hold the overhead bar on bumpy sections.
- Ring to disembark. Many songthaews have a bell or buzzer to signal your stop. If not, bang on the roof or call out "jot nii" (stop here).
- Pay on exit. Hand the driver or assistant the fare as you step down. Have small bills — ฿20 and ฿50 notes are ideal. Drivers rarely have change for ฿100+.
Songthaews vs. Grab: When to Use Each
| Situation | Better Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| On a fixed route in daytime | Songthaew | Much cheaper, convenient |
| Off-route destination | Grab | Songthaew won't go there |
| After 6pm | Grab | Songthaew frequency drops |
| With luggage | Grab | More practical, driver helps |
| Rainy day | Grab | Songthaews are open-sided |
| Multiple stops needed | Songthaew (chartered) | Flexible, negotiate price |
| Daily commute on fixed route | Songthaew | Dramatically cheaper monthly |
| Airport arrival | Airport Smart Bus or Grab | Songthaews don't serve airport directly |
See All Phuket Transport Options in One Place
Our monthly budget guide breaks down transport costs at three lifestyle levels — from songthaew-and-Grab to monthly car rental. Plan your actual budget before you arrive.
Monthly Budget Guide Grab & Taxi GuideFrequently Asked Questions
What is a songthaew in Phuket?
A songthaew (literally "two rows") is a shared pickup truck with two bench seats in the covered rear, serving as Phuket's main affordable public transport. They run fixed routes for ฿25–50 per person and can also be chartered as private taxis at negotiated prices.
How much does a songthaew cost in Phuket?
Standard songthaew fares within Phuket Town routes cost ฿25–30. Inter-area routes such as Phuket Town to Rawai typically cost ฿35–50. Chartering a songthaew as a private taxi costs ฿200–500 depending on distance.
Can I get from Phuket Airport to town by songthaew?
There is an Airport Smart Bus service running from Phuket International Airport to Patong (฿100), Kata/Karon (฿150), and Rawai (฿170). It's significantly cheaper than taxis. The bus runs approximately every 30–60 minutes until around 8:30pm.
Is Phuket's public transport reliable for daily commuting?
For residents along main routes (Phuket Town–Rawai, Phuket Town–Patong), songthaews are reliable enough for daily use. Outside these routes, frequency drops significantly. Most expats supplement songthaews with Grab for off-route travel and late evening trips.
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