Getting between Phuket Airport and the south of the island by bus has become simpler. On 2 November 2026, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (Phuket PAO) officially opened a new air-conditioned electric bus service, route 8580, which runs from Phuket Airport to Ban Rawai by way of Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Road, the island's main bypass.
The route and main stops
The route is about 51 kilometres long and uses 10 electric buses. From the airport it passes through Thalang, follows Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Road through Kathu and Mueang Phuket districts, and ends at Ban Rawai. Stops along the way include Thalang Technical College, the Heroines Monument, Central Phuket, Wat Chalong and the Rawai area.
MGR Online reports that this is the fourth electric bus route run by the Phuket PAO, which already operates three others on the island.
Fares and free travel
Fares are charged by distance, starting at 40 baht and rising to 120 baht for the full trip. Travel is free for school students, university students, monks and other clergy, people with disabilities and older people. MGR Online reports that the age threshold for free travel is 60 and that riders should check the PAO's announcements on what proof they need to show.
Timetable and on-board features
Buses run from both ends of the route between 05:45 and 20:00, with 16 trips on the timetable. The buses have GPS tracking that you can follow through an app, CCTV, a wheelchair lift, USB charging points and free Wi-Fi.
Possible extension to Tha Chatchai
The Phuket PAO president told MGR Online that the PAO aims to extend the network later to the Tha Chatchai checkpoint at the northern tip of the island, to help people in Mai Khao reach Phuket Town. This is a plan only. Any extra buses or route changes still need agreement from the agencies involved and approval from the Phuket provincial land traffic committee.
How to check before you travel
For timetable and service questions, call the bus control room on 076 390 744 or the PAO transport division on 076 210 806. The PAO also posts updates on its PPAO Smartbus Facebook page. Times and stops can change, so check the latest timetable before heading to the airport for a flight.