The Top Things to Do in Phuket Airport During a Layover
Phuket International Airport is the only airport serving the province of Phuket and the third busiest air hub in Thailand. Hence, it comes as no surprise that its facilities and amenities are top-quality, featuring all the necessary services to ensure pleasant travels for its passengers. That being said, it doesn’t offer a wide variety of services. Therefore, layovers at HKT Airport can be monotonous for travelers. Still, if you make the most of the available entertainment options, you should enjoy your in-between-flights spare time. So, what are the top things to do near Phuket Airport?
Our Tip: The two terminals (Domestic and International terminals) lie close to each other, within walking distance. However, they aren’t connected airside, meaning that passengers have to pass through immigration and collect their luggage to transit from one terminal to the other and re-check in for their onward flight.
Special services and amenities are available for passengers with disabilities. The airport’s staff is trained and on hand to offer any assistance needed for travelers with mobility issues or other special requirements.
Shop ‘Til You Drop: the Shopping Experience at HKT Airport
Although the list isn’t endless, Phuket International Airport features numerous retail stores. Whether you want to buy gifts or souvenirs, make a purchase, or simply enjoy some window shopping, this is an ideal way to pass the time during your layover. In detail, the following shops are to be found at the two HKT terminals:
- Sacit
- Mrs Wrap
- 7/11
- King Power (Duty-Free)
- Dazzle
- THai’s Southern Products
- Phuket Souvenirs
- BNE
- OTOP
- PPmart
- Mahanakorn
- Baan Khun Nine
- HAADTHIP
- DTAC
- AIS
Bukit Souvenirs - By Pidsinee
- True Move
- Leicester City
- Nabha, Sai Jai Thai, Chitlade, Doi Tung
- Mermadia Pharmacy
- Cubic Gems
- Coral Boutique
- Phuket 3K Water
- Fresh Corner Minimart
- Tastes of Thailand
- Scents of Thailand
- Nom Baba
- Aiya
- Souvenirs
- Memories of Thailand
- Boots
The Food Options at Phuket International Airport
Thai food is well-known for its spicy tastes and mouthwatering recipes. Therefore, why don’t you give it a try while waiting at the airport? Indeed, exploring drinking and dining options is one of the top things to do at Phuket Airport. From traditional eateries to fast-food chains, cafes, and bars, here are your options at the two HKT terminals:
- Thai Catering
- Snack Corner
- Dairy Queen
- Subway
- Big Burger Grill
- The Bell Cafe
- Fusion One
- Oscar Burger
- Camden Food
- The Hugs
- Coffee World / Runway 2
- Billion Cafe
- 2 Dollars Cafe
- OAT Kitchen
- Bin Tung
- Black Canyon
- Mister Donut
- Cafe Amazon
- Thai Street Food
- Airport Cafe
- Thong Kitchen
- Inthanin
- Zurich Bread Cafe
- 168 To Go Shop
- Burger King
- Le Coral Cafe
- Bream Bream
- Bill Bentley Pub
- Aimm’s Cafe
- Coral Food Hall
- Rees
- Food & Beverage
- Cafe Panan
- Billion Cafe
- Siam Express
- Starbucks
Use the HKT Airport’s Wi-Fi
The airport’s Wi-Fi is free and available to all the passengers. Thus, regardless of your terminal or location, you can enter the airport Wi-Fi network and use it for 60 minutes free of charge. Stay always connected while traveling and spend your free time watching your favorite movie, communicating with your loved ones, working on your work project, or even checking your socials. Numerous charging points are also available within the Phuket airport terminals. Hence, you won’t have to worry about the battery levels of your phone or other electronic devices.
Phuket Airport Features Prayer Rooms
Muslim prayer rooms are to be found on the third floor of both terminals (Domestic and International). They are located in the Departures area, in the pre-security zone. Thus, transit passengers have to pass through immigration and claim their baggage to use the prayer rooms. In any case, they are open around the clock.
A Thai Massage is Certainly One of the Top Things to Do at Phuket Airport
If spending your layover relishing a relaxing massage isn’t one of the top things to do at Phuket Airport, then what is it? You’ll find facilities providing massage treatments on the second floors of both terminal buildings. They are conveniently located airside, meaning that you don’t have to leave the airport’s transit area to enjoy a rejuvenating massage.
What About Children During Long Layovers at Phuket Airport?
Phuket Thailand Airport features all the necessary amenities to accommodate families. Thus, you’ll find designated restrooms and breastfeeding areas. Moreover, families with a long time to spare at the airport usually appreciate the kids’ playground located at the HKT International terminal. It is situated airside (at the post-security zone) and is open around the clock.
The Phuket Airport Lounges
Phuket International Airport has several lounges that offer a wide range of premium services. VIP airline members and business travelers typically have access, but they are also available to other passengers for a fee. In detail, the following lounges are located inside the two HKT terminals:
- The Coral Lounges (open 24/7 at International Airport, and from 05:00 am to 10:00 pm at the Domestic terminal)
- Thai Airways Lounge (open from 08:00 am to 09:00 pm at the Domestic terminal)
- Bangkok Airways Lounge (open from 07:30 am to 07:30 pm at the Domestic terminal)
Relax at Phuket International Airport
There are no designated sleeping areas at Phuket International Airport. You won’t find an airport hotel inside the terminals, nor sleeping pods. However, there are areas with relatively comfortable seating without armrests where you can relax (provided you aren’t bothered by the light and noise). In any case, if you want to enjoy a good sleep and rejuvenate yourself before your upcoming flight, you should exit the terminals and head to one of the hotels near Phuket Airport.
The Best Things to Do Near Phuket Airport
If you don’t feel like spending your layover inside the modern terminals, which still don’t offer a wide variety of things to do, you should leave the airport and head to one of the nearby destinations. Please keep in mind that you’ll most likely need a visa to exit the terminals. Fortunately, visa-on-arrival services are available at HKT Airport.
Have you made up your mind and decided to explore as much of Phuket as possible during your free time? Airport taxis and private airport transfers will comfortably drive you around Phuket, while bus lines also provide connections from the airport. Expectantly, bus journeys are more tedious and time-consuming.
How will you travel around Phuket with your heavy luggage? You’ll find luggage storage facilities inside both HKT terminals for a fee.
So, what are the top things to do near Phuket Airport?
- Thai Massage: If the Thai massage services inside the airport are unique, the spa facilities located nearby are like nothing you may have experienced before. Thus, if you just want to relax and feel refreshed after your flight and before your upcoming journey, you can always choose one of the spas close to Phuket Airport and spend your spare time there.
- Visit the Nai Yang Beach: Located just a 20-minute drive from the airport, the Nai Yang Beach -one of the most popular Phuket beaches- is definitely one of the best things to do near Phuket Airport. Swim, enjoy the sun, visit the scenic Nai Yang Village, or devour seafood in one of the restaurants lying by the sea, and enjoy every minute of your layover in Phuket.
- The Lake Phuket Elephant Home: A 12-minute drive from HKT Airport lies the Lake Phuket Elephant Home, where visitors get familiar with the elephant species, support conservation efforts, and enjoy thrilling experiences.
- The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Sanctuary: Besides the elephant park, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Sanctuary is also to be found close to the airport (a 21-minute away). Located at Mai Khao Beach (at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa), the sanctuary aims to protect turtles, while getting visitors informed about the dangers they encounter and their conservation efforts.
- The Splash Jungle Waterpark: If fun and excitement are the goal, Splash Jungle Waterpark should be the destination. The Water Park is situated 15 minutes away from Phuket Airport and is considered to be the best water park in Phuket.