The Phuket Airport Terminals
Phuket International Airport has three terminal buildings. However, only two of them are permanent, while the third terminal building is temporary, handling charter flights during the airport’s busy periods of the year. TX (the Charter terminal building) opened its doors in 2014 and is spread into two levels, serving arrivals and departures, respectively. On the other hand, the recently renovated terminal building is dedicated to international flights (International terminal), and the Phuket airport terminal D (Domestic terminal) is the one serving flights from and to domestic destinations.
Phuket Airport International Terminal
The radically renovated Phuket airport international terminal began operating in 2016, serving both the arrivals and the departures for international flights. Modern, technologically advanced, and efficiently designed, the terminal spreads over four levels. In detail, the HKT international terminal’s layout is the following:
- 1st Floor: Arrivals, Taxis, Car rentals, and Bus Gates
- 2nd Floor: Passport control, and airline desks
- 3rd Floor: Departures, and a selection of eateries and retail stores
- 4th Floor: Stores and Food court
The Phuket airport international terminal aims to offer a pleasant experience to international travelers from and to Phuket. Although it isn’t a vast terminal building, it features all the necessary services and amenities to meet its passengers’ needs. For example, it has 15 immigration counters and five baggage carousels.
Phuket Airport Domestic Terminal
On the other hand, Phuket airport terminal D (Domestic terminal) is the old terminal that used to serve both domestic and international destinations. Nowadays, it is dedicated to domestic flights. Thus, passengers flying from or to Phuket Thailand Airport to or from a domestic destination depart or arrive at the HKT domestic terminal. In other words, arrivals and departures for domestic flights are accommodated at the Phuket airport domestic terminal. The terminal building occupies three levels, with each floor serving different services and amenities. Thus:
- 1st Level: Arrivals, Baggage claim area, Taxis, Car rentals, Buses, and Shuttles. A few retail stores and eateries can also be found here.
- 2nd Level: Departures, Check-in area, Security Control. Lounges and some shops are also located on that level.
- 3rd Level: Retail stores, Restaurants, Prayer rooms, and Airline counters
Both terminals are medium size. Thus, navigating the Phuket airport terminals isn’t usually challenging and doesn’t require long walks.
Transfers Between Phuket Airport Terminals
Phuket airport terminals are located close to each other, and linked via a walkway. Hence, travelers can transfer from the Phuket airport domestic terminal to the international building and vice versa on foot. In fact, the terminals are situated within a 10-minute walk of each other. However, the terminals aren’t connected airside, meaning that transit passengers must go through immigration, collect their luggage, and re-check in once they reach their destination terminal.
So, do you have a connecting flight at HKT Airport? Depending on your origin and final destination, you should allow the following time frame to transfer between flights:
- From an International to a Domestic Flight (and vice versa) (accordion) A transfer from the HKT Airport to the Phuket airport terminal D is required. Therefore, travelers should allow 40-75 minutes to spare for transit and necessary security procedures.
- From an International to an International Flight: No need for a transit between terminals. Thus, 10-20 minutes are enough to complete the necessary procedures.
- From a Domestic to a Domestic Flight: Travelers don’t have to transit between terminals. In fact, as Phuket airport domestic terminal is medium size, they can transfer between flights in just 5-10 minutes.
FAQs
Does Phuket Airport have different terminals?
HKT Airport has three terminal buildings. One of them serves international flights, while the other handles flights from and to domestic destinations. The third Phuket airport terminal (TX) isn’t always open. It primarily handles charter flights and operates when the airport’s traffic increases.
How do you transfer between terminals at Phuket?
The domestic and international terminals at Phuket International Airport are located close to each other. Thus, passengers wishing to transfer from one terminal to the other can access their destination terminal on foot. In fact, travelers need around 5-10 minutes to transit between HKT airport terminals.
How early should I arrive at Phuket Airport?
If your destination is international, you should arrive at the airport around three hours before the departure of your flight. On the other hand, if you are flying to a domestic destination, you should be at Phuket airport terminal D (Domestic terminal) at least two hours ahead of your flight.