Quick answer. Phuket (HKT) sits in the far north of the island, a 45-minute-plus drive from Patong and the main beaches, and the transfer is where most visitors overpay. For cash, use a Bangkok Bank or other Thai bank ATM in arrivals, but remember every Thai ATM charges a flat 220-baht fee to foreign cards per withdrawal, so take out a large amount at once. Decline DCC and choose baht. A Charles Schwab card refunds that 220-baht fee and a Wise card gives the interbank rate. Getting a decent chunk of baht at the airport matters here because the beach resorts are thick with Euronet machines that charge even more. For transport, the official Airport Bus / Smart Bus to Patong and Phuket Town costs about 100-170 baht, far below the taxi and minivan touts.
Where to get baht at HKT
On Phuket the cost story is the flat 220-baht Thai ATM fee plus the fact that the beach resorts are full of pricier Euronet machines, which is why a big withdrawal at an airport bank ATM pays off. The figures below assume you withdraw the equivalent of $100 in baht in one transaction.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai bank ATM + Schwab (220 THB fee refunded) | Both terminals, arrivals | Interbank rate, ATM fee refunded | ~$100 |
| Thai bank ATM + Wise (one large withdrawal) | Arrivals | Interbank rate + 220 THB spread thin | ~$99 |
| Thai bank ATM, small withdrawal | Arrivals | Interbank rate + full 220 THB on a small amount | ~$94 |
| Airport exchange counter (HKT) | Arrivals | Several % off interbank vs city shops | ~$92-95 |
| Euronet machine on the beach strip / DCC | Patong, Kata, Karon | Bigger surcharge + DCC padding | ~$86-91 |
Where to find the Bangkok Bank ATMs at Phuket (HKT), and why to withdraw a lot
Phuket International (HKT) is the gateway to Thailand's biggest resort island, handling a heavy mix of international charters and low-cost carriers alongside domestic flights from Bangkok. It has an international terminal and a domestic terminal a short walk apart. In arrivals you will pass Travelex and other exchange counters and rows of Thai bank ATMs from Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank and Krungthai. As everywhere in Thailand, every Thai ATM charges a flat 220-baht fee on foreign cards per withdrawal on top of your bank's charges, and it cannot be avoided at the machine. Phuket adds its own reason to stock up here: the tourist strips in Patong, Kata and Karon are dominated by standalone Euronet machines that charge an even bigger surcharge and push dynamic currency conversion. So withdraw a solid amount of baht at the airport bank ATM, decline DCC, and choose baht. Our Thailand money guide covers the fee math in full.
International Terminal
International charters and low-cost carriers from Europe, the Middle East, China and around Asia. A short walk from the domestic terminal
In the International Terminal arrivals hall, past the Travelex and exchange counters, look for a Bangkok Bank or Kasikornbank ATM. Insert your card, decline DCC, choose baht, and withdraw a large amount to spread the flat 220-baht fee, since the beach-area machines cost more. Then head to the official transport desk for the Smart Bus or a Grab, not the touts inside the hall.
Domestic Terminal
Domestic flights to Bangkok (both DMK and BKK), Chiang Mai and other Thai cities on Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air and Bangkok Airways
The Domestic Terminal has its own Thai bank ATMs and exchange booths on the same terms, with the 220-baht foreign-card fee at every machine. If you arrive domestically and are heading straight to a resort, withdraw here so you are not stuck using an expensive Euronet machine on the beach strip. Decline DCC and choose baht.
Do you actually need cash at Phuket (HKT)?
Partly. Phuket Town and resort hotels take cards, but beaches, tuk-tuks, longtail boats, markets and small restaurants run on cash, so you need baht from the start. Here is what a card covers on the way to the beaches:
Airport Bus Express / Phuket Smart Bus (~100-170 THB to Patong / Kata / Karon): The cheapest way to the beaches, running to the main resort strips; bring small baht notes as drivers prefer cash.
Ride-hail (Grab / Bolt) (~500-800 THB to Patong): Apps fix the price and bill your card, usually well under the counter taxi fare; a solid option with data on arrival.
Metered / app taxi (~600-900 THB to Patong): Use the official taxi desk rather than touts; insist on the meter or an agreed fare, and expect most drivers to want cash.
Minivan (shared) (~180-250 THB per person): Shared vans to the main beaches are cheap but slow as they drop other passengers first; pay the desk in baht.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Phuket (HKT) to Phuket?
No. Airport Bus Express / Phuket Smart Bus accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order baht before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical baht to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 baht for taxis and tips on day one.
How do I get from Phuket Airport to Patong without overpaying?
The airport is 45 minutes to over an hour from Patong, and the taxi and minivan counters quote high fixed fares, often 800 to 1,200 baht for a taxi. The cheaper options are the official Airport Bus Express and the Phuket Smart Bus, which run to Patong, Kata and Karon for roughly 100 to 170 baht, and metered or app-based rides (Grab, Bolt) which are usually well below the counter taxi price. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal; use the official transport desk or an app. Have some cash ready, since the bus and many drivers prefer baht.
How much does a cash withdrawal cost at Phuket Airport?
Every Thai bank ATM, Bangkok Bank included, charges a flat 220-baht fee to foreign cards per withdrawal, plus anything your home bank adds. Since the fee is fixed regardless of amount, withdraw a large sum in one transaction rather than several small ones; many machines allow 20,000 to 30,000 baht. Only a fee-refunding card such as Charles Schwab avoids the 220 baht outright. This matters more on Phuket than in Bangkok because the beach areas are full of Euronet machines that charge even more, so getting your main stash at the airport bank ATM is the smart move. Decline DCC and choose baht.
Should I use the airport exchange counters or an ATM at Phuket?
For a small float on arrival the counters are convenient but not great value; a Thai bank ATM at the interbank rate is usually better even after the 220-baht fee, especially if you batch a large withdrawal or use a fee-refunding card. Whatever you do, avoid the standalone Euronet machines and always decline dynamic currency conversion, choosing to be charged in baht. If you want cash in hand before you land, order a little baht in advance rather than relying on the resort-strip machines.
Do I need cash on Phuket, or will cards do?
You need a fair amount of cash. Hotels, larger restaurants and malls in Phuket Town take cards, but beach vendors, longtail boats, tuk-tuks, markets, massage shops and many small eateries are cash-only, and the island's tuk-tuk and taxi scene runs on baht. Because ATMs on the beach strip are Euronet-heavy and expensive, withdraw enough at an airport bank ATM to cover your first few days, then top up at a bank branch ATM in town rather than a standalone tourist machine.