From Bangkok to Phuket by Bus
There are both day and overnight buses from Bangkok to Phuket–all of them offering AC, on-board snacks and drinks, and free movies.
Overnight buses are more popular and fill up quickly, so make sure you book well in advance, especially during high season.
While there are no seat classes on the buses, you can pick between a 1st class bus (usually referred to as a VIP bus) and 2nd class buses. Besides price, the main difference is legroom and much more comfortable reclining seats in the VIP buses–an important consideration since the journey is at least 14 hours long if you don't run into traffic jams. VIP buses also offer single-row seats, so no need to worry about a travel companion invading your personal space when you're trying to sleep.
Buses to Phuket leave either from the Southern Bus Terminal or the Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, and all stop halfway along the route for 30 minutes, so you can get some coffee or just stretch your legs. This is actually inconvenient if you're on the night bus, but a welcome break if you're taking the daytime one. You can get tickets directly at the station or online through a travel agency.
Keep in mind that while trains often have food vendors on board, buses don't sell snacks or drinks. You'll either have to bring extra water with you or wait till you reach the halfway point of the trip and the bus makes a stop to buy something.
Money Saving Tip: Daytime buses are cheaper, but keep in mind that if you take one, you'll arrive in Phuket in the middle of the night–if that's the case, make sure you have a room already reserved and waiting for you. You don't want to depend on a taxi driver to find you a last-minute place to sleep.
