Phuket Airport

A dreadful airport! The check-in area swamped with people and chaotic. It's a very dirty small and extremely overused airport. There are international flights and many domestic flights going in and out of this small terminal and somehow it works. I suppose the Thai Airways lounge was just fine but the economy class area was similar to a bus station. I've used this airport before around 5 years ago and little has changed. They need to tear it down and start again or at least segregate domestic and international flights and passengers and add space.

On arrival long lines for immigration in fairness it was Chinese New Year holidays so lots of extra passengers to deal with but still only 60% of the immigration booths occupied. Once through immigration its quick to exit as your bags are already available a bit of congestion caused by all the various taxi touts so finding your pre-booked transport takes a keen eye. On departure you have to put your bags through x-ray on entering the terminal. There are two so go for the furthest one as its less busy. Check-in as one may expect for a busy holiday airport busy but well organised. After security there are a variety of shops not to many dining options but good enough for an average wait. Duty free is very expensive though and seemed mostly to be Russian tourists who were buying - not many others.

Arrived at 12pm and so did 3 other planes from Russia. This meant immigration lanes were very long and it took over an hour to clear immigration. Airport is very old and it clearly was not built for the 8 million passengers which pass through there. Luggage was already waiting and we where whisked off in our hotel car. Departure there is a long line to enter as you have to get your bags checked at the beginning before going to check-in. Check-in was efficient and security relaxed. There is not really much when you arrive in the departure area. Flight left on time and TG has the most convenient gates at the airport.

I used this airport in Apr 2011 it was being revamped and immigration was fast we also got free starter packs with free airtime at the airport once activated we could make calls to tell friends we were safe for the airport size it was great using it.

Being a parent and traveller I am all for safety and security in airports. However it was taken to the extreme when going through the last security check near my gate in Phuket airport. Despite the fact that I had a 1 and 3 year old in tow security confiscated my baby forks! Then we are all served with actual adult silverware on the airplane including forks! Where is the common sense? Okay maybe it doesn't cost that much but the principle of the matter should be addressed.

This airport is extremely basic. I have been here a number of times over the years and it has not improved at all. The food facilities are terrible and the shops are no better. The only reason you would spend time here is in the mandatory check-in before departure. I was unfortunate to experience a delayed flight when I arrived at the airport and we caught a taxi back over to the JW Marriott which is quite close (confirm flight departure before leaving your hotel) and enjoyed some nice drinks and they had some entertainment as well. Amazing they don't have better facilities given the number of people that use this airport.

Definitively a bad airport not living up to the expectations and requirements of the millions of tourists coming to this tourist trap. But there is a little secret for the flights OUT of the country which will make you a VIP: the Priority Pass Club Lounge. If you are not member you will fork out about THB 800 but totally worth it. You register BEFORE the customs and they whisk you through the queues you even sit down at a separate desk for the departure formalities then the same charming hostess brings you to a very beautiful lounge with internet access decent food and all drinks you need. Then have a look at the crowds fighting for a seat.

Airport feels and looks old and tired. Not all of the shops were open food options near the Gates 9-10 were very limited and the VAT refund office was closed (at 2pm on a Saturday!) Bags screened as you went inside the airport doors which meant you had to line up outside in the heat. Check in was smooth and immigration departure was smooth. Plenty of seats available but there werent too many departing flights either. It needs a bit of redevelopment to bring it up to scratch.

This is a tiny place it feels like being somewhere in the countryside. It's almost unbelievable that this place serves so many foreign passengers. The big advantage is of course that you don't have to walk very far check-in and boarding gates are close to each other. The downside is that there is absolutely nothing to do here if you have a spare hour. There are 2 or 3 small souvenir shops and about as many places to eat. The decor is non-existent and looks a bit old not the fanciest place you'll ever see. But they are efficient and things happened quickly because we had an early flight and it wasn't too busy. Just don't plan on wasting a few hours here or to eat here for that matter.

Phuket International Airport is to means like Singapore however I had no problems and I am just relieved they have an International Airport! At the end of the day its only an airport and you only spend a couple of hours there. I didn't get a chance to sit down as by the time we had something to eat and last minute souvenir shopping it was time to board the aircraft.