Bus on Phu Quoc: A Real Alternative to Taxis?

Buses on Phu Quoc are a real alternative for daytime trips on the main routes, but a taxi is better for luggage, late hours and groups. Buses have charged a fare since 1 January 2026. As a guide, one operator lists a taxi from the airport to Duong Dong at USD 6 to 12 (VND 150,000-300,000), checked on 5 November 2026.

Which bus routes exist for tourists?

The route network is limited, but the buses reach the airport and the ferry piers, which is where most visitors need them.

Until recently there was no public transport on the island at all. The routes most useful for visitors are:

• Bus 17: runs between the airport, Long Beach and Duong Dong.
• Bus 20: runs from the ferry pier to Duong Dong centre.
• Bus 19: runs very infrequently, so check the schedule before relying on it.

Reported travel times, which differ by source:

• Airport to central Duong Dong: about 15 to 30 minutes.
• Duong Dong to An Thoi: about 40 to 50 minutes.
• Duong Dong to the northern part of the island: about 50 to 70 minutes.

The bus operator’s app has an up-to-date route map, a real-time schedule and a trip planner. Use it as your main source.

A sensible way to plan a bus day:

1. Open the app the evening before and look at the route you need.
2. Note the first and last departures you can find, and treat the last one as a deadline.
3. Allow extra time on top of the reported travel times, because the buses stop on demand and traffic varies.
4. Keep a taxi option ready in case a bus is full, late or skips your stop.

Do not build a tight plan, such as a flight check-in or a booked tour, around a bus time unless you have a backup.

What are the fares and timetables?

Buses were free before 1 January 2026 and are now paid, but we do not quote a fare because it can change.

Check the amount on the bus or in the app. Timetables also change, so check the schedule 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to leave. Reports differ on hours:

• Some routes start around 6 AM and run every 20 to 60 minutes.
• Routes generally start in the morning and end in the afternoon or evening, depending on the route.
• Airport buses mostly run in the daytime, with some routes reported from about 5:40 to 17:10, roughly every 20 to 30 minutes.
• Bus 17 is reported to run around the clock every 15 to 30 minutes, with some night departures.

Because these reports conflict, treat late-night bus travel as uncertain until you have checked the app on the day.

How do I pay and where do I wait?

Pay in cash in dong directly on the bus, and tell the driver your destination.

Take small bills. Buses stop mostly on demand, so wave clearly when you see one approaching, because drivers sometimes skip stops. At the airport, pickup points are usually in the car park in front of the terminal.

What are the limits for luggage and late hours?

Buses suit one or two travellers with a suitcase in the daytime, and they are weaker for big families, strollers and late arrivals.

The buses are reported to be air-conditioned and equipped with WiFi, and you can ride with large suitcases. A full bus at a busy hour is still hard with several bags. If your flight lands late, you may arrive after the last bus, so have a taxi or prebooked car as a backup.

Who the bus suits best:

• A solo traveller or couple with a suitcase each, arriving in the daytime.
• Budget travellers who are comfortable waiting and checking an app.
• Anyone going to the airport or a ferry pier on a route that is running.

Who should think twice:

• Families with a stroller and a baby, especially at rush hour.
• Groups with many bags.
• Travellers who arrive late in the evening or leave very early.

When is a taxi still needed?

A taxi is still the better choice for families, small groups and anyone carrying a lot of luggage.

The table compares the two for the airport to Duong Dong, with guide figures read on 5 November 2026.

One narrower listing, cited by one author, puts a taxi from the airport to a Long Beach hotel at USD 6 to 8 (VND 150,000-200,000). Figures differ by operator, so use them only as a guide.

Local sources describe taxis as suited to families, small groups and travellers carrying a lot of luggage. The door-to-door service matters most when you arrive tired, when you are carrying children, or when you do not know the way. For a taxi, agree the price or ask for the meter before you set off, and expect the final amount to depend on traffic, route and time of day.

If you want a fixed price in advance, message us on WhatsApp. We arrange it with local partners and confirm the exact price in the chat before you pay.

What to do next

Decide by your bags and your arrival time. If the bus works for your plan, check the app on the day. If not, ask for a taxi price.

• Compare more options in cheaper alternatives to taxis.
• If you are thinking of renting your own bike, read motorbike or taxi rules.
• To see how an app compares with a street taxi, read ride-hailing app vs taxi.