Not every Australian city has direct Phuket flights. Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide travellers often connect via Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore or Bangkok. Singapore Changi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi are the most common hubs, with layovers from 90 minutes to overnight.
Allow at least two hours between flights on separate tickets, and three hours if you must collect and re-check baggage. Some airlines sell through-tickets that tag bags to Phuket; confirm at check-in in Australia.
Long layovers can be turned into a mini sightseeing stop if you have six hours or more and qualify for visa-free entry in the transit country. Keep boarding passes and follow airside transfer signs to avoid immigration unless you plan to leave the airport.
Guide
Stopovers en Route to Phuket
Many Australian routes connect through Asian hubs; allow enough layover time and check baggage rules.
