What to know before flying to Phuket
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Who | Every foreign traveller, children included |
| When | Within the 3 days before arriving in Thailand, arrival day included |
| Where | tdac.immigration.go.th, the official immigration website |
| Address to enter | Your first accommodation, for example the hotel in Phuket |
| Proof | Confirmation with a QR code, on your phone or printed |
Direct flight or connection in Bangkok
The TDAC is completed for entry into Thailand. If you reach Phuket on a direct international flight, the arrival date is the Phuket date. If you first pass through Bangkok or another Thai airport, that is where you clear immigration: the arrival date is then that of the first airport, and the address to enter is still your accommodation in Phuket. According to the guides, the domestic flight afterwards does not need a new card, but confirm this on the official site.
Completing the card
- Open the official site by typing the address yourself.
- Have ready your passport, flight number, arrival date, hotel address and the countries you recently visited.
- Complete the form (identity, trip, accommodation, health declaration).
- Keep the confirmation and QR code you receive: a screenshot is enough if the network is poor.
One card per person and a new one each time you enter the country. The TDAC is not a visa: for the visa-free stay, the prohibitions and the formalities, read before you go to Phuket.
The fake sites
Some sites imitate the official service and charge 20 to 90 dollars according to the Thai press. In March 2026 immigration warned that about 10% of foreigners entering the country had used a fake site, often well placed in search engines. Check the address (tdac.immigration.go.th), pay nothing and do not give your card number.
Arriving in Phuket
The airport is in the north of the island and your hotel is at a variable distance: see Phuket airport and the beaches to choose by beach. To reach the hotel, a private transfer booked in advance avoids the official taxi queue: it is sold with a greeting on arrival and flight tracking. Buses and the shuttle are detailed in the Phuket airport bus, and driving in car rental at the airport.
FAQ
Is the TDAC free? Yes. Only the official site is free: the others are not.
How long before the flight? Within the 3 days before arriving in Thailand, arrival day included.
What address do I enter for Phuket? That of your first night's accommodation.
What if I have no internet on arrival? Complete the card before the flight and keep the confirmation offline.
