Grab or Bolt
The airport is in the island's north, so the southern beaches are a fair drive. App fares are set upfront.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 1 (exercise caution) · some areas of the country have advisories
Elsewhere in the country: Level 3 (leave the country) — some regions: L3 (leave): southern Songkhla (Malaysia border), Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, within 50 km of the Thai-Cambodian border / L2: Tak / Special advisory: Chiang Saen (Laos border) and Mae Sai (Myanmar border) checkpoints / L1: rest of the country
Visits to the listed regions should be cancelled or postponed (see Details for other areas).
since 2025-12-10 · checked 2026-10-01 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
Phuket Travel Guide
Thailand's largest island, famous for clear Andaman Sea water, varied beaches and island-hopping tours. It ranges from lively Patong to quiet family beaches and the colorful Old Town, and it's the gateway to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.
Plan your Phuket trip
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At a glance
- Currency
- THB (฿)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/B/C/O
- Driving side
- Left
- Tipping
- Optional (small, for good service)
- Local language
- ภาษาไทย
- How long to stay
- 5 to 6 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
November to April is the dry season, with calm, clear seas ideal for beaches and island trips. May to October brings frequent showers and big waves on the west coast, so swimming may be banned on some days and tours can be cancelled. December-January is peak season with the highest prices.
Airport to the city
Official airport taxi/limousine counter
Book a fixed fare by destination at the official counter in arrivals; safer than touts outside.
Airport bus
The Smart Bus and other airport buses link the airport with west-coast beaches (Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai), cheap for solo travelers. Check routes and times on the official airport site before you go.
Getting around
Grab and Bolt
The easiest way between beaches, with transparent fares. Pickups can take a while in the evening.
Taxis and tuk-tuks
Often negotiated rather than metered. Agree on the destination and price before getting in.
Motorbike rental
Popular but accident-prone. Without a license valid for motorbikes (such as the right category on an International Driving Permit), insurance may not cover you. Always wear a helmet.
Tour vans and boats
Phi Phi and Phang Nga tours usually include hotel pickup. Boats may be cancelled in bad weather.
Walking
Fine within Patong or Kata beachfronts and the Old Town; hilly roads between beaches need wheels.
Where to stay
Patong
Good for: First visit, nightlife
The busiest beach, packed with restaurants, shopping and nightlife. It's loud late, so pick a hotel a block or two back if you want quiet.
Karon and Kata
Good for: Families, relaxed beaches
Quieter than Patong with wide beaches and plenty of facilities, popular with families.
Phuket Old Town
Good for: Cafés, architecture, value
Colorful old shophouses, cafés and local eateries; you'll drive to the beaches.
Kamala and Surin
Good for: Resort stays
A quiet upscale resort stretch on the west coast between the airport and Patong.
South (Rawai, Chalong)
Good for: Quiet stays, boat departures
Fewer tourists and close to piers where some island tours depart.
Map of stays in Phuket
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Phuket in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Phi Phi Islands (boat tour)
Limestone cliffs and clear water, usually visited on a speedboat day trip. Tours are cancelled in bad weather, so keep your schedule flexible.
Phi Phi Islands (Maya Bay) · Photo: Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Phang Nga Bay
Boat and canoe tours among limestone islands rising from the sea. The sheltered bay often runs tours even in the wet season.
Phang Nga Bay · Photo: Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA 4.0 Big Buddha
A giant white hilltop Buddha with views over southern Phuket. It's a religious site, so cover shoulders and knees.
Wat Chalong
Phuket's best-known Buddhist temple. Visit quietly and dress modestly.
Wat Chalong · Photo: Christophe95 / CC BY-SA 4.0 Phuket Old Town
Streets of Sino-Portuguese shophouses, great for photos. On Sunday evenings Thalang Road hosts the Lard Yai walking-street market.
Promthep Cape
Phuket's classic sunset viewpoint at the island's southern tip. It gets crowded, so arrive early.
Bangla Road, Patong
The nightlife strip of bars and clubs. Watch your belongings and ignore touts.
Similan Islands (national park)
Renowned for diving and snorkeling, open only during a set season each year. Check official opening dates.
What to eat
Seafood
Beachfront restaurants sell prawns, crab and fish by weight. Confirm the price per kilo before ordering.
Tom yum goong
Thailand's hot and sour prawn soup. About 100-250 THB at local restaurants.
Moo hong
Phuket-style pork braised in soy sauce and black pepper, a local specialty.
Pad thai and fried rice
Reliable meals available everywhere. About 60-150 THB.
Mango sticky rice
Sweet sticky rice with coconut milk and mango, best in mango season (spring).
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 1,200-1,500 THB per day: guesthouse, local food, buses
Mid-rangeabout 4,000-5,000 THB per day: beach hotel, restaurants, Grab, island tour
Comfortabout 12,000 THB+ per day: luxury resort, private boat
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Check in, relax on the beach in the afternoon, then a seafood dinner.
- Day 2
Full-day Phi Phi boat tour (hotel pickup), then an evening stroll in Patong.
- Day 3
Old Town walk and cafés, Big Buddha and Wat Chalong in the afternoon, sunset at Promthep Cape.
- Day 4
Phang Nga Bay canoe tour or a resort day, then a massage in the evening.
Local tips
- Check the beach flags: red means no swimming. From May to October, rip currents are common on west-coast beaches.
- Choose reputable tour operators with life jackets, and reschedule rather than go out in bad weather.
- If you rent a motorbike, always wear a helmet, and know that without a motorbike license your travel insurance may not cover accidents.
- Agree on taxi and tuk-tuk fares before getting in. Photograph any scratches on rented jet skis or motorbikes to avoid disputes.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
- Entry requirements and documents can change, so check official Thai government sources before you travel.
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