Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's biggest island and the gateway to some of the most stunning beaches in Southeast Asia. The west coast has the main tourist beaches — Patong is the loud, party-central one (think Khao San Road meets the beach), while Kata and Karon are more chill family-friendly options. A proper Thai meal at a local restaurant costs 80–150 THB ($2–4), though Patong tourist restaurants charge 3x that. Rent a scooter for 200–300 THB/day to explore the island, but drive carefully — the roads are hilly and the traffic can be wild. The real magic is the day trips: Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island, and the Similan Islands for diving.
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Phuket travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Phuket?
5–7 days to really enjoy it. Day 1–2: Beach time and settling in. Day 3: Phi Phi Islands day trip (book through your hotel or a local tour shop, about 1,500–2,500 THB depending on speedboat vs longtail). Day 4: Phang Nga Bay / James Bond Island trip. Day 5: Old Phuket Town for Sino-Portuguese architecture, street art, and local food. Visit Big Buddha (free entry, wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees). Day 6–7: Relax, get a Thai massage (300–500 THB for an hour — absolute steal), explore different beaches. If you're into diving, add 1–2 days for Similan Islands (open November–April only).
Is Phuket too touristy?
Patong Beach? Yes, extremely. It's wall-to-wall tourist shops, tailors trying to grab you, and overpriced everything. But Phuket is a big island and there's way more to it. The east coast and north are much quieter — Nai Yang beach near the airport is peaceful, Bang Tao has upscale resorts without the chaos. Rawai in the south is where many expats live and has a great seafood market. Old Phuket Town is genuinely charming with zero beach-town vibes. The key is: pick your beach wisely, use a scooter to escape the tourist strips, and eat where locals eat. Street food stalls and local restaurants are a completely different (and better) experience than the tourist-facing places on Bangla Road.
How do I get around Phuket?
Public transport is basically nonexistent — this is Phuket's biggest downside. Your options: scooter rental (200–300 THB/day, most popular but risky if you're not experienced), Grab app (like Uber, works here but drivers are sometimes hard to find), tuk-tuks (will rip you off — always negotiate before getting in, short rides should be 200–400 THB), or rent a car (1,000–1,500 THB/day, international license needed). There are rare local songthaew buses along the main beach roads for 30–50 THB but they're infrequent. Honestly, if you're staying in one beach area and doing organized tours, you can manage without your own transport. But to really explore, a scooter or car is essential. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers scooter accidents — this is non-negotiable.