Phuket is considered a province in southern Thailand made up of the main island and several smaller islands. It is a well visited spot by tourists due to the beautiful beaches, deep culture, and active nightlife. When planning an island visit, there are a few key things that will help you plan a better trip. Each area of Thailand is extremely different and this stunning island has it’s own amazing charm! So let’s get to these perfect Phuket tips! Make sure to read all the way through it to find some of our favorite travel hacks.
Getting There
Planning how to get to an island is an important aspect of planning your trip. Three options are available; flying, driving, and ferry.
Phuket International Airport is located in the northern part of the island. It is easy to get to and accepts flights from other countries. Here is a list of websites we like to use for flights: SkyScanner, Expedia, and Rome2Rio. It is also great to check the budget airlines themselves for cheaper prices like Firefly, Scoot, and AirAsia.
For the low price of $21, you can take a bus all the way from Bangkok to Phuket in around 12 hours. There is a large road that connects the island with the main land. To save money, this is a great option! Building time into your trip for longer travel times can save you a few bucks along the way. Just keep in mind that not all of the buses are created equal and often it takes longer than expected to get to your destination. We like 12Go for scheduling buses. They also have great customer service if you end up changing your mind on your trip plan.
The last option is to take a ferry. This is a good option if you are going to or coming from one of the other surrounding islands. Once again, we like to use 12Go for this. It is also possible to talk to the hostel/hotel where you are staying to get more info on scheduling a ferry ride.
***Hot Tip: If you generally use a specific airline to build up points, check which other airlines they are associated with. Sometimes they will count your points/miles if they are partners.***
How to Get Around
Thailand is well known for riding motorbikes every where you go. This is an available option on Phuket as well. Many people ride their bikes and this is great because it is easier to park a bike along the ride and often times requires less fuel. This is actually one of the few places we recommend renting a car instead! With a car it is easier to bring along multiple bags of items ranging from lunch/snacks to dry clothes. Since there is a lot of beach time it’s nice to have somewhere to leave your sandy items and to get dressed in dry clothes. Heat is no joke here either. With a car there is plenty of space to pack extra water, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. If you plan to visit temples on the same day as doing other activities, it’s also nice to have a place to put your cover ups.
***Hot Tip: Get your international driver’s license before you leave your home country. Some places are super picky and will want to see it and others do not care. Better safe than sorry. It’s super cheap and good for many years.***
Tips for Where to Stay in Phuket
Any budget can find a place to stay on this beautiful island. Depending on how many people are in your group, it could be more cost effective to share a space versus staying in a hostel. If you do choose to stay in a hostel, check out HostelWorld for some great options with reviews. To find something in our price range goal, we generally will check using Google, HostelWorld, AirBnB, Expedia.
If this is a special trip or just a spot that you want to splurge the island has tons of great resorts too! They range from all-inclusive to upper end hotels. Though we are always a fan of utilizing our point systems, it’s a good idea to check out the local resorts as well. Even with a price higher than that of a hostel, it’s still possible to find an amazing stay for a really good price.
Shopping
Many areas of Phuket are very well developed. There is a wide range of styles for shopping. With multiple open markets it can be a great place to get cheaper items and cheap but delicious food. Markets provide the option for some bartering and comparing of prices. Another option is going to the proper shopping centers/malls. Expect to pay higher prices for items that are well-known brands. The malls are a great place to step out of the heat and spend some time inside.
If there are other things you are shopping for….like weed…that is also very accessible throughout the island. Prices range quite a lot because some of the shops are super sketchy. Other shops are set up more like a dispensary you would find in the US. People on the street might offer you other options as well depending on what area of town you are walking in.
Along with shopping there are tons of massage shops as well. This is another great place to compare prices and determine what type of massage you are wanting. Something we hadn’t been aware of before we arrived is the types of massages offered. You will notice many shops with the ladies sitting outside in specific outfits and calling out to men to offer massages.
Day Trips
Staying on the main island is a great jumping off point for taking day trips to other spots. We highly recommend going on trips to James Bond Island and Phi Phi. These were our favorite day trips and super easy to get to. Expect to spend the full day on the boat with lunch included. Some of these trips are better organized than others. We preferred the Phi Phi trip where we were on a bigger boat that allowed for more space for passengers and moving around. The large speed boat felt more cramped and less like an island tour. Here’s a couple of links for similar trips:
General Recommendations for Phuket
Here is our comprehensive list of must-haves when visiting this amazing island:
- Water Proof Phone Case
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Cover-ups, slip on and off shoes
- Microfiber Towel
- Go-Pro
- International Driver’s License
We hope you found this information helpful! Check out our other post below for more information about Phuket, Thailand!