Province of Thailand
Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Phuket (ภูเก็ต), pronounced (roughly) "puh-KET", is Thailand's largest island. It is 48 km in length, 21 km at its widest, and is in Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline, suspended from the southern tip of Phang Nga province by a pair of short but substantial road bridges.
By train
There are no direct train services to Phuket. But many trains leave from Bangkok central station going south. The most comfortable are the sleeper trains.
By bus
Buses to mainland destinations including Bangkok, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok and Surat Thani use the BKS terminal off Phang Nga Rd in Phuket Town.
By car
Phuket is directly connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge.
By boat
Ferry services connect from Rassada Port in Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi and to Krabi Province on the mainland twice a day, taking 90 to 120 minutes.
Songthaew
This is the cheapest public transport in Phuket. Within Phuket Town buses run pink, and beyond, to other beaches and areas, go blue. Almost all buses display their destination in English.
Smart bus
Phuket has a very convenient and comfortable bus: the Phuket Smart bus. This will take you anywhere you need to go along the entire West coast.
Tuk-tuk
The minimum fare is 200 baht. Renting a tuk-tuk for an hour costs around 200 baht, and it can usually accommodate 4–8 people. At night, fares typically increase by about 50%.
Motorbike taxi
The fare starts from 20 baht for 1-2 km, they are almost at every corner. Drivers are dressed in brightly coloured and numbered vests
Prepaid (taxi prepaid)
In any tour office both in the international and domestic terminal of Phuket airport you will be offered a taxi to the desired hotel / beach.
Taxi meter (taxi meter)
If you leave the airport building on the street, you will see a counter where you can take a taxi. Rates are as follows:
Rideshare apps
Bolt or Grab. You can also book in advance for a certain date and time. Private car with driver services can also be arranged, which are often more convenient for day trips and sightseeing.
Motorbike rental
Bike rental locations are located in almost every quarter. Standard rental price - from 300 baht (the cost of rent depends on the duration and model).
Car rental
Anyone over the age of 20 can rent a car in Phuket, either at the airport or at various beaches. The longer the rental period, the lower the price per day.
Boat rental
For those wishing to make regular boat trips, to travel from Phuket to other places, there is a great opportunity to rent a boat or yacht.
By thumb
Hitchhiking would be delightful if it weren't for the taxi mafia. Any car can double as a taxi. Mention at least 3 times that you're not going to pay: "no money". "Free ride". "No taxi".
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Phuket · International · HKT
Loading places around the airport…
the administrative centre of the province with the cheapest accommodation
home to Phuket Aquarium
home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage and the primary gateway to the islands off Phuket
the second most-developed beach after Patong, split into Karon Yai and Karon Noi Beaches
many posh resorts, Thai villages, and restaurants, very quiet and far away from it all
the largest and most popular beach resort known for its nightlife
jumping off point for lots of local islands, popular with locals for eating on the beach
an up-and-coming upmarket destination
10 minutes from Rawai, an ideal island for a day of snorkelling and relaxing
15 minutes by speedboat from Chalong Bay, accessible all year
fishery villages, walking along nature trails, fishing and biking
quiet, mostly Muslim island with a few bungalows
gorgeous little island with only one (expensive) place to stay
two islands (Yai and Noi), popular with scuba divers and a relaxing snorkelling destination
sea Gypsy colony, connected to the mainland by a causeway
Phuket's last significant virgin rain forest
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