Phuket Travel Guide

Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. The island is the biggest in the country and boasts a wide range of beaches as well as a vibrant nightlife and large expat scene.
Backpacking, partying, coming to learn Muay Thai, lounging at the resorts — Phuket is one of those places that has something for everyone.
That said, Phuket also illuminates the good and bad of Thai tourism — from overdeveloped beaches and sex tourism to tiny towns with no tourists that showcase authentic Thailand.
While most visitors stick to the overdeveloped south, if you stay away from Patong Beach, you can avoid most of the overdevelopment and crowds. In fact, the north part of the island is one of my favorite places to visit in all of Thailand. It’s a paradise!
This travel guide to Phuket will show you the best places to visit, help you save money, and ensure you make the most of your time on this popular island getaway!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Phuket
1. Chill on the beach
Phuket is all about the beaches. If you stay away from Patong Beach, you can avoid most of the overdevelopment, expensive prices, and crowds. Do this, and you’ll see that Phuket is a lovely destination. Check out Mai Khao, Surin, Freedom, and Naithon for the best beaches!
2. Visit the temples
Most of Phuket’s population is Thai-Buddhist and there are close to 40 Buddhist Temples located all over the island. Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important; Wat Suwan Khiri Khet, the only temple in Karon Beach, is small but attractive; and Wat Chalong is also beautiful.
3. Cruise Phang Nga Bay
Lined by limestone cliffs, collapsed caves, and archaeological sites, these glorious emerald-green waters form a delightful bay. It’s also where the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. Day trips can be had from anywhere on the island.
4. Visit the gibbons
Run by volunteers and financed by donations, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center rescues gibbons from captivity. There is no touching, but visitors can watch them from a viewing platform. On your two-hour visit, you’ll learn about gibbons. You must book in advance.
5. Tour the Similan Islands
Just 84 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of Phuket are the Similan Islands. It’s one of the few places in Thailand with environmental protection. Only two (#4 and #8) of the nine islands are publicly accessible. The preserve is open to visitors from October 15 to May 15. Day trips typically include snorkeling and lunch.
Other Things to See and Do in Phuket
1. Skip Patong
This is the main tourist section of Phuket, filled with crowded beaches, resorts, hawkers, bars, and sadly, a lot of sex tourists. Unless you want to get drunk a lot, try to avoid this beach at all costs (although I do still recommend taking a cooking class near here). There are much better beaches around, like Hat Karon, Surin, and Mai Khao Beach.
2. Learn to cook traditional Thai food
If you are looking to learn how to make Thai food, take a class at Pum’s Thai Cooking School. It’s one of the best souvenirs you can take back with you: the knowledge to make some of your favorite dishes from Thailand! There are several of these schools in Thailand, and the one in Phuket is on Patong Beach. You can take classes ranging from 30 minutes to 6 hours.
3. Watch a Muay Thai fight
To see something truly Thai, watch some Muay Thai. This is a form of combat that combines striking techniques using fists, elbows, knees, and shins, and is known as “the art of eight limbs.” It requires extreme mental and physical discipline to train to be a Muay Thai fighter. The Patong Boxing Stadium is the destination to see regular matches or go to Patong Beach where you can watch these disciplined fighters in action.
4. Visit Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Park
Take a trip to the Khao Phra Thaeo Conservation Development and Extension Center, a center focused on preserving the environment. The center contains a park with giant trees in the midst of a dense forest that is home to a number of endangered animals and wildlife including boars, mouse deer, langurs, and gibbons. It’s also the last remaining evergreen rainforest of Phuket. Make sure to check out the Nam Tok Sai waterfall, which is located close to the park headquarters. There is also a floating restaurant located in the mangroves!
5. See the Thalang National Museum
If you are eager to find out more about historical Phuket, visit the Thalang National Museum. The museum holds an exhibition of ancient artifacts from Old Phuket and items used during the war with Myanmar (1809-1812). Learn about the local life through exhibits on the island’s tin mining history, indigenous culture, and Chinese heritage. There’s a monument outside to Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, two sisters revered heroines who helped save Phuket during the Battle of Thalang during the Burmese-Siamese War. Visiting this museum is a great way to immerse yourself in the history of the island.
6. Enjoy the viewpoints
Phuket has many scenic viewpoints that are great for taking in the stunning island views. Promthep Cape and Karon View Point tend to be the most popular, but another great spot is the Kata viewpoint. Nothing is better than watching a golden sunset from these points. Your camera will thank you!
7. Rent a bike
Renting either a bike or motorbike gives you the freedom to explore Phuket. Find your way to Laem Singh Beach, a more secluded and laid-back spot with some great snorkeling opportunities. Just be careful because biking in Phuket can be a little dangerous as traffic is hectic at times. It’s fairly inexpensive to rent a basic motorbike for the day. There are also guided half-day bike tours if you’d like someone to show you around.
8. Explore Sirinat National Park
This national park was founded in the early 1980s and consists of three beach areas along the northwest coast of Phuket. It includes the beaches Nai Yang, Sai Kaew, and Mai Khao, as well as the mangrove forest where saltwater and freshwater mix. This is a good place for camping too if you enjoy the outdoors. During the spring, endangered Leatherback Turtles come here to lay their eggs. The park is closed between June 1st and July 31st.
9. Check out the Phuket Mining Museum
Located in Kathu, this museum highlights the history of Phuket’s mining industry (tin mining has been a large industry here). It’s located in a spacious, colonial villa and is one of the most interesting museums on the island. There are a couple of neat models and even a re-creation of an opium den! Some of the models seem so real, it’s like you are living it. You also get a chance to see some of the mining methods used back when Phuket was a major tin mining center.
10. Stroll the Phuket Weekend Market
Known also as the Naka market, this market is located right outside of Phuket Town. It offers a crazy assortment of local and secondhand goods, interesting objects, and a huge variety of food. The market is broken up into two sections: the covered section (which sells everything from jeans to pirated DVDs), and the open market (which has food, food, and more food). It’s open on Sundays from 4pm-10pm.
11. Go snorkeling
Phuket has over 30 beaches, and all of them are pretty incredible. While not all of them are great for snorkeling, some of the best are Laem Singh Beach, Ao Sane, Ya Nui, and Surin. You might want to bring your own gear, as renting it all the time can get a bit pricy. It is possible to buy some cheap gear in Phuket too. You can rent a mask, snorkel, and fins from a local shop. Alternatively, you can do a snorkeling day trip, which generally includes pickup at your hotel, gear, and food while you’re out on the boat.
12. Visit the Soi Dog Foundation
Soi Dog Foundation is a charity that helps the stray dogs and cats you see on the streets of Phuket (soi means street in Thai). The non-profit has been extremely successful, and since its founding in 2003, has reduced the stray dog population by over 90% through its spay/neuter programs. To meet and play with the animals (weekdays only), submit a volunteering form on their website. Longer volunteer opportunities are also offered, and donations are always welcome.
13. Explore some waterfalls
Some of the biggest and best waterfalls in Thailand are in Phuket. Bang Pae, Ton Sai, and Kathu are the three most popular. They are all at the end of scenic nature walks too. Kathu is free, and entry to Khao Phra Thaeo National Park for Bang Pae and Ton Sai is a small fee.
14. Visit an elephant sanctuary
Riding an elephant is the dream of many a tourist – until you realize how badly elephants are treated and the injuries that they incur all in the name of a quick ride. Luckily, in recent years there’s been a large movement to protect the elephants and raise awareness as to why riding them is an unethical practice. Visiting or volunteering at an elephant sanctuary is the best way to see these majestic beasts, and one of the oldest sanctuaries is Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. A half-day visit includes lunch and transportation to the sanctuary. Whatever you do, don’t ride elephants!
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
How to Stay Safe in Phuket
Phuket is safe, especially for solo travelers, including solo female travelers. It’s one of the easiest places in Thailand to meet other solo travelers, so you’re never really on your own here.
That said, petty theft (including bag snatching) can occur here so always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in popular tourist areas. Avoid flashing your valuables and don’t leave any valuables unattended when at the beach.
Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and follow standard safety precautions like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar, walking in unlit places alone at night, etc. If you want specific information about Thailand, there are a number of incredible solo female travel blogs that can provide tips that I can’t.
Patong is a party destination so most people run into problems here when they’re drunk and stupid. Don’t overdo it, and always be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Although uncommon, travelers have been known to fall victim to drugging so they can be mugged or molested. Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers for that reason.
Do not do drugs or participate in the sex industry. Both can have severe consequences here and lead to huge fines and jail time. Don’t risk it.
If you’re worried about scams, read this post on common travel scams to avoid.
If you experience an emergency, dial 191 for assistance.
Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.
For more information about safety in Southeast Asia, check out this article.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
Where to Stay in Phuket
Phuket has tons of cheap accommodations for hostels, hotels, and guesthouses. Here are some of my suggested places to stay in Phuket:
Phuket Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 275-660 THB per night
- Hostel private rooms – 1,035-2,400 THB per night
- Guesthouses – 415-1,450 THB per night
- Luxury Hotels – 3,500+ THB per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 200-720 THB per night
- Airbnb apartments – 1,380-3,300 THB per night
Food
- Street food – 70-130 THB
- Local restaurants – 100-230 THB
- Western food – 175-455 THB
- Pasta – 275-455 THB
- Steak – 675-1,105 THB
- Sushi – 1,030-1,560 THB
- Beer – 60-155 THB
- Glass of wine – 180-235 THB
- Cocktails – 300-585 THB
- Groceries for a week – 600-1,00 THB
Phuket Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 1,750 THB Per Day
This budget covers a hostel dorm, street food for your meals, beers from 7-Eleven, a few temple visits, and public transportation to get around. If you want to eat some nicer meals or party more, I would add about 300 THB more per day.
Midrange – 3,100 THB Per Day
On this budget, you can get a budget hotel/guesthouse, eat at more sit-down restaurants, splurge on a few taxis, have nice cocktails, and do more paid activities. You aren’t going to be living the high life, but you won’t want for anything either.
Upscale – 5,000+ THB Per Day
This is just the ground floor for luxury. Phuket does luxury really well and if you want fancy hotels, high-end meals, tours, or spas, you can get it here. The sky is the limit if you have the money to spend!
Phuket Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Although Phuket is more expensive than many other islands in Thailand, there are still plenty of ways to save money here:
Go local – The easiest way to save money in Thailand is to simply live like a local. Take local buses, eat street food, and drink local beer. The average Thai lives on less than 7,750 THB per month in Bangkok and on even less in the countryside. Keep it simple to keep it affordable.
Make sure your taxi turns on the meter – All taxis are required to use a meter when they have passengers. However, most want to charge a higher flat rate instead of using the meter — especially if there’s traffic. If this happens, just walk away and see if a different taxi will turn on their meter for you.
Save money on rideshares – Grab is Asia’s answer to Uber, which is no longer available in Thailand. It works the same way: you hire a local to take you somewhere via the Grab app, and you can pay via the app or in cash. It’s often more affordable than a regular taxi and you don’t have to worry about getting scammed.
Negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers – Unlike taxis, the tuk-tuk drivers do not have meters, so be sure to set the fixed price before you take off. They are very friendly, but if you act like a naive tourist, you will get taken advantage of!
Eat street food – Don’t be afraid to eat the street food. It’s perfectly safe and you’ll see locals eating at street stalls. The best of Thailand’s food is on the street, and it costs a fraction of what you pay at a restaurant.
Buy beer at convenience stores – Buy your beers from the supermarket or convenience stores as they are much cheaper here than anywhere else.
Take advantage of happy hour – Thailand’s many happy hours have half-priced drinks and 2-for-1 specials. If you want to hit the bar, stick to drinking during happy hours. If you visit the areas frequented by backpackers, you’ll find even more drink specials.
Ride in a songthaew or rent a bike – Songthaews are converted pickup trucks that act as shared taxis and cost less than a tuk-tuk or a taxi. If you are looking to get around on your own, renting a bike is also a great option and can usually be done for about 250 THB per day.
Don’t book tours before you arrive – Want to take a cooking class? Go zip-lining? Trek in the jungle? Dive? Wait until you get into Thailand to book anything. Travel agencies are located all over the tourist areas, looking to sell their tours. While you’re able to purchase these tours online before you arrive, you’ll be paying a lot more that way. Instead, book when you arrive so you can haggle for a better deal.
Book group excursions – When booking your day tours, multi-day tours, cooking classes, etc., try to book it as a group so the price per person gets reduced. Traveling alone? Make friends and book a tour with your hostel.
Get a sightseeing pass – The TAGTHAi pass is available for multiple cities in Thailand. It bundles together many of the most popular attractions for a price that’s lower than paying for each entrance separately. These can be purchased in one-day or three-day options, depending on the city.
Reedeem hotel points – Get a hotel credit card and use the points to pay for accommodations on your trip. You’ll get 1-2 nights free with most cards just for signing up, which can greatly lower your costs. Here’s a post that will help you get started so you can earn points right away and have plenty by the time you leave.
Stay with a local – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who give you not only a free place to stay, who can introduce you to all the great places to see. Just make sure to send your requests early!
Come during low season – Prices drop drastically during the rainy season between May and October. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, this is a cheap time to visit.
Bargain hard – When shopping at the markets, use your negotiation skills. The rule of thumb is the more you buy, the cheaper the prices so shop in packs for the best deals.
Use a water bottle with a purifier – It isn’t safe to drink tap water in Phuket, and although buying bottled water is cheap, it does add up. Instead, pick up a LifeStraw, which has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe (it’s good for the environment too!)
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, maps, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
How to Get Around in Phuket
Local Bus – Small buses connect Phuket’s Old Town with the main beach resorts around the island, like Patong and Karon. They’re slow because of the number of stops to make, but they’re cheap and reliable. Shared minibusses are also common. It’s just 100-200 THB to get across the island or 150 THB from the airport to Patong Beach, but it can be an exercise in patience. Get a Rabbit Card to save even more, if you plan on using public transportation a lot.
Songthaews – Songthaews are covered trucks that have been converted into multi-passenger vehicles (the truck’s box is usually converted with two wooden benches for seating). There are no set stops like the local bus — you just have to flag one down that is headed in your direction and get off when you need to. There is usually a sign on the dashboard to let you know where the final stop is. Negotiate your fare ahead of time. A ride in a songthaew usually starts around 25-50 THB.
A songthaew from Patong Beach to the airport costs 1,000 THB, and to other beaches (like Kamala, Kata, or Surin) it costs around 500 THB.
Motorbike Taxi – A motorbike taxi costs about 60 THB per short journey around town. It’s quick but it’s not the safest option so I’d probably avoid them if you can.
Tuk-Tuk – The tuk-tuks in Phuket look more like songthaews than the tuk-tuks in other parts of Thailand. These can be even more expensive than metered taxis because the drivers work together to avoid undercutting each other. Since there is no public transportation between the beaches, and because other transportation tends to stop early in the evening, tuk-tuk drivers know that they can charge higher prices. A 3-kilometer (2-mile) ride in a tuk-tuk can cost about 335 THB. Shorter distances average about 100 THB.
Taxi – Metered taxis are expensive, but sometimes they’re cheaper than tuk-tuks. Their fares start at 50 THB per two kilometers. Non-metered taxis typically charge flat rates and are not really necessary for long distances. An hour-long journey from the airport to Patong is around 900 THB.
Ridesharing – The Grab app is like the Uber of Thailand — prices are cheaper than taxis, and you’re driven by a local in their vehicle. You can pay via the app or in cash, and you get a price estimate for your journey before you even get in the car.
Car Rental – Cars can be rented for around 1,000 THB a day. I only suggest doing this if you’re with a family or a group that wants to split the cost. Make sure you have travel insurance though as the roads can be hectic and accidents are common.
For the best prices, use Discover Cars. You can get a free quote using this widget:
When to Go to Phuket
Like the other islands in this part of Thailand, the peak season in Phuket is from November to April. If you travel from May through October, you avoid the busiest season and save quite a bit of money, although it may be rainy.
November to February are the coolest months, with temperatures between 23-30°C (73-86°F). February is the driest month and is the best time of the year to be a beach bum.
The end of March to mid-May is the hottest time of year. It’s just before monsoon season hits, so humidity is high and temperatures soar into the high 30s°C (90s°F). If you can’t tolerate the heat, don’t come during this time.
Mid-May to October is the Monsoon season in Phuket. Although it rains for a while each day, the temperature averages about 28°C (84°F) per day. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, this is an excellent time to visit.
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, maps, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
Phuket Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Thailand!
My detailed 350+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Thailand. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.
Phuket Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Thailand travel and continue planning your trip: