Phuket
Andaman Coast · suggested 4-6 days
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and one of Southeast Asia's premier holiday destinations, renowned for its pristine beaches, dynamic nightlife, and rich cultural history. Nestled in the Andaman Sea, it offers a highly diverse travel experience—ranging from the high-energy party stretches of Patong to the luxury beach clubs of Bang Tao and the colonial heritage charm of Phuket Old Town.
Plan your visit
Highlights
- Patong Beach and Bangla Road
- Old Phuket Town
- Big Buddha viewpoint
- Phi Phi island trips
Things to do
- Island-hop to Phi Phi or James Bond Island
- Explore Sino-Portuguese Old Town
- Snorkel or dive the Andaman Sea
- Watch sunset from Promthep Cape
Nightlife
- Bangla Road (Patong) — the famous neon nightlife walking street
- Beach clubs in Kamala — Café Del Mar Phuket and Catch Beach Club
- Rooftop and sunset bars along Patong and Tri Trang
- Simon Cabaret and Aphrodite ladyboy cabaret shows
- Phuket Town Sunday Walking Street (Lard Yai) for food and live music
- Illuzion and Tao Beach Club for big-club nights out
Practical tips
- Beware jet-ski scams at busy beaches
- Monsoon brings strong rip currents
- Taxis are pricey; use Grab or smart buses
Getting around
- Smart Bus runs along the west coast
- Airport to Patong ~800-1200 baht
- Scooters popular but drive defensively
Ride-hailing apps
What each service covers and what a city trip costs.
Grab
24/7 · island-wideBest coverage for airport runs and beach-to-beach trips, with the fare fixed before you book.
Bolt
24/7 · Patong, Phuket Town, airportUsually cheaper than Grab, but fewer drivers around the quieter west-coast beaches.
inDrive
24/7 · island-wideYou propose a fare and drivers accept or counter-offer.
GrabTaxi / street taxi
24/7 · resort areasStreet taxis and tuk-tuks usually quote flat prices — agree the fare before you get in.
Airport and beach transfers
- Airport to Patong or Kata: 800 – 1,200 ฿ by taxi or Grab; the shared Smart Bus is about 100 ฿ to the west coast.
- Short hops inside Patong or Phuket Town: 200 – 400 ฿ by tuk-tuk, 100 – 200 ฿ by app car.
- Fares rise after midnight and in heavy rain; app prices usually beat kerbside quotes.
- Motorcycle taxis (win) are common in Phuket Town — 30 – 80 ฿ for short trips.
Agree tuk-tuk and street-taxi prices before boarding and keep small notes — drivers rarely have change for 1,000 ฿. Screenshot the app fare and car plate when riding alone at night.
Fares are estimates for normal traffic and can change with surge pricing, tolls and weather.
Common mistakes
- Agreeing a price without checking ranges
- Swimming in red-flag conditions