Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ฿350–700 | ฿1,500–3,000 |
| Food | ฿250–400 | ฿600–1,200 |
| Transport | ฿200–300 | ฿400–800 |
| Activities | ฿0–500 | ฿1,500–3,000 |
| Drinks | ฿60–200 | ฿300–600 |
| Daily Total | ฿860–2,100 | ฿4,300–8,600 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hours, ฿1,000–3,000 on AirAsia/Nok Air), Singapore, KL, and many international cities
- Airport to Patong: Smart Bus (฿170, 90 min), minivan (฿200), or Grab (฿500–700, 45 min)
- From Bangkok by bus: 12 hours overnight from Southern Bus Terminal (฿700–900). The flight is almost always worth the time saved
Health & Safety
- Respect the ocean — rip currents during monsoon season (May–Oct) are dangerous. Always swim where red flags are NOT posted
- Scooter accidents are the #1 cause of tourist injury. Wear a helmet (฿500 fine without one), drive slowly, and avoid riding at night
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket and Vachira Hospital handle emergencies. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential
Getting Around
- Scooter rental (฿200–300/day) is the most practical option — Phuket has no real public transport. International license recommended
- Grab works across the island — ฿100–400 per trip. Cheaper and safer than negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers
- Phuket Smart Bus connects airport to major beaches (฿50–170) but runs infrequently. Not practical for daily use
Connectivity
- Tourist SIM at the airport: AIS, DTAC, or TrueMove from ฿299 for 8 days unlimited — excellent island-wide coverage
- Free WiFi at hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Beach coverage is spotty. Download offline Google Maps for the island
- Grab, Google Maps, and Klook (for booking tours) are the three essential apps for Phuket
Money
- ATMs charge ฿220 per withdrawal. Withdraw ฿10,000+ at a time. Exchange offices in Patong and Old Town offer fair rates
- Cash needed for street food, markets, scooter rental, and tuk-tuks. Cards accepted at resorts, large restaurants, and malls
- Tipping: ฿20–50 at restaurants, ฿50–100 for dive instructors, ฿100+ for private boat operators
Packing Tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+), water shoes for rocky beaches, and a waterproof phone case for boat trips
- Light clothing for the beach, one modest outfit for temples (Big Buddha and Wat Chalong have dress codes)
- Mosquito repellent for evenings, a dry bag for boat trips, and flip-flops that can handle wet surfaces
Cultural tips
Respect the Monarchy
Lèse-majesté laws are strictly enforced throughout Thailand. Stand for the royal anthem before cinema screenings. Never step on money — the King's image is on all currency.
Temple Etiquette
Remove shoes, cover shoulders and knees at Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and all temples. Women must never touch monks. The Big Buddha site provides sarongs for visitors who need them.
Wildlife Respect
Do not ride elephants — the industry involves cruelty. Visit ethical sanctuaries like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre instead. Avoid photo ops with drugged animals on Bangla Road — they are illegal and exploitative.
Ocean Safety
Red flags mean no swimming — rip currents during monsoon season kill tourists every year. Do not underestimate the Andaman Sea. Swim only at lifeguarded beaches and never swim alone after dark.
Scooter Safety
Phuket has Thailand's highest tourist accident rate. Wear a helmet always. Do not drink and drive — police checkpoints are common and the fine is ฿5,000+ or worse. Rent from reputable shops with insurance.
Local Respect
Phuket has a strong local culture beyond tourism — Baba-Peranakan heritage, Muslim fishing communities in the south, and centuries of Sino-Thai tradition. Respect local customs and you will be warmly welcomed.
