How to get around phuket easily and cheaply

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with almost 50 kilometers and offers varied terrain to explore. Although the roads are well maintained and traffic is moderate, getting around the island can be a challenge due to limited public transportation options and high cab fares. In this guide, we'll reveal the secrets for getting around Phuket efficiently, including schedules, costs and useful tips.

• What to see in Phuket in two days

Using public transportation in Phuket

The core of public transportation in Phuket is located at Phuket Town From Phuket Town, from where a lot of buses leave to different corners of the island. Although to move directly from one beach to another without passing through Phuket Town, the cab or the tuktuk are among the few options you have (read on to find out what the other one is). Here is a quick guide to the main routes:

Buses from Phuket Town

• To Patong Beach Buses leave at 8:00 a.m. and run every 45 minutes, at a cost of 30 baht per person. The last bus from Patong leaves at 15:30.
• To Kata and Karon Beach They operate from 8:00 a.m., with departures every hour and a price of 40 baht per person.
• To Surin and Kamala Beach Located to the north, with similar prices and schedules, although it is better to verify on site as information may vary.
• To Rawai Beach This route is ideal if you plan to visit Coral Island. Schedules and prices may depend on demand.
• A Rasada Pier If your adventure continues to the Phi Phi Islands, the local bus number 3 will take you to the port for 30 baht.

Smart Bus to avoid cabs

Where to Phuket Smart Bus?

Since relatively recently it has been operating in Phuket Smart Bus. A public bus that travels along the west coast of the island with a fairly modern system of real-time location to be able to check where it is going at all times. You can see the detail of the stops and its real-time location on the map below.

The price of ticket are 100THB per person each way although you can also buy some fertilizers for use during all day or even several days in a row. You can see information about these subscriptions in their official website that we link you in the following button.

Visit official website

Phuket Smart Bus schedules and stops

Here you can check the schedules of the bus line and the different stops it makes. As you can see there are only one line and two directions, from the airport to Rawai Beach and the other way around, from Rawai Beach to the airport.

Cabs in Phuket

In Phuket, cabs are notorious for their high fares and their attempts to try to charge tourists as much as possible. An alternative is to use the app Grab similar to Uber, which allows you to compare prices. Here are some estimated examples (prices per cab for a maximum of 4 people):

• From Phuket Town to Kata Beach: 380 baht.
• From Phuket Town to Karon Beach: 400 baht.
• From Phuket Town to Patong: 350 baht.
• From Kata Beach to Karon Beach: 300 baht.
• From Kata Beach to Patong: 500 baht.

These prices may serve as a reference but may vary depending on your bargaining skills, you can also pre-hire transportation to where you need it using one of the most famous websites in Thailand:

Rent a Motorcycle in Phuket

The idea of renting a motorcycle in Phuket is tempting, but there are several aspects to consider:

• International License It is mandatory to drive motorcycles in Thailand, with the corresponding stamp on the motorcycle license.
• Fines and Security: The police carry out frequent controls and the fines for driving without a proper license amount to 500 baht. In addition, if you have an accident, the insurance may not cover the medical expenses as you are driving illegally.
• They also drive on the left, so if you are not an experienced motorcyclist, we do not recommend it!
• If you choose rent a scooter in Thailand take a look at our tips to make it easier and safer.

Final Tips for Getting Around Phuket

• With Motorcycle License Renting a motorcycle for 200-250 baht per day gives you total freedom to explore.
• No International Motorcycle License If you still decide to rent a motorcycle, do so with caution.
• Transportation Savings Accommodation in Phuket Town reduces costs, although the area lacks a beach and transportation schedules are limited.
• Car Rental with Driver A comfortable option to visit several points in one day, with an approximate cost of 1500-2000 baht.

We hope this guide will facilitate your travels in Phuket. For any further questions or advice, feel free to contact us on instagram. have fun!

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement How to get around phuket easily and cheaply you can visit our posts about Thailand.