Getting Around Phuket
Phuket is not so easy to get around even though its a very tourist oriented island. Since the 2004 tsunami, it's also gotten rather expensive to get around as well.
Airport Transfers
The airport is far away from most of the beaches. Many, if not all, hotels offer a pick up service, but check the charges before you order hotel transportation. We've seen hotels charge $40 or more for an airport pickup.
Be very wary of van services offered in the airport. We've heard many reports of these vans stopping off at tour offices on the way to hotels to sell people day trips. Your safest bet is to walk the short distance to the taxi stand in the airport parking lot. These taxis charge according to their meter, plus a 100 Baht (3.06 USD) airport fee. The total for a trip to Patong or Karon will generally be around 500 Baht (15.30 USD). If you want to save yourself some hassles, you can book one of the transfers below in advance.
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Phuket Shared Arrival Transfer  Duration: Varies | $ 18.03 |
Professional, competent and reliable. From the moment you arrive, this shared transfer service will provide a comfortable and efficient transfer from Phuket Airport to your Phuket hotel. The chauffeurs are carefully selected for their professionalism, knowledge and discretion. Travel from Phuket Airport to your Phuket Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Hotel to Airport transfer! | ||
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Phuket Shared Departure Transfer Duration: Varies | $ 18.03 |
Travel from your Phuket hotel to the Phuket Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your shared transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your Hotel to Airport transfer, you will be required to reconfirm exact pick up times and places (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher). Vehicles used:
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Airport to Hotel transfer! | ||
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Private Arrival Transfer: Phuket Airport to Hotel  Duration: Varies | $ 30.68 |
Professional, competent and reliable. From the moment you arrive, this private transfer service will provide a comfortable and efficient transfer from Phuket Airport to your Phuket hotel. The chauffeurs are carefully selected for their professionalism, knowledge and discretion. Travel from Phuket Airport to your Phuket Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Hotel to Airport transfer! | ||
 |
Private Departure Transfer: Phuket Hotel to Airport Duration: Varies | $ 30.68 |
Travel from your Phuket hotel to the Phuket Airport. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your accommodation details. Your private transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your Hotel to Airport transfer, you will be required to reconfirm exact pick up times and places (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher).
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details:
Don't forget to book your Airport to Hotel transfer! | ||
Getting Around the Island
- Songtaew
- These are small pickups fitted with benches along the side of the bed. They operate like buses, picking up and dropping off passengers as they go along, except that they have no fixed route. You need to flag one down and find out if where you want to go is on his way before boarding in the back. These have almost disappeared from Phuket since the tsunami, to be replaced by small four-wheeled tuk-tuks.
- Tuk Tuk
- A whole new fleet of bright red four-wheeled micro-vans has appeared on the streets of Phuket since the tsunami. Unfortunately, these are the most expensive tuk-tuks in Thailand. A 10 minute trip from Patong to Karon will set you back at least $5. As with tuk-tuks elsewhere in Thailand, you must negotiate the price before getting in.
- Taxi
- Metered taxis were recently introduced to Phuket. However, they are mostly only available at the airport. There are no other locations around Phuket where you can readily find cabs, although you can call them. Note that many hotels will often deny that there are taxis on Phuket. The meter starts at 200 Baht (6.12 USD) and goes up according to time and distance.
In addition to the metered taxis, you'll also readily find unlicensed cabs waiting around the main tourist areas. They will often charge about the same rate you can negotiate with the tuk-tuks, but have air conditioning. However, keep in mind that these are unlicensed, and therefore uncontrolled, so there is some risk to using them. - Motorcycle
- You can rent motorcycles from several places around town, and they make a great way to get around town, if you're able to ride. Note that helmets are required.
- Car
- There are a number of car rental agencies around town, including some of the international chains such as Budget, Avis and National. Driving in Phuket is not as difficult as Bangkok, but you'd still be well advised to rent a car with driver.