Briefly and to the point, how to organize an independent trip to Phuket. Useful tips and up-to-date information for tourists. Where can I buy tickets and book a hotel? How to get from the airport and rent a bike? What to see on your own? When to go and which beach to choose?
Our review of independent holidays in Phuket
We love Phuket for its good beaches and that elusive flair of tropical laziness that lies on everything. Thais are very relaxed and optimistic.
We have lived in Phuket three times and have always come on our own. Why is it better this way? We are not saying that touring is bad - often it is even cheaper! It's just that when traveling on your own, there is more freedom of choice: you can move to another beach or change the hotel, eat in different restaurants, live not 7-14 days, but while the visa is valid. However, if you prefer not to plan anything or the vacation is very short, choose a package.
How to get to Phuket on your own
Search for flights on Aviasales and Skyscanner - they compare prices of all airlines. The cheapest way to fly to the island is from Moscow, as well as from the cities of Siberia and the Far East (from 28 thousand rubles in both directions).
When preparing an independent trip to Phuket, there is room for imagination. You can choose a regular direct flight and fly quickly, or you can connect. With a long transfer, you will have time to see the new city. At different times we visited Hong Kong and Dubai in this way - each had 3 days. You can also make a cool difficult route - it's cheaper: first fly to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or another city, and then by low-cost airline to Phuket. Read more on how to fly to Phuket cheaply >>
How to get from the airport to the beach
Optimally - by minivans for 180 baht directly to the hotel! You can find ticket offices on both sides of the exit from the terminal. There are a lot of buses, they leave as soon as they are full. There is not enough space not only for people, but also for luggage - but it is cheap. You can get back to the airport by them - you will see transfer announcements more than once.
There is also a bus for 120 baht to major beaches, but we never got on it. Runs on schedule.
Taxi is an expensive but comfortable option. We ordered a Kiwi Taxi car from Patong to Phuket airport for $ 25. We were provided with a whole minivan for two - we drove like tsars.
Visa for Thailand
Are you planning to vacation in Phuket for no more than 30 days? Then you don't need a visa. The passport will be stamped at the border. If you want to spend more time, get your visa in advance - in Russia or a neighboring country. We applied for a Thai two-month visa in Malaysia (Penang).
You can also make a visa run once, and only then get a tourist visa. Numerous visa wounds, as before, are no longer rolling - the requirements have become tougher.
When is the best time to go to Phuket
High season on the Andaman coast is from December to April. That's when Phuket gets crowded, especially on New Years (including Chinese). It rains briefly, mostly in the evening or at night, but this is rare.
May to November is the rainy season. Waves rise, the sea is muddy. The weather is unstable: there may be several sunny days in a row, and several rainy days. If we get lucky! You shouldn't swim in the sea: rubbish and jellyfish are nailed down, rip currents appear.
Advice: do not swim if there are large waves and red flags.
Which beach to choose
This is an important issue not only for those traveling to Phuket on their own, but also for package tourists. The quality of rest depends on the choice of the beach. Decide what you want: privacy, vibrant nightlife, relaxing family holidays?
All the beaches here are good - choose your taste! Patong, Kata and Karon are universal - it all depends on the area of the resort. And with less popular or small beaches it is more difficult, there are nuances. For example, Nai Harn is wonderful, but there are only expensive hotels on the beach itself. Read the link below for an article about all the beaches of Phuket that we visited - our tips and reviews.
How to book a hotel in Phuket on your own
We like Phuket for its huge selection of accommodation - from modest guest houses for $ 10 per night to villas and chic resorts. It is very easy to book a hotel in Phuket on your own - on Booking.com. Look for villas and apartments on Airbnb.
A great option for a longstee: live in a hotel or resort for a while, then bike to explore the area in search of rental homes.
Holidays in Phuket in the low season are cheaper: the cost of hotels can fall by half. Also, the price in hotels is highly dependent on the distance to the sea. In high season, book your accommodation in Phuket months in advance before the coolest options are gone.
Food prices. Where to eat?
It is believed that Phuket is more expensive than other islands and resorts. But the prices are reasonable - it all depends on your requests. Almost everywhere you can find inexpensive food for locals for 50-100 ฿ per dish and exotic fruits.
Prices on the beach are higher than in the depths of the resort: a dish in a cafe costs 150-200 ฿, in a restaurant the average bill is about 500 ฿. On the second and third lines, it is already significantly cheaper: in a restaurant or cafe, a dish from 110 ฿.
Advice: the cheapest way to eat in Phuket is to eat in local cafes, makers and night markets.
Phuket attractions on your own
Most often, in Phuket, tourists do not bother with the organization and take excursions. We prefer independent rest - it's more exciting.
What to see in Phuket yourself? Yes, everything, there would be a desire! Some interesting places can be visited by songteo (buses) or taxis, but this is inconvenient and costly. It is much easier to rent a bike or car if you have a license.
To search for places of interest in Phuket, use the MAPS.ME app:
- Beaches. Some are very beautiful: Nai Harn, Banana Beach, Kata Noi, Yanui, Ao Sein, Mai Kao.
- Observation platforms. We were at Phromthep Cape, Windmill Viewpoint and Karon Viewpoint, three beaches.
- Entertainment. There is a zoo, an aquarium, a dolphinarium, parks, gardens, farms. Extreme: "Flight of Hanuman", elephant trekking.
- Show. The most famous: the show of transvestites "Simon Cabaret" (Simon Cabaret) and "Fantasy" (FantaSea).
- Temples scattered all over the island.
- Islands: Similan, Phi Phi, Racha, James Bond, Coral. Some you can visit yourself - just find someone who will take you. Mostly the islands are visited with an excursion.
Our advice: organize excursions in Phuket yourself! Why would you walk in a crowd?
Bike and car rental
There are more rental offices in Phuket than massage parlors or bars. But this only applies to bikes - it's more difficult with cars. You can rent a car on the Rentalcars.com website from 700 baht per day. Keep in mind that traffic on the roads is chaotic and expressive.
We rented a bike on BikesBooking.com. The cost is 250 baht per day. A real find, because the owners passport is not taken as a deposit... This is very important for us (and for many). Do not trust documents to strangers! There are many horror stories on the Internet about the divorce of tourists who trustfully gave up their passports. But the owners of the bikes can be understood: tourists break up vehicles and fly home without paying a cash deposit. Therefore, they began to ask for a passport.
Phuket bike rental tips:
- You need a driver's license (there is a fine), but no one asks for them.
- Don't bail your passport.
- ALWAYS take photographs of any damage to the bike.
- Don't ride without a helmet.
- Do not park near the red and white markings - the bike will be chained up, you will be required to pay a large fine, or it will be taken to an impoundment parking lot.
- Do not drive - the roads are mountainous, and the turns are steep.
- If your driving experience is short, practice on safe roads.
Money and ATMs
Exchange offices at the major resorts of Phuket (Patong, Kata, Karon) are everywhere, it is very easy to change currency. The exchange rate is very good. If you are changing a large amount, we recommend walking down the street and comparing the rate at several exchange kiosks in order to choose the best deal. Come to Thailand with dollars or euros, changing another currency, including rubles, is not profitable.
Another option to get cash in Thai Baht is to withdraw money from ATMs (ATMs). There are a lot of them in Phuket: on the streets, in shopping centers, supermarkets. All ATMs charge a 200 baht commission per transaction. Almost all Russian banks will also charge their withdrawal fees (usually 300-500 rubles). Tinkoff Bank allows you to withdraw money around the world without commission.
Insurance
Get travel insurance before you travel, especially if you are planning an active holiday. We had free one-year insurance worldwide from Tinkoff - this is given with an All Airlines credit card. Try it yourself! Suitable for those who travel actively.
Another option is to buy it from the Cherehapa website. The service selects the most profitable policy - we also used it more than once.
The Internet
Wi-Fi is usually good in hotels, but it is better to read reviews before booking. You can buy a local SIM card with mobile internet and use your phone as a router. In Thailand, we did not do that - there was always enough hotel Wi-Fi.
