3 Days in Phuket: Top 23 Things to Do
Are you going to visit Phuket during your stay in Thailand? Looking for what to do in Phuket?
You are in the right place!
This southern island, located in the Andaman Sea, is the largest in the country. Phuket is clearly the essential destination for enjoying the beautiful beaches, partying and going on excursions to the magnificent surrounding islands such as Koh Phi Phi or James Bond Island.
To better organize your visit to the island and not miss any place of interest, I have prepared this complete guide to Phuket. You will find the 23 things to do and itineraries to visit Phuket in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days and even a week!
And at the end of the article, I have prepared a selection of the best hotels to stay in according to your budget. Of course, I also give you all my best advice for spending a dream vacation!
So what to see in Phuket? What are the best activities to do?
Table of Contents
Visit Phuket: the must-sees
1. Patong
Patong is Phuket’s main tourist area.
Many travelers choose to stay there during their Thailand itinerary.
As you can imagine, as a tourist spot, this is where the hotels are concentrated (from the youth hostel to the superb 5-star hotel complex), the bars, the restaurants, the shops and the places to go out to party.
In the evening, Bangla Road becomes undoubtedly the liveliest street on the island with live music concert and ladyboy shows.
During the day, you can also enjoy the large beach of Patong (2 km long, the longest on the island) and the many water activities offered: towed buoy, banana, parasailing. Something to fill up with sensations!
If you like the action and don’t mind crowds, Patong is a must for a stay in Phuket.
2. Old Town / Phuket Town
Phuket Town is the main town on the island and serves as the capital.
The old town is really pleasant to explore during a walk of a few hours. In particular, you will be able to observe the colorful Sino-Portuguese style buildings, which have been perfectly renovated and maintained.
Here there are no compact crowds or electric cables everywhere, the place has retained all its charm of yesteryear. If you have already visited Bangkok during your Thailand itinerary, it is sure to change!
The historic center includes most of the places to discover.
What to see in Phuket Town:
- Thalang Road, the most popular street, with its local craft shops and cafes
- The Thai Hua Museum on the history of Phuket
- The “Blue Elephant Mansion” famous for its traditional Thai cooking classes
- The Shrine of Serene Light, a Chinese temple
- The Jui Jui shrine, also in Chinese style but more recent
- The Clock Tower (not to be confused with that of Chiang Rai )
- The Phuket Museum which is located in the Old Standard Chartered Bank
- Phang Nga Road and its street art
- The Bang New Shrine
- The Philatelic Museum in the old post office
Tips for your Phuket itinerary:
If you haven’t rented a car or scooter, you can easily reach Phuket Town by bus from anywhere on the island.
You can also choose to book an organized excursion with pick-up from your hotel in Phuket. The outing includes the guided tour of the old town, a passage by the Chalong temple, the statue of the Big Buddha and ends with the viewpoint of Karon.
This is one of the best excursions to see many of Phuket’s must-sees easily!
3. Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is one of the most visited tourist sites in Phuket.
Built in the 19th century, it is the largest Buddhist temple on the island.
It includes several buildings, but the most impressive is the 60-meter-high chedi believed to house a Buddha bone fragment. The interior is decorated with very beautiful frescoes representing the life of Buddha.
I advise you to go up to the terrace on the top floor to enjoy the view of the island.
4. The Big Buddha
Another famous temple to see absolutely in Phuket: the Big Buddha.
This 25-meter white marble statue sits atop a hill and is visible for miles around. It’s quickly become one of Phuket’s most popular tourist attractions!
Apart from the statue, which I must admit is quite impressive, the place allows you to contemplate a beautiful 360° view of the island and the beaches.
Tips for your Phuket itinerary:
Remember to bring something to cover your legs and shoulders. You have probably seen it if you are on a road trip in Thailand, you need a suitable outfit to visit the temples.
5. Beaches of Phuket
As I told you, most people traveling to Phuket come here mainly to enjoy its beaches.
So what are the best beaches in Phuket?
- Freedom Beach, with its white sand and turquoise water. Accessible only by boat from Patong Beach or by walking (but sometimes the trail is closed).
- Kata Beach, a wide stretch of sand just as popular as Patong, with restaurants and cafes everywhere
- Karon Beach, the second largest on the island
- Nai Harn Beach, lies in a bay sheltered from the wind, surrounded by greenery
- Laem Singh Beach, a pretty strip of fine sand bordered by palm trees
- Ya Nui beach famous for snorkeling
- Kamala Beach, ideal for families
- Surin beach, north of Kamala
- Bangtao Beach, in the more upmarket part of the island, bordered by luxury hotels
- Banana Beach, still somewhat untouched by the crowds
Tips for your Phuket itinerary:
If you want to photograph the planes as they land in Phuket, head to Mai Khao beach. The planes pass just a few meters above your head!
6. Excursion to Koh Phi Phi
Impossible to go to Phuket without planning to discover the most famous island in all of Thailand, I named Koh Phi Phi!
The island sits between Phuket and Koh Lanta and is the perfect day trip from Phuket.
The island is famous for being home to Maya Bay Beach, which was discovered by the world in the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo di Caprio. Since then, any good itinerary in Thailand must include a visit to Koh Phi Phi.
Unfortunately, the presence of nearly 5,000 visitors per day and hundreds of boats had seriously damaged the corals and the ecosystem. The beach was therefore closed a few years before reopening.
Note that it can still be closed occasionally for a few months a year, but in this case you will be able to see Maya Bay from the boat.
Daily excursions depart from Phuket and offer you to discover several islands in 1 day including Koh Phi Phi, Bamboo Island, Khai Island and Maiton Island. Also scheduled are stops at Monkey Beach, Pi Leh Cove and Viking Cave.
Everything is included in the price (between 3200 and 3500 Bahts, or about 100€): hotel pick-up, transport to the port, speedboat cruise, lunch, mask and snorkel for snorkeling, and drinks without alcohol at will.
Another advantage of this outing: an early departure to visit out of step with the other boats.
Just click on the button below to book your boat trip to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket.
If you don’t feel like getting up too early, you can also book the same excursion but with a later departure. Reservations are made by clicking here!
Finally, for a luxury cruise in Koh Phi Phi, I recommend the catamaran trip. The boat is very comfortable and you will have paddleboards and kayaks available . There is even a long-tail boat trip (traditional Thai boats) planned to access a superb lagoon.
Book your luxury catamaran trip to Koh Phi Phi.
Tips for your Phuket itinerary:
An important note regarding excursions and activities in Phuket and Thailand in general: some agencies are extremely lax when it comes to safety standards and respect for the environment. There are also fairly regular accidents!
For you to be able to do your activities in complete safety, it is best to book the ones I suggest in the article in advance. It’s not more expensive, and you are guaranteed to do your excursion or activity with a serious agency.
7. Excursion to James Bond Island / Phang Nga Bay
If you’ve been around the island’s beaches and are at a loss for what to do in Phuket, I recommend taking a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay.
It is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world thanks to its many islands and karst rocks. And we must admit, the bay is super photogenic!
Here too, it is a famous film that helped make Phang Nga known to the whole world, a James Bond more precisely: “the man with the golden gun”. So much so that the island of Koh Tapu is now known as James Bond Island.
Every day, boats from Phuket take you to Phang Nga Bay. On the program, a trip to James Bond Island but also to the island of Koh Panyee, converted into a large floating market with souvenir shops.
At several places in the bay, especially around the islands of Ko Phanak, Ko Hong and Ko Raya Ring, you can take a kayak tour to go into caves and along rock formations.
The price of a day by boat (about 4,000/ 4,500 Bahts) in Phang Nga Bay always includes: pick- up in front of your hotel, transport to the port, cruise, lunch, equipment for snorkeling, the kayak tour with a guide.
The excursion that I have selected for you also offers a fairly early departure to take advantage of the places before the other boats arrive, which is really great.
To book your excursion to James Bond Island from Phuket with a serious agency.
If that’s a little too early for you, you can also book the classic excursion with a departure around 9:30 am.
And if you want to treat yourself, I totally recommend the luxury cruise on a magnificent boat equipped with deckchairs on the deck and a bar. This outing includes lunch and a buffet dinner, which you can take while admiring a beautiful sunset over the islands.
All drinks are included as well as the kayak excursion. You will even have stand up paddle and buoys at your disposal.
Book this luxury James Bond Island boat tour.
8. Excursion to the Similan Islands
Another boat tour that I highly recommend if you are in Phuket is the one that takes you to the Similan Islands archipelago.
The Similan Islands are a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts and are regularly ranked among the most beautiful spots in the world. Accessible to both beginners and experienced divers!
From Phuket, the easiest way to get to the Similan Islands is to book a day trip.
The program includes a stop at the famous Donald Duck Bay beach, the climb to the Sail Rock viewpoint, two snorkeling and diving breaks , a picnic at Honeymoon Bay and a final swim stop before returning.
You will be fully taken care of, from your hotel in the morning until the evening and the return. Everything is included in the price (about 3800 Bahts)!
To book your excursion to the Similan Islands from Phuket with a good agency.
9. The Elephants
Why not continue your Phuket vacation with some time at an elephant sanctuary.
Present everywhere in Thailand, they collect mistreated or abandoned elephants to treat them. They increasingly respect a certain ethic by no longer offering rides on their backs and try to recreate living conditions in a natural environment as much as possible.
During this half-day (choice of departure in the morning or afternoon), you will have the chance to feed the elephants and wash them. It’s a great idea for family activities in Phuket!
The program is always organized as follows: pick up at your hotel, transport, about 3 hours with the elephants, lunch and return. Everything is included in the price of around 3000 Bahts.
I strongly advise you to book this activity to see the elephants in Phuket in advance because the number of visitors is limited each day.
10. Sports activities to do in Phuket
Tired of sunbathing on the beach? Do you want a little adventure and fill up on sensations?
No problem, you can do a whole bunch of sports activities in Phuket:
- Tubing: descent of the river in a buoy
- You rafting
- From the quad: to enjoy a great course in the jungle, I recommend this quad outing (click here!).
- Du buggy
- From Zipline to Flying Hanuman: If you want to spend a day in the trees at Phuket’s most famous tree climbing, you can book your tickets by clicking here!
- And the whole panoply of nautical activities: buoy, parasailing, paddle…
What’s cool is being able to mix several activities in the same day. For an outing with quad, zipline and rafting,
11. The Best Viewpoints in Phuket
There are several viewpoints to go to in Phuket to contemplate splendid panoramas or have a romantic moment at sunset:
- The viewpoint of Karon (Karon Viewpoint) to admire the 3 beaches of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon
- Khao Rang Hill Viewpoint and its panorama over the city of Phuket. To see at night also for the lights on Phuket Town. On your way there, take the opportunity to visit Wat Kao Rang and its large seated golden Buddha.
- Cape Promthep, in the south of the island, the favorite spot for tourists to admire the sunset
- Windmill Point, located close to the cape, the view is also worth seeing.
12. Attend a Cabaret Show
We continue this Phuket tourist guide with a very typical idea of an outing in Thailand: attend a ladyboy show.
Ladyboys are these very pretty “young ladies” who are very well made up and dressed, and who are actually men!
Phuket’s most famous ladyboy show is held nightly at Simon Cabaret.
There are other shows in Phuket but this one is really the best: the staging is studied and the costumes flamboyant. A little kitsch for sure but to do for the atmosphere! At the end, you can even have your souvenir photo with the stars of the show.
To spend an evening at the Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket, you must book your tickets here.
For a more family version, I recommend the Siam Niramit show featuring more than a hundred actors and dancers. It traces the history of Thailand through several different paintings and settings. The costumes are really beautiful and the show well done.
Tickets must be reserved in advance.
13. Take a Thai Cooking Class
I advise you to take advantage of your vacation in Phuket to take a cooking class! It is for me one of the best activities to do in Thailand because the food is so good there that you want to reproduce the recipes at home.
The course, which lasts about 4 hours, always begins with a visit to a local market to buy all the ingredients.
Once back in the kitchens, you will learn how to cook pad thai, panang curry, tom yam kung or sticky mango rice before moving on to the tasting.
The dishes offered vary depending on the day of the week so do not hesitate to choose the menu that appeals to you the most.
To book your cooking class in Phuket.
14. Attend a Muay Thai Boxing Match
During your stay in Phuket, I recommend that you devote an evening to a Muay Thai boxing match.
It is Thailand’s national sport and all cities have their own stadium where fights take place several times a week.
In Phuket, it’s at the Bangla Boxing Stadium, in Patong, that it happens! For nearly 4 hours, you will be able to witness a succession of fights (children, women, men) in an overexcited atmosphere punctuated by musicians who mark the blows.
On the other hand Muay Thai being considered as one of the most violent sports where all blows are allowed (or almost!), so it is better not to be too sensitive.
You have to buy your ticket in advance to get a seat, the Thais love it and the stadium is often full.
15. Phuket Night Markets
To buy souvenirs and try Thai street food, there’s nothing better than a trip to a Thai night market .
Phuket has several Night Markets:
- The Sunday Market (Sunday Street Market) on Thalang Road, Phuket Town
- The Chillva Night Market Phuket, from Thursday to Sunday on Yaowarat Road
- The Naka Market, next to the Naka temple, on Saturday and Sunday
- Le Malin Plaza, every day South of Patong Beach
- The Buntai Market, between Patong and Phuket Town
- The Karon temple market, Tuesday and Friday
16. Monkey Hill
During your walk in Phuket Town, you can also go to Monkey Hill.
As its name suggests, this hill is inhabited by entire colonies of monkeys. Not shy, there are dozens on the road just waiting for you to feed them! And the Thais have understood the business well, there are sellers of bananas and peanuts everywhere.
Remember to put all your things and food in your bag, because they love trying to steal from you. And don’t treat them like pets. Although accustomed to humans, they remain wild and can be aggressive.
If you have fun lugging food around in front of them so as not to give it away, you shouldn’t be surprised by their reaction if they try to scratch or bite you. Follow the basics of caution and you’ll be fine!
At the top of the hill, accessible only on foot or by scooter, you can contemplate the panorama of Phuket from the viewpoint.
17. Bang Pae Waterfalls
Bang Pae Waterfall is one of Phuket’s most popular landmarks with locals.
It is a little neglected by tourists because it is located in the northeast of the island, in the less touristy part. To get there, you will have to rent a scooter or a car.
With its 18 meters high, it is the largest waterfall in Phuket. To reach it, count about 10 minutes on foot along a river. During our visit, the place was full of Thai people who came to spend some time with their families and swim.
Bang Pae being part of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, you will have to pay 200 Bahts per person to enter.
The waterfall in itself is not exceptional, if people go there, it is especially to visit the center of rehabilitation of the gibbons (Gibbon Rehabilitation Project). Run by volunteers, it is home to a few gibbons that were once abused or adopted by families who get rid of them when they get too big.
The goal is to try to reintroduce them gradually into their environment. You can support the project by sponsoring a gibbon.
18. Coral Island
If I speak to you here about Coral Island, it is more to recommend that you do not go there!
The island is less than 30 minutes by boat from Phuket and is very touristy. Every day, the boats line up in front of the beach to dump everyone.
And all these little people are content to dabble in the same place. Add on top of the incessant noise of water activities and boat engines, and you get the negative side of some places in Thailand.
Not to mention that the beach is not very clean and the facilities (umbrellas, deckchairs) not new!
So there is much better to do in Phuket!
If you want to form your own opinion, count 1,500 Bahts for the round trip by boat with lunch included.
19. Streak Island
On the same principle as Coral Island, you have Racha Island, 30 minutes by speed boat from Phuket.
The island is famous for its seabed, ideal for snorkeling, but unfortunately diving surrounded by dozens of people means seeing more legs and orange vests in the water than fish!
And the island being unfortunately included in all organized tours for Chinese tourists, you will see hordes landed from 10:30 am.
In short, there is a way to be more peaceful, even while staying at the beach in Phuket. I prefer to warn you!
If you want to form your own opinion, I suggest you book this combined excursion to visit Coral Island and Racha Island. It is done aboard a luxury catamaran, includes lunch and there is music played by a DJ.
You will find all the information by clicking here!
20. The Vegetarian Festival
Visiting Phuket also means having the opportunity to discover some special customs.
And the vegetarian festival is at the top of the list!
It is held every year during the ninth lunar month for 9 days and as its name suggests it consists of not eating meat during this time. Nothing really original so far.
But things get a bit tricky during the processions, where some participants start mutilating themselves and piercing their cheeks with various and varied objects, ranging from a simple needle to several swords. Very impressive to see.
21. Night in Phuket
Where to go in Phuket to party?
I told you about it in the part dedicated to Patong, Bangla Road is the place to go out in Phuket. There is something for all styles and for all tastes: gogo-bars, lounge bar, live music… And if you are looking for a night club where you can dance all night long, then head to Illuzion, the trendiest nightclub in Phuket .
To attend a traditional dance show or a show with actors and dancers, then it will be at the Simon Cabaret Show or at the Siam Niramit.
On the other hand, I advise you to avoid the Phuket Fantasea show in which elephants take part and where you can take your picture with baby tigers before the show.
I haven’t tested it but we all know how animals are treated in these kinds of attractions. Not to mention the 4,000-seat restaurant room where you can dine beforehand for an excessive price. And it is reputed to be not terrible, far from the quality of Thai cuisine.
What to do around Phuket?
After going around the attractions that I tell you about in this top things to see, I advise you to continue your stay in Thailand by discovering one or more islands around Phuket.
The islands of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Lanta are easily accessible from Phuket but deserve that you devote at least 2-3 days to them and not just a day trip.
As for Krabi, although it is not an island, the area makes a good base for visiting the surrounding islands.
22. Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is only 30 minutes by boat from Phuket. And she is much quieter!
Forget crowded beaches and noise, Koh Yao Noi is a truly calming island . It is the ideal island for a relaxing holiday and enjoying nice beaches.
From Koh Yao Noi, you can also book boat trips to discover the islands of Ko Pak Bia, Ko Lao Lading, Ko Hong or James Bond Island. You will therefore have the opportunity to catch up if you did not have time to see it from Phuket.
This is clearly my favorite island to do near Phuket!
All the information to visit Koh Yao Noi can be found in our article: What to do in Koh Yao Noi?
23. Koh Lanta
Another well-known island that I suggest you visit around Phuket: Koh Lanta.
To reach it, count about 4 hours by boat with generally a change at Koh Phi Phi. If you haven’t done the excursion to Koh Phi Phi, it’s quite nice because the boat makes a stop to see the beach of Maya Bay.
On Koh Lanta, you can enjoy very beautiful sandy beaches, also less touristy than those of Phuket.
I also recommend that you do the 4 island tour of Koh Chueak, Koh Waen, Koh Muk and Koh Ngai. Snorkeling stops are planned at different places and there are really a lot of fish to observe.
All the things to do in Koh Lanta are in our article: The complete guide to visiting Koh Lanta.
24. Krabi
Compared to Phuket, Krabi is on the other side of the Andaman Sea.
The Krabi area is known for its huge karst peaks and pretty little islands like Turtle Island or Chicken Island. Day trips by boat allow you to discover them. You can reserve it by clicking here.
20 km from the city, there is also the beach of Ao Nang, which allows you to reach in just 10 minutes, a paradise corner of Thailand and the region: Railay.
Bordered by large karst cliffs, the place is truly magnificent. The cliffs are also paradise for rock climbers, with nearly 700 routes.
To not miss any of the most beautiful places in Krabi, do not hesitate to read our article: What to do and see in Krabi?
Visit Phuket with family
What to do in Phuket with children?
To organize your family trip to Phuket, here is a summary list of all the things to do:
- Enjoy the beach and you’ll be spoiled for choice in Phuket
- Spend a day with the elephants
- Attend a show with traditional dances and songs
- Take a tour of the night markets so they can pick up some souvenirs
- Feed the monkeys at Monkey Hill (be careful)
- Picnic at Bang Pae Waterfall and see the gibbons
- Visit the TrickEye Museum and take a picture of yourself in ultra-realistic 3D settings. Entrance tickets here!
- Play mini-golf at Dino Park
- Go to the Aquaria Phuket aquarium
- Spend the day at Andamanda Water Park, Thailand’s largest water park just opened (2022).
How many days to visit Phuket?
To visit Phuket and its surroundings, I advise you to plan at least 3 days.
You can of course spend a week or more there to enjoy the beaches and take several day boat trips to visit the islands.
1 Day Phuket Itinerary
If you have a day to visit Phuket, you can spend the day in Patong, the main tourist area of the island:
- Enjoy the beach
- Walk the Bangla Road
- Shopping at the night market
- Show at Simon Cabaret or Muay Thai boxing fight
2 Days Phuket Itinerary
If you have 2 days in Phuket, take the previous day and add:
- A stroll through the streets of Phuket Town
- Climb to Monkey Hill to see the monkeys
- Passage through the viewpoint of Khao Rang Hill
- End of the day at the beach
3 Days Phuket Itinerary
In 3 days in Phuket, in addition to the program of the previous 2 days, I offer 4 options:
1. Discover the South of the island:
- Visit to Wat Chalong
- Passage by the Big Buddha
- Admire the view at Karon View Point
- Stop at Nai Harn Beach
- Passage by the Windmill Viewpoint and the beach of Yanui Beach
- Watch the sunset at Promthep Cape
2. A morning in an elephant sanctuary + 1 zipline afternoon
3. Bang Pae Waterfall in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park or Cooking Class + Afternoon on one of the Western Beaches: Surin, Bangtao, Laem Sing or Kamala
4. A day trip of your choice between:
Phuket Itinerary of 4, 5 days and even a week
Your holiday in Phuket lasts 4 or 5 days or even a week?
Great, you have time to do everything I recommend in this guide!
Go back to my tours of days 1 and 2. For the other days, everything is detailed in day 3, you can do everything without having to choose!
And if you’ve had enough of Phuket then head to another island in the Andaman Sea: Koh Yao Noi or Koh Lanta are waiting for you. 😉
Accommodation in Phuket
If you want to be in the heart of the action, I have prepared a selection of accommodation for you near Patong:
- Lub d Phuket Patong: Hostel 5 min from Patong Beach and 10 min from Bangla Road. Bed in modern and very clean dormitory from 12€. Most: the huge swimming pool, the common areas with even a boxing ring, the design, the cleanliness. This is the best hostel to stay in Phuket!
- Mazi Design Hotel by Kalima: Located 5 min from the night market and 10 min from Bangla Road. Design and spacious double room from €35 per night, breakfast at €7. Most: the swimming pool, the location, the comfort of the rooms. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Patong.
- Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach Central: Located opposite the beach. Modern and warm double room with balcony from €72, breakfast included. Most: the outdoor facilities, the swimming pool, the welcome and the friendliness of the staff.
- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach: 5-star hotel complex located 3 km from Patong, right on the beach of Tri-Trang. Warm and comfortable double room with balcony or private terrace from €110, breakfast at €19. Most: location at the edge of the water, the private beach, the calm, the playground for the children, the setting. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Phuket!
If you prefer to stay in Phuket Town, here is my selection of hotels:
- Baan Baan hostel: Hostel located in the old town of Phuket. Bed in dormitory from 8€, breakfast included. Most: very helpful staff, cleanliness, location, calm. The best hostel to stay in Phuket Town!
- Ritsurin Boutique Hotel: Located 600 meters from Thalang Street. Clean and well-equipped double room from €28. Most: location, cleanliness, friendly staff.
- The Malika Hotel: Located 1.8 km from the old town. Double room with very comfortable bedding and balcony from €38, breakfast €6. Most: the swimming pool, the calm, the pleasant staff, the ideal location to take the boat to Koh Phi Phi. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Phuket Town!
- Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel: Located in the old town. Tastefully decorated double room from €50 per night, breakfast €7. Most: excellent location, the friendliness of the staff, the setting, next to the night market.
- Novotel Phuket Phokeethra: Located 1 km from the old town. Super spacious double room, design and modern from 85€, breakfast at 15€. Most: the setting, the comfort, ideal for visiting the old town, close to the boat for the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Phuket Town!
Where to eat in Phuket
To eat in Phuket and like everywhere in Thailand, nothing better than a night market and its many food stalls. Everyone can eat what they want and it avoids arguing about the choice of restaurant (don’t tell me that’s never happened to you!)! 😀
Otherwise, you will find plenty of restaurants everywhere in Phuket, whether near the beaches or on Bangla Road. On the other hand, an ultra-touristy zone obliges, prices are often higher than elsewhere in Thailand and the quality is not always there. It is always better to move a little away from the busiest streets.
If you want a “real” restaurant with a little more class and a nice view, then I recommend Mom Tri’s Kitchen. It is located in Kata Bay. The dishes are good and well presented but you will have to pay around twenty euros per person, which is very expensive for Thailand.
Tips for your Phuket itinerary:
To discover authentic cuisine, nothing better than a food tour led by a local guide.
The tour that I have selected for you will give you the opportunity to taste about fifteen dishes including: a Burmese curry, samosas, naans, exotic fruits, prawns cooked in banana leaves, noodles, skewers of pork…
Needless to say that it is better not to have eaten anything before! The dishes are really good and the fact that there is a maximum of 8 people is great.
How to get around in Phuket
To get around and visit Phuket, you have several options:
- The scooter: the ideal way to be independent and stop where you want. But you still have to be comfortable with driving and be really careful. Most hotels or guesthouses in Phuket offer them for hire. Don’t forget to put on your helmet!
- The car: you can rent a car to get around Phuket.
- The bus / Song Taew: convenient to go to/from Phuket Town and reach a beach. But long enough to get from one beach to another because you will most of the time pass through the city and then have to change buses. And the buses usually stop around 5/6 p.m.
- The tuk-tuk: small peculiarity of Phuket, the price of a tuk-tuk race is not really negotiable, the latter having agreed between them on the prices! And of course it’s very expensive and even more so at the end of the day when the buses stop running.
- The taxi: same principle as the tuk-tuk, it’s impossible to negotiate and no driver will want to start the meter (except perhaps those at the airport, if you’re lucky). So you end up paying 700 Bahts for less than 30 min!
- The private taxi : to put an end to the taxi mafia, you can book a private car or a minibus with a driver. It drives you everywhere and waits for you every time. I advise you to book online by clicking here so that you are sure of the price.
- Organized excursions: at least there are no bad surprises since you book and pay online. Do not hesitate to click here to see the different outings offered.
How to Get to Phuket
To reach Phuket, you have several options.
By Plane
Phuket has an international airport, so you can land there directly or arrive with a domestic flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.
The plane is therefore the fastest way to get to Phuket.
The airport is located in the north of the island.
Do not hesitate to compare the prices of flights to Phuket using our comparator in the following section.
To avoid being ripped off by a taxi or the stress of taking the bus, once you arrive at Phuket airport, you can book your transfer to your accommodation in advance. The driver will be waiting for you with a sign in your name. You also have the choice of vehicle (from 4 to 8 seats).
All information to book a transfer from Phuket airport is available here.
By Bus
You can also go to Phuket by bus, from Bangkok for example.
The trip takes a minimum of 12 hours and fares start from 640 Baht.
By Train
From Bangkok, the other option is to take the train to Surat Thani town (8 hours) + 1 bus to Phuket (add 5 hours).
By Boat
From Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi you can go by boat to Phuket.
You will have the choice between speed boats (faster but more expensive and – less comfortable) or ferries. You will be disembarked at the port of Rassada, 3 km from Phuket Town.
For a ferry transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Phuket, you can book here.
For a speedboat transfer from Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi, click directly here!
Phuket Tourist Map
To help you visualize the city a little better, I made you a tourist map of Phuket listing the places to visit that I talk about in this top 23 things to do in Phuket and around. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.
And you, what are you planning to visit during your stay in Phuket?
Are you going on a trip to Thailand? Read also
Discover all our articles about Thailand: all articles about Thailand are listed here.
- Itinerary: A week in Thailand – Guide to visiting Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai!
- Itinerary: 10 days in Thailand – The ideal itinerary to discover the best of Thailand!
- 4 Weeks in Thailand: Ultimate 4-Week Itinerary
- Ayutthaya: The Complete Guide to Visiting the Historical Park
- Bangkok : Top 20 things to do and see absolutely
- Chiang Mai: The 20 most beautiful places to see
- 3 Days in Chiang Rai: Itinerary with Top Things to Do
- 3 Days in Koh Lanta, Thailand: Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary
- 3 Days in Koh Yao Noi: Itinerary with Top Things to Do
- Krabi: Top 15 Must-See Places
