How to Navigate and Get Around Phuket, Thailand

How to Navigate and Get Around Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and a very popular tourist destination.  With an international airport, tourists from all over the world flock to the island to relax on its golden shores, and party in the numerous bars and clubs that line the city streets.  However, with so much to see and do during your time in Phuket, it’s a good idea to know how to navigate the island.  We’ve explained the main transportation options below to make planning your trip as easy as possible.

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Bus

Small local buses connect Phuket’s Old Town with most of the beach resorts on the island, including Karon, Surin,andPatong.  Buses are cheap and generally reliable, but because of the number of stops they make, they can be pretty slow.  Two routes also offer air-conditioned buses.  These run between the Laemchan Public Health Center and Rajaphat Institute, and the Phuket Vocational College and Big C.  It’s a lot more comfortable to travel on these if you have the opportunity to do so.

Songthaew

Songthaews are small pick up trucks that you can jump on and off at will.  They tend to follow a circular route, though you can always check with the driver where they are going.  They have a covered roof and two benches in the back for sitting down; they’re also pretty cheap for short distances.  As with the buses, songthaews won’t take you between the main beach resorts on the island, but they’re ideal for short journeys within the same general location.

Tuk-Tuk

Phuket’s tuk-tuks are different from all the others in Thailand because they have four wheels instead of the traditional three.  These are the most expensive transport you’ll find in Phuket, but they’re worth trying for the experience.  You can give your driver information on wherever you’d like to go and then sit back and relax as he takes you there.

Pro tip: make sure to negotiate a fee before you board, so as not to get ripped off.

Motorbike Rental

If you fancy driving yourself around the island, you could get a rental bike Phuket.  Almost all parts of the island are accessible by bike, and both the rental fee and gas are cheap – so long as you ensure the bike doesn’t get damaged.  You will be expected to wear a helmet, and it’s advisable to also have insurance in place, even if you have a lot of riding experience.  Thailand’s drivers are like no others, and the roads can be dangerous, especially during rush hour.

Taxi

Although considered to be an expensive form of transport, taxis are cheaper than tuk-tuks in Phuket.  Taxis tend to congregate in busy areas and you’ll easily be able to pick one up at the airport.  You can’t miss them either as they’re bright red and yellow with a TAXI sign on top.  When the red light is on in the front window, this means it’s not carrying any passengers and can be flagged down.  Do make sure your taxi has a meter when getting into it, though, as non-metered taxis with flat fares tend to be very expensive.

With this transportation guide in hand, you’ll find navigating around Phuket to be a breeze!

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