Travel guide · Thailand
Phuket travel guide
Andaman beaches, island-hopping and a Sino-Portuguese old town
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bennypc, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Thailand's largest island, about 50 km long, lines its west coast with sandy bays from lively Patong to calmer Kata, Kamala and Nai Harn, all facing the Andaman Sea. Inland, rubber plantations and forested hills hide the Big Buddha and waterfalls, while Phuket Town in the east has colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses and a food scene that earned it UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status. Boats leave daily for Phang Nga Bay's limestone towers and the Phi Phi Islands. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- December–March
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- HKT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$200 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Beaches, Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Islands day trips and Patong nightlife
Why visit Phuket
- More than a dozen west-coast beaches, from party-focused Patong to quieter Kata Noi, Nai Harn and Nai Yang, sit within an hour of each other.
- Day boats reach Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts, the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Racha's clear water.
- Old Phuket Town's restored shophouses, Hokkien-Peranakan dishes and Sunday walking street show a side most beach visitors miss.
- Accommodation runs from inexpensive guesthouses to some of Thailand's best-known resorts and pool villas.
- Direct international flights land at Phuket's own airport, an hour or less from most beaches.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Religious site · Nakkerd Hill
Big Buddha
A 45-metre white marble Buddha sits on Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, visible across much of the south.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Rawai
Promthep Cape
The southernmost point of Phuket is a grassy headland jutting into the Andaman Sea, crowned by a lighthouse and an elephant shrine.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Street · Patong
Bangla Road
Patong's 400-metre pedestrian street turns into a neon strip of bars, clubs, go-go bars and street performers after dark, running from the beach road inland.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Phuket Town
Old Phuket Town
Phuket's tin-mining wealth built the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions along Thalang, Dibuk, Krabi and Phang Nga roads, now restored as cafés, galleries and shops.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Shopping
Religious site · Chalong
Wat Chalong
Phuket's largest and most visited Buddhist temple honours two monks who helped settle a 19th-century tin miners' rebellion.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Kata and Karon
Karon Viewpoint
On the coast road between Kata Noi and Nai Harn, this roadside viewpoint looks north over the three curved bays of Kata Noi, Kata and Karon in one sweep.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Patong is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, first-timers and shopping
Patong
Phuket's busiest beach town of bars, clubs, malls and Bangla Road
$$ · Best for families, couples, beach and first-timers
Kata and Karon
Wide family beaches with surf in the monsoon and a relaxed evening scene
$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, families and quiet stays
Kamala and Surin
Quieter west-coast bays with villas and beach clubs
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury and beach
Bang Tao and Laguna
Long beach of integrated resorts, golf and beach clubs
What to eat
- Phuket Hokkien noodles — Thick yellow egg noodles stir-fried with pork, seafood and greens in a rich gravy, or served in broth — a legacy of the island's Hokkien Chinese settlers.
- Moo hong — Pork belly braised slowly with black pepper, garlic and dark soy until meltingly soft — a Phuket Peranakan home-style classic.
- Khanom jeen — Fresh fermented rice noodles served with a choice of curries, such as fish curry or crab in coconut milk, plus a basket of free fresh herbs and vegetables — Phuket's favourite breakfast.
- Phuket dim sum — Steamed buns, dumplings and fried snacks eaten with tea or strong coffee at Chinese-style breakfast shops, reflecting Phuket's Hokkien heritage.
- Oh-aew — A Phuket shaved-ice dessert with a clear jelly made from banana-seed extract, topped with red beans and syrup — refreshing in the heat.
- Tom yum goong — Hot and sour soup with prawns, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chilli, either clear or creamy with evaporated milk.
When to go
The best time to visit Phuket is December to March, when the north-east monsoon brings dry, sunny weather and calm, clear seas for swimming and island trips. November and April are good shoulder months. From May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rain, rough seas and red-flag beach days on the west coast, but much lower prices; September is usually the wettest month.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool dry season | November–February | Sunshine, lower humidity and calm, clear seas — peak season for beaches, diving and boat trips, with peak prices from mid-December. |
| Hot season | March–April | Very hot and still mostly dry, with excellent sea conditions and Songkran water fights in mid-April. |
| Early monsoon | May–July | Frequent but often short showers, rough west-coast surf and strong currents; hotel prices fall sharply. |
| Late monsoon | August–October | The wettest period, with long rainy spells and boat cancellations, but very quiet beaches and the Vegetarian Festival. |
Getting there and around
Phuket International Airport is in the north of the island. Taxis from the official counter take about 30–45 minutes to Bang Tao, 45–60 minutes to Patong and about an hour to Kata and Karon. The Phuket Smart Bus follows the west coast to Rawai, and airport buses run to Phuket Town.
Phuket has no rail system, and public buses are limited, so most visitors use taxis, ride-hailing apps, rented scooters or cars, and hotel transfers. Distances are modest but hilly roads and traffic make journeys slower than they look.
Plan your days
Four days covers two beach days, Old Phuket Town, the Big Buddha and one boat trip. A week allows Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands on separate days, a spa day and time in a quieter beach area; add Krabi or Koh Yao Noi for longer stays.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C and O, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap and widely available.
- Emergency number
- 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave about 20–50 baht for good restaurant service or a massage, and tip boat crews and guides on day trips.
Rip currents cause drownings every year, especially in the May–October monsoon — never swim when red flags fly. Scooter accidents are common, and some jet-ski operators make false damage claims, so photograph equipment before renting.
Flights to Phuket
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Phuket?
Four days covers two beach days, Old Phuket Town, the Big Buddha and one boat trip. A week allows Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands on separate days, a spa day and time in a quieter beach area; add Krabi or Koh Yao Noi for longer stays. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Phuket?
The best time to visit Phuket is December to March, when the north-east monsoon brings dry, sunny weather and calm, clear seas for swimming and island trips. November and April are good shoulder months. From May to October, the south-west monsoon brings rain, rough seas and red-flag beach days on the west coast, but much lower prices; September is usually the wettest month.
+What is Phuket known for?
Beaches, Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Islands day trips, Patong nightlife, Old Phuket Town, Thai massage and spas and Seafood. More than a dozen west-coast beaches, from party-focused Patong to quieter Kata Noi, Nai Harn and Nai Yang, sit within an hour of each other.
+Is Phuket expensive?
Phuket is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$200 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Phuket?
Not essential if you stay at one beach and use taxis and tours, but a car or a driver makes it much easier to explore quieter beaches, viewpoints and Phuket Town.