The Ultimate Guide to Phuket, Thailand

The warmth of the sun on my skin, crystal clear waters for as far as the eye can see.  Soft, white sand underneath my toes and a gentle breeze ruffling my hair.  Visiting Phuket, Thailand was one of my favorite stops on my five-month solo adventure.  It’s here that my love for Thailand was cemented, despite once thinking that it was an overcrowded and overrated country.

My only worry when decided to leave Singapore and fly to Phuket, was that Phuket would be completely overrun with tourists and thus… overrated.  I have heard horror stories of Pa Tong Beach being overcrowded… housing hostile backpackers, and petty crime.  But the island has much more to offer than Pa Tong.  So when I decided to visit, I decided to avoid what is known as the tourist zones of Phuket and instead spent my time exploring the northwest area of Phuket.  In this guide to Phuket, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting, plus where to focus your time when in Phuket, and whether or not its worth it to visit.

 

IF YOU’RE TRAVELING TO THAILAND, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE – I USE AND RECOMMEND SAFETYWING!

 

How to Get to Phuket

Phuket is easy to get to whether you’re traveling by land or air.  There is an airport on the island – Phuket International Airport, located in the northwest part of the island.  Phuket accepts direct flights from both Asia and Europe although a majority of flights pass through Bangkok first.

 

Traveling by Bus to Phuket

If you’re traveling through Thailand, you can take a bus to Phuket.  In fact, for budget travelers, it’s one of the more popular ways to get to Phuket from Bangkok and even Chang Mai.  Although the journey is long, it’ll be the cheapest option.

In my opinion, the easiest way to book travel around Thailand is with Bookaway or 12Go.  By using these platforms, you can choose from a variety of different bus options and choose the one that’s best for you.

 

BOOK A BUS TO PHUKET HERE!

 

Traveling by Air to Phuket

An easier way to get to Phuket is by flying.  As I mentioned earlier, there’s an airport in Northwest Phuket that connects to other cities throughout Asia and Europe.  When choosing a flight, I recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to compare different options.

Once you arrive to the airport, there will be a plethora of taxis waiting for you.  Before getting in a taxi, make sure to ask how much it’s going to cost.  The first price quoted to you is always higher than it actually costs so be prepared to negotiate.  If you’d rather have a private, English speaking driver waiting for you upon arrival, you can book one here.

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO PHUKET HERE!

 

How to Get Around Phuket

Phuket is a big island and if you want to get off hotel property and explore, your best bet is to rent a motorbike.  If you don’t feel comfortable renting a motorbike, I recommend planning out a few days in advance and ask your hotel to hire you a taxi.  If you’re renting a motorbike, I highly recommend that you not only travel with travel insurance, but also ensure that your policy covers motorbike accidents.

Another good resource to have on hand is the “Grab” app.  This is a rideshare app that you can book taxi’s from your phone.  However, there aren’t always taxi’s available so make sure to plan ahead if you’re doing something important or need to be somewhere at a specific time.

 

If you’re looking for a quieter beach getaway in Thailand, don’t miss:

• What You Need to Know About Visiting Khao Lak, Thailand

 

Where to Stay in Phuket

When I visited Phuket, I stayed at the beautiful Pullman Phuket Arcadia located on Nai Thon Beach in Northwest Phuket (only 15 minutes from the airport).  The Pullman Phuket Arcadia is a chic hotel nestled on a hill, away from the hustle and bustle of Phuket’s busy streets.  While I preferred staying on hotel property, lounging at the pool overlooking Nai Thon Beach, the hotel also provides easy access to the beach if you’d prefer to lounge on the white sand beach.

Other hotels I’d recommend in Phuket include…

• V Villa Phuket, MGallery – Located in Southeast Phuket
• Twinpalms MontAzure – Located in central Phuket on the west coast
• Pacific Club Resort – Located in Southwest Phuket
• Lady Naya Villas – Located in Southern Phuket

 

How Long to Spend in Phuket

When deciding how long you want to spend in Phuket, I think the most important question to answer first is – are you coming to relax on the beach and hang low?  Or do you want to see everything, go-go-go and then move on?

If you’re coming to Phuket for a relaxing, beach vacation, I would say you could spend at least a week on the island; beach hopping, exploring town, lounging at your hotel, etc.  But if you want to pack it all in before moving on, I would recommend spending 3-4 days in Phuket.

 

The Best Time to Visit Phuket

The best time to visit Phuket is between November-April.  Monsoon season lasts from May-October, so I would advise avoiding Phuket during these months (although it will be much less crowded).

I visited Phuket once in late November and there were still scattered rainstorms, although the locals assured me this was not normal for the area.  I also visited once in February and experienced the most idyllic weather; although it was also much busier at this time.

 

The Best Beaches in Phuket

Again, I focused my energy exploring Northwest Phuket and came across some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.  Below you’ll find a list of my favorites!

 

BANANA BEACH

On the west coast of Phuket will bring you to the hidden beach of Banana Beach.  Hidden by rocks, and trees, you’ll only know you’ve made it when you come across the multiple, parked motorbikes.  Take the steps down to the beach to enjoy a beer on the beach or more longboats!

 

BANG TAO BEACH

On the west coast of Phuket (further down than Banana Beach) you’ll find Bang Tao Beach.  Bang Tao Beach is a more expansive, open beach with many more visitors.  However, it’s here that you’ll find the most delicious and authentic food stands.  With makeshift restaurants set up on the beach you’ll be able to enjoy the views in front of you, toes in the sand, and amazing food on your plate.

 

NAI THON BEACH

Nai Thon Beach is a quiet beach located near the airport, and has more to offer than white sand and clear water.  Here you can rent a longboat and boat out to a small, unnamed island for snorkeling.  Or walk up to the main street to order street food and a beer to enjoy on the beach.

 

The Best Things to do in Phuket

 

IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO SIGHTSEE IN PHUKET, SAVE MONEY BY PURCHASING A PHUKET DAY PASS!

 

DAY TRIP TO THE SIMILAN ISLANDS

Northwest of Phuket, you’ll find the most beautiful, idyllic islands known as the Similan Islands.  There are nine islands, all environmentally protected, so it’s only possible to physically visit island 4 and 8.  These islands accept visitors from October 15-May 15, and it costs 500 THB to enter.  (Please note, a day trip from Phuket is very long.  A better option is to visit from Khao Lak – read about it here!).

 

BOOK A TRIP TO THE SIMILAN ISLANDS HERE!

 

TOUR OLD TOWN PHUKET

Old Town Phuket is quite a gem.  With painted murals, boutique shopping, bars, and restaurants, it’s a nice way to spend your day doing something other than hitting the beach.

When you’re in old town, make sure to visit the former governor’s mansion and Chinpracha House to marvel at the Sino-Portuguese architecture.

 

VISIT BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha is a statue that sits above Nakkerd Hill.  At 148 ft tall, it’s the third-tallest statue in all of Thailand.  The Big Buddha is accessible via a steep, uphill road so it’s best visited by car/tuktuk/motorbike.  The statue is free to visit and you can expect to spend around an hour here.

 

VISIT WAT CHALONG TEMPLE

There are 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, although I’d argue that one of the most impressive being Wat Chalong.  It’s Phuket’s largest temple complex and features a 197 ft tall stupa.  Look closely at the top so you don’t miss seeing a bone fragment from the Lord Buddha.  Make sure to dress appropriately to visit, covering you knees and shoulders.  Entrance is free and you can expect to spend about an hour here.

 

The Best Tours in Phuket

A great way to see and experience Phuket is by participating in a local tour.  Below you’ll find my top recommendations for tours in Phuket.

• Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip with Seaview Lunch
• Phi Phi & Khai Islands Snorkeling Trip with Lunch
• Luxury Boat to James Bond Island with Lunch and Sunset Dinner
• Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour
• Phuket Thai Cooking Class
• Big Buddha Jungle Trekking with Lunch
• Phuket City Tour to View Point, Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Old Town
• Phuket ATV Tour
• Phuket Guided Pub Crawl

 

Thailand Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Thailand

 

Phuket turned out to be much more of a gem than I expected it to be.  Although I was visiting in high season – January, I still felt as though I sometimes had entire beaches to myself.  I never felt the overcrowding sensation of Bangkok, or the horrible tourist stories I’ve heard from those who visited Pa Tong.  My suggestion?  Don’t write off Phuket.  And if you visit, certainly plan to spend time in the northwest area of Phuket.

 

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, don’t miss:

• 14 Items to Add to Your Thailand Bucket List
• What I Wish I Knew Before I Arrived
• The Best 3 Day Bangkok Itinerary
• 3 Ways to Have the Ultimate Chiang Mai Experience
• The Best Packing List for Thailand
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Koh Lanta, Thailand

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Thailand, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinthailand” or under my highlights for “Thailand”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Thailand” highlight

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