What should a person planning a trip to the island need to know about Phuket? There are several points that are useful to keep in mind so that the rest is eventful and hassle-free: the choice of the beach and the best time to travel, safety issues, recommendations for shopping, local cuisine, and more.

Phuket is one of the most popular resorts in Thailand, where more than 8 million tourists come to relax every year. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, the picturesque nature of neighboring islands and a variety of entertainment for adults and children. The island is perfect for both families with small children and young couples without children.

The choice of activities in Phuket is huge. Here you can:

• swim in the sea;
• sunbathe on different beaches;
• scuba diving to coral reefs;
• learn to kitesurf or windsurf;
• go hiking in the real jungle;
• ride an elephant;
• try many exotic dishes;
• go on a sea cruise to nearby islands;
• visit Buddhist temples;
• touch a crocodile or pet a tiger;
• buy inexpensive clothes and natural cosmetics.

And this is not a complete list of entertainment available on the island. Below you will find everything you need to know about Phuket in order to enjoy your vacation, avoid disappointments and unforeseen situations.

Useful information to know about Phuket

Geography

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. From the capital of the kingdom, the city of Bangkok, the island is 850 kilometers away. It is located in the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean), which is different from other popular resorts - Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Chang or Koh Samui, which are located in the Gulf of Thailand (South China Sea). More than half of the area of ​​the island is occupied by low hills covered with jungle. In addition to them, in Phuket you can often find coconut palms, mangroves and hevea (rubber tree) plantations.

The administrative center of the island is. Tourists rarely visit it, as it is located away from popular beaches. As a rule, people come to Phuket Town for shopping and for walking along the picturesque streets with old buildings in the colonial style.

Beaches

In addition to souvenirs, Phuket most often brings: summer clothes and shoes, which are sold at low prices in Thailand; seasonings and kits for cooking Thai dishes; silver and pearls bought in certified stores; pillows made of latex, which has a number of unique properties; ointments, balms and medicines from natural ingredients.

Safety

Important points to know about Phuket.

• If a red flag is posted on the beach, then swimming in the sea is prohibited. This precaution is associated with high waves and strong currents near the coast. During the high season, red flags appear infrequently, as a rule, the sea is dangerous during the rainy season.
• It is necessary to move around the island on a rented vehicle very carefully: the Thais drive in a peculiar way, the tourists are irresponsible. As a result, dangerous situations often occur on the roads of Phuket.
• Transvestites only look like flirtatious fragile girls, do not forget that these are strong young men who have the strength to take away a purse from a tourist walking at night along an unlit street.
• Everything related to gambling and drugs should be avoided in every possible way, since in Thailand you can get a long time for them . In busy tourist areas, there are scammers who try to draw a foreigner into entertainment prohibited by law, so that after losing money he is afraid to report to the police.

Excursions

One of the reasons for the huge popularity of Phuket among tourists from all over the world is various excursion programs available to vacationers. The list of options for an exciting pastime is huge: sea cruises to nearby islands, exciting shows with trained animals, outdoor activities (rafting, diving, quad bikes and others) or educational programs (cooking courses, visiting temples or pearl farms).

Excursions that are most in demand among Russian-speaking tourists in Phuket, are given below.

• Cruises to and . Of all the natural attractions around Phuket, these islands are the most visited. Reason for popularity: incredibly beautiful nature, riot of greenery, gorgeous beaches.
• . Another destination where dozens of boats with tourists depart daily: the fantastic landscapes and beaches of Similan for everyone, without exception, become the most vivid memories of a vacation in Phuket.
• . The lake is amazing: transparent water of a rich emerald color, rocky islands of bizarre shapes rise above it, impenetrable jungles along the shores, and a huge cave in one of the mountains. In the quiet bays of the reservoir, floating hotels are open: reed huts built on bamboo rafts.
• at Fantasy Park and/or performances at Siam Niramit. Every evening, spectacular costumed performances take place at the two largest concert venues on the island, telling visitors to Phuket about the history and culture of the country.
• . Riding a giant is enjoyed by both children and adults. Animals are trained, therefore they do not pose a danger to humans. Travel time: 20 minutes to an hour.

Attractions

Below are the main (but by no means the only) attractions of Phuket that are definitely worth adding to the holiday program on the island.

Big buddha statue

The symbol of the island and its most notable shrine. The marble figure is set on top of a hill, so it is impossible not to notice it. Tourists come to the statue out of interest in Buddhist rituals and traditions, as well as in order to look at Phuket from a bird's eye view: from a 400-meter hill, the western part of the island is visible in full view.

Buddhist Temple Wat Chalong

This temple complex with intricate architecture is visited more often than others: it looks more beautiful than other temples of the island, and some of its buildings were built in a rather unusual style for Thailand. For Thais, Wat Chalong is the most important place of worship for the Buddha, as revered relics are kept in the temple.

tiger kingdom

There are not many places in the world where any visitor can pet a dangerous predator without fear for their life and health. In Phuket, this can be done in a nursery where tigers are kept. Small tiger cubs can be hand-fed with milk, and it is allowed to take pictures with adult animals.

Botanical Garden

An excellent opportunity to combine a pleasant walk through a well-groomed park with visual lessons in botany: in the garden you can see dozens of species of tropical plants and trees, learn how cashew nuts grow and how pineapple ripens, get acquainted with many varieties of cacti and orchids, admire the lake with lotuses.

monkey mountain

There are many high hills in Phuket, on which observation platforms are arranged, but this hill is different in that a huge flock of monkeys awaits visitors on the way to the top. Macaques do not mind being filmed on camera, but on one condition: the photographer must definitely treat them with something tasty, otherwise they will rip off everything they can reach - a bag, glasses, a cap, a camera.

Old streets of Phuket Town

To see what the island was like before the influx of tourists, you need to walk through the quarters of the old Phuket Town, where residential buildings of the 19th century have been preserved. You won’t have to walk much, because the entire architectural heritage of the island is compactly located on several streets: Thalang, Krabi Road, Dibuk and Phang Nga. The walk is best left on a Sunday evening to combine it with the night market that takes place every week in the area.

Night market

The market is a free tour that introduces you to the culture and mentality of the locals. Dozens of sellers and hundreds of their buyers act as guides. The lecture is held in Thai, but its meaning is conveyed not so much with words as with the help of smiles, good nature and cheerful mood. As a bonus: inexpensive fruits, exotic food, outlandish souvenirs and cheap consumer goods.

Tatyana Solomatina

What you can see in Phuket: a ready-made itinerary for 14 days

Good day, friends! Again I return to the amazing Thailand. The most visited island of Phuket pleases tourists with a variety of leisure activities. Fans of a purely beach holiday are better off reading other materials from my blog, but active travelers will be interested in this article.

Life is now unstable, many people going to a new place want to cover everything at once, because it is not known whether the opportunity to come again will fall. This is exactly what I thought when I went with my family to Phuket for the first time three years ago. I wanted to embrace the immensity, see temples, islands, evening programs, etc. And organize everything correctly so that it is not monotonous.

I succeeded, although the preparation took a lot of time. I will say more, two years later I came here with my friends, went the same route and do not regret it at all.

Now I will share my experience with you, tell you what you can see in Phuket in one trip, so as not to miss anything important. There were two routes: for tourists who find it easier to buy excursions, and for those who are used to moving around on their own.

The visit program is based on the fact that in one visit to Phuket the most significant places of the island and its environs, with the condition of alternating cultural attractions, seaside recreation and entertainment. In general, the goal is to experience all the opportunities that the island offers tourists, from visiting temples to snorkeling.

Here is what you will visit:

• Khao Sok National Park
• Krabi Province
• Phi Phi and other Andamans
• Similan Islands
• Phuket itself
• Entertainment show Siam Niramid

Having completed such a program in full, you will see at least 6 completely different temples, learn the history of Thailand, get acquainted with the life of ordinary people, admire the extraordinary beauty of Cheow Lan Lake, walk through the wild jungle, observe the life of the underwater world, appreciate the untouched nature of the islands, take part in an active Phi Phi nightlife, take a ride on a speedboat with a breeze, look at the life of sea gypsies, go canoeing ...... It's pointless to list everything, you have to feel it for yourself. Believe me, the memories of the trip will haunt you for a long time.

Since my budget is not rubber, before each new trip I calculate all the ways to organize a vacation. I did this before my last trip to Thailand, so I am now ready to offer you two working options, one is suitable for completing the program on your own, the other - as part of excursion groups. Which is better for you - choose for yourself. How I ended up going, read below.

Excursions or on your own

I must say right away that we bought excursions. Before the March trip, we went over all the options, compared the cost of the route when visiting on our own in a rented car, and as part of excursion groups, it turned out the same.

Surprised? Now I will explain point by point.

1. It is cheaper to see Lake Cheow Lan with a tour, because the cost of renting a boat is fixed, the more people, the lower the price per person. Taking a boat for only two hours to cut costs is also not an option, during this time it is impossible to see anything. Excursion groups of only 8-10 people, which is not particularly annoying.
2. Inspection of the islands by car is generally impractical. With a tour in a couple of days you can see more than ten, on your own you will have time for a maximum of two. And it is generally impossible to get to the Similan Islands by car. Renting a separate archi speedboat for yourself is expensive.
3. Evening program - the cost of tickets from travel agencies is equal to the price at the box office. Delivery to the place is cheaper than paying for a taxi.
4. Krabi, island part. It's better here on your own. But we chose an individual tour, because we wanted to see everything there, without spending the night. The distance is great, they were afraid to lose precious time wandering in the provinces. The main attractions are cleverly hidden there, secondary roads with a minimum of signs, and everyone knows how navigators work.

After a careful study of the route, calculated the price, it turned out to be almost the same, what to buy excursions, what to go on your own. This fact became decisive in choosing the way to visit the planned places. As a bonus plus, to travel as part of excursion groups is the presence of a Russian guide, which is also not superfluous.

Excursion program + video

In order to see everything as part of excursion groups, you will need to come to Phuket for at least two weeks, unless of course you want to alternate trips with passive relaxation on the beach. Those tourists who come for a shorter period will either have to shorten the program or forget about the respite between movements.

6 excursions with prices:

1. Andaman Islands 2 days 4400 baht ()
2. Similan Islands 1 day 2000 baht
3. Khao Sok + Cheolan 2 days VIP 4800 baht ()
4. Mainland Krabi 1 day 2200 baht if ind. 10 hours 20,000 baht (5,000 baht per person if four people are traveling)
5. Show Siam Niramid - 1800 baht with dinner
6. Phuket tour - 800 baht

Prices may vary slightly, depending on the "economy" or "VIP". I wrote the option that we chose, it most closely matches the price / quality criterion.

I suggest you watch a video review of some of the above excursions from the Chip Tour travel agency. It shows the entire course of the program in great detail. If you want to see videos of other excursions, go to their website - http://www.phuket-cheap-tour.ru/.

Excursion to Cheow Lan Lake

Tour of the Andaman Islands

Such a set of excursions will allow you to get a complete picture of this place.

Note! At least 7 days you will be busy exploring the sights. It is best to alternate the program with passive rest - a day or two excursion, a day at the sea, an excursion - the sea, etc. With this arrangement, you will go home rested. As a result - cover all the most interesting, see the island and mainland, get acquainted with the culture of Thailand and see the best natural places around Phuket.

Self Visit Program

I must say right away that I made a route with the calculation of movement by car, I can’t say anything about public transport. I proceeded from the fact that it was possible to see all of the above in full. The program is designed for two weeks: a week with a car and a week without a car.

First week in a rental car

The route is as follows: Phuket (2 days) - Khao Sok + Cheow Lan Lake (2 days) - Krabi mainland + islands (2 days) - Phi Phi Island (2 days) - Phuket. Only 8 days / 7 nights.

1. Day - arrival to Phuket, car rental at the airport
2. Day - rest after the flight
3. Day - departure to Khao Sok, visiting the temples on the way, overnight at the Khao Sok hotel
4. Day - we go to Cheow Lan lake, overnight in a floating hotel on the lake
5. Day - we go to Krabi, visit the temples, springs, Blue Lake, overnight in Krabi
6. Day - rent a boat and go to the islands of Krabi, overnight in Krabi
7. Day - ferry to Phi Phi, nightlife of the island, overnight in Phi Phi
8. Day - ferry to Phuket, rent a car

It is advisable to choose and book hotels along the route in advance so that you do not have to waste time looking for the best accommodation. The only exceptions are houseboats on Cheow Lan Lake, because it will be cheaper to choose on the spot and pay for the package: boat + hotel + meals.

There will be no problems with renting boats on the lake and in Krabi, there are more offers than demand. You can also pay for the ferry on the spot, just find out the schedule in advance.

I won’t write about the cost: renting a car depends on the month of rest, brand and insurance conditions, gasoline can be roughly estimated by mileage, preferences for hotel star rating are also different for everyone. Don't forget to add the entrance fees to the attractions.

I repeat, when I made a decision about the way to organize my vacation, independent travel and buying excursions cost almost the same, the difference was 4000 baht. But your requests for some items may be very different from mine, so you will have to spend some time on your own calculations.

Second week rest + entertainment

So I will continue. In 8 days you will go through most of the program, only three points were not covered: the Similan Islands, the Siam Niramid Show and Phuket itself.

It is possible to pay for a rented car to visit these places, but it is definitely not advisable, it is better to see them in a different way.

It’s easier and cheaper to get to the Similan Islands as part of excursion groups, so don’t worry, just buy an excursion. You can come to the Siam Niramid show by taxi and buy tickets on the spot. And it’s better to see the island of Phuket by going on a sightseeing tour, just don’t take a free one. On such an excursion you will not see anything but paid shops.

For the rest of the program, you will need a minimum of three days, the last 4 days of passive rest before returning home. At this time, you can organize other low-cost trips - fishing, elephant riding, water park, dolphinarium, etc.

Do not forget to book your accommodation in Phuket in advance, based on your timing and financial capabilities.

I foresee a number of questions, so I will answer some of them right away, ask the rest in the comments.

• Excursion programs Khao Sok + Cheow Lan and Krabi partially coincide. Thermal springs and elephant riding are included in both programs, though in different places. One of the temples also coincides. That is why we had to choose an individual in Krabi. I did not want to repeat myself, while I wanted to visit both the lake and the province of Krabi. If you are more than three people, do as we do, the price of an individual will not be much higher than the group price. If there are fewer of you, you can rent a car for one day for this tour.
• My itinerary is designed for children as well. There is nothing dangerous or overly complicated there. However, children are different, you better know how difficult two-three-hour journeys are for your child, how he will endure the pitching of the speedboat, whether he is interested in local temples, etc.
• It is safe to travel around Thailand on your own, but do not overestimate your strength, think about how much you are willing to spend behind the wheel, whether it will not be difficult for you to find one or another place on the map on your own.
• When going to Cheow Lan Lake, keep in mind that you will have to swim at a depth. You can’t enter the water from the shore there, there are rocks all around. This information should be taken into account by those who are afraid to swim even in a vest, if they do not feel the bottom under their feet.
• In March, the thermal springs, which are hot in themselves, heat up so much that even getting your feet wet is problematic. Therefore, I do not recommend going there, spend your time in more accessible places.
• Choose a hotel in Phuket closer to the airport. You don't have to stand in Phuket's traffic jams. Khao Sok, Cheow Lan, Krabi, Similan Islands - you need to leave early for all places, so it is important to live closer to the mainland (relevant for an organized route).
• Group tours are best booked through the Treasure Island travel agency. They are not intermediaries, they have their own fleet of vehicles and a large staff of sane guides. But it is better to go on an individual tour through the Chip Tour. They have many contacts of private guides and a flexible policy for each client.
• A four-wheel drive car is optional, there are no gullies or mountain roads along the route. An ordinary small car is quite enough for independent movement.
• Floating houses on the lake, which have the VIP category, differ from simple ones in the presence of a private bathroom, and not in the interior. There are no frills there. For more information about self-search for housing and the features of living on the lake, read. My review of the excursion to the Lost World lake from the Treasure Island agency, see.

That's all I wanted to tell you today about what you can see in Phuket and its surroundings in one trip to Thailand. If I forgot something, I will definitely add it later. It is very interesting to know your opinion. How helpful is my article. Leave comments, without your response it is difficult to move on.

You may be interested in other related articles. See my review of the 11 Islands tour from the Treasure Island agency, there are more than 100 photos, they will allow you to better picture the program in your head. I can recommend staying in Phuket in Nai Yang village. With such a busy program, you need a quiet place to catch your breath. Read the full guide to the beach with prices. The last time I stayed at the Nai Yang Beach Resort and Spa 4 *, I managed to catch the price with a 50% discount, I liked it very much. At a discount, the price of a local is obtained. You will find a description of the hotel.

If you find it difficult to draw up a travel route yourself, write to me, I will try to help - I will answer your questions (you can use Skype). For those who do not have time, I will analyze the market for the dates you need, based on your wishes and financial capabilities, help calculate the budget, book hotels, buy tickets, etc.

I do not need to trust money, under my guidance you will pay online for all bookings, tickets or tours. Believe me, I will find you the most profitable option available at that time.

I always enjoy this kind of work, so I guarantee an individual approach to everyone. I prepare my trips scrupulously and carefully, I promise that I will treat your vacation with even greater responsibility. Read more about cooperation

So, you have decided to fulfill your old dream - to live 2 weeks in Thailand on a tropical island. Why exactly ? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is one of the most developed islands in Southeast Asia in terms of infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, discos, entertainment). Secondly, there are other large Russian cities. Thirdly, holidays in Phuket (and in general in Thailand) are much cheaper than, for example, in the Maldives and Seychilles or the Dominican Republic. There are a few other benefits, but those are the main ones.

The second question that needs to be resolved is to fly to Thailand on your own or. Everyone must find out for himself, weighing all the pros and cons. We examined the pros and cons of the two types of travel in articles and. The main difference is that in the first case you are looking for a hotel already in place, and in the second case, it is already booked and accommodation is included in the tour price. There is also a middle option, i.e. you independently and independently book a hotel back in Russia.

When looking for housing, the question arises which of the many to choose. Here you need to decide what is more important for you - a well-developed infrastructure (proximity to shops, tour desks, motorbike rental), a large selection of entertainment or silence and solitude.

First day in Phuket

This day (or rather the remaining half day after arrival) is better to devote to exploring the surroundings and the beach where you are staying. Well, of course, try the warm water of the Andaman Sea, the temperature of which rarely drops below 27 degrees. But with a tan, be extremely careful, it is enough to spend an hour in the sun to decently burn. Well, after three or four hours, the charring of the shoulders, back and nose already begins. By evening and the next day, these parts of the body will hurt (which will interfere with proper rest), and after two days they will begin to peel off. In fact, to get, it is not necessary to lie under the sun. If you bathe for a total of 40-50 minutes during the day, then this will be enough to have bronzed skin by the end of your vacation - because water transmits ultraviolet rays and makes the body tanned. You can get a little sunburned even if you spend the whole day in the shade! For people with sensitive skin, we recommend that you use sunscreen.

In the evening, it's a good idea to go to one of the restaurants and try Thai cuisine. Just ask not to put a lot of spices, otherwise you won’t be able to eat. In English, it sounds “Know spicy” (no one understands Russian here, don’t even try to place an order on it and communicate with the waiter or the seller in the store). After dinner, it’s good to walk along the already deserted beach, listen to the sound of the surf, and then go to the town, buy small souvenirs, look into local street travel agencies and ask the price.

We strongly do not recommend renting and riding a motorbike on the first day, even if you have driven it before. A long flight, poor sleep on the plane, and a new climate can do a disservice. It is better to wait one day until the body acclimates a little and returns to normal.

Second day

It is advisable to devote the day to exploring the beaches of Phuket. For these purposes it costs (200 baht per day). This is a very economical option for transportation, since it costs at least 200 baht to take a tuk-tuk only to the nearest beach. And if you want to see them all, then you should fork out for 1500, if not more. And so every day. On a bike, it will come out - 200 baht + (about 100 baht per day, the consumption can be roughly calculated at the rate of 1 km = 1 baht). Those who know how to ride a bike will be able to drive a motorbike (it's even easier here - you don't have to pedal). Of course, you should not immediately go to busy streets, it is better to practice for 10-15 minutes in lanes where there are no people. It is very easy to control it - the right hand is on the throttle, and the left is on the brake. It is quite possible to ride together (but first try alone, without a passenger).

How to turn on and off this two-wheeled vehicle, you will be told at the time of rental. If you suddenly forget, then here is a simple rule: remove the footboard, turn the key in the lock (the display lights up), press the brake with your left hand, press the gas with your right hand and turn on the ignition button with your right thumb. When the engine purrs, immediately release the throttle and then the brakes. If you do the opposite (release the brake first), then the motorbike will jerk forward sharply and the novice rider may not be able to control it.

If you go in the morning, you can see and swim at almost all the beaches located on the west coast. We especially recommend Patong, Karon, Kata, and Nai Khan for a tour. Kamala and Surin are quite possible to miss, there is nothing outstanding - the same coast as in Patong or Kata - sunbeds, sun umbrellas and sunbathing tourists. It is better to leave the northwest coast for the next day, since these beaches stand apart and get to them for at least an hour (we will write about this in more detail below).

The entire east coast, including the beaches of Rawai and Chalong, is practically not suitable for swimming due to stones or inconvenient entry into the water. There are also few sunbathers on them. They are good to visit for informational purposes only. It’s nice to have dinner on the waterfront in Rawai, it’s very beautiful here.

Between Kata and Nai Harn is one of the most famous islands. It is located on the main road that lies between these two beaches, so it is impossible to miss it.

When the sun goes down, it’s good to have dinner right on the grass next to the coast, and then head back.

Fourth day

To visit Phuket and not see some of its sights - you will never forgive yourself for this! Therefore, we devote the fourth day to the inspection of the main cultural and historical monuments.

fourteenth day

This is the last day of vacation. Planes, as a rule, fly to Russia in the first half of the day, so you only have time to have breakfast, and for the last time enjoy the view of the Andaman coast and the beauty of tropical nature. But don’t worry, in six months or a year there will be holidays again and you will return to Thailand that you love so much! And the brought sunny photos will warm you in the cold Russian winters and make life happier from the anticipation of a new meeting with tropical islands!

Come to Phuket, always yours!

Briefly and to the point, how to organize an independent trip to Phuket. Useful tips and relevant information for tourists. Where to 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?

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Our review of a self-guided holiday in Phuket

We love Phuket for good beaches and that elusive veil of tropical laziness that lies on everything. Thais are very relaxed and optimistic.

We have lived in Phuket three times and always came on our own. Why is it better? We do not say that it is bad to rest on a tour - often it is! It’s just that when you travel on your own, you have more freedom of choice: you can move to another beach or change hotels, eat at different restaurants, live not for 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 ticket.

How to get to Phuket on your own?

(Photo © kurt.clifford / Flickr.com)

How to get from the airport to the beach?

Optimally - on 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 depart as they fill up. There is not enough space not only for people, but also for luggage - but it's cheap. You can get back to the airport on 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 booked a Kiwi Taxi car from Patong to Phuket Airport for $25. We were given a whole minivan for two - we drove like kings.

(Photo © grolli77 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Visa to Thailand

Are you planning to stay in Phuket for no more than 30 days? Then you. Passport will be stamped at the border. If you want to spend more time, make a visa in advance - in Russia or a neighboring country. We applied for a Thai two-month visa in Malaysia (Penang).

You can still make a visa run once, and only then get a tourist visa. Numerous visa-wounds, as before, are no longer rolled - the requirements have become tougher.

When is the best time to go to Phuket?

The high season on the Andaman coast is from December to April. That's when Phuket is crowded, especially (including Chinese). There are short rains, mostly in the evening or at night, but this is rare.

May to November is the rainy season. The waves are rising, the sea is muddy. The weather is unstable: there may be several sunny days in a row, and a few rainy ones. If we get lucky! It is not worth swimming in the sea: rubbish and jellyfish are nailed, and rip currents appear.

Advice: do not swim if there are big 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 the rest depends on the choice of the beach. Decide what you want: solitude, vibrant nightlife, a relaxing family vacation?

All beaches here are good - choose to taste! , and universal - it all depends on the resort area. 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 Phuket beaches we visited - our tips and reviews.

How to book a hotel in Phuket on your own?

We like Phuket for a huge selection of accommodation - from modest guest houses for $10 per night to villas and luxury resorts. Booking a hotel in Phuket on your own is very simple - on Booking.com. Look for villas and apartments on Airbnb.

A great longstay option: stay in a hotel or resort for a while, and then explore the area on a bike in search of rental houses.

Vacationing in Phuket in the low season is cheaper: the cost of hotels can fall by half. Also, the price in hotels strongly depends on the distance to the sea. During the 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.

Prices on the beach are higher than in the depths of the resort: in a cafe, a dish 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 in and on.

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 fun.

What to see in Phuket for yourself? Yes everything, there would be a desire! Some interesting places can be visited by songteo (buses) or taxi, but this is inconvenient and expensive. It is much easier to rent a bike or a car if you have a license.

To search for attractions in Phuket, use the application:

• Beaches. Some are very beautiful: Nai Harn, Banana Beach, Kata Noi, Yanui, Ao Sein, Mai Khao.
• Viewpoints. We were at Phromthep Cape, Windmill Viewpoint and Karon Viewpoint, view of three beaches.
• Entertainment. There is a zoo, aquarium, dolphinarium, parks, gardens, farms. Extreme: "Flight of Hanuman", elephant rides.
• Show. The most famous: the show of transvestites "Simon Cabaret" (Simon Cabaret) and "Fantasy" (FantaSea).
• temples scattered throughout the island.
• Islands: Similan, Phi Phi, Racha, James Bond, Coral. Some you can visit yourself - just find someone who will take you. Most of the islands are visited on a guided tour.

Our advice: Organize your own Phuket tours! Why do you want to walk in the 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 Skyscanner Car Hire website from 700 baht per day. Keep in mind that traffic on the roads is chaotic and expressive.

We rented a bike on the site. The cost is 250 baht per day. A real find because the owners do not take a passport. This is very important for us (and for many). Do not trust documents to strangers! There are a lot of horror stories on the Internet about divorces of tourists who trustfully gave away their passports. But the owners of bikes can also be understood: tourists crash vehicles and fly home without giving a cash deposit. Therefore, they began to ask for a passport.

Tips for renting a motorbike in Phuket:

• A driver's license is needed (there is a fine), but no one asks for them.
• Don't give away your passport.
• ALWAYS take pictures of any damage to the bike.
• Don't ride without a helmet.
• Do not park at the red and white markings - the bike will be chained up, they will require you to pay a large fine, or they will take you to a car impound.
• Do not drive - the roads are mountainous, and the turns are sharp.
• If you have little driving experience, practice on safe roads.

Read about self-guided motorcycle travel.

(Photo © linvoyage / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Money and ATMs

Exchange offices in the major resorts of Phuket (Patong, Kata, Karon) are everywhere, it is very easy to change currency. Exchange rates are very good. If you are changing a large amount, we recommend walking down the street and comparing the exchange rate in several exchange kiosks in order to choose the best offer. Come to Thailand with dollars or euros, it is unprofitable to change another currency, including rubles.

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 fee of 200 baht per transaction. Almost all Russian banks will also take their commission for withdrawal (usually 300-500 rubles). Allows you to withdraw money around the world without commission.

(Photo © karnbulsuk / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)

Insurance

Take out insurance before your trip, especially if you are planning an active holiday. We had a free annual insurance worldwide from Tinkoff - it is given at checkout. Try it too! Suitable for active travellers.

Another option is to buy it online. The service selects the most profitable policy - we also used it more than once.

Internet

Wi-Fi is usually good in hotels, but it's best 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 this - there was always enough hotel Wi-Fi.

Read about our independent travel experience and.