About Phuket
Phuket is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket Island is connected by the Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province to the north. The next nearest province is Krabi, to the east across Phang Nga Bay.
Places to visit in Phuket
-
Big Buddha
Religious · 7 mi from centreA huge white marble Buddha statue on a hilltop with sweeping views over the island. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and visit in the late afternoon for softer light.
-
Patong Beach
Beach · 7 mi from centrePhuket's busiest beach and resort area, known for water sports and the nightlife of Bangla Road. Swim between the flags, since rip currents are common during the monsoon season.
-
Phuket Old Town
NeighborhoodA historic district of colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and shrines in Phuket Town. Visit on a Sunday evening, when Thalang Road becomes a walking street market.
-
Wat Chalong
Religious · 5 mi from centrePhuket's largest and most important Buddhist temple, with a tall pagoda said to hold a relic of the Buddha. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering the temple buildings.
-
Kata Beach
BeachA sandy beach on the southwest coast that is calmer and more family-friendly than Patong. It is good for beginner surfing during the monsoon season, and snorkeling in calmer months.
-
Promthep Cape
ViewpointA headland at the southern tip of Phuket, famous as the island's top sunset viewpoint. It gets very crowded at sunset, so arrive early or walk down the path for a quieter spot.
-
Phi Phi Islands
Nature · 27 mi from centreA group of islands southeast of Phuket with dramatic cliffs, beaches and clear water. Day trips are popular, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the islands after the tour boats leave.
-
Phang Nga Bay
Nature · 30 mi from centreA bay of emerald water filled with sheer limestone islands and sea caves, northeast of Phuket. Kayak tours let you paddle into hidden lagoons, and early departures avoid the crowds.
Things to do in Phuket by type
124 tours, tickets and experiences across 10 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Day Trips & Excursions 56 experiences Combo: James Bond Island by Ferry + Fantasea Show -
Cruise & Water Tours 20 experiences Coral Island and Racha Island by Sailing Yacht Catamaran with Lunch - Full Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 17 experiences A Morning with the Elephants -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 16 experiences Half Day Bamboo Rafting -
Tour & activities 13 experiences Happy Hour Feed and Rain Shower at Lily Elephant Camp -
Travel Services 11 experiences Domestic Arrival Service -
City tours 8 experiences City Tour 5 Hours -
Art & culture 6 experiences Amazing Three Temples Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 4 experiences Dinner Thai Set at Baan Rimpa Restaurant with Optional Transfer -
Shows, sports and special events 4 experiences City Tour + FantaSea Show with Dinner and Transfers
- Over 6 hours 13
- 3-6 hours 12
- 1-3 hours 3
- Flexible 2
- Families 5
- Youth 1
- Senior 1
- Couples 1
- Small group 18
- Private 11
- Shore excursions 1
Top experiences in Phuket
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 124 available.
Phi Phi Islands, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island tour by Love Andaman Speedboat
From $60 per adult
Day Trip to Similan Island by Speedboat from Phuket
From $106 per adult
Phi Phi Islands by Premium Speedboat - Full-Day Tour
From $529 per adult
City Tour 5 Hours
From $25 per adult
Day trip to Phi Phi Island by Ferry from Phuket
From $40 per adult
Phi Phi Island and Bamboo Island by Speed Catamaran with Lunch - Full-Day Tour
From $104 per adult
Happy Hour Feed and Rain Shower at Lily Elephant Camp
From $39 per adult
Lily Elephant Camp: Beach Walk with Elephant and Lunch - Half-Day Tour
From $71 per adult
Phi Phi + Maya + Bamboo Island Tour by Speedboat
From $92 per adult
Lily Elephant Camp - Beach Walk with Elephants
From $46 per adult
Lily Elephant Camp - Jungle to Sea Discovery
From $73 per adult
James Bond Island and Canoe Tour by Longtail Boat
From $153 per adult
Where to stay in Phuket
Popular hotels in Phuket, out of 1,532 properties you can book.
Nipa Resort
From $115 per night
Grand Mercure Phuket Patong
From $131 per night
Baumanburi
From $50 per night
Naina Resort & Spa
From $61 per night
Barcelo Coconut Island
From $178 per night
The Surin Phuket
From $802 per night
Mida Grande Resort Phuket
From $148 per night
Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach
From $303 per night
Anantara Vacation Club Mai Khao
From $578 per night
Andaman Embrace Patong
From $128 per night
Sugar Marina Resort -Aviator- Phuket Airport
From $66 per night
Burasari Phuket
From $151 per night
Best time to visit Phuket
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Phuket is May to February, when average daytime highs are around 84–91°F and rain falls on about 20 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Phuket weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 86° 77° 77%
- Thu 22 Oct 87° 78° 84%
- Fri 23 Oct 84° 75° 98%
- Sat 24 Oct 85° 74° 96%
- Sun 25 Oct 84° 75° 91%
- Mon 26 Oct 83° 76° 86%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6
- Language
- Thai
- Calling code
- +66
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/BangkokUTC+7
- Capital
- Bangkok
Getting to Phuket
These are the airports closest to central Phuket. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HKT Phuket International Airport16 mi (26 km) from the city centre
Getting around Phuket
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around. Luckily, there are a variety of transport options for various budgets. Hotels generally offer shuttle bus services into Phuket Town, and also have taxi and car hire facilities.
Songthaew
This is the cheapest public transport in Phuket. Within Phuket Town buses run pink, and beyond, to other beaches and areas, go blue. Almost all buses display their destination in English.
Smart bus
Phuket has a very convenient and comfortable bus: the Phuket Smart bus. This will take you anywhere you need to go along the entire West coast.
Tuk-tuk
The minimum fare is 200 baht. Renting a tuk-tuk for an hour costs around 200 baht, and it can usually accommodate 4–8 people. At night, fares typically increase by about 50%.
Phuket travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Phuket is May to February, when average daytime highs are around 84–91°F and rain falls on about 20 days a month.
What is the weather like in Phuket?
March is usually the warmest month in Phuket, with average highs of 92°F (34°C). September is the coolest, with average lows of 76°F (25°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 296 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Phuket?
Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the closest airport, about 16 miles (26 km) from the centre of Phuket.
What currency is used in Phuket?
Phuket uses the Thai baht (THB). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6.
What time zone is Phuket in?
Phuket uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Phuket?
Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around. Luckily, there are a variety of transport options for various budgets. Hotels generally offer shuttle bus services into Phuket Town, and also have taxi and car hire facilities.
What are the best places to visit in Phuket?
Top sights in Phuket include Big Buddha, Patong Beach, Phuket Old Town and Wat Chalong. A huge white marble Buddha statue on a hilltop with sweeping views over the island. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and visit in the late afternoon for softer light.
What are the top things to do in Phuket?
Popular experiences you can book in Phuket include Phi Phi Islands, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island tour by Love Andaman Speedboat , Day Trip to Similan Island by Speedboat from Phuket and Phi Phi Islands by Premium Speedboat - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 124 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Phuket?
The most popular types of experiences in Phuket are day trips & excursions (56), cruise & water tours (20), zoo, aquarium & nature (17) and outdoor activities & adventure (16). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Phuket?
Popular areas for hotels in Phuket include Patong, Coconut Island and Surin. Well-reviewed options include Nipa Resort and Grand Mercure Phuket Patong.
How many hotels can I book in Phuket?
Destina Holidays currently lists 1,532 properties in and around Phuket, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
