By Kylian Dev
1
Phuket Town's old quarter
Restored pastel colonial facades, art galleries and trendy cafés on Thalang Road.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Phuket: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
Thailand's largest island charms with its colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture, jungle-fringed coves to the north, and world-renowned hotel resorts.
- Best: November to April
- €45 - 110 / day
In short
Phuket (Andaman Sea) — Sino-Portuguese heritage, renowned cuisine and grand bays. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 31°C. Budget: about €45 - 110 / day. Weather: 31°C • Turquoise Andaman Sea and sunny days
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature31°C
Budget / day€45 - 110 / day
Thai nameภูเก็ต
Must-sees
Things to do in Phuket
Sino-Portuguese heritage, renowned cuisine and grand bays
2
Big Buddha in white marble
A colossal 45-metre statue crowning Nakkerd Hill.
3
Nai Harn & Banana Beach
Crystal-clear waters away from the busiest areas.
Phuket day trips Phuket beaches Phuket Vegetarian Festival Ethical elephant sanctuaries Koh Yao Yai Koh Phayam
More things to do in Phuket
- 4
Promthep Cape at sunset
ViewpointAbout 1 hThe southern tip of the island, famous for its sunsets over the Andaman Sea. Come early for a good spot, as it is very popular.
- 5
A day trip to Phang Nga Bay
Sea & islandsFull dayLimestone islands rising from the sea, sea kayaking in caves and James Bond Island. One of the most spectacular landscapes in Thailand.
- 6
The Similan or Racha islands by boat
Sea & islandsFull dayFor clear water and snorkelling, Racha Yai is an easy day trip from the south; the Similans are further but exceptional (open from mid-October to mid-May).
- 7
Phuket Sunday Walking Street
MarketEveningEvery Sunday evening, Thalang Road in the old town becomes a pedestrian market with street food and crafts.
- 8
Kata and Karon beaches
BeachHalf a day or moreTwo of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast, with fine sand and surf possible from May to October. Calmer than Patong.
- 9
Wat Chalong
TempleAbout 1 hThe island's largest and most revered temple, with a tall chedi that you can climb for a view.
- 10
Patong and Bangla Road at night
NightlifeEveningThe party centre of Phuket, with bars, clubs and shows. Worth seeing once, even if you are not staying in Patong.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingTemples & CultureNightlifeDiving & Reefs
Weather
When to go to Phuket?
31°C • Turquoise Andaman Sea and sunny days. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Phuket: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €45 - 110 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Comfort / luxury
45–110 € / day
Indicative split of a typical day (estimate)
Accommodation
~31 €
Food
~19 €
Activities
~16 €
Local transport
~12 €
Transport
How to get to Phuket
Transport tip
Well-served international airport, or bus via the Sarasin Bridge from the mainland.
From Bangkok → Phuket
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~901 km
Nearest destinations
Phuket → Koh Yao Noi
Boat
30–45 min
Phuket → Koh Phi Phi
Boat
1h–1h45
Phuket → Krabi & Railay
Road
~66 km · ~1 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → PhuketPartner link
Where is Phuket?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Phuket
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Kata / Karon
Beautiful family-friendly beaches, a good all-rounder.
Patong
The nightlife hub (Bangla Road) — lively and loud.
Phuket Old Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and street food, away from the beaches.
Kamala / Surin
Quieter, more upmarket west coast.
Food
What to eat in Phuket
Mee Hokkien (thick stir-fried noodles with pork and seafood)
Kanom Jeen with mild yellow crab curry
Oh Aew (traditional refreshing dessert from Phuket Town)
Can’t decide?
Phuket or…? Compare
Budget, weather, vibe and activities side by side.
Combine with
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Phuket
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Bangkok Hospital PhuketPrivate hospitalDirections
- Bangkok Hospital SirirojPrivate hospitalDirections
- Vachira Phuket HospitalPublic hospitalDirections
Dive destination: a recompression chamber is available on site or nearby. After a diving accident, alert your dive centre straight away.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Phuket
What are the best things to do in Phuket?
The must-sees are Phuket Town's old quarter, Big Buddha in white marble, Nai Harn & Banana Beach. Also worth your time: Promthep Cape at sunset, A day trip to Phang Nga Bay, The Similan or Racha islands by boat, Phuket Sunday Walking Street.
How do you get to Phuket from Bangkok?
By air, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang, with many flights a day. The night bus from the Southern terminal takes 12 to 14 hours. All the options are in our Bangkok to Phuket guide.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
From November to April, in the dry season, the sea is calm on the west coast. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings showers and swell, and red flags often ban swimming.
Can you swim in Phuket during the monsoon?
Only where there is no red flag. From May to October rip currents are strong at Patong, Karon, Kata and Surin, and people drown every year: follow the flags and the lifeguards' instructions.
How do you get around Phuket?
Metered taxis are rare: Grab and Bolt show the price before you ride. The Smart Bus runs along the west coast from the airport to Rawai for about 100 THB. A scooter costs about 200 to 350 THB a day, with an international licence valid for motorbikes.
How many days do you need in Phuket?
Four to six days leave time for one or two beaches, the old town and two boat trips, to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay. See our Phuket day trips.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Phuket
Compare with the other destinations
Phuket is one of the 28 destinations covered in detail on the site. The destinations hub sorts them by traveler profile, by month of travel and by daily budget, to help you decide where to go and how many days to stay.