Places to visit, Phi Phi island hopping, Places to stay
Travel duration – How many days in Phuket?
3 – 4 days is too short, and a week is too long, so we suggest a 5D/4N trip which would be perfect!
Our suggestion is to stay in Phuket and go on day trips to the islands in the Phang Nga Bay (though we didn’t travel to Phang Nga Bay, we highly recommend to include this in your plan). You can also see Phi Phi islands on a day trip from Phuket or stay overnight in Phi Phi island like we did. Krabi islands from Phuket are farther than Phi Phi.
Here is our plan break-up:
3 days in Phuket – Enjoy the beaches, nightlife and shopping. It’s a bigger island and there is more to do and explore here.
1 Day trip to Phang Nga Bay and exploring Sea cave lagoons and nearby small Islands.
2 days to explore Ko Phi Phi islands and stay overnight at Ko Phi Phi Don island.
The general climate of Phuket is hot and humid for the most of the year. The hot weather extends from March until early May followed by monsoons till October. During the rainy season mornings and afternoons tend to be dry and sunny and it rains in the evenings.
The dry season lasts from November to February, it’s considered as the peak season and many tourists choose to visit at this time. However, it’s also the busiest time, especially around Christmas and the New Year. We visited Phuket in October month to avoid the crowd.
How to reach Phuket and Getting around
Like us, most people who arrive into Thailand will connect through Bangkok and explore different parts of Thailand by domestic flights or by road and start their island hopping from Phuket.
By Flight: Phuket has the huge advantage of having its own international airport, so there is no need for visitors to fly via Bangkok. Direct flights to Phuket are possible from many major airline hubs, while Air Asia offers low-cost regular flights to Phuket from destinations such as Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, and India.
By Bus: Phuket Town has a main bus terminal that sees buses arriving and departing from just about everywhere in Thailand throughout the day and night. Phuket can also be easily reached by boat from Krabi on the mainland, along with the surrounding islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi.
Getting around in Phuket – Rented Motorbike / Moped
A popular and fun way of getting around in Phuket has been via motorbike. Undoubtedly, riding on the roads and feeling the cool breeze on your face is a great way to see more of the island. We strongly recommend you to be cautious. Hiring these motorbikes can be risky as they don’t tend to come with insurance and you will be liable for the cost of all damages. Make sure you have International Driving License if you don’t have Thailand Driving License.
Phuket Hotels – Where to stay in Phuket
Searching for where to stay in Phuket can be a tricky part and time-consuming. Popular tourist towns are Patong, Karon, Kata, and Phuket Old Town. There are wide choices of international hotels in Phuket along with some well-located budget-friendly options and almost everything in between.
For a base within easy reach of all the main attractions, beach life, and nightlife, the Pacific Club Resort (Karon Beach) in Phuket provides a little oasis of calm in the middle of bustling Karon. It is just a moment away from the beach and located at a very nearer distance to all of the main action.
Our Hotel – Pacific Club resort, Phuket Karon beach resort and spa.
The Pacific Club resort is a perfect place to take the whole family. Located on the west coast of Phuket, this resort is a slice of modern luxury nestled within a tropical paradise.
Click here for complete resort review.
For the party-goers, the town of Patong is the hub for exciting nightlife and tourist shopping in Phuket. It’s also where the majority of hotels are located. However, as the taxis and tuk-tuks are overpriced for tourists here, it is recommended that you select a hotel that is nearest to the places you intend to visit.
Phuket City Tour with Phuket Let’s Go
Our trip to Phuket was inclusive of a full-day tour around the city with Phuket Let’s Go tours. Although still tired from previous day flight, we strived to wake up early the next day to explore Phuket City. It’s never too early when you’re on vacation!
It’s worth noting that Miss.Julien and team from Phuket Let’s Go! and the driver made a good impression. They were punctual. Aside from we two, there was a family on the tour. All groups from different parts of the world.
Our tour guide cheerfully welcomed us to Phuket with an introduction to the city. Our full-day excursion included visits to Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Old Phuket Town, Chalong Bay Rum Distillery factory and Karon Viewpoint.
Phuket Top Attractions
Phuket has long been known as the ultimate destination for party-goers, but it so much more than just that. Here are some of the best places to visit and get your adventure started.
Big Buddha Phuket – The most famous Big Buddha statue
Start your day in Phuket early and make your way up to the Big Buddha for some spectacular views of the sites you’ll be exploring over the next few days. To the east is Chalong Bay, Phuket Town and Cape Panwa, while to the west the views stretch along to Karon and Kata beaches. The Buddha statue itself is an impressive sight, sitting at a staggering 45 meters tall.
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 19:30
Entry fee: No entrance fee
Plan to stay: 30min-1hr
Wat Chalong Temple ( also known as Chaithararam Temple )
Wat Chalong is the largest temple in Phuket. This colourful building is elaborately decorated with numerous images of the Buddha, along with imagery from Thai and Buddhist mythology. Wat Chalong houses many Buddhist statues, with the most revered being Poh Than Jao Wat, located in the westerly old hall of the temple.
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 17:00
Entry fee: No entrance fee
Plan to stay: 1-2 hrs
Wat Chalong Temple
Old Phuket Town – Discover the Historical District
For a historic look at Phuket, head to Phuket Old Town. Small enough to explore on foot. So much changed from the 18th century and the architecture is special and appealing. It is a unique mix of Portuguese and Chinese.
Thalang Road is the main street here. It’s lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses and plenty of places to grab a coffee and a spot of lunch. After lunch, head to Soi Romanee (the road that connects Thalang to Dibuk Road, and the former red-light district). Here you’ll discover latticed windows and internal courtyards on the quaint old buildings lining the street.
Opening Hours: Open Daily. It is an open street walk.
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
If you come to Phuket you must visit Chalong Bay rum distillery! We were carried away by their factory tour. While touring the distillery, we were offered to enjoy a free refreshing Chalong Bay Rum mojito with the knowledge of how it’s made. The staff were welcoming and friendly. They gave a really informative tour of how their exotic rum is made. The best part of the tour was the tasting of cocktail and mojito. The Chalong Bay Rum is one of the best quality white rums with its rarity, taste, and smoothness.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 – 22:00 (Closed on Sunday)
Tour starts every day from 2:00 pm and goes on until 6:00 pm. The visit includes a 30 minute guided tour, tasting session and a Chalong Bay Rum Mojito.
Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
We ended the day tour at the dawn at the Karon viewpoint just before the night ends. We very much enjoyed our day at Phuket with Phuket Let’s Go!
Tour Inclusions:
- Guided tour of Phuket in AC vehicle.
- Round-trip transportation to and from our Phuket hotel.
- Live tour commentary provided in English.
Conclusion:
We got in contact with Ann and Julien for Phuket city tour and were thrilled by the level of experience and advice provided. Also, we came across many tour companies charging higher rates. Phuket Let’s Go! not only gave us a reasonable price, they also helped us explore local, authentic places, not-so-touristy places that are really lovely. They responded to our queries quickly. They know how to tailor the tourist experience based on the type of their clients and their interest. We highly recommend Phuket Let’s Go! to anybody visiting Phuket.
Tour Booking:
If you want to go on a tour of Phuket then check out some of the awesome tours of your interest and book/contact directly on their website: Phuket Let’s Go and find them on Tripadvisor.
Best Viewpoints in Phuket
Karon View Point – ( as known as Kata viewpoint )
Probably the most famous Phuket view-point. From a high point south of Kata Noi beach you can see 3 beaches – Kata Noi, Kata and Karon. We climbed the steps to the top of the pavilion and were rewarded with sweeping views across Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach in the north.
Opening Hours: Open Daily.
Entry fee: No fee
Phromthep Cape Viewpoint
Promthep Cape at the southernmost point of Phuket island seems to be an absolutely irresistible spot. You can watch one of the magnificent sunsets from this truly incredible viewpoint. Sure, it gets busy with everybody trying to catch a glimpse of the spectacle, but as the sun dips into the sea at Phuket’s southernmost point, you really won’t care.
Opening Hours: Open Daily.
Entry fee: No fee
Nightlife in Phuket
Phuket has beaches, views, and other attractions. What more could you want other than the Nightlife!
Bangla Road in Patong Beach
Soi Bangla or Bangla Road is the heart of all Phuket Nightlife. Seeing as you’re already in Patong, Bangla Road is where all the fun begins after the sun goes down in Phuket. Bangla Road and Beach Road make the beating heart of nightlife in Phuket. This area is always alive with music, girly bars, and clubbers. While it’s busy, it’s also a non-threatening place to party the night away.
Opening Hours: 10:00 pm – late night
Tips:
- Walk from Patong beach and move on with Thanon Bangla road the other end.
- If Bangla Road isn’t your scene but you still want to party, you’ll find a diverse mix of interesting night spots along U-Thit Road and Thaweewong Road at Patong Beach.
Siam Niramit Phuket – Cultural theatre Show
Siam Niramit is a colourful and extravagant show that celebrates the best of Thailand’s culture and tradition. Not only that, but Siam Niramit is a complete evening out, with an on-site restaurant serving Thai and International cuisines, shopping and leisure amenities alongside the main show.
Note: Pre-Booking is required. Check on their website here.
Opening Hours: The show runs once a day, six days a week, and is closed on Tuesdays.
Show Time: 20:30. Theatre gates open at 20:00. Its attractions and facilities open at 17:30.
Tip: Arrive early to make the most of the other attractions, which includes a traditional Thai village with floating market.
PC:sightseeinggroup.com
Phuket Weekend Market / Phuket Walking Street Market
The most famous market in town, the Phuket Weekend Market (as known as Naka Night Market) sits on the fringes of Phuket Town along Chao Fa West Road. It’s a chaotic and atmospheric place, selling everything imaginable. It is a shopper’s paradise and it also has a thriving food section. Visiting the Phuket Weekend Market is an experience in itself, but there’s always something worth bartering for among its diverse and colourful stands.
Opening Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Karon Temple Market
Located in Karon town, Karon Temple Market is at temple grounds which opens to a marketplace full of souvenirs, clothing and food. It’s quite a large market which tourists will love.
Opening Hours: Every Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
How to get to Phi Phi island and Phi Phi island hopping
After exploring the largest island in Thailand, we headed to explore small islands of Ko Phi Phi. It takes around two hours to reach the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket ‘Rassada Pier’ and although the ferries are usually packed with tourists, the spectacular scenery of these striking islands makes it all worthwhile. Ko Phi Phi Don is the main island where most visitors head to (mainly backpackers) for all the party nights, pleasing the senses of taste, and sinking in the warm sunny sands. You can visit the Ko Phi Phi Leh to the south which is a quieter island to the south. It has no overnight accommodation. You can also plan to visit the famous Maya Bay (the location of the film, The Beach) and spend your day snorkelling, sunbathing and generally marvelling at the surroundings. Enjoy the famous and spectacular Phi Phi Viewpoint.
We would recommend you to go to the Rassada Pier in Phuket Town and take a boat to Koh Phi Phi Don. You can stay there a couple of days like we did and enjoy the gorgeous island in the mid of the jewel-blue sea and all day tours from there.
Our Hotel – PP Princess Resort, Ko Phi Phi Don.
Check here to read the full review along with the day tour plan of our perfect romantic stay in the Phi Phi islands.
Phi Phi View Point
Maya Bay
Ferry Boat Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi Island with Andaman Wave Master
There are a number of tour operators offering trips from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands. Andaman Wave Master Tours tend to be a good choice, with a big boat, pick up at the hotel on time, safe transportation to the islands, cheerful and knowledgeable staff, along with plenty of soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruits and snacks.
We were picked up from our hotel early morning, reached Rassada Pier by 8:00 am and boarded the Royal Jet Cruiser ferry at the jetty. We recommend you to book their “Premium Class” seats. “Premium Class” seats are in an air-conditioned area at the “top” of the boat, with comfortable leather lounges, its own cafe offering scenic views of the Andaman Sea while relishing complimentary snacks and soft drinks.
Ferry/Island tour Booking
If you want to go on a tour of Phi Phi island with professionals or check out some of the awesome island tours of your interest then book/contact directly through their website: Andaman Wave Master.
What do you think of this Phuket Travel Guide? What would you recommend as top attractions or things to do in Phuket or great tips? Let us know below in the comments section.
Tips:
- Plan your travel dates such that it will fall on one of the weekends to enjoy the Phuket weekend markets.
- If visiting a Buddhist Temple, be sure to cover your shoulders and legs till knees and remove your shoes before entering.
- Phuket’s beaches can make for some dangerous swimming and surfing during monsoon season. Always take heed of warning signs at the beach.
- The monsoon season runs from May to October. While you see plenty of rainfall at this time of the year, the accommodation and other activities may be less expensive.
- The so-called ‘taxi mafia’ is rife in Phuket and extravagant overcharging is not uncommon. Insist that the meter is used for standard taxis and agree on a fixed fare for the tuk-tuks.
- It’s not compulsory to tip in Thailand but it is appreciated.
- Renting a motorbike (if you know how to ride one) is highly recommended. It will save you money on transportation costs, as taxis are more expensive.
I stated at the Pacific club resort when I visited and loved it I can’t wait to go back one day thanks for sharing these tips will keep them in mind if I return
Oh wow, this is one of the best, most informative posts I’ve ever read on Phuket. I’ve wanted to go here for so long but had no idea what to do or how long to stay. I absolutely love how you broke it down into manageable chunks of information and even included the best viewpoints – because that is always something I look for when I travel. I’m pinning this and my trip is going to follow all of your tips exactly! Thanks again!
What an intriguing looking place. I have always heard it is beautiful and the beaches certainly are, love your pictures. I appreciate the breakdown of the pros and cons, it is very useful especially for first time visitors. Will pin this for a future visit.
A detailed and colourful post. The rum distillery sounds great! The advice on transportation very handy. Why is it that taxidrivers think tourists are meant to be ripped off?
So good to see that Phuket is not only about nightlife. I am thinking of moving to Thailand in about 3-4 months, so the article was very useful for me. Most probably, I will stay for a month on Krabi or Phi Phi, so I will have a chance to visit Pucket as well. I have already been to Chiang Mai and Bangkok and I must say they were fantastic!
I am not sure why but I always thought I would skip Phuket when visiting Thailand (too touristy, not too interesting?) but I have to say it has a lot more to offer than I thought! Thanks for sharing!!
I wish we had read this guide before visiting Phuket! We visited the James Bond Island on a tour which was fantastic but stayed too near Patong Beach, meaning we didn’t really see the secluded, quieter side of life in Phuket! Saving this for our next visit!
This is such an extensive post! I’m definitely bookmarking this for when I plan my trip to that area. Thank you!
Awesome travel guide! I was there last month… i recommend Thalang Road on a SUNDAY 🙂 And also do not miss the PHI PHI CRUISE from old phuket town to ko phi phi pier 🙂 and yeah the long tail boat cruises so they wont be obsolete 🙂
We love your recommendations! You made a great job at listing the possibilities here! Well done!
Thailand is such a great destination…great beaches, stunning temples, and palatable food!!! Too bad I haven’t been to Phuket (or Chiang Mai) only Bangkok!
Great guide, thanks! I spent 2 weeks in Phuket in 2015 but haven’t visited many places, were mostly relaxing on the beach drinking coconuts 😀
Thank you for putting this together! Very informative and detailed travel guide with all the bits necessary to prepare a great trip.
So many interesting things to see and do in Phuket. Would definitely want to travel there, check it out and swim those lovely waters.
Cheers!
Great ideas here. Never been to Thailand so will look at this guide again when I go nearer in the future 🙂
Admittedly I shied away from spending time in Phuket, because most posts I read only highlighted the beaches & the night life, but if I’d seen your post before my trip I would have reconsidered! It’s so nice to read a bit more about the culture, sites and markets. Maybe I’ll get back there someday! 🙂
Great Itinerary! I like that you can get into Phuket by air. There seems to be so much to do and see! And I like the tip about planning to be there on the weekend, so you can enjoy the markets.
It’s neat to learn that there is more to Phuket than just the island hopping. While I’d love to do that it’s great to learn what the city itself including the temples and statues.
I didn’t realize Phuket was so much more than just beaches. The temples look beautiful too. I actually skipped Phuket when I visited Thailand a few years back because of how crowded it seemed. I’ll have to keep in mind to visit in October though!
What a gorgeous destination. I have heard so many wonderful things about Phuket. Your photos are grand. Maybe I will make it over there some day. 😉
Phuket is wonderful place! I have never been to Phuket. But it looks It has so much to offer. Wat Chalong temple looks amazing. I have heard about its beaches too. I will definitely plan to visit Phuket as soon as possible. Thanks for inspiring me dear.
This is a very nice and informative guide you made. Love the itinerary! thanks for sharing!
That’s a useful itinerary put together. Have been considering a trip to Phuket lately and think it would be ideal to refer back to your post. Phuket is gorgeous!
Awesome pics with the informative description made PHUKET more attractive.
The tips help to the maximum to have a comfortable n memorable trip…..
We have never been and we have always wanted to explore Phuket as a family. Awesome itinerary. I am definitely bookmarking this.
Phuket! Oh, Phuket! I have been longing to go to Phuket! Thailand is just a few hours away from Manila and I can’t wait to set foot on this paradise! Your itinerary is very informative, too! 🙂
We haven’t been to Phuket. We primarily explored Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai during our visit almost two years ago. We are going to visit Thailand again this May, so this guide comes handy! Thanks!
This guide will definitely come in handy for when I finally visit Thailand. I haven’t been there, but I heard a lot about Phuket. It looks like a worthy place to travel to. I am a bit confused about some people, some pronounce it as “poo-ket” while some say it like “fu-ket.” I’m just curious, which one is the right way?
Hey Shruthi ,
This blog is so nice. I am from bangladesh. Today I am trying to finding out a best travel guide and atleast I found it. Very comphrensive travel guide. I really liked it. I will try to go fuket but I don’t know When I go. Whatever, Thanks for taking the time to share. You are welcome in bangladesh.