Major city · Thailand
Phuketภูเก็ต
Go to Phuket for beaches and island trips, in the dry season; pick your beach first because the island is large and traffic is slow.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, calm seas)
- avoid May–Oct (monsoon, rough seas and rip currents)
- Airport
- HKT
- Nights
- 3–5
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, linked to the mainland by bridge, with an international airport and beaches along its west coast. Patong is the busiest resort area, while Kata, Karon and the north are quieter. Phuket Town has Sino-Portuguese shophouses and local food.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HKT Phuket International (North of the island; taxi, minibus or airport bus to resorts)
Weather and climate
Phuket: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing are pricey; agree on fares or use the meter. Rental scooters are common but accident risk is high and insurance often excludes unlicensed riders.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kata / Karon
Family-friendly beaches with a quieter feel than Patong.
Phuket Town
Local food, cafes and shophouse streets; away from the beach.
Patong
Busiest beach with the most nightlife; noisy.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Rip currents in monsoon season are dangerous: obey red flags.
- Agree taxi and tuk-tuk fares before you go.
- Motorbike accidents are frequent; check that your insurance covers riding.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Phuket. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, calm seas) · avoid May–Oct (monsoon, rough seas and rip currents)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 3 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialTourism Authority of Thailand
- secondaryWikivoyage — Phuket