Major city · Thailand
Phuket Townเมืองภูเก็ต
Base here 2 nights for cheaper beds, Sino-Portuguese streets and food, then move to a beach; skip it as a beach substitute.
Phuket Town is the island's provincial capital and transport hub, 30 km south of the airport and 15–45 minutes from the main beaches. Rooms and meals cost less than at the sand, the old quarter is walkable, and buses to every beach leave from Ranong Road. It is a base and a food stop, not a beach holiday.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May and Sep–Oct (wettest), peak crowds late Dec–early Jan
- Airport
- HKT
- Nights
- 2
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Phuket Town191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Phuket Town, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyPhuket Town is calm by day and mostly fine at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHKT Phuket International (30 km (19 mi) north; taxi about 30 min, shared minibus or airport bus about 1 h 15 min to the old bus terminal).HKT Phuket International (19 mi (30 km) north; taxi about 30 min, shared minibus or airport bus about 1 h 15 min to the old bus terminal).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 20–30 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or iced tea฿40–90 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice with two dishes฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop฿80–150 (≈ US$3–5)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across town฿200–400 (≈ US$7–13)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Thaihua)check฿200 (≈ US$7)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person฿250 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿3,500 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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 (30 km (19 mi) north; taxi about 30 min, shared minibus or airport bus about 1 h 15 min to the old bus terminal)HKT Phuket International (19 mi (30 km) north; taxi about 30 min, shared minibus or airport bus about 1 h 15 min to the old bus terminal)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care*
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Care*
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Feb–Apr, Nov. Mixed: Dec–Jan. Avoid: May, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C) low), wettest Sep (22 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Phuket Town: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
22 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
21 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 20–30 minutes end to end. Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks cover longer hops; agree the fare first. Blue songthaews to the beaches leave from Ranong Road near the market, roughly 07:00–18:00. Renting a scooter is common but only with a valid licence and a helmet.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Patong
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Blue songthaew from Ranong Road, about 45 min
Cheapest run on the island; last bus back leaves in the early evening.
Kata and Karon
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Songthaew or bus toward the south beaches, then a short walk
Karon is the quieter of the two; Kata has more cafés.
Chalong Bay
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Songthaew or taxi south, about 20 min
Pier for island boats and a cluster of seafood places.
Kamala
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Songthaew or taxi north along the west coast
Fewer direct buses; check the return leg before you go.
Mai Khao
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or drive north past the airport
Quiet beaches near the airport; weak public transport.
Surin
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or drive north along the west coast
Upscale beach strip; no useful bus from town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old Town (Thalang, Dibuk, Krabi roads)
Walkable cafés, shophouse guesthouses and the Sunday walking street; best for a first stay.
Ranong Road and the bus terminals
Cheapest beds and the songthaew stand for every beach; noisy and short on atmosphere.
Saphan Hin and the south edge
Quiet, near the park and sea; you will need a motorbike or taxis.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,500 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–3,000 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ฿3,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ฿1,200 | ฿2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Airport bus or minibus, one way2 × ฿100 · check | ฿200 |
| Songthaew to Patong, one way2 × ฿25 · check | ฿50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,045 |
| Trip total≈ ฿2,874 per person per day, bed included | ฿11,495≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or iced tea | ฿40–90 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice with two dishes | ฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Chicken rice (khao man kai)check | ฿60–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ฿80–150 (≈ US$3–5) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Songthaew to a beachcheck | ฿15–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi across town | ฿200–400 (≈ US$7–13) |
| Museum entry (Thaihua)check | ฿200 (≈ US$7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Songthaews stop running in the early evening; a missed last bus means a ฿200–400 (≈ US$7–13) taxi back from the beaches.
- Motorbike rental without an international driving permit voids insurance and invites police fines.
- The Vegetarian Festival brings crowds, parades and firecrackers to the old town for about nine days.
- Some bars and clubs have no posted prices: ask the total before you order.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
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Phuket Townเมืองภูเก็ต
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Phuket Town; most countries have embassies in Bangkok and consulates there or in Chiang Mai. Check your own government's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Phuket Town, taxi: about ฿500 (≈ US$16), 30 min (check)
- Airport → old bus terminal, bus: about ฿100 (≈ US$4), 1 h 15 min (check)
- Songthaew Phuket Town → Patong: about ฿25 (≈ under US$1), 45 min (check)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- แพงไป — Too expensive (phaeng pai)
- ป้ายรถอยู่ไหน — Where is the bus stop? (pai rot yu nai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
Songthaews and buses to the beaches leave from Ranong Road near the market; the old bus terminal has no Terminal 1 sign.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Town. 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 · avoid May and Sep–Oct (wettest), peak crowds late Dec–early Jan · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HKT: last airport bus and minibus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Ranong Road and the market, Saphan Hin.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Thaihua Museum, Jui Tui and Put Jaw, Khao Rang, Phuket Cultural Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Songthaew fare board and last-departure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.