Airport ::

Phuket’s international airport has direct flights from many Asian countries, such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Tokyo. Regular domestic flights to/from Bangkok take about one hour. Phuket also has connections to the airport of Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Surat Thani and Trang. Low cost regional airlines, such as Air Asia, Bangkok Air, Nok Airways and the national Thai Airways, all fly in and out of Phuket.
Airport departure tax for international flights is 500 Baht; domestic flights charge 30 Baht, paid in the airport.

If you have not arranged transport with your hotel, you can either rent a car at the airport or take a taxi. Touts hang outside the terminal, offering rides in cars or mini vans for a fixed rate. Metered taxis are yellow and red and have a stand outside in the parking lot. Pay 100 Baht at the meter taxi stand and the rest of the journey will go by the meter. This is a cheaper option than the non-metered taxis.

Buses in Phuket ::

Buses in Phuket are more commonly known as Songtao or Baht buses. These buses look like large colourful Station Wagon and can be seen on most main roads around the Island. All buses start and end their routes at the central bus terminal which is located in Phuket Town opposite the market on Ranong rd. Buses leave the central terminal approximately twice an hour from 7am until 6pm. The advantage of using these buses is that they are cheap costing only 30 baht per ticket. They also have good connections between Phuket Town and all of the major beaches in Phuket where the vast majority of tourists stay. The disadvantage, however, is that there are no bus routes that run between beaches making it entirely unpractical to use a bus in such circumstances.

 Tuk Tuk and Taxi ::

The public transport situation on Phuket has even the Governor perplexed. Basically, the tuk tuk drivers don’t want the taxi drivers, who in turn don’t want a bus service, which in turn stops running after dark when the tuk tuk drivers hike their fares despite being warned not to. See what we mean? As a result, everyone suffers, but none more than the public themselves. Even Thai university students claim to be gouged by greedy tuk tuk drivers, and that’s saying something. As previously mentioned, it’s really best to hire your own vehicle as soon as possible after your arrival but if you don’t want to do this please follow these tips when using taxis or tuk tuks.

• Always agree on the fare before setting off
• Every tuk tuk on Phuket is required by law to display a list of prices. If the route includes a hill then the fare is hiked. If the price list is not displayed then it’s not advisable to use that tuk tuk
• There is no need to tip at the end of the journey
• If your taxi has a meter, insist that it be turned on for short distances. This way you have no need to haggle over the price unless the taxi driver states a reasonable starting price. The only exception is if you book a taxi to the airport. In this case the fare at this time of writing is 250 Baht
• If the stated tuk tuk or taxi fare is considered too expensive, smile and walk away

Motorcycle Taxis

These chaps wear numbered red or green vests and you can flag them down almost anywhere. Again, always agree on the fare before setting off. They’ll be cheaper than tuk tuks (who isn’t?) but will ask a silly asking price in the hope of a quick buck. Haggle them down with a smile and a laugh.

 

Self Driving

Hiring a Motorcycle ::

A ubiquitous sight on Phuket is a sun-reddened Westerner thundering by on a big bike with a Thai girl (or two) on the back. This daily vista recently prompted a visitor to ask: “Do the bikes come with the girls or the girls with the bikes?” By the day, a bike will usually cost US $4 upwards for 100cc/125cc Honda “step through” motorbikes to US $8 upwards for bigger bikes and choppers. Weekly/monthly rates are negotiable. Please insist on a helmet, or two if you have a passenger. Motorcycle hire shops will not provide insurance so if you find yourself in an accident you’ll have to pay. Sensible options? Always drive defensively as most locals will not have had a driving education. Look out for people overtaking when you’ve already signaled right. Warning: If you ride a motorbike without wearing a helmet during the day in Phuket Town you’ll be stopped and fined by the local police. Then again, if you ride without a helmet at about 6.pm in Patong you’ll be stopped and fined. The process, without being disagreeable or overly expensive, is time consuming and time’s the one thing you don’t want to lose on your holiday.

Car Hire ::

This is the only way to go if you’re in a group or value your life dearly. Again, all the major car rental names are here, but if you want a cheaper deal expect to pay about US $15 + a day for a Suzuki jeep from local rentals; less if you’re renting long term. It’s best to thoroughly check out your rental car’s insurance policy; especially if you’re planning to drive off the island in neighboring provinces, where it might not be covered.