How to Get About in Phuket, Thailand – Transportation Options for Island Exploration

The picturesque Thai island of Phuket would be a delight for the visitor, offering many engrossing experiences that would capture your imagination. In this destination, you would find lovely beaches, amazing sightseeing attractions and many interesting things to do. Described below are the ways you could get about Phuket and conveniently experience its various attractions; the transportation choices you make would naturally depend on your personal priorities.

Image via pixahive

 By bus

In Phuket, you would find modestly sized buses that link Phuket Old Town and the major beach resorts of the island, like Patong, Kamala, Surin and Karon. You would find that these buses would be reliable and cheap, although they could be slow due to their winding routes and frequent stops. These bus services would run frequently from early morning to late afternoon. There would also be air-conditioned buses, but these services would only ply a couple of routes.You may also take advantage of the bus / minivan intercity services which would take you to destinations located relatively nearby like Khao Lak, Takua Pa, Chumphon, Phang Nga, Krabi and so on; you could additionally travel using these services to more distant destinations such as Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Bangkok, Hua Hin and so on. 

By songthaew

Another popular option for getting around Phuket would be travelling by songthaew; this is the name given to pickup trucks or similar vehicles which have been modified to accommodate passengers. You would generally find that the destination would be displayed on songthaews; you would be able to board or dismount from these vehicles practically anywhere on the route. As there would be no formal stops, to board a songthaew, you would simply have to wait along the route and flag down a vehicle when it approaches. 

By tuk-tuk

Travelling by tuk-tuk would be an interesting experience in Phuket; however, you will find that the local tuk-tuks would be rather different from those found elsewhere in Thailand, featuring four wheels rather than three! However, you must keep in mind that travelling by tuk-tuk would probably be the costliest mode of transportation for visitors in Phuket; drivers may also charge exorbitant fares, particularly when other forms of transport would be unavailable. 

By taxi and motorbike taxi

You will generally find that taxis with a meter would cost less than tuk-tuks for travel within Phuket. Taxis could easily be identified by their striking yellow and red colours and the large rooftop taxi sign. A red light at the front window would indicate that the taxi would be available for hire. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily take taxis would be Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites which may be regarded as one of the Phuket business hotels that offer private transfers as well.Another transport option to consider would be motorbike taxis. This mode of transport would be an affordable means of travel but would be more suitable for brief solo journeys. Motorbike taxis could often be found at busy intersections as well as close to popular sightseeing attractions and beaches.

 By other transport options

In Phuket, you will find an array of companies offering vehicles for rent such as cars, motorcycles, and scooters. Possessing your own means of transportation could save you both time and money while offering added flexibility. When renting a motorbike, just be sure to have the necessary insurance, license, confidence, and experience, not forgetting a helmet too.On the waters surrounding the island, you will notice numerous speedboats, long-tailed boats, and ferries; going on excursions via such watercraft would be an interesting transport option for visitors as well. Travelling by air would be another option to consider, with domestic flights linking Phuket with the Thai capital, Bangkok, and other cities operating regularly.