How to Get Around Phuket - Tips for Using Local Transport Options during a Getaway in Phuket

Ranked among the top beach holiday destinations in Asia, let alone Thailand, Phuket is a beach paradise of truly mythical proportions. Although there are a great many travelogues on what to do and how to make the most of your time on its sun-kissed beaches, there's little information on navigating the island. From hopping on a Songthaew to using Patong buses, here's how to get around Phuket with ease during your next getaway.

1. Songthaews

Those who are interested in exploring or travelling around Phuket in the same way the locals do will find Songthaews their best transport option. These converted pickup trucks with benches in the back to serve as passenger seats are a quintessentially Thai invention and the perfect way to travel short distances. Easy on the wallet, Songtheaws are easy to hail from the side of the road and also pick up passengers from bus stops and stations all across Phuket. Songthaews are, by far, the best way to navigate the downtown area or enjoy a shopping spree as tourists can virtually hop on and hop off the vehicle at any point in the journey. While the fares are unregulated and depend on the traffic situation and whether you are travelling during rush hour, it is still an affordable way to get around provided that it is not raining.

2. Potong Buses

Famed as the least expensive and least costly way to travel around Phuket, Patong buses are the transport option that's dearest to budget travellers. These non-air-conditioned buses are primarily used to explore the outskirts of the main beach towns in Phuket and the resort hubs so it is ideal for those who are looking for the less touristy parts of the island. The price of the ride is not always apparent or indicated so passengers might want to ask the driver about the route and the fare before boarding a Patong bus but travelling in one, even by mistake, can be a cultural experience as these buses are almost always crowded with locals.

fitri agung from Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia, Indonesia, Bus in Phuket (8481660759), CC BY 2.0 

3. Rent a Car or Bike

Those who possess an international driving license and a penchant for driving overseas will find that driving around Phuket is a great way to get around the island. Rental rates in Phuket are remarkably affordable so even those with modest means can rent a car or a motorbike for a reasonable price. Klook and other rental companies offer vehicle rentals to tourists and locals alike but it is crucial to check the safety and structural integrity of the vehicle before hiring it for the day or the duration of the stay. Motorbikes of dubious quality are often rented to unsuspecting tourists by disreputable rental companies where one might even have to pay extra for a helmet.

4. Taxis

Those with reservations at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas or any one of the other Phuket luxury hotels will often only use taxis for airport transfers. While taxi travel can be a tad costly, it is the best option for those in a hurry or those visiting Phuket as a family or with a group. Tourists should download the local taxi booking apps upon arrival and use their smartphones to book rides to beaches and cultural attractions around Phuket. It is frankly less expensive than hailing a taxi off a street corner as one may not know what the ride will end up costing.

5. Chauffeured Vehicle

First-time travellers and those without an international driving permit can also rent a chauffeured vehicle during a holiday in Phuket. While it is perhaps not within the means of every tourist, those who can spare the funds will find that it offers one a sense of freedom in terms of exploring the destination on their own timetable.