How to travel around Phuket in the weekend

On the back of there being many private and public transportation facilities to avail of, getting about in Phuket, especially during the weekend when most travellers can be seen out and about will not cause you any stress. For the benefit of first-time visitors, penned down is a guide on which options would suit you best. 

Martin Pot (Martybugs at en.wikipedia), PhuketTukTuk, CC BY-SA 3.0

Taxis and Grab cars

Metered taxis are a convenient mode of travel in Phuket and can be hailed from outside Phuket International Airport and at popular meeting points for like-minded tourists such as Phuket Town and Patong. In terms what you can expect to pay, a fee of 50 Baht will be levied for the first 2 km with every additional km being charged 8 Baht. For slightly longer distances, your driver may charge a flat rate but even in such a scenario, be open to negotiation and never agree to the initial price quoted. Alternatively, air-conditioned taxis can be resorted to and as mentioned above, it would be beneficial to engage in some haggling before getting in. Also, these vehicles can be relied upon should you be in Phuket Town or any other resort area in Phuket. For a Grab car, begin by downloading the application onto your smartphone. After this, it will be a case of selecting a pick-up and drop-off location for which you will be presented with an estimated cost. With Grab, you can rest assured that you will not have to exhaust your valuable time debating as to what a fare price is with a local who may not be too conversant in English or your native tongue.

Motorbike rentals 

While renting and riding a motorbike will be one of the better ways to explore every nook and cranny there is to Phuket and beat the odd traffic jam, such a practice must be approached with a degree of caution. This is because if you do get into an accident, you will be required to possess either an international motorbike license or a Thai license in order to successfully claim insurance. What’s more? If you’re in Phuket during the rainy season, then perhaps staying off motorbike rentals would be a wise choice. However, if you are a traveller who prefers doing things to one’s own fancies, then renting a motorbike would be realistic. Bikes with big engines and those such as a Honda 50-cc will be your go to options. Further, bike shops located along Rat-U-Thit Road in Patong can also be considered. 

Songthaews 

If luxury travel is a priority while in this part of Thailand, then a Songthaew should be ignored. Although not the fastest, boarding a Songthaew which is the local bus will be the most economical way of travelling from Phuket Town to the island’s sought-after beaches including Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai. Since there are no designated bus stops in Phuket, travellers like yourselves would be encouraged to hail one from the roadside. As a rule of thumb, do make it a point to be in a main or touristy area, as you stand a better chance of finding a Songthaew which in turn, plies along roads and routes that are heavily dependent on the destination of the respective passengers.

Tuk-tuks

A tuk-tuk is basically a motorised rickshaw, which is ideal for travelling short distances that do not exceed the 30-minute mark. However, Phuket’s version is a far cry from what you would normally encounter in Bangkok, which is a 3-wheeler. Phuket’s tuk-tuk service is built on a fleet of modified, brightly coloured mini trucks. Notably, cross-town commutes can cost you as much as 100 Baht but for longer distances, the prices are sure to increase. Therefore, be prudent and agree on a favourable price before getting in. In the event you find yourself accommodated at Anantara Layan Phuket Resort from where holidaymakers can enjoy many things to do in Phuket, then you could check with the staff as to what form of transportation will complement your itinerary.