Once you’ve made your way to your hotel in Phuket you will no doubt be making your way around the different cities, shopping, dining, and finding entertainment. Depending on the location of your hotel, many things are within walking distance and many are not.
I like to stay centrally located so that I can walk almost everywhere. There are still many instances when you’ll need transportation to make your way about the island, whether that is because you need to get there quickly or the distances are too far to walk.
We’ll cover some of the main forms of transport around Phuket.
Tuk-Tuk
This is the main form of transportation around the island. You will see Tuk-Tuk’s parked everywhere in the tourist areas. They look a bit different from the ones you are used to in Bangkok and other areas of Thailand. They look like small trucks with bench seating in the back.
Tuk-Tuk’s have a dominant control of transportation in the area which makes it hard to find other options. And because of this there isn’t really negotiating on price, which can be expensive, but still within reason. Just remember to agree on a price before you set off on your trip.
Motorcycle Taxi
These taxi services are quite readily available as well at a reasonable fee. You ride on the back of a motorcycle, so this is not a form of transportation that everyone will be comfortable with. Make sure that they give you a helmet to wear.
Taxi
Regular taxi’s are more difficult to find on Phuket but they are around. Make sure they use the meter when taking you to your destination.
Car Rental – Car Hire
You can rent a variety of vehicles on Phuket, either for the day or the duration of your stay. You should have an international driver’s license to drive. If you are keeping it longer than a day, make sure you have some place secure to park your car for the night.
Scooter or Motorcycle Rental
You can rent scooters or a motorcycle on Phuket. It is a quick and easy way to get around. However traffic is quite hectic and dangerous. Make sure you’ve at least some experience riding a scooter before renting one, and always wear a helmet.