Getting Around Phuket
Getting around Phuket is easy. There are plenty of transport options. Phuket has a reputation in Thailand for having the most expensive transport system in the country. However, for visitors from the west the transport costs will still seem cheap.
From the Airport
For many people, the trip from the airport is their first experience of transport in Phuket. Unfortunately it is often a bad experience. There are two companies that pay for the concession to run the taxi service from the airport. And of course that means they charge extra to their passengers. Their cheapest option is a shared minibus which will cost 100-200 baht. This will take longer than a taxi as they wait until they have sold all the seats before they leave and it will then go around the hotels of every passenger. An air-con taxi (they call a limousine) to Patong will cost around 500 baht.
These fares are only a little above the going rate and a minor annoyance. The real annoyance with these operators is their desire to squeeze much more money from their customers by forcing them to book accommodation through local travel agents. It is a regular occurrence that the mini bus or taxi stops at a travel agent shop on the way and everyone is bustled out of the vehicle and into the shop. Once there, they tell everyone to book their accommodation through the agent before continuing their journey. They will even pressure people with pre-existing bookings with the claim that their hotel is no good. Needless to say, the hotels they want to book you into are paying them high commissions.
Our recommendation - say you have a pre-existing booking right from the outset (even if you don't) and say you have already paid for it. If you do not have a booking, then at least know the name of a hotel in your desired town. For example, if you want to go to Patong, say you have a booking at the C&N Hotel which is in a nice central location.
There has been a turf battle around the airport concession for some time even reaching the extreme of shootings. The latest compromise is that independent taxi-meters have a stand outside the airport terminal but they only allow three in at a time. If you make your way out of the terminal and turn right, you may be able to get a taxi-meter.
One other alternative is to book a private taxi to meet you at the airport. Your hotel may be able to arrange this for you or you could use Viators. The price will be around the same but you do avoid the hassle of dealing with the airport taxis.
The other alternative is to walk to the road and get a bus or try to flag down a tut-tuk or taxi.
On the other side of the road from the airport, there are a couple of car rental firms that charge reasonable rates.
Taxi Meters
Taxi Meters are just that - taxis with meters. They are cheaper than tuk-tuks, as long as they turn the meter on. Unfortunately, there are not enough taxi-meters in Phuket. The tuk-tuk lobby (we will try to avoid the word mafia) are very effective and have been successful in limiting the number of taxi-meters on the island.
Tuk Tuks
The
little red vehicles that are known in Phuket as tuk-tuks, should strictly
be called songtaews. A tuk-tuk as recognised throughout the rest of Thailand
is a three-wheeled vehicle with handlebar controls instead of a steering wheel.
These vehicles have two-stroke engines that could not climb Phuket's steep
hills. Therefore these little red vans are used as the most common form of
transport around Phuket. They are still known as tuk-tuks because tourists
expect to see tuk-tuks. The Thai word songtaew means 'two rows' and refers
to the two benches in the back.
Phuket's tuk-tuks have long been a cause of contention. They are more expensive than anywhere else in Thailand and operate a very effective closed shop.
Unfortunately, with the scarcity of taxis they are often the only option. Always agree the price before you start the journey and be specific about where you want to go. Tuk-tuks are now charging a ridiculous minimum of 200 baht for short trips around Patong. A trip from Patong to Phuket Town should cost no more than 400 baht. Do not let them take you on a tour of jewelry shops or other places where they will get commission.
Do not get into a heated dispute with a tuk-tuk driver as the other drivers will back him up en-masse.
In all fairness, there are plenty of nice guys driving tuk-tuks. Some of the old guys in Phuket Town are a pleasure to meet. Regrettably, the bad apples do earn them all a bad name.
Motorbike Taxis
Not the safest way to travel but they are a convenient option for short trips. You will see them on street corners all over Phuket. They wear red or green vests. Agree the price before you start the journey. Short trips around town should cost 20-40 baht.
Driving in Phuket
Renting a car or motorcycle is a great way to get around Phuket. However, there are plenty of provisos - see our driving in Phuket section.
Local Buses
The
local bus service is cheap and cheerful. Most of the buses are in the style
known as Songtaew. That is basically a truck with two benches along the sides
and maybe a bench down the middle. They can get very full with passengers
hanging on to the back. Fares range from 10 to 30 baht. Do not expect comfort
or to get to your destination quickly.
The buses run along the beach roads of the main resorts. In Phuket Town, they run from Ranong Road. There is no bus service between Patong and Karon - the tuk-tuk drivers saw to that. The bus services run from 7:00 am to 6:00pm so don't expect to find one in the evenings.
National Buses
If you want to travel to other provinces then the national bus service is a good option. The main bus station (Bor Kor Sor) is on Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town. There are regular services to Bangkok, Ranong, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and most of the towns in-between.
There are three classes of bus - standard, first class and VIP. Do not take a standard bus for a long journey. The seats are hard and they do not have toilets. The first class buses are comfortable and have toilets but they can be slow going as they stop to pick up passengers all along the route. For long journeys, the VIP buses are worth the investment with comfortable seats, plenty of leg-room and no unscheduled stops. The leg-room on the VIP buses varies depending on how many seats the bus has. The 24 seat VIP buses are highly recommended but even the 32 and 36 seat VIP buses are comfortable.
Longtails
The
longtail boat is Thailand's contribution to maritime transport. They are like
large canoes with a recycled diesel truck engine mounted on a long pole that
has a propeller at the end. The driver controls boat direction simply by swiveling
the pole. They are rather noisy but have become one of the iconic images of
Thailand. For tourists they are a great way to visit the small islands around
Phuket or get to some of the inaccessible beaches. You can rent them at the
beach nearest your target destination. The cost will depend on the season,
how far you are going, how long you are going, how many people are going and
of course your negotiating skills. A trip should cost from 1000 to 2000 baht.
This will include the driver waiting while you are at your destination and
the return journey.
