Learn more about flights to Phuket 🛫
Crazy Llama will help you quickly and easily choose and buy tickets to Phuket.
Phuket is about the size of Singapore. But instead of shopping centers and skyscrapers there are fantastic nature, views that movie directors love so much and endless white beaches. Phuket is a synonym of perfect relaxation.
Best time for arrival is winter; it is pleasant to escape from frost and snow to the island. And there is always something to do: the usual "seal" rest, and active sports on the water, and exploration of the fantastic local nature.
16 million passengers annually pass through Phuket International Airport. It is the second busiest airport in Thailand after Bangkok Airport. Therefore, the main thing you need to be prepared for upon arrival is the queue.
Previously, international and domestic flights both were landing here. Now the flows of passengers are divided into different terminals. But from the arrival to the exit from the airport, it can still take several hours. One of the widespread problems — baggage arrives much later than passengers.
Phuket International Airport is welcoming visitors this way
The airport is 32 km away from the center of Phuket. This way can be overcome by taxi or bus in 40 minutes with an average traffic load. Be prepared to spend much more time sitting during rush hours.
Phuket International Airport has its own taxi fleet. These are brand new cars with generally neat drivers who speak English mostly good. A trip to the center will cost about $ 20.
Outside the airport, you will find cars of the Taxi-Meter company. Trip in Taxi-Meter will be a few dollars cheaper. But you should not expect a special service. It is also important to ensure that the Taxi-Meter driver turns on the counter before starting the trip.
You should be careful with taxis on Phuket: drivers can "forget" to turn on the counter and ask for more money at the end of the ride
The airport also provides minibuses for 10 people. Such trip costs about $ 7, but you have to wait until the right number of passengers has gathered.
But the cheapest ways to go to the center would are Phuket Smart Bus or Airport Bus Phuket. The first one goes around all the popular beaches for 3-5 dollars. And the second one goes strictly to the city center for $ 3.
Both routes have their drawbacks. First, buses depart once an hour. Secondly, they are very slow. But for such price we can forgive them everything.
The dry season on Phuket lasts from December to February. Rains of varying degrees of prolongation and strength are common in all other months. Most precipitation falls from June to November.
What should you do on Phuket island? The most obvious answer is to rest on numerous beaches and swim in the warm Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. And enjoying the amazing tropical nature during breaks. Phuket is literally created for unity with nature. And also for cultural experiences, caring for elephants, the famous Thai night clubs and the best sunsets in life.
If there is a place in the world where anyone can find their perfect beach, this place is Phuket. There are entertaining beaches, beaches with fantastic views, almost deserted beaches. And there white sand and clear blue water everywhere — could anything be better?
Want a classic beach holiday? With rides, endless series of bars, street food and other resort attributes? Then go to Patong — perhaps the most famous beach on the whole Phuket. But be careful: prices can bite even if you buy just water.
Patong is noisy but there are definitely best parties here
Next to the bustling Patong there is a quiet Kamala beach. It has calm waves and a lot of free space on the long coastline which is perfect for families.
If you need complete privacy, look for Freedom Beach. The cleanest sand, azure bay, authentic fishing boats on the horizon — to find all this, you have to go along the path through the jungle or rent a water taxi.
Beach Freedom view
Surfers most often choose Nai Harn Beach. It’s quite crowded here in hot season, but there’s always something to do: ride the waves and watch a magical sunset from the restaurant’s veranda in the evening.
When visiting this place tourists have only one impression: “Wow!” Here you need to rent a kayak, swim through the unearthly beauty of the cave and feel absolute peace. Where else will you be able to swim literally under the islands, look at the trees that grow directly from the rocks, find ancient (at least, we hope they are ancient) rock paintings among the millennial stalactites?
The attraction is important but popular. Locals are spoiled with tourists, so they can ask to pay for every your step. Therefore, it is better to go to Phang Nga with a pre-organized tour.
Many call it the “place of power” or “rest for the soul.” On the one hand, this is just a giant Buddha statue. And on the other — a monumental building of 45 meters height. It impresses at least by scale, but also by the atmosphere itself.
The Big Buddha can be seen from almost anywhere in the southern part of the island. And if you climb high to the mountain where it stands, then you can see a gigantic panorama of Phuket — see the world through the eyes of Buddha.
The Old city is hidden in the capital of Phuket, completely devoid of the noise and fuss that prevails on the beaches nearby. There are no clubs, giant shopping malls or bars. It’s worth a peek into this area, because it is unlikely that somewhere else in the world you will find such a bizarre combination of Chinese and Colonial cultures.
Most of the houses in the Old Town were built in the twentieth century and have since been carefully maintained by the owners in pristine condition. There is also a Phuket museum, an old post office and several hundred-year-old shops, which have not changed at all over the entire existence.
Phuket has stopped making money on elephants in a barbaric way, forcing these large animals to entertain the public with tricks. Now tourists can chat with elephants in a natural setting. It creates comfortable conditions primarily for elephants. Visitors are taught to respect animals and nature, allowing them to communicate with elephants politely and neatly. An ideal place to tell your child about the world, the ecosystem and the importance of preserving natural diversity.
Phuket Fantasea night show is one of Phuket's most exciting attractions. About a hundred artists participate in the performance, telling a fantastic story in ethnic Thai style. In fact, this is not just a performance, but a whole theme park.
At night, everything sparkles, shines and whirls. You can play local games, buy gifts, go to the Elephant Palace, study the history and culture of Thailand and of course try food. Phuket Fantasea has the largest food court in Asia with 4,000 seats.
Phuket's night markets are another world with their own culture and rules. Since it’s so hot on the island during the day, the merchants changed their opening hours and began to work closer to sunset. But these are not just familiar shopping arcades, but real festivals. Fervent music often sounds here, people sit at small tables eating street food, and sometimes you can see whole performances from local theater-goers or dancers.
Among the most famous night markets: Chillva for lovers of stylish markets, Walking Street in Phuket Town, which can be called a real attraction of Thai authenticity, Indy Market, where you can find various hand-made attractions, Malin Plaza on Patong Beach with a variety of local food.
Speaking of food, all the variety of Thai tastes is concentrated on Phuket. Local cuisine is a combination of sweet, sour, spicy and salty tastes in one dish.
One of the most famous Thai dishes in the world is Tom Yam soup. If you go around all the food courts of the island, you won’t find two identical recipes. But they will all be delicious. They say that no one in the world can repeat the dish as it is done in Thailand. And if you need a sweeter and more exotic version, order Tom Kha.
Another popular dish is Pad Thai. In fact, it’s just noodles with a certain set of ingredients: from shrimp to tofu with vegetables. A win-win, tasty and always with peanuts.
Phuket people make green curry in a special way. Although this is an Indian dish, the Thais managed to make it absolutely different. Thanks to coconut milk.
The most common food on Phuket, as popular as the fish and chips in Britain, is rice with chicken. The chicken is boiled to the most delicate state, and rice is cooked in the remaining broth. Dish is served everywhere: from restaurants at hotels to street counters.