Big BuddhaAttraction
Big Buddha
A white marble statue forty-five metres tall on a hilltop, with views over the south of the island.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Things to do in Phuket
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Phuket in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Luxure, CC BY 3.0 au, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsPhuket International (HKT)
Getting aroundTaxis, ride-hailing apps and local buses
CurrencyThai baht (THB)
Best monthsNovember to April
Phuket in brief
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, set in the Andaman Sea and joined to the mainland by a bridge. Most visitors come for the beaches and the boat trips.
The beaches line the west coast. Patong is the busiest, Kata and Karon are calmer, and the north is quieter still. Phuket Old Town, inland, has colourful old shophouses.
Day trips by boat go to the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay. From May to October the sea is rougher and some trips are cancelled.
Top attractions in Phuket
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Big Buddha
Phuket Old TownAttraction
Phuket Old Town
Streets of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés, small museums and a Sunday walking-street market.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Patong BeachAttraction
Patong Beach
The island’s busiest beach, with water sports by day and nightlife around Bangla Road.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Kata and Karon beachesAttraction
Kata and Karon beaches
Two long sandy beaches south of Patong, calmer and popular with families.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Promthep CapeAttraction
Promthep Cape
A headland at the southern tip of the island, the best-known place to watch the sunset.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Wat ChalongAttraction
Wat Chalong
The largest and most visited Buddhist temple on the island.
Guide and ticket optionsView
Photo: Big Buddha — Mussi Katz (CC0); Phuket Old Town — Slleong (CC0); Patong Beach — Wolfgang Holzem (CC BY-SA 4.0); Kata and Karon beaches — Radek Kucharski (CC BY 2.0); Promthep Cape — Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Wat Chalong — Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
Powered by GetYourGuide
More tours and experiences
Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Phuket International Airport (HKT)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the airport bus, shared minibuses or a metered taxi.
Getting around PhuketThere are no trains on the island. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the main way to travel, and a bus links the airport with the west-coast beaches.
Car rentalUseful for exploring the island at your own pace. Roads are hilly and busy. Driving is on the left.
Flights
Compare real fares and book your ticket here on Ontripo.
Secure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Patong
The centre of nightlife, shopping and restaurants. Lively and noisy.
2
Kata and Karon
Good beaches and a calmer feel, well suited to families.
3
Bang Tao and Surin
Quieter beaches in the north-west, with large resorts and villas.
4
Phuket Old Town
Away from the beach, with character, local food and lower prices.
Hotels in Phuket with live prices
Choose your dates, compare prices with taxes included, and book online.
See hotels and pricesSecure payment. Your booking confirmation arrives by email.
Phuket day by day
- Day 1: Beaches and the sunsetA morning on Kata or Karon beach, Wat Chalong in the afternoon, then Promthep Cape for sunset.
- Day 2: The Phi Phi IslandsA full day by boat, with swimming, snorkelling and lunch on the islands.
- Day 3: The Old Town and the Big BuddhaPhuket Old Town in the morning, lunch there, then the Big Buddha in the late afternoon.
- With a fourth dayTake a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay.
Local tips
- Red flags on a beach mean no swimming. Currents are strong from May to October.
- Agree the taxi fare before you set off, or use a ride-hailing app.
- Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and the Big Buddha.
- Rent a scooter only if you hold a motorcycle licence, and always wear a helmet.
- Book boat trips with a licensed operator, and wear the life jacket provided.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Phuket
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Phuket has its driest, calmest weather from November to April on the west coast beaches. Plan 4 to 6 days, and note that there is no train, so airport transfers are by road.
Members save 5% on tours we run
A free account lets you save experiences, compare them later and keep your bookings in one place.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
November to April is dry and sunny, with calm seas. May to October brings rain and rougher water, but lower prices.
How many days do I need in Phuket?
Four or five days allow for beach time and one or two boat trips.
Which beach should I stay at in Phuket?
Patong for nightlife, Kata or Karon for families, and Bang Tao or Surin for a quieter stay.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
The airport is in the north of the island. Patong is about an hour away by road. Airport buses, shared minibuses, metered taxis and pre-booked transfers are available.
Can I visit the Phi Phi Islands in a day?
Yes. Speedboats reach the islands in about an hour, and day tours include snorkelling and lunch.