Few Things To Know Before Travel To Phuket

Phuket is a very safe place for travelers to go on vacation, but there are a few things for travelers before traveling to Phuket. Phuket is referring to both the province and the southern island of Thailand. It is the second smallest province in the country, but it is the largest island with beautiful white sandy beaches along the south and west coast and a variety of smaller islands near the mainland. If you explore the old town, you will discover that tin extraction has been an important source of income for much of the island's history. The demand for tin decreased in the 20th century and led to other industries, such as rubber production and tourism. The latter has been the province's main source of income for the past two or three decades.

Enjoy the beaches and many luxury resorts are the main attraction for travelers. Phuket is not only the largest island in the country but also the most visited and is visited by ten million visitors a year.

Best time to visit Phuket

Generally, Phuket is a tropical island, so the best time to travel is largely dependent on the weather. From late November to mid-April, Phuket is less rainy and therefore ideal for a visit. The seas will also be calmer.

As for the weather, November-April is the perfect time to visit Phuket. But it is also the most active. The high season begins at the end of November and lasts until mid-April, the main months being January and February. If you want to go there when the weather is best, but don't like the crowds, consider visiting in December or March. If you like to participate in water battles, you can go to the Songkran Festival in mid-April.

The monsoon season in Phuket is May-October. We were there in August and, although we enjoyed the sunny days, the unpredictability of the weather made it difficult to plan something. When it rains, it rains and the wind can be terribly strong. I could see the waves breaking from our villa in Karon Bay and no one could swim in this ocean.

Tips for travel to Phuket

There are many ways to get to Phuket, It depends on where you are. However, most travelers will likely fly to Phuket International Airport (HKT). It is located in the northern part of the island, so you need to arrange a transfer to your hotel.

Airport Bus: 

Take this bus from the airport to the old town bus station. The fare is 100 THB and the journey takes just over an hour. Follow the link to book tickets on the Phuket Airport bus.

Smart Bus: 

It is a new transport service that was introduced in 2018. It takes passengers from the airport to Rawai and makes 11 stops. It stops at Bang Thao, Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai, which is essentially each recommended area along the west coast of the island. With only 50-170 THB, depending on your stop, this is the cheapest way to get to your hotel. Visit the Phuket Smart Bus website for information on routes, stops, and fares.

Taxi: 

Apparently, taxis and tuk-tuks control transportation on the island and are known to charge extortion fees. There are taxis with taximeters and limousines fixed price that you can take from the airport, but frankly, I don't know what the benefits are, you can pre-book a safer private transfer and maybe cheaper.

Private transfer:

This is the fastest and most easy way. You can try to arrange a transfer through your hotel by it.

Minivan: 

There is a public transport service called Samurai Five-O. You can take passengers from the airport to the Old Town (230-250 THB), Kata (350-400 THB), Karon (350-400 THB) or Patong (300-350 THB). You will be taken directly to your hotel, but it may take longer depending on the number of passengers you need first. Follow the links for a schedule and to book tickets.

Currency Exchange

There are many exchange offices in popular tourist areas such as Kata and Patong. Just check the prices and ask if there are any fees to find the best one. If you spend time in the old town, you can try SuperRich. They officially exchange money in Thailand and are known to offer great prices. I changed currencies at branches in Bangkok and have always been satisfied with the exchange rates.

Where to stay in Phuket

If you want to know the history and culture of Phuket, the Old Town is the best place to stay. Generally, the most popular coastal areas of Phuket are Kata, Patong, and Karon. Of these four places, we have stayed in Kata, Karon and the Old City. I'm not really a big fan of the beaches, so my favorite was the old town. It has the most interesting food on the island and looks like Penang in Malaysia. Keep in mind that getting around Phuket is not that easy (or so cheap). Therefore, it is important to choose an area that is right for you.

Few things to do

Lying on the beach

Lying on the beach and doing nothing is one of the best things to do in Phuket. It is home to long white sandy beaches which are among the best in Southeast Asia. But you already knew it. The image below is Kata Beach on a clear August day.

We don't go out in the sun, but we camp at one of the tables next to Kata Beach to drink iced beer and enjoy fresh seafood. I search a lot in restaurants for our trips, but sometimes spontaneous experiences in unfamiliar places like this are the most memorable.

Explore the old town

Most of the traveler come to Phuket for the beaches, so the old town is often overlooked, which is a shame because it is for me one of the most interesting cities on the island. It is home to a lot of Sino-Portuguese architecture and temples, not to mention the best and most authentic food in Phuket. There are also many "Instagram-able" sweet cafes in the city.

If you like Penang in Malaysia, you will also enjoy the old town of Phuket. It's like a mini Penang. As in George Town in Penang, you can also find murals in the old city. This was taken in the mouth of the picturesque Soi Romanee, a popular lane for Instagram photos. Be sure to visit the old governor's mansion (now the Blue Elephant restaurant and the cooking school) and the Chinpracha house to see excellent examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture. If you want to take a guided tour, Klook offers some that focus on the old town or make a stopover.

See the view of Karon on three bays

Karon Viewpoint is one of the most popular viewpoints on the island. The hotel is located south of Kata Noi Beach and offers magnificent views of Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon beaches. As described, you can visit the Karon viewpoint by private car rental or on a guided tour.

Night market

Thai night markets are always fun for travelers. Even if you don't buy anything, it's a great place to soak up the atmosphere with snacks and cold drinks. We visited two in Phuket the Kata night market and the Lard Ploy Khong or "Indy" market in the old town. The first (in the image below) takes place every day, while the second takes place only from Wednesday to Friday at 4 p.m. Independent market scenes. Read this article on 9-night markets in Phuket and where to find them.

Island Trips

The weather in August was too unpredictable to undertake these trips. However, if you are visiting Phuket in the summer when the skies are clear and the sea more receptive, here are some island hopping trips you can do from mainland China.

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island

Phang Nga Bay is a 400 square kilometer bay between Phuket and southern mainland Thailand. It is known for its limestone karsts which protrude vertically from the emerald green water. No one is more famous than Koh Ta Pu or James Bond Island. If you've had time for just one island tour in Phuket, this is probably the place to go.

You can try to book a visit to your hotel or to Klook. Klook offers several tours of Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island. You can fly on a cruise, a long tail boat or a helicopter. The famous James Bond Island. This 20-meter-high vertical island has been a popular tourist destination since it appeared in the 1974 James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a group of Virgin Islands located approximately 84 km northwest of Phuket. It is known for its white sandy beaches and unusual rock formations visible on the surface and underwater. In addition to its unique underwater topography, the ability to see manta rays and whale sharks makes diving around the Similan Islands one of the most sought after in the world.

If I had hoped to discover this virgin paradise on Koh Phi Phi, I should probably go to the Similan Islands. Remember that the Similan Islands are only open to the public from mid-October to mid-May. There don't seem to be many day trips from Phuket to the Similan Islands, but I found it in getting Your Guide.

If you dive, your best chance of seeing manta rays and whale sharks is between February and April. That said, there is a lot of marine life to see at any time of the year, such as giant barracudas, batfish, scorpions, brunettes, and nudibranchs. There is no accommodation on the islands, so it is best to board. Klook offers several packages ranging from day trips to seven-day diving trips.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi like James Bond Island, the Koh Phi Phi archipelago has become famous for a film, this time for the 2000 film "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio. It is a beautiful archipelago from all points of view, but as I read, it was a victim of tourism with hordes of young people coming to the island for their beach parties. It can still be a nice place for a day trip, especially during the slower seasons, but don't expect the pristine paradise you've seen on the beach. Discover Klook for Koh Phi Phi visit options.