Phuket
Phuket works well if you pick the right base. Patong is loud and polarising; Kata and Kamala are calmer beach alternatives; Old Town offers culture and walkability. The island is big, so where you stay decides the trip.
I skipped Phuket on my first Thailand trip precisely because of what I had read about Patong - Bangla Road is, unambiguously, the heart of the island's sex trade, and after dark it is loud, neon-lit and geared to a specific kind of tourism. What I did not realise was that Patong is just one corner of a large island. The quieter zones - Kata, Kamala and Old Phuket Town - give you beach access or cultural depth without any of that atmosphere.
The island is big and the areas are spread out, so the base you choose matters more than the hotel. My approach was to stay in Kata for the beach without the Patong scene; Old Town suits culture-first or jet-lagged arrivals, and Kamala the long-stay families. Pick one and use day trips for the rest.
Getting there
Phuket (HKT) is at the north of the island, and the southern beaches are a 45-minute to one-hour transfer away - factor that into your arrival. Airport minibuses and metered taxis serve the beaches and Phuket Town; agree the fare or insist on the meter, as airport transport is pricier than the rest of Thailand. From Bangkok it is a 1h25 flight; there is no rail. For routes into Thailand by origin, see the Thailand country guide.
From within Thailand
How Phuket connects to the rest of the south and the country.
| From | Method | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Flight | ~1h 25m | Frequent on Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai; the only sensible way north. |
| Krabi / Railay | Road or ferry | ~2-3h | The neighbouring Andaman coast - bus and ferry combinations, or a private transfer. |
| Koh Phi Phi | Ferry | ~2h | The famous islands, reachable as a long day trip or an overnight from Phuket. |
| Chiang Mai / the north | Flight (via Bangkok) | ~3h total | No direct route worth taking - connect through Bangkok. |
Getting around
Phuket is large and the beaches are spread out, so you will need transport between areas. Grab operates but is contested with the local taxi cartels, and metered taxis are expensive by Thai standards; many visitors rent a scooter for the freedom, with the usual caution about traffic and insurance. Songthaew shared trucks run between Phuket Town and the main beaches cheaply but slowly. If you are staying put on one beach, you can largely walk; if you want to roam the island, budget for transfers (4-8 GBP a hop via Grab).
What to see
What is worth your time across the island.
Old Phuket Town & Soi Romanee
125 metres of pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses strung with lanterns - quiet on a weekday morning, and the cultural heart of the island. Street art, boutique cafes and local food.
Kata & Kata Noi beaches
A curving bay of soft sand and clear water 15 minutes south of Patong - good swimming, normal restaurants, and the quieter Kata Noi next door if crowds stress you.
The Big Buddha
The 45-metre marble Buddha on the hill between Kata and Chalong, with a panorama over the south of the island. Free, and dress respectfully.
Koh Phi Phi & island day trips
The Andaman islands - Phi Phi, James Bond Island, the Similans (in season) - are the real draw, reached by speedboat day trips from the west-coast beaches.
Patong & Bangla Road
Worth knowing what it is: a loud, neon nightlife strip and the island's party (and red-light) centre. Fine if that is your scene; easy to avoid if it is not, since it is one corner of the island.
Neighbourhoods & hotels
Where you stay in Phuket matters more than in most cities. Pick a neighbourhood for detail and hotel picks.
Fifteen minutes south of Patong and a different island - a curving bay of soft sand, normal restaurants, dive shops and Thai massage without the overt scene. Kata Noi next door is even quieter. The extra cost over Patong buys peace and a different crowd, which for most people is the right trade. This was my base.
The party base and the cheapest on the island - budget rooms from around 12-16 GBP. Quiet by day, and the northern end of Patong Beach is fine at any time; loud and explicitly party-and-red-light along Bangla Road after dark. If you are booking it for the budget but want to avoid the strip, check the map - northern Patong and inland keep you clear of it.
North of Patong - longer, less developed and quieter, skewing toward long-stay expats and families. Cheaper than Kata (25-45 GBP mid-range), with less pushy beach vendors and quiet evenings. Best if you are happy to stay put rather than bar-hop across beaches.
Inland and away from the beaches - Sino-Portuguese architecture, street art and local food, the cheapest mid-range option (20-35 GBP) and the most walkable. Suits culture-first travellers, island-hoppers who only need the beach for day trips, or anyone easing in before hitting the coast.
Worth the trip
The day trips worth booking from Phuket.
Phi Phi Islands day trip
The speedboat run out to Maya Bay and the Phi Phi islands - the postcard limestone and turquoise water. Busy, but the scenery earns it. Pick a smaller-group operator if you can.
Check availability →James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay
The karst towers of Phang Nga Bay, including the islet from the Bond film, usually with sea-cave canoeing among the mangroves. Calmer water than Phi Phi.
Check availability →Phuket Old Town heritage walk
The Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art and Peranakan history of Old Town - the side of Phuket that has nothing to do with the beach. A good half-day off the sand.
Check availability →Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
An ethical sanctuary where you watch and feed rescued elephants rather than ride them - the responsible alternative to the trekking camps, and a genuinely good morning.
Check availability →More on Phuket
Good to know
Monsoon season
May to October is the southwest monsoon - cheaper and quieter, but with rough seas and red-flag swimming days. Nov-Apr is the reliable dry window.
Rip currents
The west-coast beaches get dangerous rip currents, especially in monsoon - obey the red flags. People drown here every year ignoring them.
Getting around
Transport between beaches is the real cost - taxis are pricey, Grab is contested, songthaews are cheap but slow. Stay put on one beach or budget for transfers.
Airport transfer
HKT is up north - the southern beaches are 45-60 minutes away. Pre-book a transfer or use the airport minibus; it is the priciest airport transport in Thailand.
Tap water
Do not drink the tap water - bottled is cheap everywhere.
Patong, plainly
Bangla Road is the island's red-light and party strip. Know what you are booking near; Kata, Kamala and Old Town keep you well clear of it.