Everything you need to know about Phuket

Main tips if you’re short on time

SunsetPromthep Cape

Arrive 40–60 minutes before sunset — parking fills up fast.

Island for a dayRacha Yai

Speedboat with transfer and lunch — from 1,300 baht. Best sea: November–April.

Don’t overpayTaxi from the airport

Taxi desk: 800–1,000 baht to Patong, Grab — 450–600.

Takhir’s favoriteSauna & ice plunge

ViVi Resort in Nai Harn — perfect evening after a tour. Also Mantra and premium cars from Religion.

Contents

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Also: season by month · mobile, taxi, licenses · support the guide

Day Routes

Times are approximate—adjust as you like. Sunset time changes in winter and summer, so check your weather app.

1

South for Sunset

Bike or Grab. All stops are in the south of the island.

1. 08:30
   Big Buddha
   Cooler and less crowded in the morning; cover shoulders and knees
2. 10:00
   Wat Chalong
   Head down from the hill; go up to the top tier of the pagoda
3. 11:30
   Kata Noi Beach
   Swim and have lunch; snorkeling by the rocks if the sea is calm
4. 16:00
   Karon Viewpoint
   Three bays in one shot, on the way south
5. 16:45
   Rawai Seafood Market
   Early dinner: pick your seafood, they cook it right there
6. 40–60 min before sunset
   Promthep Cape
   Arrive early; then head to the windmill on the next hill

2

Day Trip to the Islands: Racha or Phi Phi

Group tour with transfer and lunch. Departure in the morning.

1. Choose
   Racha Yai or Phi Phi
   Racha is closer and easier, runs all year, from 1,300 baht. Phi Phi by speedboat is about 2,500–2,800 baht, plus a 400 national park fee.
2. Morning
   Transfer and pier
   the earlier you leave, the fewer people at the spots
3. Daytime
   Islands and snorkeling
   you can't swim in Maya Bay, just look: about an hour in time slots
4. Evening
   Return
   after a day on the water, a massage for 200–300 baht in Rawai or Chalong is perfect

What to bring: cash for the park fee (on Phi Phi it’s often not included), sunscreen, water, towel, dry clothes. Maya Bay on Phi Phi is closed Aug 1 – Sep 30. In monsoon season, check the forecast and flags.

3

Old Town and Sunday Market

Best on Sunday: Lard Yai runs in the evening. Grab or scooter.

1. 15:00
   Khao Rang Hill
   city and bay views; coffee or early dinner at Tunk-Ka
2. 16:30
   Soi Romanee and Thalang Road
   Sino-Portuguese houses, street art, old coffee shops
3. 17:15
   Money exchange
   independent exchangers on Thalang and Phang Nga Rd have better rates than the airport or hotels
4. Evening
   Lard Yai Night Market
   street food: pad thai 50–70 baht, mee hokkien, Thai tea

Backup: rainy day

For monsoon (May–October) or sudden downpours. Grab, don’t ride a scooter in heavy rain.

1. 10:00
   Bang Pae Waterfall and gibbons
   in the rain, the waterfall is at its best; wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
2. 13:00
   Lunch in Old Town
   mee hokkien noodles and coffee shops, wait out the rain under a roof
3. 15:00
   Thai massage
   1 hour: 200–300 baht in local salons, 350–600 in tourist areas
4. 18:00
   Khao Rang
   if the weather clears: view of the wet city and dinner at Tunk-Ka

Season by Month

West coast, 2026/27 season.

Maya Bay on Phi Phi is closed every year from August 1 to September 30; exact dates are announced by the park in July. Similan for the 2026/27 season is open from October 15, 2026 to May 15, 2027. Waterfalls are actually best during the rains: late June to early November, with a peak in September–October.

Scams and how to avoid them

The most common scams and easy ways to avoid them.

Where to stay nearby

The area you choose is half your vacation: it affects your beach access, sunsets, and taxi prices.