Phuket: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Phuket Travel Guide

Thailand's Largest Island

Phuket is Thailand's biggest island and one of Asia's best-known beach destinations. Its west coast is a string of sandy bays, from the party strip of Patong to the calmer sands of Kata, Karon and Kamala, while the east coast faces the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. Inland, rubber plantations and forested hills hide temples and viewpoints, and Phuket Old Town preserves pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses from the island's tin-mining past. Whether you want nightlife, family resorts, diving or island-hopping, Phuket has a corner for it.

Best Time to Visit

• November to April: The high season, with sunny skies, calm seas on the west coast and the best conditions for boat trips and diving to the Similan Islands (which are usually open only during this period). Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year are the busiest and most expensive times.
• May to October: The southwest monsoon brings showers, storms and rough seas on west-coast beaches, where red flags warn of dangerous rip currents. Rain often comes in bursts, though, and hotel rates can be much lower. Some boat trips are cancelled in bad weather.
• Festivals: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival (usually September or October) features processions and strictly plant-based food stalls around the Old Town; Songkran in April brings water fights.

Top Attractions

1. Phang Nga Bay – Boat or kayak trips among dramatic limestone karsts, sea caves and the much-photographed "James Bond Island" (Khao Phing Kan).
2. Phi Phi Islands – Day trips by speedboat or ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don and the famous Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh, which has visitor limits and seasonal closures to protect its reef.
3. Big Buddha – A 45-metre white marble Buddha on Nakkerd Hill with panoramic views.
4. Phuket Old Town – Thalang Road and Soi Romanee's colourful shophouses, cafés, shrines and the Sunday Walking Street market.
5. Wat Chalong – Phuket's most important Buddhist temple, with a pagoda said to hold a relic of the Buddha.
6. Promthep Cape – The island's southern tip, a classic sunset viewpoint.
7. Kata, Karon and Kata Noi beaches – Family-friendly beaches, with surf in the monsoon season.
8. Similan Islands – A protected marine national park famous for diving and snorkelling, reached by long day trips or liveaboards in season.

Food to Try

Southern Thai food is spicier and more seafood-rich than elsewhere in Thailand. Try tom yum goong, massaman curry, gaeng som (sour curry), moo hong (Phuket-style braised pork belly), mee hokkien noodles reflecting Chinese heritage, and o-tao (oyster omelette with taro). Roti pancakes are a popular snack. Fresh seafood is best at Rawai's seafood market, where you choose your fish and have it cooked nearby. Vegetarians should look for "jay" restaurants and Indian eateries in Patong, Kata and Karon.

Getting There and Around

Phuket International Airport (HKT) in the north of the island has flights from Bangkok, across Asia, including direct flights from several Indian cities, and seasonal routes from Europe and Australia. Buses also link Phuket with Bangkok and Krabi, and ferries connect to Phi Phi and Krabi.

Public transport is limited; the blue songthaew buses run from the Old Town to the beaches. Most visitors use ride-hailing apps (Grab, Bolt), taxis or tuk-tuks with agreed fares, or rent a car. Scooters are widely rented, but roads are hilly and accidents are common; only ride if you are licensed and insured, and always wear a helmet.

Where to Stay

• Patong: Nightlife, shopping and Bangla Road; lively and noisy.
• Kata and Karon: Relaxed beaches popular with families and couples.
• Kamala and Surin: Quieter, upscale resorts.
• Bang Tao and Laguna: Large resort complexes and beach clubs.
• Rawai and Nai Harn: Laid-back south, near Promthep Cape.
• Phuket Old Town: Culture, cafés and good-value boutique hotels.

Budget Tips

• Travel in the green (monsoon) season for lower prices, while checking weather and sea conditions.
• Eat at local markets and street stalls rather than beachfront restaurants.
• Compare boat-trip operators carefully; choose licensed companies with safety equipment and avoid overloaded boats.
• Use ride-hailing apps to avoid inflated taxi fares.
• Stay in the Old Town or quieter beaches and take day trips to busier areas.

Practical Information

• Visa: Thailand offers visa-free entry or e-visas to many nationalities, and rules for Indian travellers have changed several times; check the official Thai e-visa website.
• Currency: Thai baht (THB).
• Language: Thai; English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
• Safety: Swim only where lifeguards are present and respect red flags. Use reef-safe sunscreen, protect against the sun and mosquitoes, and be careful on scooters.
• Respect: Dress modestly at temples and do not touch or climb on Buddha images.

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