Local Guide: Getting Around Phuket in 2026
- Wo. K
- Apr 14, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 8
If this is your first time visiting Phuket, you may feel overwhelmed planning how to get around this beautiful island. It certainly does not help that not many speak fluent English. But fret not—this local guide on getting around Phuket will give you all the insight you need to navigate your way through the streets of Phuket like a local
Located in the southern region of Thailand is a little piece of paradise. Phuket is known for its beautiful sun-soaked beaches and crystal clear waters—the perfect getaway for couples, families, and adventure travelers.
Getting around Phuket is relatively easy if you know how it all works; from local transportation to the convenience of booking a private e-hailing service.
This local guide to getting around Phuket is what you'll need for all things transportation in Phuket.
Airport Transfer In Phuket
Airport Smart Bus
Upon arriving at the International terminal, make your way to the domestic terminal, then head towards the Gate 3 exit. Keep walking until you spot Cafe Amazon. The bus stop is across the road from Cafe Amazon.
This is an affordable option if you're headed toward the west coast of the island.
The airport smart bus operates hourly for a flat rate of 100 Baht.
From Phuket Airport to:-
Thalang Health Office
Baan Khian
Cherngtalay School
Laguna
Lotus Cherngtalay
Surin Beach
Kubur Kamala
Phuket Fantasy
BigC Kamala
PEA Patong
Karon Circle
Karon Stadium
Kata Night Plaza
Sai Yuan
Rawai Beach
Tourists can either pay by cash or a QR Promtpay (often what locals use to pay via online banking, but you'll need to have registered an account beforehand).
Phuket's Smart Bus service offers day passes with unlimited rides:
One-day pass 299 Baht
Three-day pass 499 Baht
Seven-day pass 799 Baht
Ten-day pass 1000 Baht
If you'd like to track the bus or check the bus schedule: Click Here
Taxi And Minibus Service
The taxi and minibus service counter is located on the first floor of the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.
Shared Minibus
You can take a shared minibus to Phuket's town centre and main beaches: Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach and Kamala Beach. It will cost you approximately 200 Baht from the airport to your hotel in that area.
However, the downside of opting for a shared minibus is that you may have to wait a while (if you're unlucky) for the minibus to fill up before departing, and it may not have much space for big luggage bags.
So if you're on a budget and with no time constraint, this is an option you can consider
Airport Taxi
Taking an airport taxi to your hotel will cost you around 1,000 Baht. That is a rough figure, as it still depends on how far out you're headed. This option is definitely on the pricier side, but it would be more convenient if you're traveling as a family and appreciate your personal space.
Private E-Hailing Service
Grab is commonly used as a transportation service throughout Southeast Asia.
Similar to Uber, you'd have to download the Grab app, then pinpoint your location and choose where you would like to go. It will then show you how much the ride would cost and the type of ride, and Grab will assign the nearest driver to you. This way you can pay for the rides in cash or by linking it to your preferred bank card
Download and book a ride in a few clicks with the Grab Ride app - a reliable taxi service
Located at the corner outside domestic arrival, you can easily spot a green Grab board indicating the pick-up and drop-off point for Grab, where you can wait for your vehicle. This application can also be used for getting around the island. Grab offers different types of transportation—bike, taxi, sedan, SUV, van, and tuk-tuk. Each comes with a fixed price, and you can choose whichever option that best fits you.
Note: You could also opt for Bolt or InDrive but they do not have specific pick up/drop off area in the airport which often leads to a pick up or drop off point a ways from the entrance of the airport. These options might not be convenient for travelers with a ton of luggage.
Getting Around Phuket
Private E-Hailing Service
Grab
Grab is a highly recommended and reliable E-hailing service. Those who are used to using Uber will find it easy to work the Grab app. Simply pinpoint your location and choose where you would like to go, it will show the estimated fare and time it will take to reach the destination. You can also choose the type of ride according to your preference.
However, Grab drivers usually circle tourist attraction sights or known busy areas. If you are hailing a car from a remote location in Phuket or slightly off the usual tourist hotspots, there may be limited drivers willing to accept your booking - you will either have to wait awhile for a driver or look for a different option altogether.
The Grab drivers will have the option to contact you via the app chat if they need to. Grab Thailand takes cash and cashless payments.
Bolt
Bolt Thailand is an E-Hailing service option that works similarly to Grab, but there are a couple of downsides to using this option.
1# Bolt does not have many registered drivers as they opt to drive for Grab because it pays better.
2# Recently, there have been reviews stating that this E-hailing service isn't quite as reliable as it used to be back in the day. Drivers seem to cancel the booking after 10 minutes.
3# Some drivers demand to be paid in cash, and that somehow leads to overpaying for the ride.
Although this service is typically cheaper than Grab, I would not recommend it if you're on a time constraint.
InDrive
InDrive works a little differently compared to other private e-hailing service. In the sense, InDrive allows users to negotiate the fare with driver. After you enter the pick up and drop off point, it will show a suggested fare, where you can then adjust it. Drivers can either accept or reject the offer.
The best way to ensure you're not offering too low or overpaying is to crosscheck the fare with other private e-hailing apps, such as Bolt or Grab. Upon agreeing on the fare, you will see the estimated arrival time and can track your ride.
Scooter and Car Rental
Tourists often hire scooters to get around Phuket, which is a good option for sightseeing and avoiding traffic standstills.
The average cost to rent a scooter is about 200 Baht per day, depending on the area you're renting it from. For example, hiring a scooter near big, 5-star hotels in Phuket will cost more.
Areas like Patong Beach, Surin Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach have numerous scooter rental shops with higher scooter availability. Some rental companies may need a photocopy of your passport as identification proof- never leave your passport with them. Another option is to rent a scooter using the Skoot app
Scooters for hire usually come with a full tank of fuel, so be sure to fill the tank before returning it, otherwise you will have to pay an extra fee.
To go on a joyride around Phuket, you will need motorbike license and apply for an international driving permit or risk being fined a hefty amount by the police. If you are not an experienced rider, winging it on the streets of Phuket would not be the best idea.
Car Rental
There are plenty of car rental options online or you can organize a car for yourself at a car rental booth at the airport - prices may be higher during peak season.
However, driving in Phuket is not recommended for new drivers, it can be overwhelming if you don't research basic traffic rules. To rent a car in Thailand, you'll need to apply for an international driving permit (IDP) beforehand.
Tuk-Tuk
Exploring Phuket from the passenger seat of a Tuk-tuk is something you should do at least once in your life.
In Phuket, the Tuk-tuks are slightly different from the ones in Bangkok - in Phuket it is a four-wheeler instead of the usual three-wheeler Tuk-tuks. It is easy to spot a Tuk-tuk from a mile away as they are red or yellow mini trucks and most blast music as they cruise around Phuket.
If you want to hop on a Tuk-tuk, hail them down like you would a bus or a taxi, then make sure to negotiate (haggle) and agree on a fare with the driver. It is important to make sure that they aren't charging a per-person fare (if you're in for a scam, this is usually how it works).
Bear in mind that traveling from one location to another within town, shouldn't cost you more than 50 Baht.
Potong Bus
The Potong bus is less touristy and is the cheapest option, as it is mainly used by locals in Phuket. The bus fare is tentatively 30-50 Baht per ride.
The Blue Potong Bus is an open-air bus that operates at the Island's attraction spots; starting from Phuket town to:-
Patong
Kamala
Karon
Chalong Bay
Makham Bay
Najharn
Bang Rong
Sarasin Bridge
The Pink Potong Bus operates in a smaller radius; it does a loop around the areas near Phuket town.
Route 1:
Super Cheap Supermarket - Simummueng Market
Route 2:
Bus Terminal 1 - Bus Terminal 2
Route 3:
Big C - Phuket Vocational College
Route 4:
Saphan Hin - Koh Sirea
Local Metered Taxis
Generally, when you think of taxis, the norm is to think of cars. However, the beauty of Phuket is that you can choose between car taxis or motorbike taxis which run throughout the Island. They are often parked outside tourist attraction spots or nearby convenience stores.
The taxis use the displayed meter to determine the fare of the ride, essentially depending on distance and how long you spend in traffic.
However, motorbike taxis don't have a set pricing, nor do they have meters. You will have to bargain and agree on the fare beforehand.
Remember to carry cash in hand as they won't accept credit card payments.
Van Rental For A Day Excursion
Hiring a van is ideal for day trips around Phuket when you're traveling in big groups. With the help of a tour consultant on where to go, what to do and where to eat; you can personalize the trip to suit your liking.
You can easily arrange for a van with your hotel receptionist or through a street tour operator.
The cost depends on the number of people and the estimated hours needed for your excursion.
Is Phuket A Walkable City?
It is relatively safe to walk the streets of Phuket. However, I would not deem it a walkable island in the sense that, all major attractions are located outside of Phuket Town or Patong.
You will have to travel slightly out of town to visit all the beautiful tourist attraction spots Phuket has to offer, and it is all located a ways from one another.
The lack of pavement outside of the city makes it unsafe for pedestrians to wander around on foot, especially with such heavy traffic zooming past.
That being said, the best option here would be to explore Patong or even Phuket Town on foot and hire a car or hop on whatever public transportation is available at the time when heading out to Big Buddha and other attraction spots.
Travel Tip: Scams In Phuket To Avoid
1. Always ask the local taxi driver to turn on the meter because some may charge a set rate, which could cost you more
2. Check the average cost of transportation between two locations
3. Always negotiate (haggle) the fare before agreeing to travel with them and best to ensure that there will not be any additional charges when you arrive at your destination. (Best practice is to ask the driver if the fare agreed upon is for the car ride or a per-person fare)
4. While in the vehicle, check the route on Waze or Google Maps to avoid them taking you to the longer route which will result in a higher fare
5. Avoid hailing down taxis or tuk-tuks at popular tourist attractions as the fare will be higher than usual.
6. For a more secure and reliable experience, consider using an E-hailing service, which can display the cost of the trip in advance and provide driver details.
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