Unfortunately, Phuket is a victim of its popularity, as the prices here are much higher than in most parts of the country, especially when you compare it to places like Chiang Mai in the north. However, don’t panic just yet; Phuket can still be enjoyed if you travel on a budget ; follow this guide to see how!
How to get from Phuket International Airport to the city center
Phuket International Airport is the only airport on the island of Phuket ; it’s around a 33 km drive from the city center. When you land, you can either take a taxi or bus to your accommodation, depending on what’s available at the time.
Most people end up taking a taxi when they arrive at the airport as it’s the fastest option; it usually only takes around 30 minutes to reach the city. Prices vary, but on average, you should expect to pay between THB 826.43 (€21) and THB 1023.20 (€26). Instead of taking a taxi, download ridesharing apps like Bolt and Grab, which offer cheaper fares. Bolt is usually the more affordable of the two.
Public buses operate at Phuket International Airport; they’re numbered 8411 and depart every hour, but it depends on the season. You can buy the tickets in Thai Baht from the driver when you get on the bus; they only cost THB 120 (€3.05); however, they’re subject to change. The drive to the Old Phuket Bus Terminal takes around an hour and 25 minutes, but it can take longer, depending on the road conditions at the time.
How to Enjoy Phuket on the Cheap
Climb the Steps to the Big Buddha
Standing above Nakkerd Hill in southern Phuket is the Big Buddha, a 45-meter-tall white marble statue of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha).
When you see this masterpiece in person, you’ll be astonished by its sheer size. Donations from the people of Phuket made the construction possible; some say it cost up to 100 million Thai Baht (€2,539,685.00) to complete.
Although it’s far away from the center, the Big Buddha is easily accessible by Uber if you’re staying along the coast of Phuket island © Getty Images
There’s no entry fee into the Big Buddha; visitors can go and see it without paying, but if you show up in a skirt or dress, you’ll be asked to put on a sarong out of respect.
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider taking on the 2.5 km from Karon Town. It’s pretty steep, but the views of the Andaman Sea you’ll be treated to are worth every step.
Hop on the Boat to the Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands are one of Thailand’s most famous island groups; they’re situated around 46 km from Phuket.
You can only reach the Phi Phi Islands by boat. There are plenty of departures daily from Rassada Pier in Phuket City. Speed boats and ferries are available; the speed boat ride is the more expensive option because it’s faster, the journey only takes an hour, and one-way tickets cost THB 630.00 (€16). If you want to go on the ferry, it takes around 2 hours, and one-way tickets cost THB 433.12 (€11).
There’s a lot to see and do at the Phi Phi Islands, so you should try to spend a couple of days there if you can. Koh Phi Phi Don is the island everyone stays on; it has a buzzing party scene. Don’t worry if that’s not your thing; you can spend your time climbing to the Phi Phi Viewpoint or relaxing on Moo Dee Bay.
The Phi Phi Islands are a tropical paradise known for stunning cliffs, clear waters, and vibrant nightlife © Getty Images
The main attraction of the Phi Phi Islands is the day trip you can take to see Koh Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay, famed for its craggy limestone cliffs, ice-white beaches, and turquoise-colored water. Half-day tours with a long-tail boat are priced at around THB 750.09 (€19.05), but sometimes you can negotiate a lower price with the tour companies on the island.
Check out Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is a historical area of Phuket City that doesn’t get the praise it deserves. The Sino-Portuguese architectural style is a sight to behold, with bright colors and unique building features that look slightly out of place but are pleasantly easy on the eye.
In the 16th century, a group of Portuguese settlers arrived on the island and hired Chinese workers to construct the town’s buildings, hence the cool mix of Portuguese and Chinese elements.
If you can, try to plan your Phuket Old Town visit in line with the Sunday Walking Market, which is held every Sunday. It’s a full-on sensory overload with street food stalls, antique shacks, and souvenir huts offering all kinds of trinkets to take home with you.
Phuket town is the perfect spot for your Instagram pictures © Getty Images
Have a Lazy Day on Kamala Beach
There are many beaches in Phuket, but one of the most gorgeous is Kamala Beach, 9.5 km north of the infamous Patong nightlife area.
Kamala Beach was once a quiet fishing village. Like much of the west coast, it was hit hard during the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, but it has seen some construction of high-end resorts in recent years. However, it has fewer crowds than some other beaches in this area of the island, so it’s a nice place to escape the crowds and catch a tan without disturbance. Be warned, though, many couples come here to get their wedding photos taken, so you might see the odd pair of newlyweds taking up the nice views.
Not only perfect for snorkeling but a great spot to relax and grab some street food © Getty Images
When you’re feeling peckish, you’ll find a couple of restaurants and hotels at the beach’s entrance. Usually, some street food vendors set up shop, selling dishes for around THB 100 (€2.54), a much cheaper alternative than some of the other establishments.
Go for a Splash at Andamanda Phuket Water Park
Get wet and wild at one of Phuket’s latest attractions, the thrilling Andamanda Phuket Water Park. Where else in the world can you spend a day at a Thai heritage-themed splash zone?
This 100,000 square meter space is filled with heart-pumping slides like the Eagle Flier and Racing Nagas. If you want something more tame, the Rolling Ripples lazy river will be more your style.
Entry tickets for the Andamanda Phuket Water Park cost THB 1500 (€38.07), and you’ll have to pay an extra THB 150 (€3.81) for a locker and THB 200 (€5.08) for a towel rental, but they’re only optional. Anyone who just wants to put their feet up and have a dip in the water can hire a cabana for the day for THB 2,000 (€50.75).
Watch a Muay Thai Fight
Muay Thai is a huge part of Thai culture. It’s also the country’s national sport, in which two unarmed combatants battle it out in the ring for five three-minute rounds to earn points unless someone gets knocked out before.
You’ll hear trucks announcing the fights all over Phuket, drawing tourists in for this incredible show © Pexels
There are a couple of stadiums in Phuket where you can go see a live Muay Thai fight, but the most popular one is the Patong Boxing Stadium. Fights are held here every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and it’s quite the spectacle; expect blood, sweat, and tears as the competitors go to war.
Tickets can be bought at the door for around THB 1300 (€32.99). However, sometimes, it’s possible to find one of the stalls around Patong Beach selling them for cheap during the day, so be sure to check them out.
Grab Some Local Thai Fare at the Patong Night Market
Night markets are everywhere in Phuket, but the Patong Night Market outshines the rest. Dozens of vendors set up shop here every day from around 3:00 pm and work late into the night serving up divine Thai classics including mango sticky rice and Khao Phat, and fresh seafood, including crab sticks and redfish.
The dishes here are much cheaper than what you’d find anywhere else along Patong Beach; the average prices are around THB 100 (€2.54) per dish. To top it all off, you can snag coconut for as little as THB 50 (€1.27); an absolute bargain for Phuket.
Best Time to Visit Phuket
The whole of Thailand has a tropical climate, and Phuket is no different; the island experiences two distinct seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October).
Most people who come to Phuket will do so during the dry season because of the favorable weather conditions. You can rest easy knowing most of your beach days along sandy shores, such as Kamala Beach, will be dry with blue skies. Of course, there is a slight possibility of rain on some days, but those days are few and far between. Expect average temperature highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C. Be aware that April is the hottest month in the country, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40°C, so it can be unbearable at the best of times.
During dry season, you’ll likely see less frequent rain showers and bright blue skies! © Getty Images
Phuket’s rainy season may be less popular than the dry season, but it does have its pros, like lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds. Temperatures range between 25°C and 33°C, but it rains a lot, usually only for around half an hour, and then the sun is back out again. The island is rarely affected by typhoons, though. However, if you plan to visit some of the islands, you might want to change the dates. Ferries do run to some of the more popular islands, but the schedules are greatly reduced, and the weather can cause delays and last-minute cancellations. Additionally, many national parks close, including the famous Phi Phi National Park, just off Phuket’s coast.
Where to Stay
From thumping city stays to blissful beach stays, Phuket has a wide variety of accommodation This place is much quieter and calmer than Patong, yet offers a vibrant vibe with plenty of nightlife options.
For those who prefer to be closer to the beach and away from the lively (and sometimes rowdy) city center, Kamala Beach and Kata Beach are great alternatives. Both are nestled behind the hills of Patong, and offer equally good mid-range hotels and charming guesthouses with a relaxed and laidback vibe.
To truly immerse yourself in Thai culture, it’s important to go off the beaten track and get away from the tourist hubs. This will give you a different perspective and allow you to get to know the people of Phuket and experience what the island has to offer besides its beautiful beaches and pulsating nightlife.
How Expensive Is Phuket?
Phuket is more expensive than most parts of Thailand because it’s such a touristy island. Some places on the island are cheaper than others, including Phuket City, since there are not many resorts there. Whereas, if you venture down to Kamala Beach or Bang Tao, you’ll notice a significant price increase.
You’ll be able to pay with a bank card in a lot of places in Phuket, but it’s always nice to have some Thai Baht on you, especially if you’re going to be eating street food (most vendors will only accept cash). ATM withdrawal fees for foreign bank cards in Thailand are very high; most charge around THB 300 (€7.62) per withdrawal. AEON banks are known to have some of the lowest fees, with only THB 150 (€3.81) per withdrawal, but it’s still not that cheap.
The most budget-friendly thing you can do is bring some of your home currency with you and go to one of the currency exchange offices in Phuket City, and they’ll change it for you. You’ll see a lot of places offering no commission. Try to stick to these ones, but be prepared to negotiate; sometimes, they offer lower rates in the hope people won’t notice, but if you show them the rate on your phone, they’ll be willing to bump it up.
Cash is king in Thailand, make sure to always carry some with you! © Getty Images
Local currency - Thai Baht (THB); €1 = 39.35
Dinner/lunch - Small street food meal (e.g., Pad Thai) THB 55 (€1.40) or a meal at a local restaurant THB 150 (€3.81)
Coffee - Between THB 80 (€2.03) and THB 150 (€3.81)
Beer - Prices for a large beer at a bar start at around THB 80 (€2.03)
Wine - Around between THB 100 (€2.54) and THB 150 (€3.81) but it varies from bar to bar
Hostel dorm (6 bed) - THB 314.83 (€8) a night
Cheap hotel/apartment - THB 590.31 (€15) a night
Book Your Cheap Getaway to Phuket Today!
There’s no hiding that Phuket is one of Thailand’s pricier destinations, but there’s still great value to be had in places like Phuket City, which has escaped some of the over-tourism that seaside areas have experienced.
If you want to cut costs but still fully experience every part of the island, including beaches, islands, and mountains, base yourself in Phuket City and take day trips from there. The cost of everything is much lower there, and you’ll get to witness the true local way of life of Phuket.
