Table of Contents
What is the best way of getting around in Phuket in 2026? So much has changed in the past few years so read this guide carefully. Phuket is a large island around 50 km from its north to south tip. So we do recommend that you plan how you will travel around Phuket.
We want to help save you money and give you a smooth trip. In this article we will compare and review the best methods of transport for traveling around Phuket.
The best way to get around depends on your travel budget, your personal needs and your intended travel plans around Phuket. In this article we are not focussing on the long distance connections (trains, buses and mini buses). Instead we just want to offer some tips and advice to help you get around this beautiful island.
Don’t miss our guide to THE BEST areas to stay in Phuket
Summary – Getting around in Phuket
| Transport | Rough price | Advantages |
| Motorbike rental | 150 – 300 baht per day | Fun, cheap, great way to get further afield on a budget. Not great for families or groups |
| Tuk tuk | 150 – 300 baht for most journeys | Tuk tuks are iconic and fun but expensive. Most drivers wont take you anywhere for less than 150 baht. |
| Songthaew bus | 30 – 50 baht for short rides | Convenient, cheap and fun. Can be tricky bartering and communicating with drivers |
| Private taxi | 50 – 250 baht for most journeys around Phuket | Convenient, fair prices and no room for ambiguity – destination communicated on the app |
| Car rental | 700 – 1,500 baht per day | Expensive but a great way to get further afield. Lots of independence to explore. May be cheaper than long distance taxi rides. Check the latest Skyscanner car rental deals. |
Motorbike rental
Motorbike is a fast, fun and convenient way of getting around in Phuket. Bikes are pretty cheap and readily available.You do need to be sufficiently qualified and experienced to ride a motorbike around Phuket. Be aware that some of the main roads in Phuket are quite wide and fast. There are also some very steep roads on the hills. Drive carefully and take time to adapt to the unfamiliar Phuket roads. Also, be aware that there are often police checkpoints. If you don’t have a bike helmet they are likely to give you a fine. Also they may want to see your ID or driver’s licence.
Make sure you are covered by your insurance to ride a motorbike. The advantage of motorbike rental is the price. It normally costs 150 – 300 baht per day to rent a motorbike in Phuket. This is roughly £3 – £6. When you rent a motorbike in Phuket make sure you take photos of any scratches or damage to the bike before you take it. Bike rental companies may ask you to leave a passport as a deposit. If possible try to negotiate a cash deposit.
TOP TIP: If you are planning to rent for a longer period (over 5 days) get a quote for one day. Once you know their starting price barter for a lower price for one day. And when you have a lower price ask if they can give a further discount for a longer bike rental.
Tuk Tuk
Tuk tuks are the most classical and iconic way of getting around in Thailand. Sadly they are also a diminishing breed. Tuk tuks are less common in Thailand. As a result tuk tuks are becoming expensive in Thailand. They often cost a lot more than private taxis. If you plan to use a tuk tuk to get around Phuket make sure that you agree a price with your driver before you depart. Expect to pay between 150 – 300 baht for most journeys around Phuket. Tuk tuks are definitely not the cheapest way to get around in Phuket but they are a lot of fun.
Songthaew bus
One of the cheapest ways to get around in Phuket is to take a small shared bus. The small buses in Phuket are called Songthaews. A short journey on a Songthaew bus should cost around 30 – 50 baht. These buses are flexible. They may run along a set route picking up lots of passengers along the way. If they are doing this the price will be lower. However songthaew drivers may try to charge a private taxi rate. Be prepared to barter. A short journey in Phuket should cost 30 – 50 baht. Songthaew buses are a lot of fun. You can flag them anywhere – you don’t need to be at a bus stop – and the route may be flexible – so check with the driver.
Private taxi
One of the cheapest ways of getting around in Phuket is to take a private taxi. You can flag taxis at the side of the road but this is slow due to the increase in e-hailing apps (like Grab and Bolt). Once a taxi stops you also need to barter for a fair price. We recommend getting a local sim card in Thailand (very cheap and good) and download Bolt and Grab. You will need to use your Thai number to register.
Bolt is a bit cheaper than Grab. On Bolt drivers are slower to respond. Having both means that you can compare prices and find a driver faster. Taxi prices are very fair on both apps. On Bolt expect to pay 50 – 250 baht for most taxi rides around Phuket.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the Grab Taxi App in Thailand
Car rental
If you are planning lots of travel around Phuket, car rental may be the cheapest option. Car rental deals can be found for as little as 700 baht per day (around £14 or $18). However, you may need to shop around and barter with some local dealers for the lowest prices. With a budget of 1,000 baht there are plenty of car rental options.
If you plan to drive a car in Phuket make sure you have an international drivers license. You generally need to arrange this in your home country before you travel. When you rent the car you may be asked to leave a deposit. Avoid leaving a passport – try to negotiate a cash deposit. We were asked to leave around 5,000 baht deposit for a car rental in Phuket.
Remember to take photos of the car before you go (look for damage inside and outside). Also keep a copy of the rental contract and contact details for your rental dealer. Take note of the
amount of petrol at the start of the rental as you will need to return it with the same petrol level.
TOP TIP: Keep petrol receipts in Phuket. We had a car rental with a petrol gauge that did not go up when we filled the tank.
If you don’t want to shop around for a cheap rental from local dealers you can book a rental with extra security through Skyscanner – yes! They do cars as well as flights!
Find a great car rental deal on Skyscanner
AND finally…
Don’t miss our EPIC one week Phuket Holiday Itinerary
