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Phuket Travel –
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Travelling From Phuket Airport
The chances are you are going to arrive by air and naturally you want to get to your Phuket accommodation as quickly as possible.Personally I take the easy option. Being in the travel business I would always ask our local agent to meet me, just as they would our clients. Any good tour operator or travel agent will offer to do this for you too and it’s another cost that has been pre-paid.
Of course you pay a little more but I prefer the convenience of leaving my brain in my suitcase when I arrive after a long flight. All I have to do, once I have cleared the Baggage Hall, is to remember my name and to look for someone holding a board with it written on.
The other option is to have a hotel representative meet you, when the same easy routine applies. You just add the cost to your Extras bill at your Phuket hotel.
By the way, in both cases make sure you ask for a private transfer, unless you want to squash into a minibus with other travellers.
The next best option is to use the Airport Limousine Service - don’t be fooled by that word Limousine, it’s usually just a saloon car. Fares are fixed thereby reducing the chances of getting ripped off. If you travel with as many suitcases as we do you might need two cars!
Phuket Car Rental is another option and there is plenty of choice.
There is also an Airport bus and I know I said I was not going to make any assumptions but my guess is this option is not for you.
Around Phuket Island
Aside from walking and car rental the following are your public options for Phuket travel.Songtaew – these colourful, open-sided local buses travel from Phuket Town on looped routes to the main resorts.
Micro buses – are air-conditioned and service the Phuket Town area.
Metered Taxis – there are not many of these and although they are metered, on long journeys, they usually have fixed rates.
Car taxis – these air conditioned vehicles tend to congregate around the main tourist areas, and outside hotels. Negotiate the fare before you get in.
Tuk Tuk – This is probably the best known of the Phuket travel options. These tuk tuks are not the 3-wheeled version that you find in Bangkok, these have 4 wheels. These small red, open-sided vans can uncomfortably carry up to 5 people. The drivers were almost certainly motorcyclists at one point in their lives; and I am sure they think they are still driving one. These vehicles usually belch out smoke like an oil fire. Make sure you negotiate the price before you get in. Pay by the journey not by the number of people. If a driver offers you a cheap, or free, ride find another one. He will take you to a shop where he is paid a commission or petrol coupons. Great if you want to go shopping but not much good if you have other plans. If you can, wave one down that’s on the move rather than taking one of those lurking outside your hotel or on a busy street corner: these are the ones that are most likely to take you on that unofficial sightseeing tour.
Personally I think Tuk Tuks are great fun but for safety reasons I could not possibly suggest you use them for your Phuket travel.
Motorcycle taxis – don’t even think about it!
Organised sightseeing tours There are plenty of Phuket tour companies on the island and, if you are staying in a hotel, there will be a tour desk on site.
Longtail boats – this ubiquitous water transport can be found on the main beaches (like the ones pictured here at Kata Beach) and will ‘buzz’ you anywhere you want to go. You must bargain, and make sure it’s a return journey! For the most part these boat owners know nothing about Life Vests: not recommended for small children and non-swimmers. And certainly not recommended for night journeys.
When it comes to Phuket travel options, there are plenty of choices but they might not all suit you. Incidentally, I have deliberately not quoted prices because, of course, these can change. My recommendation is to speak with your hotel concierge and gauge the average rates. You’ll soon get the hang of it and learn not to accept the first price quoted.
Return from Phuket Travel To Exclusive Phuket
