The island of Phuket – the name alone immediately conjures up images of stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and colorful temples. But Thailand’s largest island has so much more to offer. Whether you’re here for the first time or already an experienced Thailand traveler, we believe Phuket offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

In this comprehensive island guide, we’ll show you the most beautiful beaches, amazing sights, and give you practical Phuket tips that will make your stay unforgettable. Whether you just want to switch off, explore the beaches or discover the bustling life of the island – here you will find all the information you need for your trip to Phuket.

• Arrival in Phuket
• Visa and entry into Phuket
• Airport transfer in Phuket
• Currency in Thailand
• Best time to travel to Phuket
• Duration of your Phuket vacation
• Booking accommodation
• Getting around: scooter, taxi or tuk-tuk?
• Sights in Phuket
• The most beautiful beaches in Phuket
• Excursions and tours
• Money & Finance
• Internet & Mobile
• A Heart for Animals
• The Best Travel Guides

Getting to Phuket

Getting to Phuket is straightforward, as there are many connections from Germany. Phuket International Airport (HKT) is Thailand’s second-largest airport and your gateway to the island. There are several direct flights from Germany to Phuket, especially during the peak season (November to April). Only Condor flies non-stop from Frankfurt to the island. The flight time is approximately 11–12 hours.

If you’re looking for a cheaper flight or more flexibility, there are numerous connections with a stopover, e.g., in Bangkok, Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines). These flights take between 15 and 18 hours, depending on the intermediate time. We last flew with Qatar Airways from Frankfurt via Doha in January 2025 and can recommend both the airline and the connection.

Another popular route is to first fly to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) and from there take a domestic flight to Phuket. Airlines such as Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, or AirAsia regularly offer inexpensive connections. The flight time is only approximately 1.5 hours.

We always use Skyscanner* to search for flights. Simply enter “from Germany” to “Phuket” to compare the best prices and departure airports. Especially useful if you’re flexible: You can search for the cheapest return flights for an entire month. More tips here: How to book cheap flights.

Visa and entry into Phuket

If you only want to vacation in Phuket, you don’t need a visa and can stay for up to 60 days. If you want to stay longer, you should obtain a special tourist visa in advance. You can do this in Germany, but also in many other countries where there is a Thai embassy or consulate.

If you arrive without a visa, you will receive a stamp in your passport at the airport and can then start your vacation in a relaxed manner (for a maximum of 60 days). You can find more on this topic here: Entry and Visa Thailand. Our entry at the airport in Phuket was very quick and straightforward. Your fingerprints will be taken, and your photo will be taken.

Tip: If the line is too long and you’re in a hurry, you can use a “fast lane” at a side counter for a fee and get through even faster. We seem to recall that this service costs 300 THB per person.

Airport Transfer in Phuket

You have several options for getting from the airport to your destination. You’ll find numerous taxis outside the airport that will transport you. Prices are fixed and range from 800 to 1,000 THB, depending on your destination. Tip: Make sure you take a metered taxi or negotiate the price beforehand.

For a cheaper option, you can use a minibus shuttle. These travel to various destinations on the island as needed and cost around 200–300 THB per person. However, the journey may take a bit longer due to multiple stops. In addition, many hotels only leave when the minibus is full.

Many hotels also offer a pick-up service (or private shuttle) from the airport, often at a fair fixed price. This is especially convenient if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or don’t want the stress of organizing it. However, it also costs a bit more. Depending on your destination, prices range from 900 to 1,300 THB.

A very cheap, but less flexible option is the public bus service that runs from the airport to Phuket Town (cost: approx. 100 THB). From there, you may need to use other means of transport to reach your final destination. We did this during our backpacking trip. You need to allow considerably more time. More information here: Airportbus Phuket.

We recommend the Grab app. It works like Uber and allows you to easily order a cheap taxi after entering the country. We paid 780 THB (approx. €22) for our almost 60-minute drive to the hotel. Of course, you’ll need internet access on your mobile phone for this. More information can be found in the section: Internet & SIM cards.

Currency in Thailand

The official currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 baht, as well as notes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht. The exchange rate fluctuates, currently around 1 € = 35.58 THB (as of January 2025). It’s worth checking the current rate before your trip.

We always withdraw cash from a bank or ATM. These ATMs are available almost everywhere, but fees of around 220 THB per withdrawal often apply. Our tip: Use a credit card that doesn’t charge additional foreign currency fees.

If you want to exchange money, you can do so at many exchange offices. However, the rates can be worse at airports and tourist areas. We recommend withdrawing cash from an ATM on site.

In Phuket, you can certainly pay for many things with a credit card, but you still need cash, especially at food stalls and street markets, in small restaurants, and cafés. We’ve recently been able to use our credit cards less often than expected.

It’s best to withdraw larger amounts at once to minimize ATM fees. Avoid exchanging money at home – the rates in Thailand are often better. A mix of cash and credit cards is ideal for your stay. This way, you’ll always have plenty of money in Thailand and can pay with ease!

Best time to travel to Phuket

The best time to travel to Phuket is from November to April. These months are the dry season, with (very) warm temperatures and little rain – perfect for beach holidays and outdoor activities.

• November to April (dry season)
  • Temperatures: 28–34 °C
  • Little rain, sunny days and pleasant evenings.
  • Ideal for beach days, island hopping and excursions.
• May to October (rainy season)
  • Temperatures: 25–32 °C
  • Higher humidity and frequent short, heavy rain showers.
  • The sea can be rougher, making swimming and boat trips difficult.

If you prefer sunny weather If you want quiet beaches, plan your trip between December and March. Conditions are optimal during this time, but prices are also a bit higher, and there are many tourists. For a more budget-friendly travel, you can consider the transitional months of November or April – often a good mix of good weather and fewer tourists.

Even during the rainy season, Phuket is worth a visit, as the showers are usually short and nature is a lush green. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the island in a quieter atmosphere.

Duration of your Phuket vacation

Short break: 3-5 days

• Perfect for seeing the island’s highlights.
• Must-sees: Big Buddha, Old Phuket Town, Wat Chalong, and one or two beaches such as Freedom Beach or Surin Beach.
• A day trip to the Phi Phi Islands or James Bond Island.

One week

• Plenty of time to explore the main attractions and several beaches.
• More activities such as snorkeling, diving, or a Thai cooking class.
• Time for relaxing days on the beach or in the spa.

10 days to 2 weeks

• Exploring less touristy beaches and Insider spots.
• Ideal for experiencing Phuket in peace and seeing more of the surrounding area.
• Additional island hopping (e.g., Similan Islands or Koh Yao Islands).

Booking accommodation

The most popular area in Phuket is definitely the west coast with its beautiful beaches. If you prefer peace and quiet and want to stay in Phuket longer, you should check out the central area around Kathu. We stayed here very well and inexpensively for almost a month. Patong Beach is a tourist magnet and very busy. If you’re looking for a hotel here, avoid booking on the main party strip; it can get a bit louder. We therefore recommend Kathu, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Rawai Beach, and the other beautiful little bays.

You can get absolutely everything in Phuket: from low budget to pure luxury. The good 4* hotels are relatively inexpensive, and you can get a night in a very good 4* hotel with breakfast, pool, and gym for just €30 a night for two people (or less, depending on the season). If you want to stay longer in Phuket, you should take a look at Airbnb and look for condos (apartments). Low budget is also no problem – you can find numerous good hostels on Booking.com.

Low-budget accommodations (from 14€/night):

• Fulfill Phuket
• Vika Hostel
• The Neighbors Hostel
• White Wall Poshtel
• Eco Hostel

Mid-range hotels (from 19€/night)

• Seven Seas Hotel
• Up 2 You Cafe & Hotel
• On the Hill Karon Resort
• Wonderful Pool House at Kata
• The Title KR Beach Condotel
• Pai Tan Villas

Luxury Resorts (from 85€/night)

• Mandarava Resort and Spa, Karon Beach (5 stars)
• Baan Phu Prana Boutique Villa (5 stars)
• The Nai Harn (5 stars)
• The Chava Resort (5 stars)
• Banyan Tree Spa Sanctuary (5 stars)

Getting around: Scooter, taxi or tuk-tuk?

Phuket offers various options for getting around the island. We’ll introduce you to the most common options and show you the advantages and disadvantages.

Option 1: Flexible and affordable with a scooter

A scooter allows you to explore the island flexibly and affordably. Perfect for those who want independence and aren’t afraid of driving on the left. You can rent a scooter for around 250–400 THB per day (plus gas).

Advantages:

• Flexibility to reach even remote beaches or attractions.
• Inexpensive and fast.
• You can usually weave past the cars easily.

Disadvantages:

• Dangerous if you have no experience.
• Always wear a helmet and pay attention to the traffic rules.
• Rental companies usually require your passport as security or a deposit (usually 2,000–3,000 THB).
• Scooter insurance is important! Check whether your travel insurance covers accidents.

ATTENTION: In Thailand, larger scooters with more than 125cc are often offered, which cannot be driven with a standard German or international driver’s license. In such cases, you need an international driver’s license with class A1 or A. If you are stopped and do not have a motorcycle license, you will receive a ticket, which you must pay within 7 days (fine: 1,000 THB).

This is also problematic in the event of an accident. Without the correct driver’s license, your insurance may not pay out – even if the accident was not your fault. This can lead to high costs for damages or medical treatment. Therefore, be sure to check in advance whether your driver’s license meets the requirements and only rent scooters that you are legally allowed to drive.

2nd Option: Grab Taxi – Convenient, but more expensive

For short distances, taking a taxi is also a good option. We recommend the Grab app, which works similarly to UBER. You can easily order a driver and pay conveniently via the app. This way, you don’t have to negotiate prices and you know in advance how much a ride will cost.

Advantages:

• Comfortable, fast, air-conditioned, and safe.
• Ideal if you have a lot of luggage.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than other options.
• Drivers aren’t always available immediately.
• You have to keep booking another ride if you want to move on.

3rd Option: Tuk-Tuk – The Typical Thailand Experience

If you want a typical Thailand experience, you should take a tuk-tuk. While the prices are often more expensive and you have to negotiate, it’s certainly a great experience for one or two trips. These trips are suitable for short distances (usually 200-500 THB each way).

Advantages:

• Charming, authentic means of transport.
• Ideal for short distances in tourist areas.

Disadvantages:

• No air conditioning, bumpier ride.

4th Option: Public Buses (Songthaews)

If you’re on a budget and not in a hurry, you can also take a songthaew. The public buses are very cheap (30-50 THB each way).

Pros:

• Very cheap.
• Local experience.

Cons:

• Fixed routes, therefore less flexible.
• Slower and less comfortable.
• Allow more time depending on the route.

Phuket Sights

Phuket Town and Weekend Market

The Thai island of Phuket offers some cool sights and highlights. The Naka Weekend Market takes place every weekend just outside Phuket Town. It is one of the largest markets on the island. It starts at 4 p.m. and ends around 10 or 11 p.m. Here you can find clothes, CDs, DVDs, electronics, decorative items, lots of junk and counterfeit products at very low prices. The food selection at this market is also simply enormous. Try fried grasshoppers or maggots, for example. Marco didn’t think it was that bad.

And there’s also a lot to see in Phuket Town itself. For example, visit the witty Trick Eye Museum. Here you can take funny photos in front of cool 3D motifs and installations. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adults pay approximately €13 admission. If you’ve never been to a museum like this, it’s sure to be pretty cool.

Bangla Road in Patong

Do you like to party the night away? Do you like dancing until the early hours and also enjoy a drink or two on vacation? Then head to Bangla Road in Patong. It’s the most famous red-light district in all of Thailand. There are countless bars, clubs, and restaurants here. The shops are also open until late in the evening.

Big Buddha Phuket

Prefer a bit of culture and beautiful views? Then head to the Big Buddha on Phuket. This enormous statue is located on a hill and offers fantastic views of the surrounding area and the sea. Drive towards Wat Chalong and then turn right after the sign to the Big Buddha. The paved road then leads you steeply up the mountain. You’ll discover some great viewpoints on the way up. Admission is free, by the way.

The beautiful Wat Chalong

Next, we’ll visit Wat Chalong, the largest temple on the island. Here you’ll also find statues of the most revered Buddhist monks: Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. Most tourists arrive between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. It’s best to avoid these times of day and come either very early or in the early evening. Wat Chalong is a beautiful example of Sino-Thai temple architecture with numerous statues, colorful ornaments, and decorated gates.

Karon Viewpoint/Kata Viewpoint

During our tours of the island, we also discovered the magnificent Karon Viewpoint. This is located between Nai Harn and Kata. It is also one of the most beautiful panoramic points on the entire island. On the horizon, you will discover three bays: Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach. The point is, of course, a popular destination, but you can also easily reach it with your own scooter. It’s particularly beautiful

Bang Pae Waterfall

Now we’re heading towards the jungle. In the north of the island, in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, lies the beautiful Bang Pae Waterfall. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit it ourselves, but we’ve heard nothing but good things about it. The waterfall is said to be around 16 meters high, but it’s a great place to relax and unwind. If you ever go there yourself, please let us know what you thought.

Monkey Hill

Another highlight of the island is the so-called Monkey Hill. This is located 2.5 km north of Phuket’s Old Town. Wild monkeys live here in the forest, which can also be seen on the street. Although the monkeys are wild, they have become accustomed to humans over time. No wonder, since they are (unfortunately) constantly fed. Therefore, caution is advised! The monkeys are cheeky and like to steal things. Just don’t touch or feed them!

Wat Khao Rang & Viewpoint

There is another temple on the island of Phuket with a great view. Wat Khao Rang is located on Khao Rang Mountain, offering a magnificent view of Phuket Town. There are also several restaurants on site that serve snacks and meals. Particularly beautiful in the temple are the statues of the seated Buddhas and the God of Death.

The Jui Tui Shrine

The Jui Tui Temple was once a site without any walls or side buildings. However, the temple has been continually expanded and enlarged to this day. The complex features three large altars with statues of Chinese gods. The bright colors everywhere are particularly striking. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival takes place there every year.

Promthep Cape in the South

In the south of the island lies Promthep Cape and is not far from Rawai. Back then, we drove along the coastal road, always along the sea. The journey there alone was a feast for the eyes. The cape lies before the Karon Viewpoint and is probably one of the most popular photo motifs on the island. Here, you’ll find limestone cliff formations that drop vertically into the sea, a crab-shaped lighthouse, and religious shrines. It’s especially beautiful at sunset.

The most beautiful beaches in Phuket

Phuket has truly beautiful beaches to offer, with white sand beaches, green palm trees, and turquoise waters. We’ve been to many beaches and are now sharing our favorites with you.

We find Surin Beach particularly beautiful. It’s located about 14 km north of Patong. Here you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket. This is due to the beautiful sand and the fantastic blue sea. The water quality is also first-class. We’ve been there many times and can highly recommend this beach. There are numerous food stalls, juice bars, restaurants, and small shops on site.

We also had a great time at Ao Sane Beach in the south of the island. The beach is tiny and very hidden. There are only small coves, a restaurant, and beach bungalows. You have to go through the Nai Harn Hotel to get to this beach. We were able to spend a really cool afternoon snorkeling here. Also make a note of Ya Nui Beach. This small beach between the Windmill Viewpoint and Promthep Cape in the very south of the island is ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Laem Singh Beach, located 12 km north of Patong, just before Surin Beach, is also a feast for the eyes. It has a nostalgic feel and is reminiscent of the film Robinson Crusoe. The scenery is simply gorgeous! We also really liked Kata Noi Beach. The sandy beach is beautiful, and the water is incredibly clear and blue. It has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

There are countless other beautiful beaches on the island. For example, Nai Harn Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Freedom Beach, Kamala Beach, Bagtao Beach, and Pansea Beach. Listing them all in detail here would be beyond the scope of this article. Simply hop on your scooter and let yourself drift, especially along the west coast. You will discover many beautiful beaches on Phuket.

Excursions and Tours

You can book numerous excursions and tours on Phuket. You can explore the island’s highlights or discover the cool spots in the surrounding area. How about an island tour, a cooking class, a kayaking tour, a snorkeling, or a diving tour? Below, we list some of the most popular tours for you:

• James Bond Island Tour by Longtail Boat
• James Bond Island Tour and Nature Kayaking Tour
• Flying Hanuman – Zipline Adventure
• City Highlights & Viewpoints in a Small Group
• Phuket/Khao Lak: Day Trip to Ko Phi Phi & Viewpoint
• Discover Diving Racha Yai from Phuket
• 4 Islands Day Tour by Ferry & Speedboat
• Similan Islands Day Tour from Phuket

You can also book tours to the surrounding islands. Popular tours include tours to the island of Koh Phi Phi, to James Bond Rock, to Khao Lak, to Phang Nga Bay with its many limestone formations, to Hong Island, and many more. We also spent three days on the island of Koh Yao Noi. However, we planned and carried out the trip ourselves.

Money & Finances

In Thailand you pay with the Thai Baht. 1 Euro is currently equivalent to just under 36.5 THB. You can find exchange offices on Phuket, but we recommend a credit card, as carrying a lot of cash around is not advisable. You can find banks and ATMs all over the island, so you don’t have to search forever to get cash.

Since we have now also become victims of fraudsters, we recommend that you only withdraw money from bank ATMs. In our case, the ATM was tampered with, and our card was copied. Almost €500 was withdrawn this way without us noticing at first. So please be careful and take a close look at ATMs abroad. Everything about security & Credit cards here..

Internet & Cell Phone

We never had any problems finding a stable network on the island. Our accommodation (Fruit Valley Kathu) even had the best network speed during our trip (40 mb/s). But there really wasn’t a café, hostel, hotel, guesthouse, or restaurant that didn’t offer Wi-Fi. You can also get SIM cards for your cell phone with internet access at a 7-Eleven store (300-400 baht).

We bought a SIM card from DTAC with 6 GB of internet for 30 days (cost: €10). You can find this provider in tourist areas and shopping centers. Phuket also has a co-working space – STASH! So if you’re having serious internet problems or are just looking for a good place to work, you should check this location out.

A Heart for Animals

In almost every country, we seek out and visit an animal welfare organization. Phuket also has one: the SOI Dog Foundation in the north of the island near the airport. This is a sanctuary for sick, abused, and injured animals. They care for these animals with great heart and passion. Volunteers are welcome and can help there in exchange for accommodation and meals. Donations are also welcome!

The best travel guides

Want to learn more about Thailand so you’re well prepared for backpacking in Thailand? Then get Stefan Loose’s excellent Thailand travel guide. It contains almost 900 pages of information. Also recommended is Ferndurst’s book: 105 Reasons to Love Thailand. It’s a travel guide with heart-pounding moments and insider tips. We’ve also contributed a chapter. Therefore, we’d be delighted if you picked up this book (e-book and print) for your trip to Thailand.