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Public Transport and How to Get Around

Tuk-Tuks

The best way to get around Phuket is with Thailand's iconic tuk-tuks. Fares cost around 50 THB ($2.24 AUD) within the town, but you'll need to haggle each time you flag a driver down.

Songthaew

Songthaews are another affordable public transportation option to use once your flights to Phuket have landed. It's a shared pickup truck taxi and is much cheaper than a tuk-tuk. The only downside is that you'll have to figure out the routes to know which colour songthaew will take you to your final destination. On average, you'll pay around 25 THB ($1.12 AUD), and the songthaews run from 7am to 5pm every day.

Taxi

After your flights to Phuket arrive, the fastest way to get from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to your hotel is with a taxi. Before you get into the car, make sure the driver has turned on the meter to avoid being ripped off. If you'd prefer to use a ride-sharing app, the only option is Grabr. It's Southeast Asia's answer to Uber, and the rates are usually cheaper than the standard metered taxis.

Car

If you want to explore the city without any restrictions, your best option is to rent a car. You can book a hire with Webjet before your flights to Phuket or once you arrive at Phuket International Airport (HKT). Be sure to pack your international driving permit and rent out a GPS if you don't want to buy a local sim card.

Phuket Airport Bus

If you're a budget traveller, the best way to get from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to your hotel after your flights to Phuket land is with the airport bus. It costs 90 THB ($4.03 AUD) per person and takes 1 hour 30 minutes’ to reach the bus station in Phuket Town. From here you can hail a taxi or hop on board one of the local buses to get to your final destination.

The Best Time to Visit

For cheap flights to Phuket, the best time to visit is during the city's wet season. From May to October, Phuket experiences heavy rains that keep most travellers away. Luckily, the downpours are short-lived, and you'll still be able to go on day trips to James Bond Island and relax on the beaches. Plus, you'll have Phuket's top attractions all to yourself and airlines may drop the price on airfare to Phuket to make up for the seasonal lull.

If you're after picture-perfect weather, book your flights to Phuket for travel between November and April. The dry season means you won't have any rain ruining your holiday and the ocean is usually calm. With little to no storms, visibility at Phuket's dive sites are at their best, making it an excellent time to visit if you want to get your scuba diving certification. The only downside is that its peak season for the city. You won't have much luck finding cheap flights to Phuket during this period unless you book your trip months in advance.


Top Things to Do and See

Visit the Big Buddha

The Big Buddha is the largest statue of its kind on the island, and it attracts thousands of visitors each year who want to soak up Thailand's cultural heritage. The statue is located on top of Mount Nagakerd in Karen and boasts beautiful 360-degree views of Phuket. If you can handle the climb, be sure to pack enough water and try time your visit for sunset. The best part? Entrance is free, and the Big Buddha is open from 8am to 7.30pm every day.

Go kayaking in Phang Nga Bay

Travellers from all around the world book return flights to Phuket for the chance to kayak around Phang Nga Bay. The region is known for its picturesque limestone cliffs, caves, islands and emerald lagoons. You'll also get to visit James Bond Island, which rose to fame after starring in The Man with the Golden Gun.

Relax on the beach

Phuket is one of Thailand's largest island and is home to a variety of beautiful beaches. Book your return flights to Phuket and spend your holiday beach hopping. While the main tourist beaches are in Karon and Patong, the island has tons of beaches that are off-the-beaten-track. If you get bored working on your tan, you can hire out some snorkelling gear and explore Phuket's underwater world.

Go Scuba Diving

Thailand is one of the world's top scuba diving destinations. Whether you're a complete novice or you have your advanced certification, Phuket has a range of dive sites for all levels. Book your tickets to Phuket and use it as an excuse to get your PADI Open Water. Just keep in mind that you need to give yourself 24 hours after diving before you can get on a plane at Phuket International Airport to your next destination.