Boat

Chalong Pier is mainly used by yachts and dive-operator boats for dive trips.

Bus

Launched in 2018, the brand-new sky-blue Phuket Smart Bus runs between Phuket International Airport and Rawai (two hours) via Ao Bang Thao, Surin, Kamala, Patong, Karon and Kata roughly hourly from 6am to 8.15pm. Rates are 50B to 170B, depending on where you hop off. You’ll need a prepaid smartcard (300B), which can be bought on board and topped up at designated spots across the island.

Car & Motorcycle

Motorbike hire costs around 250B per day and is available everywhere across the island. You can rent cars pretty much anywhere – including at the airport and in Phuket Town – from around 1000B per day.

Car-Hire Companies

Andaman Car Rent (Surin/Ao Bang Thao)

Avis (Patong)

Avis (Phuket International Airport)

Hertz (Phuket International Airport)

Pure Car Rent (Phuket Town)

Sŏrng·tăa·ou & Túk-Túk

Large bus-sized sŏrng·tăa·ou (passenger pick-up trucks) run regularly between Th Ranong in Phuket Town and most of the island’s beaches (30B to 40B per person, 30 minutes to 1½ hours), from 7am to 5pm or 6pm. Túk-túk charters are another way to get around.

Taxi

An easy way to get around is to hire wheels with a driver and air-con. It’s a good option for exploring the island on a day trip and particularly cost effective for several people sharing. You’ll find obvious taxi ranks in beach towns; most travel agents arrange drivers. Metered taxis (more reasonably priced) remain hard to find, apart from at Phuket’s airport.