Phuket is a dream destination for many travelers, but planning a trip here requires a good understanding of costs. This guide will give you a clear picture of what to expect so you can budget wisely and make the most of your time on this beautiful island.
Budget Management For Transportation
Firstly, transportation is one of the biggest surprises for customers when visiting Phuket. It is not like Bangkok with a variety of BTS and buses, as it is a small island. In Phuket, there is not much Public transport to and from the places. It is not a problem if you have some extra money. But, if you don’t, it could be a big problem.
However, there are buses from the airport to other popular places. Most locals use motorbikes and cars as their daily transport. If you have an international driving license and can ride a bike, you can rent a motorbike in most places. The motorbike rental fees vary from 300 THB to up to 5000 THB per day based on the bike you choose.
Those who come with a big group mostly choose the private van. You have to rent a private van before it arrives to pick you up. In most tour companies, like Sawasdee Phuket, you can book a van online easily. You can choose the airport transfer or point-to-point transfer based on your needs.
You can use the transportation apps like Grab, Bolt, and Indrive here. If you are traveling alone, you can choose to book a bike in that app which is cheaper. Make sure you get a helmet to wear before you go.
Tips for Transportation in Phuket
– Include Airfare fees and transfer from place to place
– Do not cover everything in a short time as it will cost you money and energy
– Do not drive if you don’t have a license ( Bike Accident is common in Phuket)
Food and drink
The food and drink costs as much as you spend them. Most restaurants with great dining experiences and views cost around 400 to 1000 THB per person. Most well-decorated cafes charge from 100 THB for a cup of coffee. If you are looking for the best seafood restaurants, Rawai is the best place to be. There are well-known Rawai seafood markets and legendary seafood restaurants like Kan Eang at Pier.
If you want to try local street foods, don’t forget to visit night markets such as Old Town Sunday night markets, and Naka markets. The street foods at night markets will cost you under 300 THB for a meal, some food, and a drink. If you are going out to a bar, the cost will be up to the drinks you choose.
Tips for Food and Drink Costs in Phuket
– Carry more than you expect as there will be cost of service charges and VAT 7%
– Find a menu of a restaurant online to predict the cost
– Don’t order a lot unless you have read the reviews and trust the place
Joining Activities
You need to make sure those activities have already included hotel transfers. The average fee for an ATV tour adventure is around 1000 THB per person. If you choose the combo packages including ATV, zipline, and elephant care, it will cost you around 3000 THB per person. You also need to add the VAT tax to those fees to the activities fees.
If you are doing island hopping with the group, the fees cost around 3500 to 3900 THB based on the islands you go to and the facilities included in the activities. The private charter starts from 200,00 THB based on the boat facilities and boat types.
Not always will cost you money. Visiting Beaches, viewpoints like Promthep Cape, and Windmill viewpoints, and hiking a Kathu waterfall will cost you no money.
Hotel & Living Cost
The rental fees will start from 700 THB to around 10,000 THB per night. However, you will find some guest houses and rooms under 500 THB. Some villas and houses rented in popular beach areas such as Kamala beach and Patong beaches are great deals for luxury travelers. The daily rental in those beaches costs around 300 USD to over 1500 USD based on the facilities.
Some villas have minimum days of stay and some payment policies that you should know. Therefore, you need to research ahead before you go. If you have some questions, you need to ask about the reservations. The places are more affordable during the low season. Therefore, it is important to consider when will you visit Phuket for the hotel stay.
The hotel prices are not that different from place to place. If you love vibrancy and want to be near the beach, then staying at the beach could be best for you. Old Phuket Town is for those who want to enjoy the heritage of Phuket Town. Some places like Rawai and Chalong may be far away, but great places to stay if you want to live in a quiet area.
While Phuket offers experiences for every budget, being well-prepared can save you money and hassle, especially if you are traveling solo with a limited budget. After reading this guide, we believe you will have a wonderful Phuket experience. If you need to book anything for your Phuket tour, just contact Sawasdee Phuket for a fully immersive Phuket experience.
