Phuket Map and Travel Guide
Phuket Travel Guide
 Located
approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's
largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman,
or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular,
limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and
tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest,
busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.
Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern
part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province
covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding
small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area
of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands
are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is
estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.
Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3
sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the
best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga
Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.
Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in
a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November
to April). The low season of phuket is between September and October
as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is
from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear
blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear
water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures
ranges between 23?C and 33?C.
Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered
with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining
30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts
of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except
for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.
Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe
Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.
Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural
heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving
sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers
to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to
impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations
ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have
warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood
lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket's famous
lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket a truly
unique destination.
How to get there
By air
This is perhaps the easiest way to get to Phuket. Domestic airlines
operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Phuket. Some flights
go to Phuket via Samui Island with a 40-minute stopover. List of
operators are as follows:
Phuket Air offers daily flights to Phuket and the journey takes
only 1.20 hours. Call 02 6798999 or visit www.phuketairlines.com
for more details on flights.
Bangkok Airways has daily flights connecting Phuket with Pattaya
and Samui. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at
tel. 66 2265 5678. Reservations can be made at tel. 66 2265 5555.
Alternatively, browse its website at www.bangkokair.com for more
flight details.
Thai Airways International has numerous daily flights servicing
the Bangkok-Phuket route. In addition, they have regular flights
connecting Phuket with Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Narathiwat Provinces.
For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 02 628
2000 or book your seat online at www.thaiairways.com
One-to-Go by Orient Thai operates a daily flight between Bangkok
and Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Call 1126 or visit www.onetwo-go.com
for more information.
Air Asia also offers several daily flights connecting Bangkok and
Phuket. The flight time is 1.20 hours. Visit www.airasia.com or
call 02 5159999 for reservations.
Nok Air has several daily flights between Bangkok and Phuket with
a flight time of 1.20 hours. Visit www.nokair.com or call 1318 to
make your reservation.
Destination Air porvides first class seaplane transfers to and
from Phuket Internation Airport to resorts and hotels located in
the Andaman sea. Popular destinations are such as Ko Phi Phi, Krabi,
Ko Lanta. Services commence in July 2006. Contact Bangkok Office
of Destination Air at Tel: 0 2261 5323, Fax: 0 2261 5331 or visit
www.destinationair.com
Getting to Phuket from abroad
There are several direct flights between Phuket and international
destinations, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, and
Sydney.
Dragon Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Airand Singapore Airlines also
operate international flights connecting Phuket with other destinations.
Please call airline offices for more details.
Transportation to and from the airport
Phuket International Airport is located approximately 30 kilometers
north of the city, tel. 076 327230. Taxis between Phuket City and
the airport costs approximately 400 baht but the fare to the beach
ranges between 500 baht and 600 baht (The rate may decline now).
Minivans charge approximately 80 baht /person to town, but 120 baht/person
to Patong, Kata and Karon Beaches. Phuket Limousine (tel. 076 248596),
located approximately 1 kilometer west of the city, operates hourly
shuttles to the airport from 6.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
By bus
Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern
Bus Terminal for Phuket several times daily. Trips by air-conditioned
bus, which normally leaves in the evening, take about 13 hours.
Call 0 2434 7192, 0 2435 1199 or visit www.transport.co.th for more
information.
By car
From Bangkok, take Highway No.4 (Phetchakasem Road) through Phetchaburi,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces,
then cross the Thep Krasattri Bridge or Sarasin Bridge to Phuket
Island. The total distance is 862 kilometers and the travel time
is approximately 12 hours.
By rail
There is no direct train service to Phuket. Travelers arriving
by train must get off at Phun Phin Railway Station in Surat Thani
Province and continue by regular bus to Phuket. For more information,
call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690, 0 2223 7010, or 0 2223
7020.
By Ferry
During the high season, travelers may opt to get to Phuket from
Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta (both are in Krabi Province). Few ports
in Phuket provide this service with fares ranging between 300 bahts
and 500 baht. The trip may take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather
conditions.
Getting around Phuket
Car Rental Service
Avis Car Rent Airport Tel: 0-7635-1243, Kata Beach Resort Tel :
0-7638-1530-3
- Boomerang Travel & Tour 71/13 Patak Road, Chalong Bay Tel:
0-7638-1690
- Dusit Laguna Hotel Bang Thao Beach Tel: 0-7632-4322-9
- Hertz Car Rent Thawon Palm Beach Hotel, Karon Beach Tel: 0- 7638-1034-7
- Holiday Inn Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0608
- K.M. Travel Phangnga Road Tel: 0-7621-0893
- Le Meridian Karon Noi Beach Tel: 0-7634-0480-5
- The Metropol Hotel Montri Road Tel: 0-7621-5050
- Pansea Surin Beach Tel: 0-7632-4017-20
- Patong Merlin Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0037-41
- Pearl Village Nai Yang Beach Tel: 0-7632-7006
- Phuket Arcadia Karon Beach Tel: 0-7638-1038-40
- Phuket Airport Tel: 0-7632-7258
- Phuket Cabana Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0138-4
- Phuket Car Center Takua Pa Road Tel: 0-7621-2671-3
- Phuket Island Tel: 0-7638-1010
- Phuket Yacht Charter 5/3 Chao Fa Road Tel: 0-7621-6556
- Phuket Horizon Car Rent 235/4 Yaowarat Road, Tambon Talat Nua,
Muang
District Tel: 0-7621-5200
- Pure Car Rent Opposite Thavorn Hotel, Ratsada Road, Tel: 0- 7621-1002
- Via Rent A Car 70/85 Rat U-Thit, Patong Beach Tel: 0-7634-0160
Motorcycle taxis
It costs approximately 20 baht / person / trip to travel around
Phuket City. Alternatively, motorcycles can be rented from rental
agencies located on Rasada Road or from several operators along
beaches. The cost may vary from 150 baht 300 baht / day, depending
on the number of cylinders.
Songthaeo and Tuk-Tuk
Songthaeos are operated along Ranong Road to several destinations
on the beaches. The cost varies from approximately 20 baht to 25
baht / person / trip. Normally the service is provided from 7.00
a.m. until 5.00 p.m.
Tuk-Tuks can be chartered to the beach however, the rates which
can be negotiated are higher at 200 baht to Patong Beach, 230 baht
to Karon and Kata Beaches and 300 baht to Nai Han and Kamala Beaches.
However, Tuk-Tuks drive around the town at the rate of 20 baht.
Taxi Meter
Visitors can call 076 232157-8 to get a metered taxi that will
take them anywhere in Phuket. The metered fare will include a 20
baht surcharge.
Getting to nearby provinces
By bus
There are regular bus services (VIP, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned)
to neighboring provinces such as Krabi, Phang-nga, Chumphon, Ko
Samui (bus/boat), Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Satun,
Hat Yai, Takua-Pa and Trang. Departures are from the Phuket Bus
Terminal off Phang-nga Road. For more up-to-date schedules and fares,
call Phuket Air-conditioned Bus Station, tel. 0 7621 1977.
Taxis & Vans
There are shared taxi and van services between Phuket and other
nearby provinces. Fares of both are generally around double the
fare of an ordinary bus. The stations of both taxis and minivans
are also on Phang-nga Road.
By air
Some domestic airlines operate flights from Phuket to Surat Thani,
Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Hat Yai and Samui. For more details,
check with your travel agent or the TAT office.
Getting to nearby islands from Phuket
Boats to nearby islands can be found at the following ports:
Rawai Beach
An old local port, it is from here that long-tail boats depart
for nearby islands such as Ko He, Ko Racha Yai, Ko Mai Thon, Ko
Lon, etc. The chartered price depends on the distance.
Ao Chalong
The largest port of Phuket that has all kinds of boats, including
cruisers of tour companies which organize package tours to other
islands.
Ao Makham
Located near Phanwa Cape, the port is only for cruisers and container
ships.
Boat Lagoon Port (Ao Sapam) The port is for traveling boats of tour
companies.
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