Travel tips for visiting Phuket, Thailand

We visited Phuket as part of our 2 week Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi Islands itinerary and having spent a week in Phuket during the rainy season, I’ve definitely picked up a few Phuket travel tips that I think would be useful for new and re-visiting travellers.

So if you’re planning a trip to Phuket, make sure you make a note of these tips for visiting Phuket before you go!

Helena in green standing in front of an ornate turquoise and white building during a sunny day — Phuket Old Town

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Phuket travel tips

1. Use Grab

Grab is the version of Uber in Southeast Asia and we used it almost exclusively to get around Phuket. We used Grab to book a taxi from Phuket airport when we arrived to get to our hotel, even though our hotel was over an hour away, it was no issue.

2. Traffic is awful, allow plenty of time

Traffic is spectacularly bad in Phuket, I actually couldn’t believe it!

When Google Maps said it would take 20 minutes to get somewhere, it took 40-45 minutes with traffic. All this to say - plan accordingly and allow plenty of time for any trip you need to make by car.

3. Know how to use ATMs

Cash comes out before your card!

In the UK and many other countries, we’re used to the card coming out before cash to make sure you don’t forget your bank card.

However in Thailand, the cash comes out first! I don’t know if this is the case for every ATM company or brand but it was for the several we used in both Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok.

So just a note to say don’t panic - your card is coming!

4. Consider if you really want to stay in Patong

Honestly, we hated Patong and won’t be going back. But if you’re in Phuket to party then this might not apply to you.

We were two streets back from the main strip in Patong and the noise from clubs and bars was consistent until 3am or 4am. The music, the bright lights, the drunk people, the traffic, nothing and no one seems to sleep until 4am - if you’re a light sleeper or aren’t interested in partying, I’d recommend staying further out of Patong or in another resort on Phuket island completely!

A busy bar street at night with a large lit up sign. There's many bars with lit up signs lining either side of the street — Patong, Thailand

5. Phuket Tourist Police Number

There is a dedicated number for the tourist police in Phuket - 1155.

Hopefully you don’t need it but it’s always good to know, just in case!

6. Be prepared if you’re planning to hire a scooter

Getting around by scooter in Thailand is the most common way for both tourists and locals to get around - and a lot easier when traffic is so bad!

However be aware that police are a lot stricter with checks and fines than they are in other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam or Cambodia.

There are regular police checks set up on roads in touristy areas and police will actually step into the road, forcing you to stop so they can check you have the correct licence and documents. We saw this happen on several occasions just in the week we visited - so be aware or you’ll be fined.

A taxi driver also told us that police are being very strict with seatbelt fines for tourists too - so belt up, just keep safe!

7. Alcohol sales restrictions

I know a lot of people go to Thailand to party, so it’s good to know that stores are only licensed to sell alcohol between certain times of day.

Alcohol sales are prohibited between 2pm-5pm every day. So if you want evening drinks or afternoon beers on the beach, you might want to get them before 2pm.

8. Do your elephant sanctuary research

I only found one elephant sanctuary in Phuket that genuinely rescues elephants from zoos or circuses and gives them a home for the remainder of their lives. That is Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in the northeast of the island.

Every other self-proclaimed elephant sanctuary had baby or young elephants which means they’re being bred in captivity for entertainment - this is not a sanctuary. Genuine sanctuaries will also not allow practices which involve you touching the elephants such as riding them or washing them - this is also an entertainment practice and not a natural environment for elephants.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary only rescues old or injured elephants that are being sold off from their current zoo, circus or “sanctuary” because they’ve outlived their usefulness. This usually means the female elephants are so old that they can no longer produce offspring and often male and female elephants are so badly injured or traumatised that they need special care. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary provides that care and a huge natural space for these beautiful animals to live out the remainder of their lives.

You’ll learn about the elephants and each of their stories, you’ll observe them from the elevated walkways and in their natural environment with the specialised care of their carer. You can also feed them.

Helena in red standing in front of an elephant which is behind a tree eating green plants — Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

9. Bring the Phuket beach essentials

Water shoes or sandals, waterproof bag, sunscreen, waterproof phone case and hat.

Water shoes are helpful for rocky areas and also for getting on and off boats in the shallows if you take any boat trips.

The waterproof bag and waterproof phone case are also great for boat trips, snorkelling etc

10. Bring seasickness meds and diarrhoea meds

I’d say the motion sickness meds are good for the windy roads if you have any long car journeys but also if you’re visiting in the rainy season or shoulder season, the waves make boat journeys BRUTAL.

We took a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands and half the boat was vomiting for the whole 1.5 hour crossing. Some people were so bad that they chose not to take the return boat journey and stay on the island for the ferry crossing or until the weather had improved.

Also hopefully you don’t need anti-diarrheals or rehydration meds but some of the food can give you a funky stomach and it’s best to be prepared!

11. Bring layers

Boat rides can get windy and the evenings can get chilly, especially if you’re visiting May-October. So bring some light layers to be more comfortable.