How long is a piece of string? As we all know, there is no standard answer, as you would have to measure that specific piece of string rather than generalize, right? Well, the same principle applies to travel, and determining how long to spend in any location requires that many variables are pinned down.
All of these variables will provide you with a different reply regarding how many days you will need, but the short answer is:
You need 14 to 21 days in Phuket. The exact amount of days will be determined by your itinerary and circumstances: Whether you move quickly to sightsee or prefer to take things slowly. Your group’s size, mobility, and configuration will also contribute to the final decision.
Firstly, how much time do you have available? If you’re very flexible in this regard, we can move on to considering several factors that will help you formulate a plan.
Do you tear through a vacation destination like a cyclone, with outings every day and cultural/other events each evening? Or do you tend to glide into the vacation and, rather than make any fixed plans, let the mood take you as it wishes?
- Are you traveling alone?
If so, are you:
- A Party Animal
- A lover of peace and solitude
- Somewhere in-between
If you’re not traveling alone, are you:
- Part of a smallish group
- Traveling with children
- Accompanied by disabled persons
Perhaps the most definitive question of all is this: Why are you going to Phuket? Do you have a deep-rooted reason for wanting to visit the island?
I suggest that flying for 20 hours from the USA or 12 hours from Europe will require that you stay in Phuket for at least 14 days to make the long and tiring trip worthwhile. I’ve found that unless you are on a diet of rocket fuel, you will almost certainly want to take a day or two to recover from the International flight and the trip from Bangkok.
Sure, the internet abounds with articles suggesting that two or three days are enough in Phuket, but I would challenge that claim in the strongest terms from my extensive travels throughout the Kingdom.
Probably the best-known of the Thai islands, Phuket (Poo ket) is a must if socializing, nightlife, partying, souvenir hunting, and perfect beaches are your bag. It is shunned by many of the ‘In’ crowd, chiefly because of its popularity, but it is the pulse of Island parties and undoubtedly worth a visit.
Due to its historically strategic position between India and China, Phuket became a significant port on the trading route between Europe and Asia from the late 15th century. The French, British, and Dutch traders all did brisk business both in and through Phuket.
It was the Portuguese whose social contribution was most lasting, particularly in the architecture of Old Phuket Town. Stroll these evocative streets and take in the history of the real Phuket.
Getting to Phuket
Reaching Phuket from abroad is very easy:
- By Air – International flights from the US, Europe, Australia, and Russia land in Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Flights depart from Suvarnabhumi several times a day and take only one hour to reach Phuket.
- By Train – Trains don’t go all the way from Bangkok to Phuket, but you can hop onto one until you reach the town of Surat Thani, where you switch to a bus for the rest of the journey. The bus ride from Surat Thani to Phuket is an extra four to five hours, but the buses are spacious and comfortable.
- By Bus – Daylight and night buses travel from Bangkok to Phuket, which provide air conditioning, refreshments, and free movies. (Oh, Yay!)
- Overnight buses are very popular and fill up quickly, so make sure you book well in advance, especially during the high season.
Where to Stay
With an abundance of resorts, hotels, and guesthouses, accommodation is the least of your concerns. That said, most young folks stay in the vibey Patong area, while middle-aged folks tend to migrate to the upmarket beach resorts of Surin, and Ao Bang Thao, or even the magnificent Sirinat National Park. Families often travel down south to laid-back Rawai or the Kamala Beach area.
Phuket on a Budget
Being an extremely popular destination for wealthy tourists, Phuket has some costly real estate, and the resorts and bars are not backpacker-friendly regarding price. Move outward from the hustle and bustle to where there are many bargains to be found, both in accommodation and food markets.
Dozens of resorts with magnificent facilities exist for the well-heeled, but if you’re willing to stay in Phuket town rather than Patong, you might pay only U$5-10 for a simple room. You will have the inconvenience of riding buses to and from the beaches, but ten days in town will cost you the same as a single day in one of these classy resorts.
Phuket With Children
Phuket is a great place to spend a vacation with children as there is plenty for the youngsters to do and the Thai people love children and cater for them:
- Kids Club Phuket – This fully supervised indoor play center in the heart of Patong is a perfect way to have the children excise some excess energy (of which they seem to have an endless supply). Meanwhile, you can enjoy a relaxing massage, go shopping or grab some shuteye while you can.
Pop in every three hours to let the supervisors know you’re still around and then escape for some private time – you deserve it after bringing kids to Thailand.
- Kamala Beach is a quiet expanse of sand that is a relief after Patong and a marvelous place for the children to play in safety as Mom and Dad relax under an umbrella. Many restaurants are on the beach and have kids’ toys on the sand in front of their establishments, which work like magnets for the children.
This cunning business promotion worked on most parents and us with children in tow, and what a pleasure it was to find this spirit of entrepreneurism.
This is possibly the best beach on the island for folks with children. The pace is far less frantic, and it might be worthwhile basing yourself here during your visit to Phuket.
- Phuket Fantasea – This spellbinding cultural theme park is extravagant, filled with special effects, and offers a great Vegas-style show which is well worth watching. This is something the whole family will remember.
- Baan Teelanka (Upside-Down House) This strange house comprises three separate attractions – the upside-down house, a garden maze, and an escape room. The attention to detail is incredible and a tribute to Thai artisans. All the standard rooms you might expect in a house are there – but literally upside down.
Lamps, art on the walls, cutlery, and even window blinds are all there – upside down.
- Rawai Park – A sublime play area for children, this park area is home to four separate areas aimed at different age groups, including an outdoor rope climbing tower for 10-14 yr olds. There is also a water park for 2-12 yr olds, at least two indoor playgrounds, and other play areas.
- Phuket Aquarium – With a small touch-tank and a tunnel, the aquarium, on the S-E tip of the island, is very intimate. Not large, it’s still a great educational outing for children, and there’s even a sea turtle recovery center that you can visit.
- Phuket Bird Park – Beautifully located with walk-in aviaries and very tame birds that are happy to alight on your head and shoulders, which kids adore. The park is very naturally laid out, and it’s easy to forget you’re not in the jungle somewhere.
- Dino Park Mini Golf -This is one of the most popular things to do with kids in Phuket, and you can expect crowds, depending on when you travel. The jungle and dinosaur-themed mini-golf course is situated in central Karon and is a lovely outing for the family.
It’s rather well laid-out, with each of the holes slightly isolated from the others, giving a feeling of space, despite any crowds. Some holes pass through caves or dinosaur bones or cross bridges – good value for money.
- Phuket Trick-eye Museum – The Museum is wonderful fun for parents with children. A new concept for most is a museum where you pose in the exhibits for photo opportunities – A big hit with children.
- Splash Jungle Waterpark – This is a fun waterpark for the little ones. Not very big, it was particularly geared at younger children, although there are some bigger slides, a meandering river, and a wave pool. There is a playground for older children and some kids’ waterslides, which are perfectly adequate.
- Patong’s Bangla Road Market – With scores of food stalls, the market is a great place for the family to stroll and sample the wares. Your kids will love it, but get there in the morning and leave before the seedier side of life takes over in the late afternoon.
- Snorkeling – The balmy clear waters of the Andaman Sea are excellent for snorkeling – good visibility, safe, and bursting with exquisite marine life. The best places to snorkel off Phuket are generally the beaches with rocky shorelines, like Ya Nui Beach or the headland separating Kata and Kata Noi Beaches.
These are just the top 12 days out for children, in my opinion, but there are more, and of course, there are many outings for adults which children will also love. You’re going to need two to three weeks here, guaranteed.
When to Visit (or Avoid) Phuket
The Thai New Year Celebration, Songkran, usually takes place from 13-15 April each year, so if you plan to visit Thailand over this period, you should book well in advance. The islands can be less affected than the mainland. Still, Phuket is almost part of the mainland, and you will notice the increase in numbers of people, heavier restaurant bookings, guesthouses with fewer vacancies, etc.
Locals do an energetic spring-cleaning of their homes and then squirt, throw and dump water at all and sundry in the streets, thereby washing away any bad luck from the previous year. It’s actually an all-encompassing water fight for all ages that goes on for three straight days, so take precautions with cameras, etc.
Easier to say than to do – You will probably be filming or photographing everything. Still, it’s certainly worth the effort as Songkran is a joyous, friendly festival and definitely one of the most fun activities you will ever take part in. It is also an extremely welcome relief from the heat.
If you’re preparing your own budget-friendly meals as many travelers do, even in Thailand, where meals are inexpensive, there will be less impact from Songkran. Check with your guesthouse staff to determine how involved the celebrations get in your particular area, and plan accordingly.
The islands only have two seasons worth considering, and these are The Dry and The Wet. While it’s perfectly possible to find yourself dry in The Wet or wet in The Dry, the islands off both coasts boast wonderfully warm weather for most of the year.
Phuket is no different and experiences the Wet from May to October, but don’t be concerned – it does not rain for five months solid: Most days during The Wet will experience a deluge for several hours followed by wonderful sunshine, as the streets and buildings steam and dry.
The Wet is no reason to avoid Phuket, but be aware of the slight limitations and plan accordingly. In truth, the rainstorm is a great time to catch up with reading, blogging, bringing your diary up to date, or simply wrapping your lips around an exquisite cocktail. Everything cools down for a time, and then, just when relief sets in, the heat rolls over you once again.
Why Would You Visit Phuket in The Wet?
- Fewer visitors – This beautiful island can appear overpopulated, and The Wet causes the number of visitors to drop sharply.
- Lower prices – Supply and demand mean that with fewer visitors, prices tend to return to reality – for a while at least.
- Slower pace – The monsoon can (and does) pin you down for several hours at a time, but with a small amount of planning, this becomes an opportunity for a chill pill and for making new friends.
- Less baking heat – Pale skin pigmentation can result in a disastrous holiday if special care is not taken to protect your body from the sun. Sunburn blisters are debilitating and extremely dangerous in the big picture, and the cooler months can be a blessing.
Outings – of which there are many – to places other than the beach are more enjoyable when you don’t have severe sunburn.
If you have no problem with intense heat, the best time to avoid The Wet and visit Phuket island is from late November to April. Rain may still fall during this time, but your chances of staying dry are excellent.
What is There to Do on (or Near) the Island?
As you can see from this basic list, less than 14 days is impossible if you are going to experience anything of what Phuket has to offer –
• Surfing
• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Boat Trips
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkelling
• Kite Surfing
• Great Photographic Opportunities
• Golf (if your budget allows)
• Motorcycle Hire
• Moon Parties on several islands
• Thai cooking classes
This checklist is not comprehensive but should give you an idea of what you will find when you visit most of the islands, particularly Phuket.
- Phang Nga Bay – A beautiful bay with some good photo opportunities, this bay is the site of some of the loveliest sightseeing in Thailand, including Koh Tapu, made famous in the James Bond movie, ‘The Man with the Golden Gun,’ and the imposing limestone cliffs. Not cheap, but kind of a ‘must’ unless you are really on a tight budget.
- Nightlife – Bangla Road in Patong, the main resort town, is the undoubted center of nightlife with flashy neon lights, loud music, and party people dancing to live bands and some rather good DJs. Vibrant nightclubs, bars, and restaurants tend to come alive as the evening approaches.
Timber Rock – aka Timber Hut – is an institution that both Westerners and locals have frequented for over 20 years. With live bands and cheap whiskey, what can go wrong?. The Tiger Night Club is a good alternative.
- Marble Buddha – The 45m tall statue of the Big Buddha at Wat Kitthi Sangkharam is made of concrete which has been covered by Burmese Marble. The statue has a 360-degree view of the island, which is incredible.
Remember not to wear a singlet/vest and cut-off shorts when you visit a religious site in Thailand. (Or elsewhere, for that matter)
- Watersports – Beaches on the southeast of Phuket, like Nai Yang, offer kite-surfing between May and October, which is hugely fun. Quite pricey, this is the kind of activity you don’t find everywhere, and the experience might outweigh the cost. Surfing and sailing are also available in season.
- Safari – Khao Lak and Khao Sok National Parks offer safari tours for wildlife enthusiasts. Situated on the mainland, this trip requires a day excursion by boat. And is money well spent. Khao Sok (Khao is mountain in Thai) boasts the oldest known evergreen rainforest worldwide amongst its attractions.
- Old Phuket – As mentioned, before becoming a tourist destination, Phuket was one of the major trading routes in the Far East, and you will find centuries-old Sino-Portuguese mansions in the Old Town.
- Windmill Viewpoint – About 45 minutes from Pattaya City, this well-known viewpoint has a great view of the bay, and Promthep Cape, reputedly the best sunset point on the island. Don’t expect an old-fashioned windmill when you get there: Instead, wind turbines greet you and remind you that Thailand is moving forward with technology.
- Bang Pae Waterfall – Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center at the start of the walk to this milky-white waterfall, and adopt a Gibbon. More of a natural mountain stream flowing over the rocks and not a waterfall, there are good photo opportunities here and small pools to swim in.
- Wat Chalong Temple – Wat Chalong is an important temple visited by thousands of locals and tourists each year. It’s exquisitely decorated, with hundreds of tiny glittering glass pieces reflecting on its many pagodas, and is Phuket’s spiritual center.
- Night Markets – Phuket has a diverse selection of interesting night markets to choose from. Each one has its own flavor, but all offer interesting items at low prices. The markets are an excellent place to try local street food and drinks, and some also offer music and street performances.
- Island Hopping – The Andaman Sea around Phuket is peppered with some stunning tropical islands. Koh Phi Phi and the Similans certainly stand out, but other islands are even closer to Phuket and worth visiting. Enjoy sunbathing, diving, and snorkeling, or simply relax, Thai-style.
- Flying Hanuman – in Phuket, Hanuman is a zipline adventure park offering you the chance to soar 40 meters above an authentic jungle. This eco-friendly attraction allows you to explore the hillsides of Phuket via several obstacle courses and sky bridges.
It offers three courses, and you will get to explore the adventure park’s facilities, including platforms, ziplines, sky bridges, abseiling points, spiral stairways, and the wilderness walk. Note that you are obliged to wear pulleys and safety helmets at all times for safety reasons.
As with my suggestions for outings for people with children earlier in this article, I have provided my favorite 12 things to do in and around Phuket. I haven’t even scratched the surface, I assure you, (Spa Days, Massage, Scuba Diving, int.al.), and you will need at least 14 days to experience these attractions to even the smallest degree.
Is Phuket Safe to Visit?
Overall, Phuket is safe, particularly regarding physical attacks, etc., but keep an eye out for hustlers here: Like Bali in Indonesia and Goa in India, Phuket has its share of scam artists, and you would be wise to politely decline anything they offer, or they tend to stick like clams and become increasingly difficult to evade.
Be polite but firm when refusing service, and don’t engage unless you are considering buying their wares.
Phuket’s contribution to the national economy is huge and well known to the authorities, and policing is visible as a result. Unfortunately, corruption is at an all-time high also. Serious crimes are rare and are usually accompanied by drug consumption or dealing. Just say no.
Be Alerted to:
- Phuket’s Taxi Mafia – Not dangerous, but certainly underhand, this group has a stranglehold on Airport shuttles, taxis, and even tuk-tuks, charging highly inflated rates throughout the island.
- Bike Rentals – Renting a motorbike is a great way of expressing freedom, but Thailand has possibly the highest motorcycle accident rate in the world. Regardless of how competent a rider you are, you cannot control all of the other riders and take an enormous risk if you go ahead.
- Jet Ski Rentals – Despite paying a steep price to rent a jet ski off one of the beaches, you may find an even higher cost when you return it. Scammers will point out old dents and damage and insist you pay for the repairs, often becoming quite aggressive if you don’t comply.
This is where corruption raises its ugly head, as the police do nothing to prevent this, claiming it’s a ‘he said – she said’ situation. The scammers even go to the effort of covering dents and other damage with tape, which you may not notice when hiring the craft. The tape comes off in the water, and voila!
- Drink Spiking – Sadly, females (in particular) worldwide face the danger of having their drinks spiked when they go to clubs and bars, and Phuket is no different. The easy solution, naturally, is to hold onto your drink until it’s finished.
Please don’t imagine that Phuket is any worse than Bangkok or most larger cities in the West. Crime exists everywhere, and your chances of running foul of criminals in Phuket are certainly lower than back home (unless you live in a convent.) Be informed, be alert, be prepared to be wowed.
Conclusion
Phuket is the biggest of the Thai islands and should not be rushed. It’s one of the rare places where no amount of time is enough for a visit, and you may simply wish to move there permanently – which many expats do. Plan on at least two weeks, but you will probably stay longer.. I did.