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Phuket
Thailand's biggest island of beaches and bays
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Country
- Thailand
A large island in the Andaman Sea with long beaches, an old town of colourful shophouses and boat trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Pattaya
- Phuket
- Hat Yai
Quick facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Capital
- Bangkok
- Province population
- 420,000
- Population of Thailand
- 65.9M
- Country area
- 513,120 km²
- Official language
- Thai
- Currency
- Thai Baht (THB) · 1 USD ≈ 33.66 THB
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Calling code
- +66
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 5 m
- Plugs
- A / B / C / O · 220V
- Emergency numbers
- 1155 · 191 · 1669
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 32° | 33° | 34° | 34° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° |
| Low | 23° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 23° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$45
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$110
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$350
Top things to do
- ≈ $55
Day trip: Phi Phi Islands
A speedboat to limestone islands, Pileh Lagoon and snorkelling stops; Maya Bay has set hours and no swimming.
- Full day
- Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi
- Good for kids
- ≈ $50
Day trip: Phang Nga Bay
Sea caves by canoe, the 'James Bond island' and a village on stilts in a bay of limestone towers.
- Full day
- Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi
- Good for kids
- Free
Phuket Old Town and Sunday walking street
Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés and the Sunday evening market on Thalang Road.
- Half day
- Phuket Old Town
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
A 45-metre marble Buddha on a hilltop and the island's most important temple below; cover shoulders and knees.
- Half day
- Promthep Cape and Big Buddha
- Free
Kata and Karon beaches
Long sandy beaches, calmer than Patong; red flags mean dangerous currents in the rainy season.
- Half day
- Patong, Kata and Karon
- Good for kids
- Free
Sunset at Promthep Cape
The island's southern tip, the classic sunset spot; arrive early for parking.
- Half day
- Promthep Cape and Big Buddha
- Good in the evening
Before you go
Entry and visas
From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt entry to Thailand is limited to 30 days for tourism only, and normally to two entries per calendar year. Business travel, including conferences and meetings, is not covered by visa exemption, so you need the appropriate visa before you travel. All foreign nationals must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days before arrival at tdac.immigration.go.th. Check the official Thai immigration or embassy website for your nationality's current rules.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Phuket International Airport has direct flights from Bangkok, the Gulf, India and Europe; beaches are 30 to 60 minutes away by taxi.
Getting around
Taxis and Grab are the easiest; tuk-tuks are pricey and fares are agreed first. Renting a scooter requires a valid licence and a helmet.
Local tips
- Choose islands from November to April; sea trips can be cancelled from May to October.
- Use licensed boat operators with life jackets for everyone.
- Patong is loud at night; families usually prefer Kata or Karon.
- Many visitors need to fill in the TDAC arrival card online before landing.
Areas worth knowing
- Patong, Kata and Karon
- Promthep Cape and Big Buddha
- Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi
- Phuket Old Town
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 28, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Thailand
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Sources: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) · Tourism Authority of Thailand