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In the southern tip of Thailand, you will find of of Thailand’s national gems and most visited cities - Phuket- where 14 million visitors step afoot this glorious island every year.

Phuket is known for its impeccable beaches, vibrant nightlife, and beach culture, where you can find an incredible balance of adventure and relaxation.

This guide will explore all of your pressing questions: best time to visit, cultural norms, essential travel tips, and FAQ’s.

Discover all of my Thailand posts:

• The Best 7 things to do in Phuket

• The 9 Best Things to do in Bangkok

• 9 Dishes you Must try in Bangkok

1. Best Time to Visit

The predominant climate in Southeast Asia, to include Phuket, Thailand is a tropical climate. This means you can expect an active rainy season with warm temperatures year-round.

I have traveled during the rainy season and the dry season with distinctly different experiences.

First, when is Rainy season?

• Peak Season (Dry season) → November - February:

  • During Phuket’s ‘winter’ season you can expect cooler temperatures, less humidity and quite a bit of tourists.

  • While temperatures are cooler they are very much tolerable, ranging from 73° - 84.2° F.

  • The weather is perfect for avoiding squelching heat while providing a tropical escape from the blazing winters across Europe making this a high-volume time for tourists.

• Shoulder Season → March - May:

  • During shoulder season, temperatures are rising, rain begins to pick up, and crowds begin to thin out. This is around the time of year when the rainy season is getting ready to start, and crowds want to avoid getting caught in monsoons.

  • Temperatures range from 86° - 104° F. Phuket is HOT this time of year and you will absolutely feel this hot, humid, stickiness if you are not cooling off at a beach.

• Low Season (Rainy season) → June - October:

  • This is peak rainy season where you will experience at least ONE monsoon-style rain. But ideally not an actual monsoon.

  • During the rainy season, the temperature cools off a bit to about 78° - 93° F.

  • A couple of benefits of visiting Phuket during rainy season are lower prices, less crowds, and great waves for surfing.

  • Pro tip: I absolutely recommend purchasing traveler insurance if you choose to travel during rainy season in case an actual natural disasters is predicted to occur to allow you a full refund if you need to reschedule.

If you are not familiar with travel insurance, I recommend you check out this article by Nerd Wallet.

Now, I did travel during rainy season during one of my visits, and we did experience a monsoon-style rain one day - and it rained very heavily for a couple of hours straight.

My best comparison is to anticipate how quickly tropical rain comes and goes and be flexible.

2. Getting to Phuket

Getting to Phuket is easiest and quickest by plane. Here you can see some quick tips to help get you from point central Phuket to the southern beach region of Phuket:

• Airport: Phuket International Airport is abbreviated as HKT.

• Car Transportation: From the airport my BEST recommendation is to book a private driver. Driving in Thailand can be a bit chaotic and if you are like me (and do not like dealing with a lot of chaos - then hire a driver.)

  • Drive time = 1 hour from HKT to Karon beach.

  • Cost: $30 - $50 USD

  • You can hire a private driver or shuttle transfer via the link below!

3. Essential Travel Tips:

• Dress Code:

  • Phuket is a VERY beachy town. So expect to see tons of tourists walking around in their beach ware (swimsuits, bikinis, flip flops).

  • Locals tend to wear typical summer clothes: tanks and shorts.

  • In general, it is respectful to wear coverups around the general public or when dining. And absolutely cover up if visiting a temple.

• Transportation:

  • Getting around Phuket varies because it is quite a large island.

    • Taxi’s are best for long distances like getting to Big Buddha or to/from the airport.

    • Tuk Tuk’s or mopeds are best for short distances from beach to beach in the southern tip of Phuket.

    • Walking- Phuket is a walking friendly place, so feel free to explore by foot!

  • Renting a moped:

    • You can rent a moped at a local shop and will cost anywhere from $30-$60 USD per day.

    • My recommendation is to ensure you have travelers insurance and wear your helmet because driving can be tricky.

• Currency:

  • Thai Baht (TBH) is the local currency.

  • Tons of places take cards but I would recommend taking Thai Baht with you for smaller local vendors.

  • There are plenty of ATM’s in Phuket and tons of currency exchanges as well.

  • Pro tip: walk around main shopping hub areas to compare exchange rates.

• Language:

  • Basic English is widely spoken throughout Phuket and Thailand.

  • But as a common courtesy and show of respect, I’d recommend learning a few basic phrases like:

    • Sawadika - hello

    • Khàawp Khun - thank you

    • For more common phrases - check out the fan club Thailand !

4. Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is Phuket expensive?

  As an American - the short answer is no. Food dishes cost anywhere from $3 - $5 USD. Hotels are also anywhere from $40 USD to $80 USD per night for good quality hotels.

  Where you may find higher costs are with excursions and transportation. But it is very possible to travel according to your own budget and preferences.

• Is it safe to eat street food in Phuket?

  Absolutely! Street food in Phuket is generally safe from fresh fruits to meat skewers.

  My advice would be: take probiotics before your visit if you have a sensitive stomach.

  AND use your discretion on the cleanliness of vendors’ food preparation practices.

• Do I need a visa to visit Phuket?

  Every country varies.

  My advice would be to check directly with the Thai Embassy Consulate located → here.

Final thoughts

There is a reason millions of visitors flock to Phuket everywhere! And it is a combination of stunning beaches, incredible culture, amazing activities, and friendly Thai people.

Phuket offers the perfect combination of nature and adventure and is nothing short of amazing. Phuket is a destination that will leave you with a lifetime of memories and eagerly waiting to plan your return visit.

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