I’ve been to Thailand six or seven times, but I had never made it to Phuket until recently. Not long ago, some friends suggested meeting up on this famous island for a getaway, and I finally decided to visit.
Before my trip, I came across extremely mixed reviews about the current travel experience in Phuket. Some claimed that prices on the island were approaching Dubai levels, while others insisted that you could still enjoy the charm of old-school Thailand without breaking the bank. Here’s my take on my six-day trip.
Phuket: Flight and Accommodation
I can stay in Thailand without a visa for 60 days, and no special entry permits were required, so I didn’t have to worry about that part of my travel preparations. I had heard that Phuket Airport often has long immigration lines, but in my case, the entire process took about 30 minutes.
I flew directly from Tashkent to Phuket and later returned to Uzbekistan from Kuala Lumpur. The cost of this trip in February 2025 was $705 per person.
There are plenty of accommodation options in Phuket, from luxurious villas with private pools to budget-friendly hotels with minimal services. I opted for a mid-range hotel, where a double room for six nights cost $670.
Currency and Prices
The local currency is the Thai baht. As of now, $1 equals 33.79 baht. I mostly used my bank card, rarely carrying cash, but I did have to withdraw money from an ATM a few times. For example, the James Bond Island tour only accepted cash payments. There are a couple of things to note: in 7-Eleven stores, you can only pay by card if your purchase is at least 200 baht. Many places charge an additional fee for card payments.
As for overall travel costs, I can see why some say prices in Thailand have skyrocketed, while others still consider it affordable. Like in many places, you can find restaurants and shops catering to any budget. I dined at both high-end restaurants (where dishes cost 200–300 baht) and small local eateries (where a big bowl of dumpling soup was just 70 baht).
I'll write a separate article on Phuket travel costs, but for now, here are some price examples: James Bond Island tour (boat only) – 2,800 baht for six people; Smart bus fare around the island – 100 baht; Tom Yum soup at a market café – 150 baht; Crocodile skewer at a night market – 50 baht; Curry with rice at a mall restaurant – 270 baht; Seafood in a pineapple – 180 baht; Taxi from Kata Beach to the airport – 1,060 baht; Sunbeds at Nai Harn Beach – 100 baht.
Getting Around the Island
I believe one of the biggest expenses for tourists in Phuket is transportation. There's no metro, and the beaches and attractions are quite far apart. Many travelers rent scooters or cars upon arrival. My friends had a car, so I hardly spent any money on transportation and don’t know the exact cost of rentals. However, one company’s website listed a monthly car rental at around 30,000 baht. Local providers may offer cheaper options.
Phuket has several taxi apps, and I used Bolt.
On one trip to the airport, I decided to take the smart bus, which stops at various beaches along the way. In my opinion, it’s the slowest form of transportation. The journey from the airport to southern Phuket took over two hours.
Phuket's Beaches and Attractions
I wasn’t particularly interested in a beach vacation, but I did visit Kata, Rawai, Nai Harn, and Nui beaches. The last two seemed the most comfortable for relaxing.
Over six days, I explored different parts of Phuket and visited several interesting spots: climbed to the Big Buddha, walked around Old Town, visited the Wat Chalong and Wat Suwan Khiri Khet temple complexes, went to Mai Khao Beach to see planes landing up close.
Perhaps the most memorable trip was my visit to James Bond Island. Judging by the crowds, it's one of the most popular spots near Phuket. I'll share more about this adventure in my next article.
Have a nice trip!
