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| Phuket
Getting Around |
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The map displays the
routes of the main highways on Phuket Island. It is around 20 minutes by taxi from Patong to
Phuket Town, and almost every tourist attraction can be easily reached in less than an hour. The main roads on
Phuket Island are paved and in good condition and well marked with signs
in both Thai and English. The mountainous terrain limits the roads
that cross the island east to west so at times you will be taking
a roundabout trip to your destination.
Songtaew
(bus)
These are small pickups with benches along the
side of the bed. They operate like buses, picking up and dropping
off passengers as they go along, except that they do not have fixed
routes. You need to flag one down and find out where it is headed
before boarding in the back.
These buses run 7.00 am to 5.00 pm between
the beaches and Phuket Town and cost 20 to 30 baht.
These buses do not travel from beach to beach. You must first go
to Phuket Town and then change to a bus with your final destination.
To flag a songthaew on the street you should wave with your hand
or wait for the bus at one of the huts along the road.
Motorcycles
These can be rented from several places around town, and they make
a great way to get around town, if you are able to ride. Helmets
are required. Phuket is suitable for travelling around by a motorcycle,
but drive carefully and be aware that they may turn
right or left without using the blinkers and do not trust the traffic
lights, look cautiously yourself.
The rental fee generally ranges from 120 to 150 baht a day
in low season and 150 to 250 baht
in high season for a regular standard motorcycle.
For a bigger bike, the rental fee may be 400 to 800
baht a day.
Car
There are many car rental agencies around town, including some of
the international chains such as Budget, Avis
and National. Driving in Phuket is not as difficult
as Bangkok, but it is better to rent a car with a driver.
The rental fees run from 900 to 1,000 baht a day for
a small Suzuki jeep, if you rent weekly you can get lower price. Insurances are available but be sure to read
the fine print.
Motorbike Taxi
Motorcyclists are normally clothed in green or orange
vests and are available for short trips.
Simply wave one to a stop and ask for the fare to your destination.
The price usually starts from 20 baht.
Tuk-tuks(Taxi)
These have become expensive the last few years
and they over charge you most of the time. For a short trip
tuk-tuks charge about 100 baht per person. The rate
from Patong Beach to Phuket Town can be 400
baht. The rate for each trip is sometimes negotiable with
the driver. Unfortunately many drivers have a reputation for being
unfriendly and for over charging.
Free
pickup with minibus
If you buy tickets in advance for some events or tours such as Fantasea,
Simon Cabaret, Diving day trips, the transfer service to and from
your hotel is included free of charge.
Longtail boat and speedboat
Longtail's are available for hire
on most beaches and normally provide numerous marine services.
Though a longtail boat is not as fast as a modern speedboat, a trip in it will give you
an attractive experience and it is an ideal way to take short sightseeing
trips. Rental price is around 400 baht per hour
for a short trip and up to 1,200 baht for
a roundtrip to a nearby beach.
Some beaches also provide speedboat taxi but these can be very expensive.
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