There are many ways of getting where you need to go on the Island of Phuket. For scooters, taxis, buses and hell if you’re going all out even private limousine service ad I got from the airport by mistake!
Key take a look at what each has to offer.
Starting at the top of the food chain. The ever so cunning limousine services that run from the airport and how to get a better deal.
Getting out of the airport alive
These guys are smart and work their clientele (you) from inside the airport terminal. They will tell you “taxi taxi taxi” and then take you to a counter to organize your car. The car you are getting is a taxi however it also known as a private car to us is a limousine service to them. It’s fine if you want to travel this way, but if you want to save money you can do 1 of 2 things. Find someone who will share the ride with you or simply walk through the doors of the terminal and find a taxi. Trust me there are no taxi services from within the airport building all cheap taxi services are outside the terminal building there will be literally hundreds of people showing you travel maps with excursions and taxi fares. Simply walk through the terminal and look to the right and you’ll see the taxi stand.
Motorbike (scooter)
This to us is the best way to see Thailand it’s cheap it’s and it’s highly maneuverable – you’ll remember this once you hit traffic. It might pay to get an international drivers licence as I did however it’s not necessary in all places. If you have a car licence you can ride a motorcycle up to 125cc. These little scooters have enough power to get you pretty anywhere on the island.
Blue local bus
These buses run from town to town and have a very organised system, although to us foreigners it all seems a little confusing at first. The people milling around the terminal in old Phuket Town are only too helpful in getting you onto the right bus, so if you are a little confused look helpless and pull out a travel map and watch them come running to help you. Or just approach another tourist. The blue buses have no glass in their windows and in the hotter months you might be tempted to stick you head out the window to catch a cool breeze – DON’T! – The traffic travels pretty close and getting a bit of cool air (full of petrol and dust) is not worth loosing your head over.
The cost from Karon to Old Phuket Town is 30THB (about 1 AUD or USD)
Note : There is no bus service between Karon Beach and Patong – the local Taxi Mafia have this route all to themselves and they charge like 200-300THB ( around 8-10AUD/USD) for 4km drive. You won’t save money here so better to get a couple of Motorbike Taxi’s or hire a bike and ride yourself.
Pink Local bus
The Pink bus system is for more localized traveling so once you have traveled from Patong to Old Phuket Town (for example) you can then use the Pink Bus to get to somewhere like Bangkok Hospital(they charge 10THB which is approx 30cents).
Red Taxis – Tuk Tuk
The best place to give one of these bad boys a ride has to be in the evening around Patong. It’s almost like a competition as to who has the most tricked out Tuk Tuk. With the neon lights and huge boom box in the back it’s more like a mobile disco. This is a must do while your here in Phuket.
Motorbike Taxi
Ever been for a walk in a foreign country in the evening and as the sun sets you get totally lost and head in the wrong direction? Or is that only me talking now.. Well these little guys are life savers. Watch for the riders with either a red or green sleeveless jacket. Be sure that they have a helmet as travelling without one is now illegal in Thailand (although it’s hard to police) . Their costs are cheap and it is a good way to get from town to town.
