Phuket Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

By far Thailand’s most popular island, Phuket (poo-KET) has its own large international airport so visitors don’t have to change planes in Bangkok like for the other islands. Consisting of about a dozen beach towns around the islands’ perimeter, it’s very important to book a place in an area that suits your travel style.

Is Phuket Expensive or Cheap?

Taken as a whole, Phuket is also the most expensive part of Thailand for visitors. There are definitely some affordable options, especially for those who are willing to stay a bit inland, but the deluxe resorts in Phuket are definitely expensive compared to anywhere else in Southeast Asia. The high season is from December through March, and there are so many resorts that competition keeps prices reasonable, but the rest of the year Phuket has the cheapest 5-star resorts in the world.

Once you have a room it’s possible to enjoy yourself and not spend much more, as budget food and drink options are available not far from most hotels, but if you want to snorkel or scuba dive or sail, it’s going to cost you. If you are on a backpacker budget then you’ll find the cheapest options in Phuket Town rather than along the beaches, but it also means riding buses back and forth each day, which takes some of the fun out of visiting a resort island.

Phuket City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Phuket

Population 320,000
Area 320,000
Timezone UTC+7
Currency Thai baht
Airports Phuket International Airport (HKT)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$43.09
1 USD = 35.9700 THB
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Phuket

Phuket Hotel Seasons

Phuket Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar6.00 - 38.00
starstarstarstarstar13.00 - 60.00
starstarstarstarstar18.00 - 100.00
starstarstarstarstar38.00 - 156.00
starstarstarstarstar82.00 - 222.00

Phuket Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed4.00 - 13.00

Phuket Attractions Prices

Best tours in Phuket

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Phuket AquariumThis family-friendly attraction is on the southern coast of the island.
adults
children
5.00
2.78
Butterfly Garden & Insect WorldSee thousands of butterflies and a lot more at this unique attraction near the center of Phuket island.
adults
4-10
8.34
4.17
Snorkeling tour (all-day)Choose from a wide variety of tours and operators, combining various nearby islands.
premium
budget
105.64
27.80

Phuket Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastFood at resorts will usually cost much more than options across the road.1.95 - 4.17
Budget lunchDepending on which part of Phuket you are based in, prices can vary greatly.2.78 - 5.56
Budget dinnerSome sit-down restaurants near the resorts can be great bargains, but not all of them.5.56 - 11.12
Beer (.33l bottle)As with other things, it all depends on which area you are in. Phuket Town is cheapest.1.95 - 3.34

Phuket Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to beach resorts18.21 - 27.80
Shared minibus from airport to resorts2.78 - 5.00
Local bus from airport to resorts0.70 - 1.11
3km tuk-tuk (taxi) ride in Phuket8.90 - 11.12
Local bus ride in Phuket0.70 - 1.11

Getting to Phuket

Getting around Phuket

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When to visit Phuket

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January89741.2
February91750.8
March92761.9
April92774.8
May907612.6
June897610.6
July887611.4
August887610.7
September877515.7
October887512.2
November88756.9
December88752.3

Phuket Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar6:30am6:37pm
21 Jun6:10am6:46pm
21 Sep6:16am6:23pm
21 Dec6:34am6:14pm

Where to go before and after