Everything You Need to Know Before You Arrive

A Little about Phuket and its History  

Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island and one of the top beach destinations in the world. It is widely known for its beautiful beaches, lively towns and countless options of accommodation and activities

It is located off the western coast in the Andaman Sea where it is connected to the mainland by 2 bridges and has its own international airport - making it fairly easy to reach.  

In 2004 because of an earthquake in the Indian Ocean, a tsunami hit Phuket and destroyed most of it. Big beaches such as Patong were severely affected and as a result most of the tourist areas and infrastructure seen today are new.  

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Choosing a Travel Date  

it s important to choose wisely when you’ll be travelling to Thailand, especially if you plan on going to the islands – Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, etc. The best time to travel is between November and April – known as the dry or high season. During this time the weather is ideal for all types of activities, especially water activities and hiking as the tides are low, the water is calm, and the trails are dry. However, during this time it is more crowded and expensive than any other time of the year.  

From April to June is also considered a good time to travel as the weather is often the same as the high season but it is cheaper and less crowded. I happened to travel to Phuket in the middle of June. Even though the weather forecast predicted clear sunny skies, it happened to rain during most of my trip. The storm was so bad, it delayed my flight from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket and made my trip from Phuket to Phi Phi by ferry extremely difficult.  

I would advise travelling either during the high season or early May at the latest. Avoid travelling from late June to October as this time is known as the monsoon/wet season. Rainy storms are frequent and water activities at this time can be dangerous and all the roads and hiking trails are wet. Also, during heavy storms most of the boats and ferries can be delayed or cancelled.  

Do You Need a Visa?  

If you are a citizen of the following countries, you can travel visa-free to Thailand under the visa exemption rule for up to 30 days: 

Andorra, Argentina (90 days), Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil (30 and 90 days), Brunei, Cambodia (14 days), Canada, Chile (90 days), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (30 and 90 days), Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar (14 days only), Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru (30 and 90 days), Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.  

If your country is not on the list, you can check the Thai Embassy official website for the required paperwork and procedure:
www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/thailand-tourist-visa.php  

Do keep in mind that the time it takes for the processing of your application and issuing the visa depends on your country of citizenship and the country where you apply. For example, as an Egyptian it takes longer to get my visa if I apply to the Thai Embassy in Egypt than it does if I apply to the Thai Embassy in Malaysia.   

How to Get There  

Phuket can be reached by car, bus, plane or ferry. It depends on where you are coming from, how much you are willing to spend and how long do you have.  

By Plane  

Phuket International Airport is located 32 km away from the city center and is the second biggest airport in Thailand. It is connected to many Thai cities and cities around the world. Reaching Phuket by plane is the fastest and easiest option. Keep in mind that if you book your flight early you can save a lot.  

By Bus  

You can take a bus from several cities in Thailand to Phuket or countries such as Vietnam or Cambodia. The most convenient is from Bangkok to Phuket which takes around 13 hours. You can choose between air-conditioned buses or cheaper non air-conditioned ones. My advice book the air-conditioned bus. A 13-hour drive in the hot and humid Thai weather can be hard and you’ll reach Phuket too tired to do anything for the rest of the day. Also, Make sure you book your bus in advance so that you have the freedom to choose the time of departure that suits you. They get fully booked fast.  

By Car 

Phuket is connected to the mainland by 2 bridges, so it is easily accessible by car. If you are in another city in Thailand and planning to rent a car and drive to Phuket, you must be at least 21 with a valid driving license. You will also be asked to pay a hefty security deposit and to return the car to the place from you which rented it.  

By Boat  

Ferries and speedboats operate daily at different times between Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi.  

If you are in Krabi, you can either drive/take a bus or a ferry to Phuket. From my experience the ferry is more scenic and enjoyable. However, it takes around 8 hours as it stops in Phi Phi for a couple of hours compared to the road which only takes around 2 hours. Another option would be a speedboat which takes 1.5 hours but is the most expensive.  

If you are in Malaysia, you can take a ferry all the way from Langkawi to Phuket. The duration of the trip is 9 hours.  

Tip: you can use www.12go.asia to check all the transportation options from wherever you are to Phuket. Times and prices are also shown. You can also book and pay through the website. I used it to book all transportation during my trip.  

Useful to Know

1. The only currency accepted in Phuket and all of Thailand is the Thai Baht. Try to avoid exchanging money in the airport or shops in the city center as the rate is bad. It would be wise to exchange an amount equivalent to the total that is enough to pay for your hotel and transportation plus a little extra in your home country before arriving in Thailand. You can ask the receptionist at your accommodation for a recommended currency exchange office with a good exchange rate.
   

   

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2. No need to worry about food. If you’re not into Asian food and like to stick to what you know, you’ll easily find Mcdonald’s, Burger King, Subway and even Starbucks. You can also find a lot of restaurants offering western food and bakeries.  
3. Bring mosquito repellant, you’ll need it!  
4. Sports attire and a swimsuit are a must  
5. Bring along a waterproof bag/case and light jacket just in case  
6. Don't panic If you forget anything, 7 Eleven is everywhere and it has everything.
   

   

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Lastly, make sure you read a lot about the experiences of other people, tips and tricks and familiarize yourself with the currency and phrases in Thai such as Thank you and Please. It will help a lot! 

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