PHUKET TRAVEL ITINERARY GUIDE 2025

First Thing to Do When you Land in Phuket 

PULSE Patong

The first thing to do right after you land on the island, from Phuket International Airport take a quick trip to the famous PULSE Clinic Patong where you can avail yourself services including IV-drip for your jetlag, Covid-19 antigen test kit (ATK), or RT-PCR test, and other general health services. Most importantly, get prepped and ready at PULSE Clinic Patong before you get on an oozing night of fun when you meet single travelers or locals on the island with the available PULSE PrEP medicine to protect yourself from unwanted infections. Better to be safe than sorry! 

Where To Stay in Phuket 

Phuket has a wide range of selections when it comes to accommodation, from budget-wise hostels to 5-star luxury hotels, you can freely choose whichever will suit your liking. Some of the popular locations to consider for first-time visitors are Kata and Patong. Kata is a smaller town attached to the pristine waters of Kata Beach and Nai Harn beach where you can score beachfront venues with a serene environment. Patong, however, gives you quick access to the heart of the nightlife in Phuket. The stretch of the Patong area has plenty of boutique hotels to accommodate you. If you want to be closer to the vibrant nightlife at Patong Walking Street while enjoying the busy Patong beach, this place is for you! 

Transportation Guide  

The most convenient way to get to Phuket is by air. Phuket International Airport (HKT) is one of the busiest airports in Thailand, accommodating thousands of tourists flying in and out, with terminal 2 utilized for international flights. You can find cash machines, restaurants, and currency exchange stalls that are convenient for foreign travelers. If flying is not your option, you can resort to travel by night boat, ferry, or shuttle services from Bangkok.  

From Phuket International Airport, you have plenty of transportation options to go to your hotel. You can either rent a taxi, airport buses, or minivans available at the airport terminals. You may also opt to use riding apps like Grab App for a less hassle trip. It would be easy to spot the airport taxis as they are red and yellow vehicles with a taxi sign on the roof, and they use a taxi meter for fare billing. 

Getting around the island is easy and manageable. You can rent a private car to tour you around the place or you can try out riding their local transportations like ‘tuk-tuks’ or ‘songthaews’ for a truly local experience. You can also get a metered taxi from the street which can be less expensive depending on your destination. Most drivers speak English; however, it is recommended to use Google translation as an alternative.  

For solo travelers, renting a private motorbike or scooter would be your best choice. You can drive by yourself and freely drive around the island. But keep in mind that roads can be dangerous. Make sure you have the necessary license and insurance if you are driving. 

Where To Go 

Phuket has plenty of beach spots you should visit including Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach where you can enjoy the serenity of white, sandy beachside, clear waters, and witness a glorious sunset view, as well as enjoy some water activities including snorkeling, surfing, and diving. Finding a good location to sit or do sunbathing is also easy to do on these islands. Generally, this city is visited because of its undeniable beauty – from beaches to mountains and day trips to nightlife, the magical adventure you can encounter in Phuket is just unsurpassable. 

 Some tourists also prefer having a side trip to ancient temples in Phuket. Most of the well-known establishments are Wat Srisoonthorn, Big Buddha, and Wat Chalong. Big Buddha is famous for the big, pale statue of Buddha, whereas Wat Srisoonthorn is popular for the image of reclining Buddha and his state of achieving Nirvana. Meanwhile, Wat Chalong is a big temple that houses relics and statues of the old town monks where people meditate and pray. Pay homage to these classic temples on the island and experience the in-depth culture of religion and mythology in Thailand. 

Last but not least, Phuket, being a remote island, has a lot of exotic and native products which you can only find on the island. The best thing to do before leaving is shopping! Score some good deals from the markets at Phuket Old Town and JungCeylon shopping malls where a large array of products can be found including crafted goods, cosmetic products, spices, local Thai wear, and many more.

What To Eat 

Other than the beach and natural attractions, the island has so much more to offer when it comes to food and beverage. You can satisfy yourself by indulging in local Thai dishes, freshly-caught seafood, and delectable international cuisines available around the island specifically in night markets. Some of the most favorite Thai delicacies of foreigners are Pad Thai, Som Tum, and Tom Yum Goong. Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle commonly served with shrimp, peanuts, and scrambled eggs. Som Tum is a popular Thai salad made from raw, shredded, unripe papaya, sliced tomatoes, nuts, and many more. Lastly, the famous Tom Yum Goong is a hot and sour soup that usually comes with shrimp. This delicious hot dish can be enjoyed with a cup of warm rice for a satisfying meal.