Phuket Travel Guide: Phuket is one of the most loved travel destinations in Thailand. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, small islands, and peaceful temples, it offers something for every kind of traveller. Whether you are planning a fun holiday with friends, a relaxing trip with family, or even a honeymoon, Phuket will not disappoint.
In this guide, we will help you understand the best time to visit Phuket, the must-see places, and the top things you can do here. From visiting famous landmarks to enjoying water sports and street food, you will get a full idea of how to enjoy your time in Phuket the best way.
A Quick Overview of Phuket
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Official Language | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Time Zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Best Known For | Beaches, island hopping, Big Buddha, Patong nightlife, Phi Phi Islands |
| Best Time to Visit | November to February |
| Peak Season | December to February |
| Off-Season | May to October (monsoon) |
| Ideal Duration | 3 to 4 days |
| Popular Indian Restaurants | Highway Curry, Tandoori Flames, Baluchi, Live India |
| Famous Market | Chillva Market, Phuket Weekend Market, Banzaan Market |
| Things to Do | Phi Phi Island tour, snorkelling, James Bond Island, Big Buddha, Bangla Street |
| Nearest Airport | Phuket International Airport (HKT) |
Best Time to Visit Phuket
Phuket is a beautiful island in Thailand. Many Indian tourists like to visit it for beaches, water sports, and relaxing holidays. The weather plays an important role in planning a good trip. So, let us understand the best time to visit Phuket.
The best time to visit Phuket is from November to February. During these months, the weather stays pleasant. The skies remain clear, and the sea is calm. This time is also called the dry season. Tourists enjoy the cool breeze and warm sunshine. It is a good time for beach walks, swimming, and boat rides. Many people also go for island hopping during this season.
December and January are the most popular months. Many tourists from all over the world come to Phuket during this time. If you plan to go in these months, it is better to book hotels and flights in advance.
If you like less crowd and still want good weather, you can plan your trip in March or early April. These months are slightly warmer, but you can still enjoy all outdoor activities.
From May to October, Phuket receives a lot of rain. This is called the rainy season or monsoon. The sea becomes rough, and many water activities stop for safety reasons. But if you love nature, peaceful places, and budget travel, you can visit during this time too. Hotels offer big discounts, and the green scenery looks very beautiful after rains.
So, the best time depends on what kind of trip you want. For perfect weather and full fun, November to February is ideal. For a quiet holiday and good savings, May to October is also a nice option.
Places to Visit in Phuket
Phuket is full of beautiful and exciting places to explore. From stunning beaches and islands to big temples and lively streets, there’s always something new to see. Here’re some of the best places to visit in Phuket:
Big Buddha
A peaceful and tall white statue located on a hill. It is 45 metres high and offers a wide view of Phuket from the top.
Phuket Old Town
Enjoy streets and old-style buildings. It is a nice place to walk around, try local cafes, and enjoy street shopping.
Patong Beach
This is the most famous beach in Phuket. It is popular for its lively crowd, water sports, and active nightlife.
Phi Phi Islands
You can visit there on a day trip from Phuket. These islands are known for their clear blue waters, beautiful beaches, and snorkelling activities.
Wat Chalong Temple
This is the most respected Buddhist temple in Phuket. It has a calm environment and is built in traditional Thai style.
Phang Nga Bay
Also called James Bond Island, is famous for its tall limestone rocks and sea caves. Many people enjoy kayaking and boat tours here.
Karon Viewpoint
It’s a popular spot for taking pictures. From here, you can see the beautiful views of Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon beaches.
Freedom Beach
This is a quiet and clean beach with soft white sand. It is perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Bangla Road
This is a nightlife street in Patong where you will find bars, music, lights, and clubs. It is best for people who enjoy late-night fun.
Tiger Kingdom
A place where you can see tigers up close and take pictures with them. The staff is trained and keeps everything safe for visitors.
Things to Do in Phuket
Phuket is a famous tourist place in Thailand. It has beaches, temples, islands, and many fun things to do. Whether you like peace or adventure, you will find something in Phuket. Here are the top 10 things you should do in Phuket.
1. Relax at Patong Beach
You can walk along the shore, enjoy the sunset, or just relax.
2. Visit Big Buddha
From here, you can see a beautiful view of the island. It is a peaceful place to sit and enjoy the silence.
3. Take a Boat Trip to Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi Islands are close to Phuket. The blue water and white sand make it a perfect spot for photos and swimming.
4. Explore Old Phuket Town
It has colourful buildings, local shops, and street art. You can walk around, eat Thai snacks, and see old Chinese-Portuguese houses.
5. Enjoy Water Sports at Kata and Karon Beaches
If you love water activities, try jet skiing, parasailing, or paddleboarding here. These beaches are safe and not too crowded.
6. Watch the Phuket FantaSea Show
This is a family-friendly show with lights, dance, and elephants. It tells stories of Thai culture in a grand way.
7. Take a Day Trip to James Bond Island
It is part of Phang Nga Bay. This island became famous after the James Bond movie.
8. Go Snorkelling or Diving at Coral Island
Coral Island is good for people who want to see fish and underwater life.
9. Visit Wat Chalong Temple
This is the most important Buddhist temple in Phuket. Many people come here to pray and learn about Thai religion.
10. Try Thai Street Food
Phuket has many night markets like Chillva Market and Sunday Walking Street. You can eat grilled seafood, pad Thai, coconut ice cream, and more.
How to Reach Phuket from India?
Phuket is one of the most famous tourist places in Thailand. Many people from India travel to Phuket every year. Reaching Phuket is easy and does not take much time. Here are the simple ways to go from India to Phuket.
By Air
The best way to reach Phuket from India is by flight. There are direct flights from some Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to Phuket International Airport. These flights usually take around 4 to 6 hours.
If there is no direct flight from your city, you can take a connecting flight via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. Many airlines offer such connections. Popular airlines are Thai Airways, AirAsia, IndiGo, Vistara, and Singapore Airlines.
Phuket International Airport is well connected and located about 30 km from the main city. From the airport, you can take a taxi, bus, or shared van to your hotel.
By Road
There is a long road route from India to Thailand through Myanmar. But this journey is very difficult and not safe or practical for most travellers. You need special permissions and have to pass through many checkpoints. So, it is better to avoid this option.
By Train and Bus
There is no train or bus that can directly take you from India to Phuket. Trains and buses work well inside Thailand, but not from India.
Travel Tips:
- Keep your passport ready with at least 6 months’ validity.
- You can apply for a Thailand e-visa or take visa on arrival.
- Try to book flights early to get the best prices.
- Always carry Thai Baht or a travel card for local spending.
So, the easiest and fastest way to reach Phuket from India is by flight. It is simple, comfortable, and saves your time.
Indian Restaurants in Phuket
Phuket is a famous beach destination in Thailand. Many Indian tourists visit Phuket every year for holidays. While enjoying the beaches and markets, they also look for tasty Indian food. Luckily, there are many good Indian restaurants in Phuket that serve delicious food just like home.
Highway Curry
This restaurant is quite popular among Indians. It serves both North Indian and South Indian dishes. You can enjoy butter naan, dal makhani, paneer dishes and even dosa. The place is clean, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.
Baluchi Restaurant
Baluchi is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Phuket. It has both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. Their chicken tikka and biryani are very famous. Many Indian families visit this place because the taste is very authentic.
ICC Indian Curry Club
Located near Patong Beach, this restaurant is loved by many tourists. It offers a big variety of Indian curries, tandoori items, and fresh rotis. You can choose your spice level, so it suits everyone.
Navrang Mahal
This is a pure vegetarian Indian restaurant. It serves home-style food like rajma, aloo paratha, and sabzi-roti. Many Jain travellers also prefer this place because they can get food without onion and garlic.
Tandoori Flames Phuket
This place has a nice mix of Indian street food and main course items. You can eat pav bhaji, chaat, and also enjoy chicken curry and tandoori kababs. The staff speaks Hindi and understands Indian food preferences well.
Live India Restaurant
As the name says, it truly gives a desi feeling. The restaurant plays Bollywood songs and serves tasty Indian thalis. It is located near Kata Beach and many tourists go there for lunch after beach time.
