Soak up the sun in Phuket this winter with our exclusive Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer for your perfect escape. Phuket is one of Thailand’s southern provinces, comprising the island of Phuket and around 32 other small islands off its coast. Phuket Island is the largest island in the country, featuring exceptional sites of tourist attractions and unique experiences that draw large tourist crowds from all over the world. In addition to the island's unscathed natural beauty, it is known around the globe for its vibrant culture, exuberant nightlife scene, bustling markets, availability of fun activities and adventure and more. One of the most iconic parts of
Phuket tourism is that it is home to over 30 pristine beaches in Thailand. Whether it's about enjoying a party-like environment for cheap at Patong Beach or spending some quality time while enjoying the seafront views with the family at Kata Beach, Phuket is well-equipped to cater to all kinds of tourism needs. Besides, urban exploration on foot is one of the key tourism elements that tourists enjoy in Phuket. Exploring and experiencing the thriving nightlife and busy street markets on this Thai island is bound to put a smile on your face. Also, due to its geographical location, Phuket has become a major hub for day trips in Thailand, a few popular ones being a trip to Phi Phi Islands, a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay, and so on. Apart from Phuket sightseeing, Phuket is popular for hosting some of the most iconic events and festivals in Thailand, like Loi Krathong, Vegetarian Festival, Songkran, etc. Attending such events can be ideal for tourists who want to experience the local culture and traditions up close.
Most Popular Phuket Tour Packages
| Tour Packages Name | Duration | Price |
|---|
| Phuket - Buy 1 Get 1 Free | 4 Nights 5 Days | Rs. ₹30 400 |
| Wonderful Thailand - Honeymoon Special | 5 Nights 6 Days | Rs. ₹52 700 |
| Simply Krabi And Phuket | 5 Nights 6 Days | Rs. ₹60 700 |
| Dazzling Thailand | 7 Nights 8 Days | Rs. ₹51 300 |
| Blissful Thailand - Honeymoon Special | 7 Nights 8 Days | Rs. ₹61 600 |
Best Time to visit Phuket
| Season |
Months |
Weather |
Pros |
Cons |
| Peak Season |
December to March |
Average temperature: 24-32°C, low humidity. Clear blue sky. |
Pleasant weather, clear skies, calm sea, ideal for outdoor activities |
High prices, crowded tourist spots. |
| Shoulder Season |
April to May, August, November |
April-May: Hot (27-36°C); August, November: moderate rain. |
Less crowded, discounts on accommodations and flights. |
Variable weather conditions; hot temperatures in April and May. |
| Low Season |
June, July, September, October |
Heavy rainfall. |
Lowest prices, fewer tourists. |
Heavy rain limits outdoor activities and watersports. |
How to reach Phuket
| Mode of Transport |
Details |
Pros |
Cons |
| By Air |
The most comfortable way to travel to Phuket from India. Direct and multi-stop flights available from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. |
Quick (e.g., 4 hours 35 minutes from New Delhi), widely available, convenient. |
Can be expensive depending on the season; additional travel time from the airport to Phuket Town. |
| By Road |
Not viable from India. However, it is possible from other Thai cities like Bangkok and Pattaya via taxi, bus, or rental car. BKS bus services take around 13 hours from Bangkok. |
Affordable, flexible schedule for buses, opportunity to see scenic routes. |
Long travel time (e.g., 13 hours from Bangkok), less comfortable than flying. |
| By Waterway |
Accessible if you're on a Thailand Cruise or from nearby islands like Phi Phi via ferries or speedboats. Ferry from Phi Phi to Phuket takes 2-2.5 hours. |
Unique travel experience, scenic views, variety of options (ferries, speedboats). |
Limited availability based on weather and schedule; can be slower and less predictable. |
This table provides a summary of different transportation options to reach Phuket from India or nearby locations, including their pros and con.
Places to visit in Phuket
When it comes to sightseeing, Phuket has tons of renowned tourist places and attractions to offer. So, if you are visiting Phuket on your next international vacation, consider checking out these famous tourist places;
- Big Buddha: The Big Buddha is probably one of the most well-known and fascinating tourist places to see in Phuket. Located on top of the famous Nakkerd Hills, it is a massive 45-metre-tall statue of Maravijaya Buddha in a seated posture. Also known as Ming Mongkol, the Big Buddha is the tallest statue and the most famous landmark in Phuket. To reach the site of the statue, you will need to cover a 6-kilometre uphill path, but the scenic view and serene charm from the top make everything worth it. You can find a visit to this landmark as a common part of most popular Phuket travel packages.
- Phuket Old Town: Situated on the eastern side of the island, the Old Town is considered one of the most sought-after Phuket tourist places. It is a place where history and culture thrive in their top gear, offering an overall alluring tourism experience for anyone who explores this part of the island. The Phuket Old Town is marked by several quaint cafes, popular museums, beautiful shrines, attractive age-old architecture, souvenir stores and much more. It is no surprise that most popular Phuket sightseeing package options feature it in their itinerary as a standard inclusion.
- Andamanda Water Park: When talking about famous tourist places to see in Phuket, one can’t miss mentioning the local favourite, Andamanda Water Park. Covering an area of approximately 9.8 hectares, the water park features over 21 attractions and 32 water slides. During your visit, you will notice that the park is divided into 5 zones with specific themes, each offering something unique and more exciting than the other. A visit to this park will not only cheer you up but also offer you a much-needed break during your Phuket travel. The water parks also feature restaurants where you can grab a bite and relax until you are ready for the next adventure. Enjoy more attractions like this on your trip with Phuket travel packages by Thomas Cook.
- Wat Chalong: There are many religious shrines and temples across Phuket and Wat Chalong is one of the most popular ones. It is a historic Buddhist temple and is considered among the most important Phuket places to visit for religious trips. The astounding traditional architecture of this temple, paired with around three dozen carved Buddhas, lotus ponds, detailed gold carvings and a stone serpent bannister, makes it popular across the boundaries. Every day, local devotees and tourists flock to the temple to offer prayers and learn about Buddhism. So, if you are in Phuket and are interested in exploring all these, make sure to drop by Wat Chalong.
- Phuket Bird Park: For your tour to Phuket, don’t forget to add a small visit to the famous Phuket Bird Park. It is a place where nature enthusiasts and individuals with a keen interest in birds can spend hours exploring without being bored during their Phuket travel. The park is home to over a hundred distinct bird species from all across the globe, including Asia, South America, Africa, etc. The lush green surroundings, natural waterfall and chirping of birds create a wonderful vibe that remains unmatched. The park stays open from 9 AM to 5 PM and hosts live bird shows thrice a day for guests. So, try looking for Phuket trip packages featuring a visit to this park.
Best hill stations and best beaches in Phuket
Most individuals planning a trip to Phuket already know that it is home to numerous beautiful beaches. However, one thing many forget is that Phuket is also quite hilly, featuring some of the most fascinating hill climbs and viewpoints that one can cover. Here are some famous examples that you can add to the Phuket itinerary
Hills in Phuket
- Monkey Hill: Toh Sae Hill or Monkey Hill is one of the most famous natural landmarks and the best tourist places in Phuket. It is a place that attracts hundreds of tourists every day, thanks to the presence of several monkeys in the area who always stay engaged in mischievous antics, offering a sense of fun and entertainment for visitors. You can find trained monkeys performing fun tricks to wild ones stealing your food from hand, and everything in between. The hill is also home to beautiful macaques and being Phuket’s tallest hill, it has one of the best hill viewpoints on the island. There are several Phuket trip packages featuring a visit to this hill.
- Khao Rang: Khao Rang or Rang Hill is Phuket’s most famous and stunning viewpoint. Located close to the city centre, it becomes a charming getaway for tourists and locals during early morning and afternoon. Enjoying the natural beauty, serenity and remarkable panoramic views during a visit to Khao Rang are a bucket list item for many. There are playgrounds, restaurants, parks and panoramic terraces on the top of this hill. So, consider adding it to your Phuket city tour itinerary.
Beaches in Phuket
- Patong Beach: Stretching around 2.2 miles in length, Patong Beach is one of the top places to visit in Phuket for its picturesque beach vibes. Known for hosting upbeat parties, the pristine shoreline, availability of fun watersports and exuberant nightlife make it a site worth visiting. You can explore this beach as a part of the Phuket city tour. However, don’t expect much serene vibes at Patong Beach as it welcomes massive tourist crowds around the year.
- Kata Beach: The magnificent Kata Beach, on the western coast, is also one of the top places to visit in Phuket for beach vacations. It is a beautiful beach that is known for offering stunning seafront views and billowing waves ideal for surfers and paddlers. Tourists from all over the world come to Kata Beach in the morning for sunbathing experiences and after dark for fun parties. There are tons of snack vendors and massage parlours near the beach that you can visit on your Phuket travel.
- Karon Beach: Karon Beach is yet another renowned beach in Phuket that you can visit to enjoy secluded vibes and a tranquil ambience. Despite not being overly crowded, Karon Beach has all the amenities one can hope for, including fun watersports, availability of food and snacks, a vibrant nightlife, shops and markets, and more. Get deals on Phuket trip packages featuring Karon Beach on our website.
Best honeymoon destinations in Phuket
- Freedom Beach: Freedom Beach is a secluded beach that attracts couples and honeymooners from all over the globe. It features a 300-metre-long stretch of white sandy beach which is bordered by lush greenery and towering hills on one side and turquoise water on the other. You and your spouse can easily reach this beach via longtail boats, which makes for a thrilling yet romantic experience. Some romantic things newly married couples can do at Freedom Beach include renting and chilling on the sun lounger under an umbrella, enjoying soothing swim sessions, exploring the corals and marine life during snorkelling, etc. Get honeymoon-themed Phuket trip packages featuring Freedom Beach on Thomas Cook.
- Phi Phi Islands: When it comes to romantic getaways for honeymooners, Phi Phi Islands come to mind. It is a group of 6 stunning islands, just 45 km from Phuket. It is a place where couples can witness the unblemished beauty of nature, characterised by colossal cliffs, pristine beaches, dense greenery and clear blue water, paired with fun parties. You can easily create a Phuket tour plan including a short trip to Phi Phi Islands as it can be reached in under 45 minutes via speedboats. You can easily find honeymoon special Phuket trip packages that feature Phi Phi Islands on our website.
- Phang Nga Bay: Located between the mainland of the Kra Isthmus of Southern Thailand and Phuket, Phang Nga Bay is 400 sq. km. bay in the Andaman Sea. It is considered one of the most breathtaking tourist places in Thailand, thanks to its natural beauty and attractions composed of seagrass beds, limestone caves, towering cliffs, mangrove forests, diverse flora and fauna and more. It has become a major honeymoon destination in the country, only a 1 to 1.5-hour drive away from Phuket. Its main tourist attractions are James Bond Island, Koh Panyi, Cave of Reclining Buddha, Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, etc. Looking for Phuket trip packages for honeymooners featuring a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay? Check out the available planned trip options on our page. Here’s a Phuket tour guide if you want more details on popular tourist places.
Interesting things to do in Phuket
To have the most fun on your trip, your Phuket itinerary needs to have a proper balance of sightseeing and fun activities. Here are some fun and interesting things you can try on your Phuket trip;
- Try out Phuket street food
- Explore Bangla Road
- Opt for a relaxing Thai Massage
- Attend the Simon Cabaret Show
Interesting facts about Phuket
The more one learns about Phuket, the more they get eager to visit this fascinating destination. So, here are some intriguing facts about the place that you should know prior to the visit;
- Phuket, which we know and love, is a name derived from a Malay word called “Bukit”, which means hill. The previous name of the island was Thalang and Junk Ceylon (as per Western sources).
- Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and covers a total area of around 576 square kilometres. It is both a province and an island and is marginally smaller in comparison to Singapore.
- Remember the famous 1974 James Bond movie called “The Man with the Golden Gun”, starring Roger Moore and Christopher Lee? Well, the magnificent limestone cliffs featured in the film are shot from this region.
- Despite being renowned for housing some of the most pristine beaches in Thailand, the majority of the land area in Phuket is actually covered by mountains and hilly terrain.
- As a result of the devastating effects caused by the December 26th, 2004 Tsunami, Phuket was one of the first places in the world to introduce tsunami-detection buoys produced by the USA.
- One of the biggest statues of Buddha is located in Phuket. It is a 45-metre tall, white marble statue, nestled on top of Mount Nagakerd. You can hire a local Phuket travel guide to learn more about this landmark and the local history.
- Phuket hosts a massive annual vegetarian festival, which lasts for roughly 8 days.
- Phuket is a well-known choice as a vacation destination for beach lovers as it is home to over 30 stunning beaches.
- Roughly 60% of the total island of Phuket is covered in plantations of palm oil, pineapple and rubber.
- Due to its favourable geographical condition, you can go for the popular Phuket one day tour to Phi Phi Islands and the Phuket one day tour to Phang Nga Bay without making any major changes to your itinerary.