Page 109 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

Getting To and Around Phuket ❮❮ 107

Getting Around airport, in Phuket Town, DIRECTORY
by Tuk-Tuk and at the beaches. Avoid
streetside operations. ARRIVING BY AIR
Unlike in Bangkok, where Valid compre hensive Air Asia
the tuk-tuk is ubiquitous, insurance and seat belts § 07632 8601
these familiar three- are man datory, and drink- ∑ airasia.com
wheeled vehicles are no driving laws are enforced. Bangkok Airways
longer used on Phuket. You can also hire a car 158/2–3 Yaowarat Road,
However, small red trucks with a driver. Phuket Town
with open sides, almost § 07622 5033–5
like a miniature songthaew Boat Trips ∑ bangkokair.com
are often referred to as Nok Air
tuk-tuks. As they tend to Long-tail boats can be § 07635 1464
be not much cheaper chartered along the east ∑ nokair.com
than a taxi, and drivers coast to visit the islands Phuket International
may take you to tourist in Phang Nga Bay, while Airport
traps belonging to friends, speedboats depart from § E07632 7230–7
it’s better to avoid them. Rassada Port. Speedboats ∑ phuketairportthai.
and long-tails boats can com
Getting Around by also be found on southern Thai Airways
Motorbike Taxis and west-coast beaches. 78 Ranong Road, Phuket
The long-tail boat drivers Town § 07636 0400
A fast and easy way to usually post their rates on ∑ thaiairways.com
cover short distances is signboards, but these are
the motorbike taxi; these usually negotiable. The ARRIVING BY SEA
are easily distinguished cost to charter should be Rassada Port
by their drivers’ brightly roughly B500 per hour. Moo 1, Tambon Rassada,
colored vests. The taxis Muang
congregate in the island’s Getting Around § 080 535 1113
most densely populated by Motorbike ∑ phuketferry.com
areas, such as Phuket and Bicycle ARRIVING BY ROAD
Town and Patong. The
cost per person starts at Motorbiking is a cost- Phuket Bus Terminal 2
around B20, but negotiate effective way of seeing Thepkrasattri Road,
a price beforehand. Wear Phuket and allows you to Ratsada, Muang
§ 07637 3193
the helmet that the driver travel as you please.
is required by law to Rentals start at around GETTING AROUND
provide. Note that all B200 per day for an auto- BY TAXI
public transport between matic bike. Be cautious AOT
Phuket Town and the while riding a motorcycle ∑ airportthai.co.th
beaches ends in the early here – always wear a Grab Taxi
evening, so unless you helmet and practice ∑ grab.com/th
have your own wheels it’s defensive riding, since
an expensive trip back. roads are often winding, GETTING AROUND
traffic signage unreliable, BY CAR
Getting Around and local driving skills Avis
by Car atrocious. Give other Phuket Airport
vehicles a wide berth and § 089 969 8674
If you plan to travel widely expect the unexpected. ∑ avis.com
on Phuket, you might If you have never ridden Budget
want to consider renting a motorbike before, Phuket Airport
a car. Rates start around don’t start here. § 07620 5396
B1,500 per day in peak Phuket is mountainous, ∑ budget.co.th
season, but are cheaper but some areas, such as Pure Car Rent
in low season. Reputable the western beaches, are Phuket Airport
agencies, such as Avis, ideal for easy cycling. § 07621 1002
Budget, and Pure Car Bicycles can be rented for ∑ purecarrent.com
Rent, are located at the about B100 per day.

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