Car Rental in Phuket

Why rent a car in Phuket?

Phuket is a great place to explore. The island’s beaches are world-famous for both their spectacular beauty and the water sports opportunities they offer. Having your own ride will give you the freedom to travel beyond the usual tourist spots and discover pristine shores, tropical areas, and quiet local villages at your own pace. Should you ever want to leave Phuket, the rest of Thailand is there for exploring right on the other side of the Sarasin Bridge.

Top ways to enter Phuket

• Phuket Airport: The third-busiest in Thailand, Phuket Airport has been constantly growing and handled nearly 20 million travelers in 2018. A hub for Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, and AirAsia, the airport is served by more than 40 different airlines. Located about 32km (19.8 miles) north of Phuket Town, the airport can be reached in 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Krabi Airport: Serving the Thai province and famous beach resort area of the same name, Krabi Airport has flights to and from many destinations in Southeast Asia as well as in Russia, the Middle East, and Scandinavia. The airport is 169km (105 miles) northeast of Phuket and can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Surat Thani Airport: A small airport not far from the border with Myanmar, Surat Thani Airport serves some domestic flights, as well as flights to and from a number of destinations in China. Located 215km (133 miles) north of Phuket, the airport can be reached in about three hours.
• Hat Yai Airport: Also known as Songkhla Airport after the province in which it is located, Hat Yai served nearly 5 million travelers in 2018. The airport has flights by eight different airlines, offering connections to China, Malaysia, and Singapore. Located about 430km (267 miles) southeast of Phuket near the border with Malaysia, the airport can be reached in about six hours.

City facts

• Phuket enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with a long wet season and a short dry season. Temperature changes are minimal throughout the year, the average monthly temperature always staying around to 28°C  (82°F). September is by far the rainiest month while February is the driest.
• Although more than 400,000 people call the island of Phuket their home, its territory takes up just 576 square kilometers (222 square miles). The island is just 50km (31 miles) long and, at its most, 20km (12 miles) wide. This means that if you have a rental car, any place on the island is reachable from anywhere else within an hour or less.
• Although Phuket is an island, 70% of its territory is made up of mountains and hills which stretch from the north to the south of the island. There are also a number of creeks, wetlands, and forests on Phuket. 

Top sights and activities

• Phuket Town. The capital of the province, Phuket Town is famous for its beautiful Jui Tui and Put Jaw Taoist shrines as well as Buddhist and Hinduist temples. Old Phuket has some unique Sino-Portuguese architecture, providing a glimpse of area’s fascinating history. Travelers also love Khao Rang neighborhood both for its picturesque architecture and the fact that some of the island’s best restaurants are located there.
• Beaches. Obviously, the main attraction of Phuket is its long, pristine beaches that are famous around the world. There’s plenty to choose from, too - Karon Beach is lively and developed, Patong Beach is where the party is always at, Laem Sing Beach offers truly stunning views, and Bang Tao Beach is quite relaxed and has amazing spas. Visit these beaches but also take the chance to travel around the island in a car and discover unique spots of coast by yourself.
• Water sports. For those wanting to challenge themselves and do something more active than just lying on the beach, there’s plenty of opportunities for water sports. Racha Yai is the best spot for diving, Ko Hae has great snorkeling options, and Nai Yang is a kite surfer’s paradise. Equipment and instructors are available and there’s something for everyone, from first timers to experienced pros.
• Sirinat National Park. One of the several conservation areas in the direct vicinity of Phuket, Sirinat is just a 30-minute drive north of the city (and easily accessible from anywhere on the island). Taking up a coastal section on the Andaman shoreline, the park has gained some controversy due to large-scale plans for a hotel and the building of other infrastructure, but as of 2024, remains a popular nature destination. Best known as a leatherback sea turtle nesting area, Sirinat’s mangrove forests are also home to such wildlife species as monitor lizards and collared kingfishers.

Traffic and parking

• Cars in Thailand drive on the left hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limit for all cars exceeding the weight of 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs) is 80km/h (50 mph) on motorways, 80km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, and 60km/h (37 mph) inside residential and built-up areas.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to hefty fines, a licence ban, or even deportation.
• Although Phuket is an island, it is connected to mainland Thailand by the Sarasin Bridge and therefore is easily reached by car. The bridge is just 660m (2,165ft) long.
• Thailand has some of the best highways in the region. The road network is constantly being improved and expanded. However, some countryside roads can be in a less-than-perfect shape, so it’s important to drive carefully on them, especially after dark. For traveling around the country, it’s important to get a good GPS system; however, keep in mind that some areas are still not covered by the GPS or some information might be inaccurate, so it’s important to plan your driving route in advance. Driving in the jungle or mountains often requires a 4x4 vehicle.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The English-speaking tourist police phone number is 1155. The general police number is 191, the ambulance and rescue number is 1154,  and the fire department number is 199.

Toll roads

• Thailand has a number of toll roads, although you’ll find most of them in the Greater Bangkok area.
• Most of the toll roads can be entered and exited via a toll booth where you have to pay. Most of them only accept cash, and it’s better to have an exact change. The toll payment will depend on the size of the car, as well as the length of your travel. The prices are quite reasonable, although they have increased a couple of times during recent years.
• As of June 2019, some new toll roads are under construction and there are plans for building more. Look up the latest information online and ask your rental car provider for more information about toll roads in Thailand. 

Ideas for day trips

• Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary. A National park and a designated area where hunting is prohibited, Khao Phra has Phuket’s last piece of virgin rainforest. The park is located on the northern part of the island and highlights include the Tonsai Waterfall and an 8km-loing (5 mile) hiking path that goes right through the jungle. Khao Phra is 27km (17 miles) north of Phuket Town and can be reached in about 40 minutes.
• Ao Phang Nga National Park. Another national park near Phuket, Ao Phang Nga is famous for its tower karst islands. Impressive limestone formations, these have lately become something of a symbol of Thailand, and you’ve probably seen them in a tourism video or on a postcard. Ao Phang Nga also has many impressive caves and some of the last mangrove forests in Thailand. The 1974 James Bond movie The Man With the Golden Gun was shot in the national park. Located in Phang Nga Province, the national park is 78km (48 miles) northeast of Phuket Town and can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Khao Lak. A scenic coastal strip of about 20km (12 miles), Khao Lak is similar to Phuket in natural beauty but is a lot more quiet and serene. The area is popular with families and offers great opportunities for swimming and scuba diving. Khao Lak has many beautiful waterfalls and the more adventurous travelers will appreciate the chance to explore the jungle-covered mountains that begin right at the coast. Located 110km (68 miles) north of Phuket, Khao Lak can be reached by car in two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Phuket is the Toyota Altis, although many travelers also go for the Nissan Sylphy and the Mitsubishi Mirage. The most popular rental car types are intermediate, standard, and mini.

Further destinations

• Krabi. Also known as Ao Nang, the resort town concentrated around Krabi Town is as, if not more, famous than Phuket. More upscale (and also more expensive), Krabi is quite spread-out, giving the area a slightly less-crowded feeling. Beautiful beaches are a given, but Krabi is also famous for its nature safaris and hot springs. If you’re in Thailand, it can be nice to travel here after Phuket just to find out which one you prefer. Located 240km (149 miles) east of Phuket, Krabi can be reached in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• Bangkok. The most famous city in Southeast Asia, Bangkok might be far from Phuket, but taking the long trip is definitely worth it. A backpacker’s heaven and a place of crazy nightlife, the city is also known for its beautiful Buddhist temples, eclectic architecture, and amazing street food. Bangkok is about 840km (521 miles) north of Phuket and it takes about 11 hours to reach. It’s a trip that’s not for everyone, but those who dare to go will be rewarded with countless stunning landscapes on the way and a grand sense of accomplishment at the end of the road.
• Malaysia. Tropical, developed, and multicultural, Thailand’s southern neighbor is an interesting mix. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, is an ultra-modern Asian metropolis, but the country’s real highlights are its old hill stations, small unexplored islands, and hospitable inhabitants. The border with Malaysia is 450km (279 miles) south of Phuket and can be reached in about seven hours. Most car rental providers in Thailand don’t permit taking a rental car across the border. A good alternative is to take public transportation across the border and pick up a new rental car upon arriving in Malaysia. Also, check to see if you need a visa as the requirements for entering Malaysia can be different than those for Thailand depending on your citizenship.

Car rental prices in Phuket

• Large cars - from $24 per day
• SUVs - from $24 per day
• Small cars - from $15 per day
• Medium cars - from $18 per day
• Vans - from $25 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these tips to land a great rental car in Phuket:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Phuket is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 68% cheaper than renting a vehicle in November.