Places to stay in Phuket and Hotel Recommendations

If you have not booked hotel here are a few recommendations on areas to stay and some ideas on hotels. Please note that we do not have any affiliations with any hotels on this list. We receive no commission and offer no discounts.

Phuket is a quite big and developed island. It is over 50km in length and 20km in width and is home to almost 800,000 with over 4,000 new holiday makers arriving each day (1.2 million a Budget).

Agoda.com has over 2,500 hotels listed for Phuket, 900 being in Patong alone. There is something for everyone however what we do not have anymore is cheap little bungalows on the beach. They have long gone many Budgets ago.

We recommend using agoda.com for the best prices in hotels.

Agoda.com – Search Here

Boats Depart From the Far South of the Island

Please note that the pier where all of the dive boats depart from is at the very south of Phuket Island in Chalong. This means is there is a lot of distance between top and bottom and travel time could be as much as 90 minutes. It is our recommendation if your primary purpose in coming to Phuket is scuba diving then you do not stay in the northern towns (Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Layan, Bang Tao or Surin).

Please also note that the free transfer only apply to the towns of Kamala, Kalim, Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong and Rawai.

The towns of Mai Khao, Nai Yang, Nai Thon, Layan, Bang Tao or Surin, Phuket Town, Cape Panwa and other not mentioned in the free transfer list will incur surcharges ranging from THB 300 up to as much as THB 2,000. Please contact us if you are considering staying in these areas. Travel time from the north of the island could take between 60 min – 120 min depending on traffic.

For more specific travel times and maps please read our Phuket Travel Time Blog.

Patong: (Free transfers)

30 min – 60 min travel time to Chalong Pier

Patong is the hub of all activity and the most popular place for visitors to stay. She has a load of different shopping and restaurant options. There is a large western shopping centre including a multi cinema. There are two largest Thai boxing stadiums and the home to Phuket’s famous or infamous nightlife strip of Bang La Road. It is very populated and can be quite seedy in areas. The beach is not the best that Phuket has to offer. For the Patong area the pick up time is usually around 7:10-7:30am, and usually returning to this area by around 6/7pm.

Kata: (Free Transfers)

10 min – 30 min travel time to Chalong Pier

Is to the south of Patong and has less nightlife and a more family orientated. It is a bit more upmarket than Patong and has a very nice range of restaurants. Probably more expensive than Patong and have a nicer beach. Around this area pick up in the mornings is usually around 7:20-7:40am and back in the evenings around 6/7pm.

Karon: (Free Transfers)

20 min – 40 min travel time to Chalong Pier

The next town south of Phuket. A lot less vibrant and less traffic and hassle. Has a modest selection of nice hotels and restaurants. The beach is ok without being great. It is one of the few places on the island you can surf (low season only). It is a favorite of the Russian tourists. This area pick up in the mornings is usually around 7:20-7:40am and back in the evenings around 6/7pm.

Kamala (Free Transfers)

40 min – 70min travel time to Chalong Pier

Just 10 minutes north of Patong but a completely different type of beach resort. Very chilled atmosphere and close to Phuket Fantasea one of the major tourist attractions on Phuket. Plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from on both the main road and the beach area. Kamala pick up times are usually around 6:50-7:10am and return would be around 6:30-7:30pm.

Chalong (Free Transfers)

5 min – 15 min travel time to Chalong Pier

Chalong Bay is where all of the day trips boats depart from, and our Aussie Divers Training Center. An extremely convenient area to stay for diving but not much else. It is more an ex pat community for the scuba diving employees and not really a tourist haven. The closest beaches are a taxi ride away. Only recommended if you’re here for the diving and and 15 minutes of extra sleep is important to you. 7:40-8am for pick up time and 5:30pm – 6:30pm.

Rawai (Surcharges)

15 min – 30 min travel time to Chalong Pier

Quiet, laid back and only ten minutes from the pier. Plenty of decent restaurants and some nice beaches. Very little traffic, definitely has a village feel to it. There are some bars and clubs but not the place for the party crowd. 7:30-7:45am for pick up time and 5:30pm – 6:30pm.

Bang Tao (Surcharges)

45 min – 80 min travel time to Chalong Pier

Only 15 minutes from the airport but nearly an hour from the boat departure point. Has a very nice beach and a good selection of high end restaurants as well as some great Thai food. Favoured by Russian tourists. 6:30-6:45am pick up and return would be around 7/8pm.

Cape Panwa (Surcharge)

30min – 60min travel time to Chalong Pier

A beautiful but isolated part of the island. Plenty of luxury hotels with private beaches but you won’t find a great deal of eating options outside the hotels. A 30 minute taxi ride from Chalong Pier. 6:50-7:10am pick up time, return around 6/7pm.

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