There’s always a lot to prepare before a trip, but these are my ultimate top 7 things to know before you go to Phuket! Some of these things you probably know, but there are others that I wished I knew beforehand just so I could have planned better. Either way, we had a great time in Phuket, and I hope these tips help you out on your trip!
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Top 7 Things to Know Before You Go To Phuket
1. Phuket’s Airport
The first thing to know before you go to Phuket is that Phuket’s airport is super far away. I assumed, since it was a small island, that we would get to our Airbnb pretty fast, but no. It took almost and hour to get to the beach area. If you are staying further down south, it will take you even longer. I would just keep this in mind especially when you are departing out of Phuket.
2. Ridesharing
Thailand does not use Uber or Lyft. They use Grab. We used it all throughout Thailand and it was super easy and convenient. Also, it’s super cheap and you don’t have to deal with the hassle of hailing down a taxi or trying to negotiate a fare. You can download it for Andriod or iPhone.
If you don’t feel like going out for food and want to order in, you can order food on the same Grab app! I know in the U.S., Uber and Uber Eats are two separate apps, but in Thailand, you can do everything from the Grab app.
3. Bangla Street
I read that Bangla Street in Patong Beach was going to be the main street full of restaurants and bars where people can walk and hangout. Well, to a certain extent, it is that but it’s definitely not classy and instead, totally trashy! It’s more of a bunch of low-end nightclubs and gross dive bars geared towards tourists and backpackers that want to get drunk and have a “crazy” story to tell their friends back home. If you really feel the need, you can definitely take a stroll down it but there’s no need to actually stay there and buy/drink anything. There are better places to hang out in Phuket.
4. Sunscreen
So a lot of people mentioned that buying sunscreen is cheaper if you buy it at home and bring it over. That maybe true but I didn’t think it was so outrageously overpriced that it was going to break the bank if you just know where to look. Go to bigger chain stores like Watsons or Boots and the prices should be comparable to what you see at home (at least for the U.S.). You’ll definitely be paying more if you buy from those little tourist stores that are close to the beach.
If you are planning on bringing sunscreen from your home country though, you should know that since August 2021,Thailand has banned all sunscreens that have any of these harmful 4 chemicals or be fined up to 100,000 THB (~$2700 USD):
- Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3)
- Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
- 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC)
- Butylparaben
With that being said, Thailand has not been doing a good job of promoting this ban. I didn’t even hear about it until after my trip, but luckily, we were already brining in reef safe sunblock. Thailand authorities recommends that you buy coral-friendly and mineral-based sunblock. We bought this one and this one. Also, it should just be habit that you buy these types of sunscreen for any place you go that has coral reefs and marine life.
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5. Bug Spray
Yes, there are mosquitos so you’ll want to be prepared with some buy spray, but I actually don’t recommend you buy the ones from home. You definitely want to buy the Thai version called Soffell and it comes in different scents. This little bottle saved me from getting bitten everyday! It worked so well that I brought a bottle home with me for future travels to other parts of the world. You can buy it here if you really want it before your trip, but it’ll definitely be cheaper if you buy it in Thailand.
6. Tap Water
Probably one of the most important things to know before you go to Phuket (and all of Thailand really) is that It is not safe to drink the tap water! Always buy bottled water at restaurants and I would only have ice with my drink if the establishment looks reputable enough. I even buy bottled water to brush my teeth with. I know it might sound like a lot, but it’s better than having any stomach issues later.
7. Beach Rentals
If you are going to Patong, Karon, or Kata beach, there’s already beach chairs and umbrellas out there that you can rent. Don’t worry about finding a person to rent them from, they will find you! They also can rent you towels in case you forgot yours or if you don’t want to use your own.
General Things to Know Before You Go To Phuket
I hope this goes without saying, but always mind your belongings when you go out or make sure you lock your valuables in the safe. Nothing happened to us during our trip, but I’ve heard stories of people getting their stuff stolen because they were careless. You came all the way to Thailand to have a great time and the last thing you want to do is to lose something valuable. Again, nothing happened to us and we felt completely safe while we were there, but it’s always a good idea to be extra vigilant!
Lastly, this might only apply to some or most of you but I would bring some sort of stomach medicine. It’s bound to happen that you might eat something that might not sit well with your stomach. You can go to the cleanest restaurant, but if they are using ingredients that your stomach is not use to, then you need to be prepared.
