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• Things to do ON the Island
  • Visit Other Beaches
  • Visiting Buddhist
  • Monasteries
  • Elephant Trekking
  • Phuket Town
  • Phuket Zoo
  • Bungy Jump
  • Chinese Shrines & Culture
  • Jungle Trekking
  • Viewing Phuket's Sunsets
  • Shopping on Phuket
  • Dino Park
  • Rent a Car and Drive
  • Wedding-Honeymoons
  • Quest

Renting a self-drive car (or motorcycle) on Phuket
 

If you have a few days on this island, this is the best thing you can do - once you have had enough of the beach.

Every visitor to Phuket gets an idea of the large size of the island when driving from the airport to his hotel. This size, and the many beaches and attractions scattered widely around the island, make personal transport almost a ‘must’ for anyone who wishes to see the real Phuket.

If you’re accommodated in Patong it becomes almost essential – if you wish to see what Phuket is all about – to rent your own car, then drive.

A lot of younger people rent motorcycles and travel the breezy way. While this is a very pleasant way to get around, the first-time visitor should beware, and remember that the number of motorcycle accidents here is exceptionally high, especially on the winding mountain roads that cross the maintain range at the back of Patong and Kata.

Insurance:

Here comes the major warning. Rent a car with full insurance, or you risk getting into serious trouble. The surest way is to go to a well-known car rental company, all of which have comprehensive insurance for car and driver. Ask about it.
If you rent a car from the side of the street be exceptionally careful. Some who put up signs saying ‘Insurance’ might offer nothing but the compulsory 3rd party coverage. Visitors bringing one of these vehicles back with any kind of bump or scratch risks being charged exorbitant prices, and may sometimes face violent threats for this payment.
Be warned. But if you do take the cheapest price and rent from the side of the street, or from a small operator, ask about insurance, check the car condition before leaving, and generally show caution.

We recommend using well-known rental companies, and offer a list of operators below.

Drivers Licences:

The divier’s licences from most all developed countries - including European nations, North American and Australasia – are legally acceptable in Thailand. You will need to present this when renting a vehicle. Ask the renting company to be sure your licence is valid in Thailand. A credit card will be required by most major rental ccompanies, while many of the smaller ones want to hold your passport as long as you have their vehicle.

Driving Conditions:

Thailand’s road system is remarkably good, especially in the provincial areas where many good roads are to be found with little traffic. It is thus easy to drive all around Phuket island, and off into the neighbouring provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi.
If a foreigner has trouble along the way and requires assistance, he will usually find the Thai people both helpful and gracious.

Finding your way:

Find one of the many free maps available through hotels on Phuket, or get a copy of PHUKET Magazine (free in some resort rooms, or available for 100 Baht in most gift shops). Some of the pertrol stations sell good road maps of all Thailand, with SHELL having one of the the best. Also, NATIONAL CAR RENT provide a good Phuket and regional road map with every car taken out.

Driving OFF Phuket Island

Getting off Phuket is simple, for the island is connected to the mainland by a long bridge at the far north end. Once on the mainland one finds that there is just one major highway - Route 4 - heading directly north along the Andaman coastline to Khao Lak and Ranong, or east to Phang Nga town and on to Krabi. There are many interesting side roads, for which one needs a map. The roads are all well sign-posted in both Thai and English, and there are white kilometre posts along every major road.
We strongly recommend driving off Phuket island into the adjoining provinces, which offer good driving conditions in spectacular scenery.
Look up our page on Driving Tours Off Phuket Island.
 

International standard car rental companies with fleets on Phuket:

National Car Rent

Budget Car Rental

AVIS

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