Phuket, with its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, is a dream destination for travelers from around the world. While exploring the island, you’ll likely come across one of the most iconic modes of transportation on the island – tuk tuks in Phuket. These aren’t the traditional three-wheelers you might associate with Bangkok; instead, Phuket boasts modified mini trucks, often painted in eye-catching shades of red or yellow, complete with powerful sound systems and disco lights in the passenger compartment.
How to Find Tuk-Tuks in Phuket
Phuket tuk-tuks are essentially small trucks with four wheels, typically painted in vivid shades of red. They can accommodate 4-6 passengers, making them a practical choice for group travel across the island. You’ll often spot these tuk-tuks parked on the streets of Phuket Town and near popular tourist attractions.
Phuket Tuk Tuks: Prices and Negotiation
Before stepping into one of these lively vehicles, make sure to state your destination and haggle the price. It’s crucial to clarify whether the fare is per person or per group, especially when you’re traveling with friends or family.
A brief 5-minute trip in these vibrant vehicles can easily fetch 100 baht. For journeys further afield, you might end up paying around 400 baht, depending on factors like distance, weather conditions, and your bargaining prowess.
Due to Phuket’s hilly terrain and winding roads, a tuk-tuk ride over longer distances can be somewhat uncomfortable. What’s more, the fare for such journeys tends to be considerably higher, often double the cost of a metered taxi. Therefore, it’s advisable to use tuk-tuks primarily for short trips.
Estimated Phuket Tuk-Tuk Fares in 2024
Below is a summary of estimated tuk-tuk fares for various routes and scenarios in Phuket:
| Route | Estimated Fare (THB) |
|---|---|
| Downtown to Rawai or Chalong | 200 |
| Downtown to Patong or Karon | 300 |
| Downtown to Cherngtalay | 400 |
| Downtown to Airport or Kamala | 500 |
| Downtown to Sarasin Bridge | 600 |
| City Tour (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 2 pax) | 1,300 |
| Kata to Karon | 200 |
| Karon to Patong | 350 |
| Kata to Patong | 350 – 400 |
| Patong Beach to Phuket Town | 500 – 600 |
| Kata to Phuket Town | 400 – 500 |
| Ride within Patong Beach | 200 |
If you plan to explore the city comprehensively, consider a city tour, which typically costs around 1,300 THB for two people from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
This table provides an overview of estimated tuk-tuk fares in Phuket, offering insights into the costs you can expect for different routes and scenarios. Remember that these fares are approximate and were negotiated with the driver (yes, you need to bargain for these prices!)
How to Haggle for Tuk Tuk in Phuket
One common piece of advice from seasoned travelers is to handle negotiations with a friendly smile. If you’re not satisfied with the initial price quoted by the tuk-tuk driver, keep walking. You’ll often find that some drivers are willing to lower their fares by 50 to 100 baht.
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Beware of Tuk Tuk Scams in Phuket
Be cautious about scams, such as drivers attempting to charge you per passenger. This is a dishonest practice, so stand your ground and refuse to pay more than the agreed-upon fare. In Patong, for instance, the set fares have been fixed at 200 baht for any distance within the area, but some drivers might try to overcharge. If your destination is farther afield, consider negotiating a round-trip fee or an hourly rate to avoid any inconvenience on the return journey.
One last word of caution: some drivers may try to act as tour guides, offering to take you to places where they receive commissions or fuel vouchers for bringing in business.
Read More about Phuket Scams >>
Maximum Taxi Tuk-Tuk Fares
To help you plan your tuk-tuk rides more effectively, here are the maximum fares for specific routes from popular locations on Phuket:
From Karon:
- Karon to Phuket Airport: Up to 1,000 baht
- Karon to Kata: Around 200 baht
- Karon to Patong: Up to 400 baht
- Karon to Phuket Town: Approximately 550 baht
- Karon to Kamala: Up to 600 baht
- Karon to Koh Si Rae: Around 700 baht
- Karon to Phuket Deep Sea Port: Up to 700 baht
- Karon to Chalong Bay: Approximately 400 baht
From Kamala:
- Kamala to Phuket Airport: Up to 700 baht
- Kamala to Patong: Around 400 baht
- Kamala to Karon: Up to 600 baht
- Kamala to Kata: Approximately 800 baht
- Kamala to Phuket Town: Up to 700 baht
- Kamala to Nai Harn Beach: Around 900 baht
- Kamala to Surin Beach: Up to 300 baht
From Patong:
- Patong to Phuket Airport: Up to 800 baht
- Patong to Kamala: Around 400 baht
- Patong to Surin Beach: Up to 500 baht
- Patong to Phuket Town: Approximately 500 baht
- Patong to Promthep Cape: Up to 700 baht
- Patong to Chalong Bay: Around 500 baht
- Patong to Chalong Temple: Approximately 500 baht
- Patong to Phuket Zoo: Up to 500 baht
From Phuket Town:
- Phuket Town to Phuket Airport: Up to 550 baht
- Phuket Town to Makham Bay: Around 350 baht
- Phuket Town to Panwa Cape: Up to 400 baht
- Phuket Town to Nai Harn Beach: Approximately 500 baht
- Phuket Town to Patong: Up to 500 baht
- Phuket Town to Surin Beach: Around 600 baht
From Phuket Airport:
- Phuket Airport to Koh Si Rae: Up to 800 baht
- Phuket Airport to Makham Bay: Around 750 baht
- Phuket Airport to Phuket Deep Sea Port: Up to 750 baht
- Phuket Airport to Panwa Cape: Around 750 baht
- Phuket Airport to Chalong Bay: Up to 650 baht
- Phuket Airport to Rawai: Around 1,000 baht
- Phuket Airport to Kata: Up to 1,000 baht
- Phuket Airport to Karon: Around 1,000 baht
- Phuket Airport to Patong: Up to 800 baht
- Phuket Airport to Cherng Talay: Around 700 baht
Please note that these rates represent the maximum fares, and skilled negotiation can often bring them down – just remember not to accept fares higher than these maximums. In case of any issues, passengers can contact 1584 for assistance.
More Transport in Phuket
- Taxi in Phuket: Grab, Best Local Services & Costs (2024)
- Phuket Smart Bus: Route, Stops, Schedule & Tickets (2024)
- Phuket Airport Bus: Tickets, Route, Stops & Schedule (2024)
- Phuket Airport Transfers: Private, Shared, Limo & Taxi 2024
- Hire Private Driver in Phuket for a Day: Costs & Best Options (2024)
- Car Rentals in Phuket: Budget & Luxury, Online & in Airport 2024
- Bike Rentals in Phuket: The Guide on How to Rent a Scoter 2024
- Tuk Tuks in Phuket Guide: Prices, Tips, and Scams (2024)
Conclusion: Tuk Tuks in Phuket
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to Phuket tuk-tuks in 2024. Enjoy your trip to this tropical paradise, and may your tuk-tuk rides be both convenient and budget-friendly!
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