Travel Budget for Phuket Visit Phuket on a Budget or Travel in Style

Phuket, Changwat Phuket, Thailand

How much does it cost to travel to Phuket?

You should plan to spend around $108 (฿3,841) per day on your vacation in Phuket. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $22 (฿796) on meals
  • $11 (฿393) on local transportation
  • $115 (฿4,090) on hotels

A one week trip to Phuket for two people costs, on average, $1,508 (฿53,777). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $108
    ฿3,841
  • One Week Per person
    $754
    ฿26,889
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,508
    ฿53,777
  • One Month Per person
    $3,231
    ฿115,236
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,508
    ฿53,777
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $3,015
    ฿107,554
  • One Month For a couple
    $6,462
    ฿230,473
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Phuket cost?

A one week trip to Phuket usually costs around $754 (฿26,889) for one person and $1,508 (฿53,777) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Phuket on average costs around $1,508 (฿53,777) for one person and $3,015 (฿107,554) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Phuket will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Phuket on average costs around $3,231 (฿115,236) for one person and $6,462 (฿230,473) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Phuket has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Phuket expensive to visit?

Prices in Phuket are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within Asia, Phuket is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Phuket is generally more expensive than most.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Phuket Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Phuket?

The average Phuket trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Phuket travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) ฿4,090 ($115)
Local Transportation 1 ฿393 ($11)
Food 2 ฿796 ($22)
Entertainment 1 ฿1,554 ($44)
Tips and Handouts 1 ฿79 - 238 ($2 - 7)
Alcohol 2 ฿116 - 349 ($3 - 10)
Accommodation Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Phuket is $57 (฿2,045). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Phuket is $115 (฿4,090). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $57
    ฿2,045
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $115
    ฿4,090

Hotel Prices in Phuket

Looking for a hotel in Phuket? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Phuket based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $44. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Phuket is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $11 (฿393) per person, per day, on local transportation in Phuket.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $11
    ฿393

Recommended Services


Flights to Phuket
How much does it cost to go to Phuket? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Phuket
The price of renting a car in Phuket will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Phuket?

Typical prices for Transportation in Phuket are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Phuket, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    ฿300
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    ฿250


Food Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Phuket can vary, the average cost of food in Phuket is $22 (฿796) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Phuket should cost around $8.93 (฿318) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Phuket is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $22
    ฿796

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Phuket?

Typical prices for Food in Phuket are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Phuket, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    ฿289
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    ฿170
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    ฿424
  • Thai Noodles
    ฿90
  • Bananas
    ฿25
  • Pizza (for Two)
    ฿300


Entertainment Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Phuket typically cost an average of $44 (฿1,554) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $44
    ฿1,554

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Phuket?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Phuket are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Phuket, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • One Day Boat Tour
    ฿900
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    ฿2,500
  • Thai Oil Massage
    ฿640
  • Surfboard Rental
    ฿300


Tips and Handouts Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Phuket is $4.45 (฿159) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Phuket is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $4.45
    ฿159


Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Phuket is $3.50 (฿125), as reported by travelers.


  • Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
    $3.50
    ฿125


Alcohol Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $6.53 (฿233) on alcoholic beverages in Phuket per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $6.53
    ฿233

Recommended

What did other people spend on Alcohol in Phuket?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Phuket are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Phuket, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    ฿200
  • Beer
    ฿85


Water Budget in Phuket
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.53 (฿55) on bottled water in Phuket per day. The public water in Phuket is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.53
    ฿55


Last Updated: Feb 28, 2023
Phuket On a Budget
Phuket Phuket Beaches
Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Sights
Phuket is known for its beach resorts, and near the coast is where most people tend to congregate. Hotels and resorts along the main beach areas are surrounded by restaurants, shops, and street vendors, which sell tours and trips to pretty much anywhere.

Various temples and wats can be found around the island. At the top of Naka Kerd mountain is a large white Buddha with views of the surrounding island and sea.

The Crocodile Farm on Chana Charoen Road gets good reviews from visitors, as does the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World.

Within the town of Phuket, various historic sights and buildings can be found (with tour guides available), although history and culture enthusiasts generally skip Phuket Island in favor of more cultural locations, some interesting sights can still be found. The Ranong Market brings in many locals and visitors alike, as it's a great place to get some cheaper food for your stay at the beach. Old mansions in the town are still intact, dating back to the 19th century, and many are now shops. Various wats (temples) are around town with interesting detail, and the town also has a cultural museum.

The Thai Village and Orchid Farm serves a typical Thai lunch and offers a cultural show with dancing, boxing, a display of traditional customs, and elephants. Just outside of town, there's even a zoo!

Also, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a great place to visit, as it treats the elephants in a friendly, ethical manner.
Neighborhoods
The western coast of Phuket Island is why visitors flock to this world-famous destination. The coast is not as rugged as some other parts of Thailand (and many visitors say it's actually not as beautiful), but the water is clear and blue, and the beaches are wide, with plenty of room inland for larger resorts, shops, and restaurants to thrive.

Patong beach is the most popular and most crowded. It contains a large number of hotels, shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. The nightlife here is very active, and tourists are extremely prevalent.

Karon beach is the second most popular, and has a similar vibe as Patong, just a little less busy.

Kata, at the southern end, is busy, yet not too busy, for most travelers. The beach is still nice and the location is close enough to visit the touristy areas, if the desire strikes.

Chalong Bay is home to most of the yachts and also the departing point if you're planning to explore some other islands.

If you're looking for a quieter alternative, head to Kamala, which is north of Patong.

To the north are several other beaches that are quieter, also offering various amenities and access to some local culture.

Rawai, at the southern tip, offers a relatively quiet seaside vibe with great sunset views, seafood restaurants, and local culture.

Phuket town is in the southeastern section of the island, and is the largest town. It has hotels, shops, and restaurants, but these tend to cater to budget travelers and the locals. Generally most transportation options to and from the island go through Phuket town, with the exception of the airport, which is on the northern side of the island.

Activities
Water activities are quite popular, for obvious reasons. Diving and snorkeling are some of the main activities. To find a dive shop or a tour company offering dive services, just look down the street. Boats are available for day trips out to sea for diving, snorkeling, fishing, or partying.

Boat tours to the surrounding islands in Phang-nga Bay are also popular. These trips herd tourists to fascinating, yet crowded, destinations such as "James Bond Island" and other geological wonders. To visit these islands at a lower price, and often during less crowded times, search for a tour operator in Phuket town or away from the main touristy areas. Research and ask questions about the number of people on the boat, the type of boat, and other safety factors. While smaller longtail boats are safe, they are only meant for a small group of people.

Phuket is great for families, as many attractions and activities cater to kids as well as adults. From the beaches to the animal centers, day trips, snokeling, elephants, temples, and more, Phuket offers something for everyone. And if you're traveling with kids, check out these 10 best family resorts in Phuket.

It's possible to rent a motor scooter to explore the island on your own, but pay attention to the rules of the road.

Just as in the rest of Thailand, spas and massage parlors are popular. Day spas catering to western tourists offer all types of luxurious amenities, while smaller shops tend to just do massages.
Food and Dining
For obvious reasons, seafood is quite popular on the island, and is generally very good when prepared using traditional Thai recipes. Many travelers claim that the Thai food on Phuket is not as authentic as in the rest of Thailand, mainly due to the number of surrounding tourists. While this may be true, the cuisine is very diverse, as food from all over the world is available. Many westerners have set up restaurants catering to travelers from their home countries, too. This may be good if you've spent a lot of time in Thailand and are tired of the food. Otherwise it may be a huge disappointment.

Transportation
Songtheaws (pick-up trucks with covered backs) act as local buses around the island. They are run by the government, although many taxi and tuk-tuk drivers will claim they are not running (or don't exist) in order to get your business.

Tuk-Tuks in Phuket act as taxis. They are basically small red minivans that aggressively seek business from tourists, but generally are quite efficient. Negotiate before you depart! Regular "car" taxis are also common. Motorbike taxis are also available, and the drivers wear bright vests. If the driver does not have such a vest, then it's not an official taxi.
Related
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.