Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Phuket?

Q: Is one day enough time in Phuket?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the party-hard resort island of Phuket, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the cuisine, as well as the Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Phuket?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Phuket, Thailand? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Phuket during their visit. After all, the party-hard resort island will let you swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, snorkel or scuba dive, and taste delicious cuisine.

Phuket is one of the most famous islands in Thailand. It's popular with tourists who come to party, swim, and experience the sights and culture. The capital of the island is Phuket City, but most visitors stay at one of the many resorts by the beaches around the island.

Do you have one or two days to visit Phuket? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Phuket?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the party-hard resort island of Phuket, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the cuisine, as well as the Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.

How to spend a day in Phuket

The beautiful beaches await you in Phuket, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

A few tour suggestions include:

Twilight Sea Canoe Tour with Sea Cave Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay ($118)
John Gray's Hong by Starlight with Sea Cave Kayaking + Loy Krathong From Phuket ($127)
Phang Nga Bay kayaking day trip ($141)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

The public transit in Phuket is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the resort island quite easily and affordably. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Phuket?

Phuket is a small resort island that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, snorkel or scuba dive, and taste delicious cuisine. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the resort island. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Thai Tuk Tuk

How to spend 2 days in Phuket

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Phuket will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the resort island.

Don't miss the Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha) during your trip to Phuket, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."