best time to visit phuket thailand 2023

• 2 Weeks for Couple
• 2 Weeks for Family
• Thailand Lantern Festival
• Indonesia(Bali)
• South Korea
• China (HK, Taiwan)
• Itinerary Ideas
• Asia Highlights Travel Reviews
• Thailand Travel Reviews
• Vietnam Travel Reviews
• Cambodia Travel Reviews
• Japan Travel Reviews
• Myanmar Travel Reviews
• China Travel Reviews

How to Plan a Trip to Phuket 2023 (7 Things You Need to Know)

• 1. How Long to Stay in Phuket

2. The Best Things to Do in Phuket

3. the best time to visit phuket, 4. how to get to phuket, 5. where to stay in phuket, 6. meals in phuket, 7. need a visa or no need to get a visa.

Phuket now reopens. From April 1, 2022, all international travelers don't need to take nucleic acid test before departure .

Phuket enjoys the reputation of being the "Pearl of the Andaman Sea". It is the largest island in Thailand and one of the most popular beach destinations in the world, with fine beaches, glittering seas, white sands, nodding palm trees, lively towns, and high-end seaside resorts.

1. How Long to Stay in Phuket: At Least 3 Days

A visit to Phuket usually takes 3 to 7 days, and you can plan a trip of suitable length according to your preferences.

It takes at least 3 days to explore Phuket, and spending 4 days there is the most popular choice.

Covering an area of about 540 sq km (200 sq mi), Phuket and its surrounding regions offer a variety of activities for families, groups of friends, and couples.

• Day 1: explore beaches freely
• Day 2: take a trip to Phi Phi Island
• Day 3: visit Phuket's Big Buddha and Wat Chalong
• Day 4: discover Phuket town

If you have a flexible schedule and enjoy your stay in Phuket, you can extend your stay from 5 to 7 days.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Indulge in Leisurely Beach Time

Most beaches in Phuket lie along the western coast. Surin Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach are recommended for their quiet, non-touristy vibe and are more suitable for a leisurely holiday.

Explore Phuket's Big Buddha and Wat Chalong

These two sacred Buddhist sites are very close to each other. Located on a hill, the glistening white Big Buddha is 45 m (140 feet) tall and can be spotted from Karon Beach. Wat Chalong is the biggest Buddhist temple in Phuket and is known for its unique building style.

Take a Trip to Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi stands out among more than 30 outlying islands around Phuket for its soft white sands, crystal-clear waters, natural rock caves, and the untainted tropical scenery, making it one of the most popular beach destinations in recent years.

Wander about in Phuket Town

Many visitors head straight to the beaches, so Phuket town is often forgotten. You can walk around the Old Town , which is rich in history and culture.

Explore the historical buildings and mansions built in the colonial style, wander into a temple or museum, visit the weekend market, and relax in a quaint cafe when tired.

Go Island Hopping

There are more than 30 islands around Phuket. The most popular contenders for island hopping are Phi Phi Island, the Similan Islands , Racha Yai Island, and Coral Island.

Take the Phang Nga Bay Cruise

Phang Nga Bay is considered to be the most beautiful location in Phuket and its surrounding areas. You can cruise through the dramatic limestone islands and occasionally stop to enjoy the quiet beaches.

Join a Thai Cooking Class

This is a great choice for those who love the exotic flavors of authentic Thai food and want to learn its secrets. A market tour to choose fresh and natural ingredients is included.

Savor Phuket's Night Markets

Night markets in Phuket are always fun, intense, colorful, surprising, and fascinating, with a variety of local merchandise available at a bargain as well as mouth-watering local delicacies. Naka Market, Lard Yai, and Chillva Market are recommended.

November to April is the best time to visit Phuket . This period is the dry season in Phuket and the weather is very pleasant. You can sunbathe in the warm sunshine and enjoy various water sports in the sea. This period is also the high season. If you plan to travel during this time, please avoid popular spots such as Patong Beach.

May to October is the rainy season and also the off-season for travel. If you plan to travel in this period, you may miss water sports such as scuba diving due to the rain. However, it is a good time to take advantage of quiet beaches and cost-effective rooms.

Learn more about Weather in Phuket on our website.

Phuket has an airport, Phuket International Airport (HKT). The best way to get to Phuket is taking a flight.

Sydney, Melbourne, Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Siem Reap, Beijing, Moscow, and Seoul have direct flights to Phuket.

In Thailand, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Koh Samui have direct flights to Phuket.

Phuket airport lies in the north of Phuket. From the airport, it takes about 30 minutes to Surin Beach, 50 minutes to Patong Beach, one hour to Karon Beach, and 40 minutes to Phuket town by road.

Learn more on How to Get to and around Phuket .

Tourism in Phuket is well developed, and you can expect accommodation of a good standard. From economy hotels to luxury villas, located in beach areas to the town, you can easily find one to suit your requirements.

Most hotels are clustered around Patong Beach , Karon Beach, and Kata Beach.

If you enjoy partying and are looking for a lively vibe , you can consider booking a hotel in the Patong Beach area. Patong Beach is the heart of Phuket and offers a colorful nightlife and a variety of bars, restaurants, and shopping options.

If you prefer a quiet vibe, you may like to choose a hotel on Karon Beach or Surin Beach.

Here are our recommended hotels on these beaches for your reference:

• Arinara Bangtao Beach Resort (Bangtao Beach)
• Twinpalms Phuket Resort (Surin Beach)
• Katathani Phuket Beach Resort (Karon Beach)
• Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach (Patong Beach)
• Burasari Resort (Patong Beach)

Thai dishes feature sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavor profiles. Different regions of Thailand have slightly different preferences. Phuket is located in the south of Thailand. The dishes there are slightly spicier than in other regions.

Phuket is rich in lobster, oysters, squid, and other seafood. Seafood dishes cooked in the Thai style tend to have a unique taste profile. The most popular seafood restaurants and stalls can be found in Patong Beach . Karon Beach also has a seafood street that attracts visitors all around.

Another feature of Phuket's dishes is that they are cooked with coconut milk. Mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, chicken, and galangal are cooked in coconut milk, offering a special flavor.

Besides restaurants, night markets are the best place to explore local delicacies and immerse yourself in the local community.

Don't worry if you can't get used to the Thai style. You will find more international cuisine there — Western, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Turkish, Chinese, etc.

Passport holders from 57 countries are exempt from obtaining a visa to visit Thailand.

If you hold a passport from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, France, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, or 46 other countries, you can visit Phuket without applying for a visa .

Explore Phuket with Us

We welcome the chance to help you design your perfect trip to Thailand. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in selecting destinations, accommodation, and activities that best suit your requirements.

Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

• Save Your Time:
• Less research, more enjoyment!
• Real-time 1V1 expert planning
• Maximize Your Flexibility:
• Personal local guide and ride
• Explore at your own pace
• Celebrate Your Journeys:
• Specially-crafted family adventures
• Celebrate milestones with style!
• 9-Day Thailand Family Tour
• 10-Day Best of Thailand Tour
• 10-Day Thailand Lantern Festival Tour 2024
• 12-Day Thailand Family Holiday
• 12-Day Thailand Wonders Tour
• 12-Day Best of Thailand and Cambodia Tour
• 12-Day Essential Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
• 14-Day Classic Vietnam and Thailand Tour
• 14-day Thailand and Vietnam Family Tour
• 15-Day Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
• 19-Day Highlights Tour of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
• 3-Week Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour for Couples
• Awesome 10 Days in Thailand: 5 Itineraries (with Map)
• 3 Best Thailand Itineraries for 12 Days 2024
• 2 Weeks Thailand Itinerary 2024: Top 4 Itineraries with Maps
• Perfect 3 Weeks in Thailand: 3 Itineraries with Costs 2024
• How to Plan Your First Trip to Thailand — 7 Easy Steps
• A Guide to Thailand Lantern Festivals: Yi Peng & Loy Krathong
• 8 Best Destinations to Combine with a Visit to Thailand
• How to Plan a Thailand and Vietnam Trip (2024/2025): 10 Days, 2, 3 Weeks Itineraries
• How to Plan a Trip to Thailand and Cambodia (2024/2025)
• How to Plan a Trip to Singapore and Thailand 2024/2025
• How to Visit Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam 2024: 10, 14 and 21-Day Itinerary Ideas
• How to Plan a Trip to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore 2024
• Thailand Weather in January 2025: Which Island/Best Places to Visit
• Thailand Weather in February 2024/2025: Which Island/Best Places to Visit
• Thailand Weather in March 2024/2025: Temperature, Places to Visit, Travel Tips
• Thailand Weather in April 2024: Temperatures, Places to Visit, Songkran Festival
• Thailand Weather in May 2024: Too Hot & Rainy? Best Places to Go and Travel Tips
• What's the Weather Like in Thailand in June?
• Thailand Weather in July 2024: Tips for a Family Vacation
• Thailand Weather in August 2024: Temperature and Best Places to Go
• Thailand Weather in September 2024: Temperature, Best Places to Visit
• Thailand Weather in October 2024: Still Rain? Where to Visit?
• Thailand Weather in November 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
• Thailand Weather in December 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds

Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.

Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!

Our China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.

She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,

Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.

He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.

Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.

Our day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.

Xian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.

More reviews

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Asia Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Middle East
• African Safari

• Travel Agents
• Our Differences
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China