Things to Do in Phuket: A Three-Day Plan

Give day one to Old Town, day two to Wat Chalong, Karon View Point and Promthep Cape, and day three to the west-coast beaches. Wat Chalong costs nothing and opens daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Karon View Point is free too, and foreign visitors pay 150 baht at Chinpracha House.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Three days give you time for the main sights, starting with Old Town, then the southern sights, then the beaches. Each day keeps you among places that sit close together, and every sight links to its own guide for the details.

Things to do in Phuket: a three-day plan

What to see in Phuket

Old Town

Start in Old Town for the Sino-Portuguese buildings that line both sides of the street. Chinpracha House opens daily from 09.00 to 16.30, and admission is 100 baht for Thai visitors and 150 baht for foreign visitors. The Thai Hua Museum is open every day from 09:00 to 17:00. For the full route, follow the Phuket Old Town walk.

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong costs nothing to enter, and it is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Inside, the chedi rises over three floors, and you can climb all the way to a terrace on the top floor. Allow 1 to 2 hours for the visit, then find more detail in the Wat Chalong guide.

Big Buddha

The Big Buddha stands at Karon, in Mueang Phuket District. When you are in the Kata and Karon area, add it to the day.

Karon View Point and Promthep Cape

Stop at Karon View Point for a free look over three bays at once: Kata Noi, Kata and Karon. You find it on the island road between Nai Harn Beach and Kata Noi Beach. There is a pavilion, a restroom and a small beverage shop, plus parking for around 6-8 cars.

At Promthep Cape you reach the southernmost point of Phuket province. It is a popular place to watch the sunset, and it lies about 2 km from Rawai Beach.

The beaches

Kata Beach suits swimming and is used for dive training, and surfers favour it too. Karon Beach is the second-largest beach in Phuket, and both it and Patong Beach run about 3 km long.

For a calmer day, Surin is a quiet beach near a small hill, while Kamala is relaxed and 2 km long. Bang Tao, on the other hand, is one of the longest beaches in Phuket. Compare them all in Phuket beaches compared before you choose.

Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay

For a day on the water, choose between the Phi Phi islands day trip and the Phang Nga Bay day trip.

Who it suits (and who should skip it)

The plan is good for a first visit, since each day pairs sights that sit near each other. On a tight budget, lean on Wat Chalong and Karon View Point, which are both free.

Sunset chasers should save an evening for Promthep Cape, a popular sunset viewpoint. History readers will want the Old Town morning, where Chinpracha House and the Thai Hua Museum stand.

If you dislike crowds, skip the plan’s Sunday evening in Old Town, because Lard Yai is a Sunday market. In the monsoon, leave swimming at Surin out of your day, since the beach is not suitable for it then.

How to get around Phuket

From the airport, Smart Bus Route 1 runs hourly to Rawai for a flat 100 baht. On the way it stops at Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai. Route 2 links Phuket Bus Terminal 2 with Patong for a flat 50 baht. Around town, the free Dragon Line shuttle loops between Central Festival, Old Town and OTOP Market.

Pay however suits you, since Smart Bus takes contactless Visa and Mastercard, QR PromptPay and cash. With a Day Pass card, you get unlimited rides all day. Treat the timetable as a guide, because times are approximate and vary with traffic.

At the Phuket Airport limousine counter, a Taxi car costs a fixed fare that depends on where you are going.

Whichever destination you pick from the table, a Taxi car seats up to 3 passengers.

For rides on demand, use an app: Grab covers private hire, taxi, van and motorcycle rides across Thailand. With Bolt you can book local taxis in Phuket. Read the full picture in the getting around Phuket guide.

When to go and how long

Time Promthep Cape for before sunset by catching the 14:00, 15:00 or 16:00 airport bus, which are the recommended Smart Bus departures. Go to Wat Chalong early: between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. you avoid the crowds and the heat.

For beach days, watch the seasons. Karon has a rainy season from April to November, and Surin is not suitable for swimming in the monsoon. At Nai Harn, swimming is not recommended from May to October because of strong current.

Nearby and how to combine it

With a single free day, the Smart Bus one-day plan suits you. It strings together Old Town, Chillva Market, Kata Beach, Rawai Beach and Promthep Cape.

To understand the area behind the beaches, read the Phuket areas compared guide. For the ride in from the airport, see Phuket Airport to Patong and Kata.

Before you go

Dress for Wat Chalong by covering your shoulders, chest and knees. Keep both cash and a contactless card on you, as Smart Bus takes both. For a full day on the bus, buy a Day Pass, and leave slack in your plans, as times vary with traffic.

On a motorbike, wear a helmet: the fine for riding without one is up to 2,000 baht. Plan your sea days around the rainy season, which runs from April to November.

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Not confirmed: Opening hours and fees for the Big Buddha are not confirmed here. Check them on the day. Smart Bus times are approximate and vary with traffic.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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