Renting a Car in Phuket: What You Need to Know

While Phuket is a beach paradise and one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, it can be surprisingly hard to get around with public transportation.

Therefore, many people, including Thais, always rent a car every time they go to Phuket.

In this article, we are going to give you the inside scoop on how to rent a car in Phuket, including what to watch out for, how to get a good deal, which car company to choose, where to park, and insider driving tips to help you drive safely in Phuket.

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Should I Rent a Car in Phuket?

There are many reasons why you should rent a car in Phuket, including:

• Convenience: With a car, you can go to any place in Phuket at any time you want. Even though taxi or ride-sharing apps such as Grab or Bolt are available, there are certain parts of the city where the service isn’t available due to the taxi mafia. Or in some places, you may need to wait for more than 10 minutes because of a long queue.

• Cheaper than Taxi: Taxi prices in Phuket are the most expensive in Thailand. For example, a one-way trip from Phuket Airport to Patong will cost you at least THB800, which is similar to the cost of a car rental per day. Additionally, you should expect to pay at least THB200 whenever you take a taxi. For longer trips, such as to Phuket Town, the cost can exceed THB500.

• Limited Public Transportation: Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, Phuket surprisingly lacks public transportation. The main option is the Airport Bus, which leaves every hour from Phuket International Airport to the Old Phuket Bus Terminal. Additionally, public transportation can be slow due to traffic.

Therefore, unless you plan to stay in a hotel for many days without going anywhere, it’s recommended to rent a car in Phuket.

Is it Safe to Drive in Phuket?

There are a few challenges when driving in Phuket:

• Phuket is quite hilly with some steep roads in certain parts of the city, such as the route to Patong Beach or Kamala Beach.

• Traffic can be especially heavy in the city, with motorcycles cutting into the middle lanes.

• There are many inexperienced drivers.

• Phuket experiences heavy rain during certain months, leading to poor visibility and slippery roads.

With that being said, it’s generally safe to drive in Phuket. The key is to stay vigilant at all times and be mindful of your surroundings. Also, traffic in Phuket tends to move slowly.

Road conditions are good throughout most of the city.

However, if you are an inexperienced driver, it’s better to use public transportation or private hire instead.

Requirements

Similar to other places in Thailand, renting a car in Phuket comes with two main requirements:

• You need to be at least 21 years old. Sometimes, it can be 25 years old, depending on the car rental company.

• You need to have an international driver’s license or a Thai driving’s license. Most car rental companies in Phuket require it. Even if they don’t ask, it’s a legal requirement. Otherwise, you could receive a ticket from traffic police, or worse, in the event of an accident, the insurance company may not cover anything.

Cost

Here’s how much it should cost you per day to rent a car in Phuket:

Type	Car Models	Daily Rental Cost (THB)
Economy	Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan March	800 – 1,100 THB
Compact	Toyota Vios, Nissan Kicks, Honda City	900 – 1,200 THB
Standard	Toyota Altis, Honda Civic, Mazda 3	1,100 – 1,500 THB
Intermediate SUV	Haval Jolion, Toyota CH-R, Honda HR-V	1,300 – 1,600 THB
Full-size SUV	Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu Mu-X	1,800 – 2,500 THB

Please note that this is an estimated cost only. Prices can vary depending on the following factors:

• High season (December to February) and low season (May to October)
• Rental duration. Normally, the longer the rental period, the lower the cost.

Additional Costs

There are three additional costs to consider when renting a car in Phuket:

• Additional Insurance: THB200 – THB400 per day. It is highly recommended to get additional car insurance in Phuket since road accidents happen regularly. Without it, you may need to pay out of pocket for THB5,000 to THB10,000 per accident.
• Child seat: THB100 – THB150 per day.
• Additional driver: THB100 – THB200 per day (depending on the insurance company).

Which Car Should You Rent?

You can rent any car in Phuket. It depends on the following factors:

• Number of People: If you are traveling with 2 people, an economy car is enough. However, if you are traveling with a family of four, you should at least rent a standard sedan.
• Luggage: If you have a lot of luggage, renting an SUV can be a good idea.
• Budget: If you want to save money, an economy car is the best option. However, if you want a more comfortable ride, consider at least a compact car or a standard sedan.

Best Car Rental Companies in Phuket

The car rental market in Phuket is very competitive, with both local and international rental car companies available.

Here are the main differences:

• Price: Local companies tend to offer better prices than international companies.
• Support: International companies tend to have better English-language support than local companies.
• Insurance: Car insurance from international companies is more straightforward than from local companies. They typically clearly state what the insurance covers and what it does not.

However, when it comes to larger car rental companies, the differences between local and international companies are not significant. Nevertheless, many international travelers prefer international companies due to the trust in the brand.

Notable international car rental companies in Phuket:

• Sixt
• EuropCar
• Budget
• Hertz
• Avis

Notable local car rental companies in Phuket:

• Asap Car Rental
• Yesaway Car Rental
• Thai Rent a Car

Additionally, there are small car rental companies throughout Phuket. Prices and services vary significantly between them.

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How to Book a Rental Car

Unless you have loyalty to a specific brand, we personally recommend using Discover Car to find a rental car in Phuket. It’s extremely easy to use, allowing you to compare several companies at once and find the best deal.

Here’s what you need to do in general:

• After successfully booking the car online, save the booking confirmation on your phone.
• Go to the car rental counter at the pickup location.
• Show your booking confirmation.
• Inspect the car thoroughly. If you find any damage, report it and take photos.
• Check the tires and make sure they are in good condition.
• Make a deposit and payment.

In Phuket, deposits range between THB5,000 to THB10,000, depending on the car model.

Most car rental companies accept credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) only.

Pick Up and Drop Off Location

You can find the majority of big rental car companies in Phuket at Phuket International Airport, as it’s the most popular pickup and drop-off location.

If you want to rent from other parts of Phuket, you may need to check out smaller car rental companies and family-run car rental businesses instead. These can be found throughout Phuket.

Noteworthy companies include:

• CTT Phuket Car Rental
• Pure Car Rent
• SR Car Rental
• Patong Phuket Car Rent

You can often get a good weekly or monthly deal with these companies.

However, before renting from these companies, be sure to read the rental agreement carefully, especially regarding insurance, to fully understand what they offer.

It’s also possible to choose different pickup and drop-off locations as long as they are within Phuket, with an additional fee of THB300 to THB1,500, depending on the distance.

If you want to have a drop-off location outside of Phuket, you’ll need to look at major car rental companies instead. For example, Sixt charges an additional fee of around THB4,000 for drop-offs at Krabi Airport.

Returning a Car

Most car rental companies follow a similar procedure when it comes to returning a car:

• Go to the drop-off location.
• Return the car key.
• The car rental company will inspect the car once again.
• If there’s nothing wrong, you should expect to get your full deposit back within 24 hours.

Please note that, depending on the company’s policy, you may be charged THB100 per hour for a late return.

Fuel

Most car rental companies in Thailand operate on a full-to-full fuel policy.

When you rent a car, it comes with a full tank of fuel, and you are expected to return it with a full tank. Otherwise, you will be charged a fuel fee that is significantly more expensive than filling it up yourself.

You can find gas stations throughout Phuket. Just make sure to ask the car rental company about the exact type of fuel for your car, as there are many options in Thailand.

Do I Need to Book in Advance?

Unless you are traveling to Phuket during the low season, booking in advance is highly recommended.

• You can get the car right away. Phuket International Airport can be busy most of the time, and sometimes, the queue can be long.
• You can get the car model you want.
• You often get a better deal than booking on the spot.

You can use DiscoverCar to book your rental car in advance.

More Tips About Driving in Phuket

When driving in Phuket, here are some tips and tricks to help you drive safely:

• Drive Carefully: While you won’t need to worry about exceeding the speed limit in Phuket, as traffic tends to move slowly, there are some reckless drivers and big bike riders who drive very fast and frequently change lanes. If you encounter one, stay vigilant and drive carefully within your lane.
• Overtake Carefully: Many serious car accidents in Phuket occur when drivers overtake incorrectly, such as during sharp curves or when undertaking. So, when you need to overtake, ensure you have a clear view and do so in a safe situation.
• Drive Slowly in the Rain: Phuket can experience heavy rainfall. If you need to drive during the rain, make sure to drive slowly, especially in hilly areas, as roads can become slippery.
• Learn Road Warning Signs: Since Phuket can be quite hilly, sometimes roads can have unexpectedly steep gradients. Learn the road warning signs in advance so that when you see them, you can prepare accordingly.
• Vehicle Right of Way: Assume that it doesn’t exist. Always check your surroundings and only proceed when it is safe to do so.
• Get Travel Insurance: While travel insurance has limited coverage for rental cars, it does include medical coverage in case of accidents. We recommend having a minimum medical coverage of US$100,000, which should also cover medical evacuation. Use Safe and Not Sorry to find a good medical travel insurance plan.

If you want to learn more about driving culture in Thailand, check out our article on driving in Thailand.

Parking in Phuket

Here are a few things you need to know when it comes to parking in Phuket:

• Hotel: Most hotels in Phuket offer free parking. However, if you are staying in an apartment or a guesthouse, you should confirm with them beforehand.
• Beach: Unless it’s the high season, you should be able to find a parking spot, even in popular places like Patong.
• Attractions: Most tourist attractions in Phuket provide free parking spots.
• Phuket City Area: It is becoming more difficult to find free parking spots in Phuket City. In many cases, you will need to park in a department store.
• Phuket Old Town: Similar to the city area, it’s hard to find parking here. You may need to park at this temple and walk instead.

Alternative Options:

Renting a car isn’t the only way to navigate Phuket. Here are some alternative options:

• Motorcycle: This is a good option if you are on a budget. There are plenty of motorcycle rental shops throughout Phuket, with rentals costing just THB300 per day. However, it can also be dangerous as major motorcycle accidents are common. If you choose this option, make sure you have experience riding a motorcycle and drive carefully.
• Ride-Sharing Apps: Since taxis in Phuket are expensive, many locals and tourists now rely on ride-sharing apps such as Grab, Bolt, and InDrive. You can download these apps in advance on your phone. It typically takes no more than 10 minutes to get a ride, and fares can be at least 20%-30% cheaper than taxis. Bolt is often the cheapest option, but Grab has the highest standards.
• Taxi: Taxis are available throughout Phuket, but they often don’t use meters like in many parts of Thailand. As a result, the price ends up being quite expensive. It’s usually not recommended unless you have already checked the price using a ride-sharing app.
• Public Transportation: There’s a smart bus running from Phuket Airport to various parts of the city every hour. Additionally, many beach areas have a blue songthaew that can take you to various places for THB30 – THB50.
• Tour Service: Many tour services throughout Phuket offer free hotel transfers.

Now, on to You

Renting a car is a great way to explore Phuket at your own pace. You can take your time and visit any place you want, whenever you want. Additionally, it can be much cheaper than taking a taxi.

Plus, nothing beats the feeling of discovering hidden scenery as you drive to your destination.

If you plan to visit Phuket soon and want to rent a car, you can book in advance using Discover Car to secure the best deal.