Ask us about visiting Phuket, Thailand
#781
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,769
In Patong it is still possible to order a Grab taxi (most likely a van) to the airport or other places via the app - but the rate will be the same as quoted if you book with a tour agent or ask the driver directly (800 THB to the airport - the same trip would cost 300-400 THB in BKK). The lack of public transport and the taxi/tuk-tuk mafia is one of the few things I loathe about Phuket.
#782
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
The Phuket island not have only Patong beach , Rawai , Kata ,Kamala. All this beach most popular in Phuket but many people everywhere.
In case you have silen place Phuket have beaty beach but not many people ex. Karon view point , Kao rung view point, Coral Island , Maikao beach ex.
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KL transport & Travel kl-transport-travel.com, We processional driver tour&transport around Phuket and nearly.
In case you have silen place Phuket have beaty beach but not many people ex. Karon view point , Kao rung view point, Coral Island , Maikao beach ex.
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KL transport & Travel kl-transport-travel.com, We processional driver tour&transport around Phuket and nearly.
#783
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
recommendations for Phang Nga bay day boat trip
We (myself, wife, 9yo daughter and nearly 2yo son) will be spending just over a week in Phuket at the end of this month/early Feb. We'll be staying at the HI Mai Khao.
It's our third visit to Phuket, but first with our son. Last two times we stayed at Surin beach, and our stays were shorter (about 5 days). Given that this is a longer trip, and given our son's age, spending all day at the beach every day will be more tricky, we thought it would nice to have a couple of excursions. One we're considering is a day boat trip to Phang Nga bay. Looking at "tripadvisor", some of the recommended companies are: a) Two sea tours (big boat + kayaking), b) Phuket Sail tours (big boat or sail boat options), c) June Bhatra junk (no kayak option), d) John Gray canoes (big boat + kayak)
WIth regards to price, they are all pricey, with two seas the most pricey (about 13500 THB, compared with ~ 11000 THB for the others).
Looking through the reviews, although "Two seas" are top-rated, they appear to be very aggressive in shooting down any negative reviews, which makes me a little cautious in going with them. What puts me off "John Gray" even though he's the longest established is that I'm _a very little_ claustrophobic, and their night tour specifically seems to go into caves where you'll be right up to the ceiling...
We really just want to have a "chill" day, enjoying beautiful scenery. Although I'd love to swing past "James Bond island" because I'm a James Bond fan, not actually landing on the tourist trap but just swinging by it is fine. Given we'll have a non-swimming infant with us, is one of these companies better suited for our needs?
Any other advice for excursions etc? We've seen plenty of temples, and we'll see more in Bangkok, so that's less appealing for us..
thanks!
tb
It's our third visit to Phuket, but first with our son. Last two times we stayed at Surin beach, and our stays were shorter (about 5 days). Given that this is a longer trip, and given our son's age, spending all day at the beach every day will be more tricky, we thought it would nice to have a couple of excursions. One we're considering is a day boat trip to Phang Nga bay. Looking at "tripadvisor", some of the recommended companies are: a) Two sea tours (big boat + kayaking), b) Phuket Sail tours (big boat or sail boat options), c) June Bhatra junk (no kayak option), d) John Gray canoes (big boat + kayak)
WIth regards to price, they are all pricey, with two seas the most pricey (about 13500 THB, compared with ~ 11000 THB for the others).
Looking through the reviews, although "Two seas" are top-rated, they appear to be very aggressive in shooting down any negative reviews, which makes me a little cautious in going with them. What puts me off "John Gray" even though he's the longest established is that I'm _a very little_ claustrophobic, and their night tour specifically seems to go into caves where you'll be right up to the ceiling...
We really just want to have a "chill" day, enjoying beautiful scenery. Although I'd love to swing past "James Bond island" because I'm a James Bond fan, not actually landing on the tourist trap but just swinging by it is fine. Given we'll have a non-swimming infant with us, is one of these companies better suited for our needs?
Any other advice for excursions etc? We've seen plenty of temples, and we'll see more in Bangkok, so that's less appealing for us..
thanks!
tb
#784
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold
Posts: 147
We (myself, wife, 9yo daughter and nearly 2yo son) will be spending just over a week in Phuket at the end of this month/early Feb. We'll be staying at the HI Mai Khao.
It's our third visit to Phuket, but first with our son. Last two times we stayed at Surin beach, and our stays were shorter (about 5 days). Given that this is a longer trip, and given our son's age, spending all day at the beach every day will be more tricky, we thought it would nice to have a couple of excursions. One we're considering is a day boat trip to Phang Nga bay. Looking at "tripadvisor", some of the recommended companies are: a) Two sea tours (big boat + kayaking), b) Phuket Sail tours (big boat or sail boat options), c) June Bhatra junk (no kayak option), d) John Gray canoes (big boat + kayak)
WIth regards to price, they are all pricey, with two seas the most pricey (about 13500 THB, compared with ~ 11000 THB for the others).
Looking through the reviews, although "Two seas" are top-rated, they appear to be very aggressive in shooting down any negative reviews, which makes me a little cautious in going with them. What puts me off "John Gray" even though he's the longest established is that I'm _a very little_ claustrophobic, and their night tour specifically seems to go into caves where you'll be right up to the ceiling...
We really just want to have a "chill" day, enjoying beautiful scenery. Although I'd love to swing past "James Bond island" because I'm a James Bond fan, not actually landing on the tourist trap but just swinging by it is fine. Given we'll have a non-swimming infant with us, is one of these companies better suited for our needs?
Any other advice for excursions etc? We've seen plenty of temples, and we'll see more in Bangkok, so that's less appealing for us..
thanks!
tb
It's our third visit to Phuket, but first with our son. Last two times we stayed at Surin beach, and our stays were shorter (about 5 days). Given that this is a longer trip, and given our son's age, spending all day at the beach every day will be more tricky, we thought it would nice to have a couple of excursions. One we're considering is a day boat trip to Phang Nga bay. Looking at "tripadvisor", some of the recommended companies are: a) Two sea tours (big boat + kayaking), b) Phuket Sail tours (big boat or sail boat options), c) June Bhatra junk (no kayak option), d) John Gray canoes (big boat + kayak)
WIth regards to price, they are all pricey, with two seas the most pricey (about 13500 THB, compared with ~ 11000 THB for the others).
Looking through the reviews, although "Two seas" are top-rated, they appear to be very aggressive in shooting down any negative reviews, which makes me a little cautious in going with them. What puts me off "John Gray" even though he's the longest established is that I'm _a very little_ claustrophobic, and their night tour specifically seems to go into caves where you'll be right up to the ceiling...
We really just want to have a "chill" day, enjoying beautiful scenery. Although I'd love to swing past "James Bond island" because I'm a James Bond fan, not actually landing on the tourist trap but just swinging by it is fine. Given we'll have a non-swimming infant with us, is one of these companies better suited for our needs?
Any other advice for excursions etc? We've seen plenty of temples, and we'll see more in Bangkok, so that's less appealing for us..
thanks!
tb
#785
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Like many annual occurrences here the water shortage in Phuket seems worse this year. Maybe make sure your hotel has a reliable, trucked-in supply, and shower right after the delivery as it may only last an hour or two.
National PWA Governor visits Phuket over failing water supply
PHUKET: The national Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Governor has quietly visited Phuket in person and urged the local PWA office to solve the island’s drought problems and to come up with a plan of how to continue supplying water needed by April 1.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/nation...pply-70753.php
Cherng Talay to be hit with mains water supply shut-off
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) announced today that the water supply will be shut off parts of Cherng Talay from tomorrow (Mar 19) until the end of the month.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/cherng...-off-70751.php
National PWA Governor visits Phuket over failing water supply
PHUKET: The national Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Governor has quietly visited Phuket in person and urged the local PWA office to solve the island’s drought problems and to come up with a plan of how to continue supplying water needed by April 1.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/nation...pply-70753.php
Cherng Talay to be hit with mains water supply shut-off
PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) announced today that the water supply will be shut off parts of Cherng Talay from tomorrow (Mar 19) until the end of the month.
https://www.thephuketnews.com/cherng...-off-70751.php
#786
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
tb
#787
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London NW10
Programs: UA 1K 1.5MM, BA Blue, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 214
Proposed new safety zone at Mai Khao beach
To protect people who take photographs of themselves as aircraft are landing on runway 09 at HKT, a safety zone on Mai Khoa beach of 150 metres either side of the runway has been proposed by the airport authority. Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation news:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-...-land/10983604
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-...-land/10983604
#788
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: JL OW Sapphire, NH *A Gold
Posts: 217
mini-bus share ride form Kata to HKT Airport
Hi there,
I'm going to visit Phuket next week.
My flight will arrive at HKT airport just midnight, so I guess I have to pay for an expensive taxi or Grab.
For return from Kata beach, I want to arrive at the airport between 20:00~21:00.
Are there any ways to cheaper service like mini-bus or any share-a-ride service? I'm traveling with my wife and two suitcases.
I found an offer from booking site I booked the hotel in Phuket 1600BHT for r/t transfer between Airport to the hotel.
Is this a better deal than mini-bus?
I'm going to visit Phuket next week.
My flight will arrive at HKT airport just midnight, so I guess I have to pay for an expensive taxi or Grab.
For return from Kata beach, I want to arrive at the airport between 20:00~21:00.
Are there any ways to cheaper service like mini-bus or any share-a-ride service? I'm traveling with my wife and two suitcases.
I found an offer from booking site I booked the hotel in Phuket 1600BHT for r/t transfer between Airport to the hotel.
Is this a better deal than mini-bus?
Last edited by LandMiler; Apr 20, 2019 at 11:09 pm
#789
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,769
There should be van/mini-bus service also to Kata Beach. Expect to pay around 200-250 B/person. For 2 persons with luggage I wouldn't bother. Not worth the hassle, extra time (waiting for the van to be full/depart and making stops enroute) when 2 persons and arriving around midnight. You risk to wait very long until the van will depart at that hour. 1,600 B for a return transfer to Karon is very reasonable; book it! If you book at the airport expect around 1,000 B to Kata (one way!).
Unfortunately, in Phuket taxi and Grab doesn't work as you are used to in BKK or elsewhere in Asia. If you expect significant savings by using Grab or taxi compared to the inflated fixed rates dictated by the local taxi mafia, you will be disappointed.
Unfortunately, in Phuket taxi and Grab doesn't work as you are used to in BKK or elsewhere in Asia. If you expect significant savings by using Grab or taxi compared to the inflated fixed rates dictated by the local taxi mafia, you will be disappointed.
#790
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: JL OW Sapphire, NH *A Gold
Posts: 217
There should be van/mini-bus service also to Kata Beach. Expect to pay around 200-250 B/person. For 2 persons with luggage I wouldn't bother. Not worth the hassle, extra time (waiting for the van to be full/depart and making stops enroute) when 2 persons and arriving around midnight. You risk to wait very long until the van will depart at that hour. 1,600 B for a return transfer to Karon is very reasonable; book it! If you book at the airport expect around 1,000 B to Kata (one way!).
Unfortunately, in Phuket taxi and Grab doesn't work as you are used to in BKK or elsewhere in Asia. If you expect significant savings by using Grab or taxi compared to the inflated fixed rates dictated by the local taxi mafia, you will be disappointed.
Unfortunately, in Phuket taxi and Grab doesn't work as you are used to in BKK or elsewhere in Asia. If you expect significant savings by using Grab or taxi compared to the inflated fixed rates dictated by the local taxi mafia, you will be disappointed.
Finally, I booked a roundtrip private transfer service for 1470THB. I use agoda (mozio?) website. It's nice they need not only pickup time for booking but also flight numbers to track.
Last edited by LandMiler; Apr 28, 2019 at 1:22 am
#791
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,162
Hi LandMiler, are you pleased with the service you booked wiht agoda website? I am going soon. Like to book the transfer once I have booked my hotel.
#792
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: JL OW Sapphire, NH *A Gold
Posts: 217
Good: Accurate in time. Drive so fast
Bad: Not good seating in Toyota Hiace (just for my wife and me!) while we booked for a sedan. Rough driving
#795
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
But the last couple of times, I've pre-booked a transfer, and I've only had good experiences with Khao Lak Transfer by Nickie - clean, comfortable cars, great value, on time, no stress at all
Depends on how much you want to drive around Khao Lak, or if you're happy to stay on/near your resort - remember many restaurants do pick ups, so I've found the car not really necessary for a 4-5 day trip