Renting a car in Phuket is a great way to have the freedom to explore more of the country without the hassles of tuktuk negotiation.
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Reasons to for renting a car in Phuket
- Freedom to explore. With a rental car you are able to explore not only Phuket, but also the nearby provinces of Phang-Nga and Krabi.
- Thai mafia. Many locals and seasoned tourists will tell you that the tuk tuks in Phuket are all coordinated by the Thai mafia. Whether or not this is true, what is true is that they have done a good job to price fix and inflate tuk tuk costs. Unlike Cambodia or Vietnam, you can not order a tuk tuk in Phuket or Krabi using Grab (only cars are available). Instead, you have to negotiate directly with the drivers up front. This means they can and will take advantage if you don’t know what the costs should be.
- Save money. Aside from not having to deal with price negotiations with the tuk tuk drivers, you can also save money for the transportation. A taxi to/from Phuket Airport to Patong is $20-30 each way, which is roughly the same price as a rental. For certain tours or excursions, a pick up fee is added to the cost of the tour that can be $10-20 per person. When you start to add up the fees, renting a car in Phuket can be very cost effective.
What documentation do I need for renting a car in Phuket?
When renting a car in Phuket you will need a valid driver’s license and major credit card. While an International Driving Permit was recommended for rental cars, it is not a requirement to have at the rental car counter. It is however recommended if you are pulled over, or are stopped at one of the many Thai checkpoints.
International Driving Permit (IDP): What to know
- May be issued up to 6 months prior to travel dates
- The International Driving Permit (IDP) must be issued in your home country
- Your IDP is valid for 12 months
- The IDP is valid in 150 countries around the world
How to get an IDP?
In the US you can apply in person at a AAA location or apply by mail. The cost for the IDP is $20. Requirements can be found here.
Renting a Car in Phuket: Driving in Thailand
For most travelers, driving in Thailand will be an adjustment because they drive on the “left” side of the road rather than the “right”. This will be confusing because not only are your blind spots in the wrong location, everything in the car is also opposite.
Every time I went to put on my turn signal, I ended up turning on the windshield wipers instead. It is very difficult to change a learned behavior after 2 decades of driving. However, this shouldn’t be a deterrent for renting a car in Phuket.
Something that may also be a big change for many travelers is the terrain. Not a lot of Phuket has flat straight roads. Much of the time you will be driving through winding mountain roads. This is especially true when traversing into the center part of the island, or traveling East/West.
Another thing to keep in mind are the scooters. Scooters outnumber cars in Phuket, especially in the large cities like Patong where tourists can rent scooters by the hour or the day. This is important because many of these people rarely, if ever, drive scooters. So you will need to be more vigilant in watching out for scooters while driving.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Phuket?
Hiring a car in Phuket is quite cheap compared to car rentals in North America. If booked in advance, you can rent an economy 4 door vehicle for a price of $20-30 per day.
What type of car will I get when renting a car in Phuket?
An economy car with automatic transmission is typically a Toyota Yaris or similar. These are still quite large with 4 doors, and a hatchback. These cars are perfect for 1-2 people. For larger groups you’ll be hard pressed to fit your luggage into the trunk and backseat, and will want a bigger vehicle.
Renting a car in Phuket: Best rental cars Phuket
In Phuket, you’ll find many of the most popular car rental companies like Avis, Hertz and Budget. I suggest checking the online ratings ahead of time prior to booking for the best car rental Phuket.
Sixt is also available in Phuket but I have not had great personal experiences with this company. They also have many hidden fees, so while the cost may look cheaper to start, expect it to add up later. Also, if you book through Expedia they have a $100 cancellation fee (specific to Sixt) which is not well documented at booking or prior to cancellation. Basically, just avoid them if you can, especially if you want the option for free cancellation.
Thai Rent a Car
I booked a car for rent in Phuket through Thai Rent a Car and had a very good experience. This is also one of the best rated Phuket car rentals. I was in and out of the rental counter within 5-10 minutes, and my car was ready for me as soon as I got to the parking lot. The return was more confusing, but that was mostly due to lack of signage and wayfinding at the airport. Once I found the correct drop off location, everything was very smooth for the return.
Renting a car in Phuket: Rental pick up
The Phuket airport is broken up into two terminals, domestic and international. The car rental locations are separated between the two terminals. This means when you go to rent a car in Phuket Airport, some of the car rental companies are located in the international terminal, and some are in the domestic terminal.
The international terminal has counters for Avis, National, Europcar. Whereas ThaiRent a Car, Budget, Sixt and Hertz are located in the domestic terminal.
If you land in the international terminal, and do not see your company, you will have to walk outside and over to the next terminal. This is a short 2-3 minute walk.
Once you have your keys, you will go collect your car. The Phuket car hire parking lot is located outside of the domestic terminal. You will have to cross the incoming traffic, and there isn’t a pedestrian walkway, so be cautious when crossing the road.
Renting a car in Phuket FAQS
Can foreigners rent cars in Thailand?
Absolutely! It’s no different than renting a car in your home country. You’ll need a valid driver’s license and credit cards. You may want to consider getting an international driver’s license just to be safe. These can be purchased for $20 in the US at a AAA location or online.
Should I rent a car in Phuket?
Yes! Phuket is a large province with a ton to see and do beyond just going to the beach. Getting a rental car in Phuket is an easy and affordable way to see more of the region. This also saves the hassle of dealing with the tuktuk mafia, and gives you the flexibility to see what you want and when.
Is it safe to drive a car in Phuket?
Yes it is safe to drive a car in Phuket but I would only recommend it for seasoned drivers. If you are a nervous driver this is not the setting for you. Phuket is a mountainous region full of winding two lane roads. You’ll have scooters flying by you, and you may be driving on the opposite side of the road. While these things are easy to navigate once you get used to them, and the other drivers are generally safe and not aggressive, you should be comfortable driving in general before you get a Phuket rental car.
Is it safe to rent a scooter in Phuket?
Is it safe to rent a scooter in Phuket? No, it is not safe to ride a scooter in Phuket. Within the span of 10-15 minutes at dinner in Patong I witnessed TWO separate scooters get hit by cars in the exact same spot. The roads are also incredibly windy in the mountains. Don’t risk your safety, rent a car or get a tuk tuk, but do not rent a scooter.
Additional posts on Thailand
- Phuket vs Krabi: How to Know Which is Best for You
- The Best Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket for Ethical Tourism
- The Best of the Krabi Sunset Tours
- The Best of Krabi, Thailand: Hong Islands Tour
- Important Tips for Booking a Phi Phi Island Boat Tour
- Thai Weed: What you need to know
