Phuket car hire

Many tourists visiting Phuket stay at one of the main west coast resorts like Patong Beach, but being such a large island, it has a lot more going for it than just beaches and nightlife. Hiring a car to explore Phuket can be a rewarding experience.

For intrepid travellers, car hire opens up a range of possibilities that are much less accessible to tourists without wheels – but be warned, like in most of Asia, traffic conditions can be a mite challenging. Thai traffic drives on the left… most of the time. It’s not as terrifying as India, but you need to keep your wits about you.

With car hire, you can also cross the bridge at the northern end of the island to explore the Thai mainland, including the nearby James Bond Island and Koh Panyee, two famous areas in Phang Nga Bay.

Language: Thai | Currency: Baht (฿) | Avg. Flight time: 17 hrs

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt are all present in the terminal building of Phuket Airport, and you can also pick up your rental in major tourist hubs such as Patong Beach or Phuket Town. Alternatively, you can usually have your rental car delivered to your resort for a small fee.

Phuket abounds with historic Buddhist temples, known as ‘wats’, and a must-see example is Wat Chalong in the south of the island. It’s a stunning complex, with intricate stone carvings topped with a glistening gold tower. Another of Phuket’s prime religious sites is the 45-metre tall Big Buddha, atop a hill between Chalong and Kata Beach.

If wildlife is your thing, there’s a good selection of national parks and nature reserves dotted around the island. The Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre at Bang Pae is home to many rescued primates, and the countryside around also offers a spectacular waterfall, the Bang Pae Cascade.

Phuket’s coastline is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts, with clear seas for divers and snorkellers who are eager to experience the rich variety of life around the island. Hire a car to discover a whole new realm of ‘hidden’ diving and swimming spots among the island’s many tropical beaches.

Major international car hire companies, along with local operators, have offices at the airport, but it's worth investigating the best deals before departure. Start your search on TravelSupermarket and secure the rental of your choice before your trip.

Be sure to obtain an international driving permit before you go, as this is a mandatory requirement in addition to your ordinary licence if you plan to drive in Thailand.

1. Be aware of motorcycles and scooters which teem in the streets. They don’t always follow the rules.

2. Most, but not all, road signs are in both Thai and English, so it’s advisable to rent a GPS navigation device or carry a map.

3. Even if the car hire companies won’t ask for your international permit, make sure you have one with you. Otherwise, if you have an accident, your insurance cover may be invalid.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.