We have been thinking for a long time whether to write this article or not?! Will it be useful to someone or not?!
After thinking about it, we decided to write a short post about how you can independently, by public transport and on foot, move around the island of Phuket.
This post is based on personal experience! We walked all the routes described in the article and took public transport.
Why are we writing this? Preparing for an independent trip to Phuket, we naturally studied a lot of information: "What to see on the island, where to go." After that, we made for ourselves a list of those places, beaches and attractions that we planned to visit in Phuket.
There is a warning on the Internet: "It's not worth walking around Phuket, firstly, it's dangerous, and secondly - no one in Thailand walks, everyone moves either by taxi or on rented bikes." Strange, we thought, it would be necessary to check this information on personal experience! After all, not everyone has the opportunity to rent a bike, someone simply does not know how to drive it, someone is afraid of renting in an unfamiliar country and intense, often chaotic traffic on the roads of Thailand, and someone simply does not like this type of transport. As for taxis / tuk-tuks, there are no problems with this in Phuket - you can get anywhere on the island. You can also rent a car or bike, and drive around the island comfortably on your own.
So,
Getting ready for a walking tour of Phuket
Hiking in Phuket can indeed be somewhat dangerous, but not in all cases. It is not necessary to wander into the jungle, walk in non-tourist places at night, or get off the roadways and "tourist" routes and enter the narrow streets of local residents, because there are dogs on such streets that can be somewhat aggressive towards outsiders.
But if you go in the daytime, along the carriageways or paved trails-roads to attractions and beaches, then this is not a danger.
In addition, walking around Phuket, we met a considerable number of people walking, running, riding bicycles.
Speaking of bicycles. Yes, you can move around Phuket on such, but many interesting sights of the island are located on the hills, the road to which goes uphill, and pedaling in the hot sun is an occupation that is not suitable for everyone.
When going on hiking, we advise you to wear closed clothes, a hat and comfortable shoes, and apply sunscreen to the exposed areas of the body. The hot Thai sun is merciless to light skin. It is better to go out in the morning, or later in the evening.
We would not recommend making long walks in the first few days after arriving on the island, the skin burns quickly. It is better to wait, get used to the local climate and the sun, let the skin adapt and tan, then moving around the island will not cause discomfort. In the first days after our arrival, we endured such walking movements with difficulty, and after a week of stay, we easily walked in the midday heat. (Personal experience, not suitable for everyone)
You need to have fresh clean water, money and a phone to which maps (navigator) will be uploaded. If you plan to visit the beaches, you can also grab a swimsuit, or put it on yourself, and take a change of clothes with you; you can also grab slates, a towel, sunscreen (but not necessarily and everything is optional).
On foot and by public transport in Phuket
Phuket Public Transport
Phuket's public transport is quite well developed.
You can get from beach to beach and to many attractions of the island by local buses - songteo. These are small blue buses without windows and doors, with benches in the cabin.
The fare depends on the distance you will travel and averages 30-50 baht.
There are few direct routes from beach to beach, basically, you will have to go with a transfer to Phuket Town. Buses from Phuket Town start from Ranong Street.
As such, buses do not have stops. To get on the bus, you need to stand by the road along the track of the bus, and when you see your route, wave your hand, the driver will pick you up. To get off the bus, you need to press the bell button in the bus cabin, most often it is located on the ceiling.
The main bus routes of Phuket connecting the beaches with each other and with Phuket Town
Phuket Town - Patong Beach. It passes near the Central Phuket Shopping Center, where you can transfer from Patong to Karon and Kata beaches, as well as to Wat Chalong Temple.
Phuket Town - Karon Beach - Kata Beach. It passes through the Chalong ring, where you can make a transfer if you go from the beaches of Kata and Karon to the beaches of Rawai and Nai Harn. Also, this bus goes past Wat Chalong Temple and Central Phuket Shopping Center. On the ring at the shopping center, you can make a transfer if you follow from the beaches of Kata and Karon to Patong Beach. After reaching Kata Beach, you can walk along the highway or through Kata Noi Beach to the Karon View Point observation deck. From Karon and Kata, you can walk to the Big Buddha.
Phuket Town - Rawai Beach - Nai Harn Beach. It passes through the Chalong Ring, where you can change trains if you go from Rawai and Nai Harn beaches to Kata and Karon beaches, as well as to Wat Chalong Temple and Central Phuket Shopping Center. By this bus you can get to Rawai Beach, and then walk to the famous Promthep Cape with an observation deck of the same name and Yanui Beach. Or, drive to Nai Harn Beach and visit the picturesque Yanui Beach on foot.
Phuket Town - Bang Tao Beach - Surin Beach - Kamala Beach. You can walk from beach to beach. And between Surin and Kamala beaches, visit the small Laem Sing Beach.
Buses run until 16:30 - 19:00 pm.
Our walking routes in Phuket
Big Buddha from Kata and Karon beaches
From the beaches of Kata and Karon, we exit onto the wide roadway Patak Rd, passing above the line of beaches. Following this road, from Kata beach towards Karon, and from Karon towards Kata, streets will go uphill along the way, landmarks - pointers "BIG BUDDHA". These lapels can also be reached by public bus "Phuket town - Karon - Kata". The way to the Big Buddha from Kata Beach is about 8 kilometers, from Karon a little less - about 6.5.
From Karon Beach, you can turn onto Patak Soi 14 or Patak Soi 12 Street (depending on which side of Karon to follow), and from Kata Beach, turn closer to Patak Soi 10, you can also turn onto Patak Soi 12.
Then you will need to follow the rare signs "through the jungle".
The road is unpaved, but wide and quite convenient for walking. Along the way, there are houses of local residents and tourists renting housing.
We go out to the paved road serpentine and turn right.
There is a cafe along the road and from some points there are panoramic views of the sea, Karon beach and the surrounding area.
We have come to the goal - the Big Buddha of Phuket (Big Buddha Phuket)
Karon Observation Deck
You can walk to the Karon View Point observation deck (Karon-Kata, Karon View Point) from the beaches of Karon, Kata and Kata Noi.
Kata Beach can be reached by songteo Bus.
From Kata Beach, you should go to the wide road Kata-Sai Yuan Rd and follow it to the observation deck. The distance is about 2.5 kilometers. Along the way, there are view cafes and you can admire the views of the Andaman Sea from a bird's-eye view.
Then we pass the elephant farm "Khok Chang Kata Safari". The farm will be on the left side of the road. On the farm, you can ride elephants through the jungle.
and, after 850 meters, we find ourselves on the observation deck of Karon View Point, which offers stunning views of three beaches - Karon, Kata and Kata Noi.
You can also walk to this observation deck from Kata Noi Beach, so even faster than on the road from Kata Beach. From Kata Beach 900 meters on foot to Kata Noi Beach.
From Kata Noi Beach, follow the street that departs from the main road near the beach
Following this road uphill (first along a concrete road, after which the road will become unpaved), without turning off, in 10 minutes you can get to the wide Kata-Sai Yuan Rd roadway, after which, turning right, you will be almost at the elephant farm and further, as in the first version, 850 meters and we are at the goal.
You can also walk to the Karon observation deck from Nai Harn Beach. The distance is just over 4 kilometers. It is more convenient to walk along Soi Naya Street, then go to Kata-Sai Yuan Rd (4030), turn left and follow to the Karon observation deck. Along the way you will pass a couple of elephant farms.
Promthep Cape and observation deck
To visit these two amazing and nearby attractions on your own, the easiest way to get there is by taking the Phuket Town - Rawai - Nai Harn bus to the southern part of Rawai Beach and then walk along the roadway for about 2 kilometers.
Promthep Cape and observation deck
Yanui Beach
You can walk from Rawai Beach and from Cape Pomtep. The distance from the cape to Yanui Beach is 900 meters.
The road from Promthep Cape to Yanui Beach is one of the most picturesque in Phuket. Approaching the beach, beautiful views open up to the eye.
Behind Yanui Beach there is an observation deck Windmill (Windmill view point), from which you can see Yanui Beach, part of Nai Harn Beach and the surrounding area.
Also, further, you can walk to Nai Harn Beach. The distance is 2.5 kilometers. Near Nai Harn Beach, you will need to make a small detour, skirting part of the lake.
Karon, Kata and Kata Noi beaches
The Phuket Town - Karon - Kata bus runs to Karon and Kata Beaches.
From Kata Beach to Kata Noi Beach is just 900 meters away. The path runs along the side of the carriageway. This road is very popular among hikers, as some vacationers on the beaches of Kata and Karon go swimming on the beach of Kata Noi.
From Karon to Kata beach is about 2 kilometers. The path passes through the mini-golf Dino Park (Dino Park Mini Golf). The road is convenient, passes near cafes, shops and hotels.
Advantages of walking routes in Phuket
1. Stay in interesting places, noticing and discovering something new and unusual. These may be small locations that offer beautiful panoramas of beaches and surroundings. Or, along the way, admire the flora and fauna of those mysterious places. And then, sit down in one of the cafes along the way and drink a refreshing cocktail or shake, admiring nature and relaxing from the hustle and bustle of Phuket beach life.
2. And, most importantly, hiking is good for health, and also brings peace of mind and harmony.
Disadvantages of walking routes in Phuket
Of the minuses, we see only one, and that which for someone will be a minus, and for someone it is not - to walk several kilometers in the heat, sometimes under direct sunlight.
All accommodation facilities in Phuket (hotels, villas, houses, apartments), both near beaches and more remotely from those, can be viewed and booked here
