Travel guides › Phuket

3 nights in Phuket: Which island scenery will you make the centerpiece of your trip?

A suits travelers who want to visit southern temples and beaches before watching the sunset. B is for travelers interested in Old Town architecture, the Sunday market, and a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. Phuket has no urban rail or subway, so get around by Grab, Bolt, taxi, songthaew, or Smart Bus. Patong, Kata, Karon, and Old Town are about 20–40 minutes apart by car, so try to group each day’s activities in one area.

3 Nights, 4 Days A | Southern Temples, the Sea, and an Island Tour

After heading from the airport to your west coast accommodation, visit temples and viewpoints in the south, then discover Phuket’s waters with a Phi Phi Islands day trip and some beach time.

Day 1 | Airport to Patong: Beach and Nightlife

  1. Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Patong accommodation

    An official limousine sedan takes about 45–60 minutes from the airport to Patong and costs 800 baht. The Smart Bus runs from the airport along the west coast beaches and costs 100 baht one way. Drop off your bags, relax at Patong Beach, then have dinner at Grandma Homemade Thai Food or enjoy the night view from Kee Sky Lounge.

  2. Patong Beach → Patong bars and pubs

    You can explore the central beach area on foot. After dinner, enjoy live music and nightlife at Roots Rock Reggae Bar & Shop or Wave Club Phuket.

Day 2 | Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and Sunset at the Southern Tip

  1. Patong → Big Buddha Phuket (Wat Kittisangharam) · วัดกิตติสังฆาราม (พระใหญ่)

    Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the summit of Nakkerd Hill. Travel time and fare are not listed. Open daily 09:00–18:00; admission is free, and donations are optional. Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is recommended.

  2. Big Buddha → Wat Chalong (Wat Chaithararam) · วัดไชยธาราราม

    Drive to Chalong. Wat Chalong is open daily 07:00–17:00, with free admission. Remove your shoes inside the temple buildings. Enjoy lunch at Kan Eang @ Pier on the nearby southern coast.

  3. Wat Chalong → Promthep Cape · แหลมพรหมเทพ

    Drive to the cape in Rawai and watch the sunset from the rocky viewpoint and around the lighthouse. Official opening hours and admission fees are not listed. Try dinner at Nui Restaurant in Rawai.

Day 3 | Phi Phi Islands Day Trip from Rassada Pier

  1. Accommodation → Rassada Pier

    Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the pier and board your pre-booked tour or ferry. A standard-class ferry from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don takes about 2 hours and costs 650–700 baht one way for adults. Pickup and inclusions vary by tour, so check the booking details.

  2. Tonsai Pier → Around the Phi Phi Islands

    Enjoy a day tour by boat around the islands and nearby sights. The marine national park fee for foreign adults is 400 baht; check whether it is included in your tour price. Maya Bay is announced as closed every year from August 1 to September 30, so check whether it will be open on your travel dates.

  3. Rassada Pier → Patong accommodation

    Return to Phuket by boat, then take a taxi or ride-hailing car to your accommodation. Have dinner at Thum B in Patong, then wind down at Ginny’s Café & Bar.

Day 4 | Karon Viewpoint and the Airport

  1. Patong → Karon Viewpoint (Three Bay Viewpoint) · จุดชมวิวสามหาด

    Take a car or taxi to the viewpoint between Kata and Karon for views of the three beaches. Opening hours and admission fees are not listed. Enjoy lunch at Kata Sunset View Restaurant & Bar.

  2. Karon Viewpoint → Phuket International Airport (HKT)

    Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the airport. From Patong, the journey takes about 45–60 minutes; an official limousine sedan costs 800 baht. An airport limousine sedan from Kata or Karon costs 1,000 baht.

3 Nights, 4 Days A: Confirmed Admission Fees and Transport Costs (per adult)

Airport limousine to Patong 800 baht + Big Buddha free + Wat Chalong free + Phi Phi Islands national park fee 400 baht + one-way standard-class ferry from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier 650–700 baht = from 1,850–1,900 baht. Accommodation, meals, flights, island tour costs, and local transport fares that vary by itinerary are extra.

3 Nights, 4 Days B | Old Town, the Market, and the Phi Phi Islands

B starts with a day exploring Old Town’s Sino-Portuguese streets and food scene. If it’s Sunday, enjoy the Thalang Road market, then add a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands. Spend the last night in Patong before heading to the airport.

Day 1 | Airport to Old Town: A Stroll Along Thalang Road

  1. Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Phuket Old Town (Thalang Road, Soi Romanee) · เมืองเก่าภูเก็ต (ถนนถลาง, ซอยรมณีย์)

    Take airport bus 8411 to Phuket Town Bus Terminal 1 in about 1 hour 15 minutes for 100 baht, then walk or take the free Dragon Line shuttle to Old Town. An official limousine sedan to Old Town costs 650 baht. Stroll among the Sino-Portuguese buildings on Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, then take a break at Café Mem.

  2. Old Town streets → Dinner and bars and pubs

    The streets are open to explore at any time, free of charge. Try southern Thai food for dinner at Tu Kab Khao, then enjoy music and nightlife at Bebop Live Music Bar.

Day 2 | Sunday Thalang Road Market and Old Town Food

  1. Old Town → Thalang Road and Soi Romanee

    Explore the old town’s shophouses and streets on foot. On Sundays, the Sunday Walking Street market runs along Thalang Road from 16:00–22:00, with free admission. Browse the market snacks and souvenirs, then have dinner at Local Canteen Phuket.

  2. Thalang Road → Old Town live music bars

    After walking around the market, enjoy the nightlife at The Library Cocktail Club Phuket or Thunder Bar Phuket. If it’s not Sunday, take your time exploring the cafés and architecture instead of the market.

Day 3 | Phi Phi Islands Day Trip from Rassada Pier

  1. Old Town → Rassada Pier

    Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the pier and board your pre-booked tour or ferry. The standard-class ferry to Tonsai Pier on Phi Phi Don takes about 2 hours and costs 650–700 baht one way for adults. When booking, check whether hotel pickup and the national park fee are included.

  2. Tonsai Pier → Around the Phi Phi Islands

    Explore the islands and nearby sights by boat. Check whether the 400 baht marine national park fee for foreign adults is included in the tour price. Maya Bay is announced as closed every year from August 1 to September 30, so check whether it will be open on your travel dates.

  3. Rassada Pier → Old Town

    Return to Phuket by boat, then take a taxi or ride-hailing car back to Old Town. Have dinner at Kanta Phuket, then enjoy the night view from Estrella Rooftop Bar & Restaurant.

Day 4 | Relax at Patong Beach, Then Head to the Airport

  1. Old Town → Patong Beach

    Take a taxi or Grab to Patong. Grab is listed as taking about 30–40 minutes and costing 350–500 baht during off-peak hours. Relax at Patong Beach, then have lunch at Patong Sunset View Restaurant.

  2. Patong Beach → Phuket International Airport (HKT)

    An official limousine sedan to the airport takes about 45–60 minutes and costs 800 baht. The Smart Bus offers a flat fare of 100 baht to the airport. Wrap up your airport transfer before departure.

3 Nights, 4 Days B: Confirmed Admission Fees and Transport Costs (per adult)

Airport bus 100 baht + free admission to Old Town streets + free Sunday market + Phi Phi Islands national park fee 400 baht + one-way standard-class ferry from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier 650–700 baht + Patong-to-airport limousine 800 baht = from 1,950–2,000 baht. Accommodation, meals, flights, island tour costs, and local transport fares that vary by itinerary are extra.

Phuket Travel FAQ

Phuket is generally in its dry season from November to April, and rainy season from May to October. During the southwest monsoon, the west coast sea can get rough. Check the beach safety flags, and don’t swim when a red flag is flying.

FAQ

Can I include an island tour in a 3-night, 4-day Phuket itinerary?

Yes. Both A and B include a Phi Phi Islands day trip on day three. The standard-class ferry takes about 2 hours from Rassada Pier to Tonsai Pier. Check whether the 400 baht national park fee for foreign adults is included in your tour.

Does the Sunday Walking Street market open every day?

No. The Thalang Road market is open every Sunday from 16:00–22:00. On other days, explore Old Town’s streets and architecture and visit its cafés.

When is the best time to visit Phuket, and what should I check during the rainy season?

In general, November to April is the dry season, and May to October is the rainy season. During the southwest monsoon, the west coast sea can get rough. Check the beach flags, and don’t swim when a red flag is flying.

Official sources & check dates

Site updated: 2026-10-26