We are used to delegating part of our lives to a smartphone, and in an unfamiliar environment this is even more relevant. Where to order a taxi and the most delicious tom yum, how to find out about tides at your favorite beach, where to check the weather — we explain below.
Taxi
There are two ways to get a taxi in Phuket — catch one on the street (whether a tuk-tuk or a classic taxi) or use an app.
Street taxi drivers often change the terms mid-ride. They have a hobby: watching the surprised faces of tourists after announcing the final price for the trip. It’s better to rely on trusted apps and save your nerves.
We recommend three apps — InDrive, Bolt, and Maxim. In all three, you can order both a car and a motorbike taxi. You can register in these apps using your home country phone number, and then link a card for payment or pay in cash.
InDrive
Download: App Store | Google Play
In InDrive, you decide who to ride with and for how much. You enter your destination, see a suggested price, and drivers offer their own options. You compare the cost, car model, and rating, and choose what suits you best. You can also call a courier here to send a package or arrange food delivery.
Bolt
Download: App Store | Google Play
The Bolt app has a useful feature for scheduling a ride in advance for a specific date and time. This is especially relevant if you have an early morning flight. No last-minute panic — just book a car in advance and sleep peacefully. The vehicle categories are simple: a standard car is for up to 4 people, XL is for a group of up to 6, and if you’re traveling with the whole family and luggage, choose a Van for 8 passengers. You can also order groceries and food through a courier in Bolt.
Maxim
Download: App Store | Google Play
What’s interesting about the Maxim taxi app: those who are especially budget-conscious can choose the “Woman driver” option — mothers with children like it, and the price is no different from the others. The available categories also include Car (standard vehicle), Car+ (a higher-comfort car), and Car Premium (a large vehicle with an engine power of 120 kW or more).
You can also order food through Maxim. In the “Delivery” section, you simply write what you need to buy, and the courier will go to the nearest store and bring everything to the desired location. Simple and convenient.
Food delivery - Grab
Download: App Store | Google Play
When you feel too lazy to leave the hotel, you’ll remember this app. GRAB FOOD is a subsidiary of a taxi service responsible for your delicious life. You can order food from expensive restaurants or budget street stalls — there are options for every budget. Places are sorted by distance, cuisine, or minimum order amount. There are nice extras like additional pizza toppings, and the especially cautious can specify special preferences for a dish (for those who aren’t ready for “spicy”). And if you need everyday items — soap, cat food, bananas — they’ll be delivered from nearby stores.
Cheap flights around Asia – AirAsia Move
Download: App Store | Google Play
Why not diversify Phuket with nearby Asian countries? Treat yourself to a new adventure, and check out affordable tickets in the AirAsia app. It’s like a local Aviasales.
Moreover, from Phuket you can really fly cheaply and quickly to other interesting destinations. We recommend Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. And if you want to visit these destinations as an all-in-one package, check out the “Excursions” section of this website.
Marketplace – Lazada
Download: App Store | Google Play
You can cover your essential shopping needs on the local marketplace Lazada. You’ll find everything here: household appliances, a T-shirt for 20 baht, luxury clothing, toys, and much more from Thai and international brands. You can also find products not typical for Thailand, such as buckwheat, seeds, dried snacks, or Doshirak. Orders are delivered by courier to your hotel, home, or condo.
Navigation – Google Maps
Download: App Store | Google Play
A map is your main helper in an unfamiliar area. The most reliable way to navigate will save all wanderers — in Phuket, that’s Google Maps. It’s intuitive and reliable, guiding you even along the island’s most hidden paths. Plus, it shows reviews and photos of places.
In most of the places we mention in this guide, the location is marked on Google Maps.
Weather - Windy
Download: App Store | Google Play
The weather in a tropical climate can be quite unpredictable, and sometimes it’s better to be prepared before going outside (hello, raincoat in the low season). You can check an accurate forecast in the Windy app. We recommend looking at weather layers such as: air temperature, precipitation, wind, and if you plan to ride the waves on a surfboard, you can check wave height in the “Waves” layer. This layer is also extremely important for anyone going out to sea, whether for fishing or excursions.
Tides
Download: App Store | Google Play
On some beaches, tides are very pronounced. For example, at certain beaches, you can only swim during high tide. To avoid arriving at the sea in vain, it’s worth installing the “Tides” app.
And don't forget that you can discover the best activities and entertainment on Phuket through the relevant sections on our website — Phuket Event Schedule (where we regularly post about the most exciting parties, gourmet dinners, festivals, etc.), Entertainment, and Excursions.
And one more incredibly useful source of information in Phuket – our free Telegram bot: https://t.me/phuket_insider_bot. There you’ll find all the essential locations on the island and can submit requests for housing rentals, transportation, visa services, excursions, and much more.
The best deals from our partners — car rentals, currency exchange, cafes and restaurants, elephant sanctuaries, amusement parks, and much more — can be found in the Insider Discounts section.