Not all tourists who come on holiday to Phuket spend time exclusively on the hotel premises. And this is absolutely correct, because there is something to see in this exotic paradise! You can get acquainted with some of the sights of Phuket by booking an excursion with SVOI TRAVEL, while others can be easily reached on your own. But for this you will need transport - public or rented. We recommend choosing the second option, since you should not expect comfort from public transport in Thailand. So, the ideal solution is to rent a car or motorbike. We have already talked about scooters. Now it’s time to get acquainted with the features of car rental in Phuket.
Where and how best to rent a car
Rent a car in Phuket via the Internet
This is the best option for those who like to play it safe and don’t want to be left without a car during their vacation. You should book a car with an international company. Their prices will be a little higher than those of local rental companies, but the safety and comfort are definitely worth it! Registration of rental online will take very little time:
• choose the car you like (most likely it will be a car from the Japanese auto industry);
• fill out the form;
• make an advance payment and print out the rental voucher.
A company representative will be waiting for you at the airport at the time you specified. To complete the transaction, you will have to provide all the necessary documents, which include a rental voucher, an international passport and a driver’s license, draw up an agreement (all reputable companies do this) and pay the remaining amount.
Now the important points from me!
There are a couple of services where I usually choose cars:
- Skyscanner;
- EconomyBookings (promotional code - ptushkin immediately gives you a 5% discount).
Monitor prices in both companies; the second service has a call center that can help if something happens.
Read the rental terms carefully. What you should pay attention to when choosing a car:
1) pay attention to mileage. Some companies limit your travel by kilometers per day, others without limits. Here look at what plans you have for this country.
2) documents. For example, in a number of Asian countries you need to have your license translated, otherwise your license will simply be taken away from you and you will be fined.
3) payment by card. Many companies only pay for the rental service online and need a card in the international visa, mastercard, maestro format. And this is exactly what you will need to take with you to make a deposit. And it must be a credit card. Check with your bank. Credit cards are not always in the international credit format. You may have to upgrade your service status and purchase a gold card or higher. Once again - a credit card is not always a credit card in the international format.
3) transfer or counter at the airport. Read the conditions for whether you will be picked up from the airport or whether there is a company counter and where. If they will pick you up and there is a transfer from the airport, be sure to indicate your phone number, name, date and flight number so that they can meet you. Often this will be their representative holding a sign with your name. I think there is no need to explain that this data should be in English!
And it’s also important that the description will indicate the company that will meet you. Often you will hire from intermediaries and will be met by a local company with a different name. See the conditions and read the reservation.
4) company reviews and ratings. Make sure the company has a good rating.
5) auto. The car that is written and depicted does not always correspond to reality. The level and characteristics are often indicated there. For example, a hybrid and Toyota is drawn, there will be another cheap hybrid. If it’s a Camry, then it’ll be a Camry-level car, like a Hyundai. Don't be afraid to rent on your own. Just read everything carefully. And if possible, insure your car if you are not confident in driving.
Rent a car at local offices
It’s not for nothing that we placed this method of renting a car in Phuket in second position, although prices in small local offices are usually lower. The whole problem is that in small companies the risk of being deceived is very high. There are many fraud schemes. Firstly, small private offices do not always have a license. If you are not offered to take out insurance when renting a car, you should be wary. It is quite possible that they are offering you a stolen car.
If you have not rented a car in Phuket online in advance, then it is best to choose the “golden mean” - a local company with a good reputation. Such offices operate absolutely officially, so there are no problems with rentals there. Prices here are average, and the car fleet is usually quite extensive.
Car rental prices and deposit amount in Phuket
The cost of renting a car on the island cannot be called astronomical. Moreover, most of the vehicles offered belong to the budget or mid-segment category. Of course, there are premium cars in Phuket too. But there are few of them, and the price for renting such cars is simply fantastic.
• Renting a Toyota Yaris will cost 1000-1700 baht per day.
• Crossovers, which are called the SUV class, will cost more – from 1900 baht per day.
• The most expensive cars on the island are convertibles. They are rented out at an unrealistically high price - 20-30 thousand baht.
As with motorbikes, rental prices vary depending on the number of days. The trend is similar - the longer the term, the lower the daily fee. Another expense item is the franchise - a security deposit that is blocked on the car renter’s card. If at the end of the rental period the car is returned to the office safe and sound and with a full tank, the unit is removed. The franchise amount in international and local companies is almost the same. The minimum deposit amount is 5,000 baht.
What else do you need to know about renting a car on the island?
• Documentation
Driving a car in Phuket is only permitted if you have an international license. Regular plastic is not enough. But this does not mean that you won’t be able to rent a car without such a document. In fact, the offices don’t care whether your rights comply with the rules or not. The police can check them, and in this case you can get a fine of 500 baht.
• Child car seats
Until 2022, it was possible to carry children in a car without a car seat. However, after the new law came into force, child car seats or booster seat cushions became mandatory. The rules apply to children under 6 years of age or up to 135 cm in height. Penalties for violations of this rule are serious. If you do not have a car seat, you will have to pay 2,000 baht.
• Travel outside of Phuket
To travel around Phuket, it is enough to take out the minimum insurance, which is valid only in this province. If you plan to travel off the island, you will need extended insurance. Rent in this case will cost more, but not much.
Driving and parking in Phuket
Traffic on the island cannot be called intense, but it has a number of features. Firstly, a large number of motorbikes that maneuver between cars and emerge from the most unexpected places. Secondly, in Thailand, traffic is on the left and you need to get used to it. Tourists and local police know that most road accidents occur because of this. Other features to note include:
• Driving along mountain serpentines after rain can be dangerous. It is best to use SUVs for this purpose;
• There are no toll roads in Phuket. There is also plenty of free parking here. As a rule, they are located near shopping centers, hotels and attractions;
• black and white markings on curbs indicate long-term parking spaces. Where there are red and white stripes on the curb, parking is prohibited.
And also, when choosing a place to park in the shade, make sure that it is not created by a coconut tree. You can believe us - a coconut falling on your car causes significant damage to it and you will have to compensate for it.
In general, renting a car in Phuket is not much different from renting a car in other countries. We are sure that you will quickly adapt to innovations and will feel absolutely happy on the island. Well, if you want to diversify your vacation, contact “SVOI TRAVEL” , and we will select an excellent excursion for you!
