Phuket is an island of eternal summer, exotic landscapes and a huge number of motorbikes. Why is this type of transport so popular here? It's simple - in conditions of very high humidity and temperatures that reach 30-35°C, getting to the beach, the nearest store or another charming attraction of Phuket is difficult, and sometimes impossible. Would you say that you can use a taxi or public transport to travel? And you will be absolutely right. But the buses and songthaews run with virtually no schedule and follow very confusing routes, and you can go broke by taking a taxi. As you can see, a motorbike is really necessary in Phuket, which means you need to rent it!
Where to rent a motorbike in Phuket
The first pleasant surprise for a tourist is a huge number of rental offices. Such competition gives a lot of advantages, since there is always a chance to find something better and cheaper.
• The easiest option is to rent a motorbike at the hotel. There may not be a rental office on site, but you can easily find the contacts of the right person at the hotel.
• The most expensive option is rental from one of the companies included in the TOP search engines. The quality of service in them may be quite ordinary, but the prices are high.
• The most correct option is word of mouth. If you have friends who like to move to Phuket for the winter, get rental contact information from them. If not, look on social networks and search engines, but be sure to study reviews.
Recently, many Russian-language rental offices have appeared on the island. This is convenient because the language barrier is removed. However, you cannot be sure that your former compatriots will not deceive you. And prices in such places are usually higher.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Phuket?
Prices for renting a motorbike in Phuket are very varied. They depend on many factors - the model of the scooter, its condition and the rental period.
Models
If you want to rent a motorbike in Thailand, then most likely you will be offered models from two of the most popular manufacturers - Yamaha and Honda. Scooters from Japanese concerns are reliable, durable and unpretentious, which means they are ideal for renting. The cheapest models are the Yamaha Fino and Honda Click 125cc. The cost of their rental will be on average 150 baht per day. The price of more powerful ones is higher - 200-300 baht/day (Yamaha GT, Honda PCX 150cc). They are best chosen by those tourists who want to travel around the tourist and non-tourist places of Phuket to their heart's content.
State
The condition greatly influences the price of renting a motorbike in Phuket. Especially if you know what to look for during inspection and know how to bargain. So, battered scooters can be rented very cheaply, i.e. for about 100 baht per day. But here it is important not to deceive ourselves. Firstly, the motorbike must be insured. Secondly, before signing the contract, ride a motorbike. If you don't like his work, refuse. Third, document any damage in a photo. This will help avoid misunderstandings when returning the scooter.
Rental periods
The most expensive thing in Phuket is to rent a motorbike in Phuket for 1 day. In addition, not all companies are ready to provide such a service, so you need to be prepared for a long search. Especially if you need a motorbike for a day in high season. Then everything is simple - the longer the period, the cheaper the rent. As practice shows, the most profitable option is to rent a motorbike for a long time from the landlord who rents out your home. In such cases, you can count on a discount of up to 40-50%.
How to rent a motorbike?
As a rule, there are no problems with renting a motorbike in Phuket. This requires a passport and a security deposit. Thais are most often not interested in whether you have a license. The fact is that there are no fines for them if they hand over a scooter to a person who does not have a license. But with the driver things are different, but let's go in order.
• The first thing to remember is that almost all rentals will require a passport. Of course, you can try to find an office that is willing to hand over a scooter without documents, but it depends on your luck.
• In Thailand, the practice is actively used when the original passport is taken as collateral. Do not give away the document under any circumstances, because anything can happen. To rent, you just need to provide a photocopy that contains all the data necessary to fill out the contract.
• Some rental companies may ask you to show your visa, but this is rare. As a rule, Thais treat tourists very well, as they are their main source of income.
• Next, discuss the price, the amount of the deposit and inspect the equipment. Record all damage and point it out to the owner of the scooter.
• The last stage is the execution of the contract. Be sure to check that it contains all the necessary information, namely, the rental period, the exact date of return of the motorbike, the price of rental and overtime, the amount of compensation in case of damage to the vehicle, the amount of the deposit, etc. Don't forget to check that the contract includes information about helmets.
What else do you need to know about renting and riding a scooter?
• Riding a motorbike in Phuket without a driver's license with an open category "A" is prohibited not only for tourists, but also for local residents. Police conduct raids frequently. At the same time, they choose crowded places, namely, areas adjacent to the beaches. The fine for driving without a license is 500 baht.
• Licenses issued within the country or of an international standard are considered valid in Thailand. If there are no international rights, then it is worth taking care of local ones as early as possible. As a rule, there are no problems with passing tests in English and driving.
• You cannot ride in Phuket without a helmet. The police stop such drivers and issue them a fine of the same 500 baht. If suddenly you are asked to pay a fine on the spot, and the amount turns out to be too high, you can bargain. Friendliness and a wide smile will help you reach an agreement.
And one more small clarification - in Thailand, traffic is on the left! According to local statistics, most tourists get into accidents because they forget about it.
As you probably already understand, a motorbike in Phuket is a useful acquisition. On it you can travel around the entire island and see the most interesting places. But a scooter will not help you get to the stunningly beautiful islands or get acquainted with the amazing history of this island. That is why we suggest contacting the SVOI TRAVEL company and booking the most interesting excursions with an experienced guide on the island and beyond!
