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Driving in Phuket is an experience in itself. This is a wonderful way to experience and see the amazing views of the island and an excellent opportunity to enjoy direct encounters with locals and with nature itself. At the same time, and as many will testify, driving in Phuket is not for the faint of heart! If you plan to drive a car around the island or maybe a motorbike, make sure you have an international driver's license and travel insurance. The travel insurance will provide you with the required coverage for your trip or vacation and will be at your disposal if, God forbid, you need medical attention following an injury while driving. It is not meant that you should be "with your hand on the pulse" and be afraid of every turn or turn, but you are required to be extremely careful, especially if this is your first visit to beautiful Thailand.
Renting a car in Phuket is a solution that can be suitable, but in practice not many are (relatively) the travelers and vacationers who choose to do so. Others prefer the possibility of renting a motorcycle, with which they can cover distances (which are not so great, as you can guess, because it is an island) and get to wherever they want. The decision of what to choose - a motorcycle or a car depends on many parameters, driving experience, the type of vehicle, the desire to experience the environment and itself up close, and also the budget.
A car, compared to a motorcycle, allows safer driving around the island, but the cost of renting it will be high. A motorcycle is only suitable for those with experience, yes Phuket It is definitely not the place to learn to ride this tool, and you have to make sure to wear a helmet and obey all the rules throughout the ride. Both cars and motorcycles are rented to drivers with empty gas tanks. Before setting off, check the gas gauge and look for a nearby gas station. There are quite a few gas stations throughout the island, except in Patong, where there is only one, located in the northern part. You can purchase bottles with fuel in local stores and at various suppliers, which you will find "on the road".
In Phuket, like elsewhere in Thailand, drive on the left side of the road. Most of the road signs you will see along the way are written in English and the local language. Speed limits around the island vary as in most countries, with built-up areas allowed to drive at a speed of 60 km/h and on main roads up to 120 km/h. When driving, you will find that local drivers hardly pay attention to the speed limits and usually drive at one speed (the one that suits them...). Although many Thai drivers are considered experienced drivers, they can be unpredictable. They take up lanes, zigzag and sometimes drive impolitely. Expect the unexpected while driving and be alert all the time!
The main roads in Phuket are considered good and relatively quiet, most of them are fast and some of them are steep. The legal age for driving a car in Phuket is 18, although riding a motorcycle up to 110 cc is allowed from the age of 15 and motorcycles over 110 cc are allowed from the age of 18 onwards. When driving, it is mandatory to have a valid driver's license from that country, as well as an international driver's license or a Thai driver's license (for those who have one). If you plan to rent a car or motorcycle and you do not have a valid international driver's license, and God forbid you were involved in a car accident, your insurance policy will not be valid. This is also true in cases where you get on the road under the influence of alcohol.
Driving in Phuket during the day is possible and not that difficult. But, at night can be especially challenging, especially when it rains. During the day it is easy to navigate the island and find different landmarks. This can be done using GPS or popular and well-known navigation software. At night, when the roads are wet and slippery, combined with dim streets, it becomes more complicated.
Renting a car in Phuket is, as mentioned, a great way to experience the island and its surroundings. Finding a car rental company can be a simple and hassle-free task if you follow a few basic rules. The recommendation is to pre-order a vehicle from a recognized and respected international brand to avoid unexpected and unpleasant surprises. You should also take care of renting the car already at the airport in Phuket (for those who arrive by direct flight) and thus set off without unnecessary worries and continue an enjoyable journey to the destination.
Choosing an international brand, a recognized and well-known car rental company is a highly recommended solution for several reasons. First, such an order guarantees you that the vehicle you are interested in will be available (or that the chance of it will be very high). If you arrive in Phuket during the off-season, you will have no problem finding available cars for rent, but if you arrive during the peak of the tourist season, and especially around Christmas and New Year's Eve, you will have difficulty finding available cars if you did not book in advance and will be forced to compromise and choose much more expensive models from your budget. You may also need to contact several car agencies to find a car for the dates that are relevant to you, which often happens when you want to rent a car for long periods. Also in regards to insurance, if something happened to you or to the car you were driving, it will be much easier for you to move forward with the insurance claim when you rent a car through a recognized and well-known company and not from a small and unknown company.
At the Phuket airport you will find representatives of some of the best known car rental companies. Like: AVIS, Hertz, Budget and more. If you are unsure who to contact, conduct a market survey through the companies' websites and price comparison websites and check what the options are. Make sure, as mentioned, to do this in advance to find the most affordable price and also the vehicle model that suits you.