Looking to Book Phuket (Kata)

[Tuvra]

Hi all.

Having trauled the internet looking for interesting far away holidays, we have settled on Phuket and Kata in particular. We are a young couple (24 & 22) who are looking for a relaxing holiday with the odd wild night out. The plan is to use our hotel in Kata as a base and get out & about and see the sites. I have a few questions:

• How much do Tuk Tuk's/ Taxis cost on average? I heard 50% of what they originally ask for is the target?
• Anyone know the distance between Kata & Patong and best way to travel at night (whilst under the influence?)
• Thing we must see and how do we see them?
• Alchol / Meal prices?
• Vehicle hire? Is it an option, how much?
• Anything Else I should know etc before travelling?

Thanks in advance

[Jackleman]

Looking at the map, the distance between Kata and Patong looks around 5 - 7 miles. I normally pay around 400 Baht from the airport to Mai Khao which is a similar distance. You should definitely haggle on price for taxis.

[anonymous-user]

Ther are reguler Tuk Tuks from Kata to Patong, so you can pay a tacket price, if you get a private one 50% of asking is a good finishing point, buit things have changed and the sarting price nthese days is more realistic than it was. A Thai will get abetter price than you, a lot of Tuk Tuks won't want ajourney that long at night.
Kata is the next bay and about 5 miles over the headland.
Not much to see in Phucket it is beach resort, Phucket Fantasy is a good show
Alchol and food price depends on where you are, always ask the price of beer in a bar before buying, and you wont be ripped off, don;t ask and they can charge what they like.
Don't drive in Phucket fist time, and don't hire off the beach, if you must drive get from the airport, I wouldn't bother taxi's are cheap, have an accident and your in trouble. Having said that I drive there all the time, but I take my own car. Don't know what a car cost but the last fireblade I hired was 10 pounds a day.
Other things.
Why are you going to Kata? the south end of Patong or away from Bangla road is OK to stay.
If you go to a tailor do not get a 24 hour deal, get a few fittings and you will be OK.

[Tuvra]

Thanks for the help guys.

I am aware its a beach island, its basically what im looking for, I wish to visit as many beaches etc as possible and was wondering is a car the best way to travel around them during the day? I expect hire prices and petrol are pretty reasonable? Maybe even Mopeds are an option?

I have chosen Kata because the highly recommended "Boomerange Village" is situated there (trip advisor), its exactly what we are looking for and its so cheap it would be rude not too. Actually after looking round trip advisor for hotels, there seems to be alot of good value hotels! Much better value (better rated hotels) if you cut out the tour operator it appears! The Royal Phawadee seems right up there!

What do you mean by tailor? For a suit or authentic Thai Dress? is there any particular reason why I should consider a Tailor here? Are they high quality/value for money or am I being ignorant/naive?

[Matt_N]

We stayed at Karon beach when we went a few years ago.

I'd stick with Tuk Tuks and taxi's, they were so cheap that it's not worth hiring a car in my opinion. We took a taxi from our hotel to Phuket town, we had a wander round, had some food, were there for a few hours and the taxi driver waited for us then took us back to the hotel, it was 1200baht (£22ish back then I think) iirc.

We did go to Patong, it was too busy for our liking and were much happier chilling on the beach with a cold Singha and getting food locally.

Phuket is full of tailors, all of them wanting your business, I had a suit, 3 shirts and a jacket for the missus made up for around £160. The suit is still in lovely condition now and the fit, being made to measure is very good. I'm not that into suits and did it as more of an experience of having it all made for me.

Plenty of things to do during the day, if you want to venture away from the beach, most of the Tuk Tuk drivers will take you to the nice viewpoints, Wats (Bhuddist temples), boat trips etc.

[anonymous-user]

Yes a tailer for clothes, it is cheap. I know a family in the UK where husband and wife work and need business suits, they 'pay' for a week in Phucket every year by buying their business clothes and getting the kids school uniforms made there, so much cheaper than UK.
But you need to be carefull no 24 hour deal get a fitting and buy good clothes.
My wife takes the Armani type catloges with her and gets some great stuff made.
One thing do not hire a car or a bike of the beach front, it is cheap but they will hold your passport, and there are many cases of unresonable repair cost.
Any of the big three beaches in Phucket are fine Patong, Karon or Kata, especially if you've never been, you wil love it. I'm a bit of a sinic, as I can get there so easy and been so many times, hotels are great value, and as you say avoid the agents, book direct.
Krabbie is great, Ao Nang, about two hours from Pucket by car, Beach Terrece at Ao Nang is good 20 pounds a night B and B for two people.
Driving in Thailand is an experience, but you need to understand the rules, like biggest has right of way, there is loads of drinking and driving, road surface is awfull, low friction, etc, not worth it for two weeks or so.