Phuket 3 days itinerary — How to spend 3 days in Phuket & what to do in Phuket in 3 days?

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with an area of ​​540km2 and is known as the tourist paradise and most popular destination in Thailand. Here, you can enjoy the most beautiful white sand beaches, clear blue sea, imerging yourself into the vibrant life of the city, from the bustling shopping malls and vibrant night markets filled with delicious food to the Bangla walking street full of bars, live music, beautiful transgender girls (lady-boys)… So, 3 days in Phuket is enough and what to do in Phuket in 3 days? Let’s check it out our suggested Phuket 3 days itinerary (Phuket itinerary 3 days 2 nights, 3 days in Phuket suggested itineraries, 3d2n Phuket itinerary, Phuket 3 days 2 night itinerary blog) to find out the answer including all things you need to know before start your trip!

Phuket 3 days itinerary: Before you go

Time zone & Temperature

Thailand shares the same time zone with Vietnam. The typical tropical climate is divided into 2 main seasons: dry season and rainy season, with hot temperature all year round with an average of 26–36 degrees Celsius. Except for a few areas that are affected by monsoons and high up in the north of Thailand, it will be colder than usual.

Best time to go to Phuket

November – April: This is the peak tourist season, the weather is ideal for activities on the beach, such as swimming and kayaking, island hopping in Phuket.

May – October: Monsoon, occasional heavy rain and rough seas. The most rainy time is from September to October, you should avoid it. I visit Phuket in August, it sometimes rains, which is quite inconvenient to move, the sea water is not as clear as a sunny day, but overall the trip is still going well.

4G Sim Card Thailand

4G Sim in Thailand is one of the Sim types that I find the cheapest and the service is also the best. The price is only 149 Baht (~$4.79) with 10GB data for 7 days of use and 15 minutes for free domestic calls, the internet speed is very fast. You can find Dtac counter on the right hand side of Phuket Airport exit gate.

4G SIM Card (TH Pick Up) for Thailand

In addition, you can also buy 4G Sim card on Klook for only $4.33 and can be use unlimited data for 8 days. However, please note that you will need to purchase the voucher before 24 hours in advance. Because I did not pay attention to buy it first, I had to buy the above one at the airport which is a bit more expensive.

4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)

Money exchange

Ideally, you should exchange from VND to Thai Baht in Vietnam, the exchange rate is not much different from USD to Baht. In Hanoi, you can go to Quoc Trinh at 27 Ha Trung street, in Saigon (HCMC), I changed at Kim Hung jewelry shop at 209 Pham Van Hai street.

When I went, I brought 15,000,000 VND ($650)/3 people for 5 days traveling (3 days in Phuket + 2 days in Bangkok) –> about 19,000 Thai baht (the exchange rate: 1 baht = 762 VND/August, 2019).

3 days in Phuket: How to get to Phuket?

From Hanoi / HCM (Vietnam) – Phuket (Thailand)

From Ho Chi Minh City, there is currently a direct flight to Phuket by Vietjet Air, extremely convenient without transit in Bangkok, only about $113 / round trip ticket, flight time around 2 hours. But if you depart from Hanoi will still have to transit, you can buy tickets to Bangkok to play first. Then fly from Bangkok to Phuket with some domestic low-cost airlines of Thailand such as Nok Air, Air Asia, Lion Air …

Getting from Phuket International Airport to the city center

Phuket International Airport is quite far from the city center, about 40 km. Because I traveled with my large famiy, so we rented a taxi to make it easy to travel, and saving money when sharing the traveling cost.

Private transfer service: I booked the airport transfer service on Klook to be assured of the price, do not worry about overcharge. Klook sometimes has discount codes for their transfer services, so I often book their transfer services. Right the outside the arrival hall of the airport, there is a pick up board, waiting about 15-20 minutes to get on the private car.

[FLASH SALE 5%] Private Phuket Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket and Other Areas by Oriental Holiday

Mini Bus: Alternatively, you can rent a Mini Bus to get to the city center, the price ranges from 180 Baht – 200 Baht (depending on the area).

Getting around Phuket

There are 4 most popular modes of transportation in Phuket: Taxi, Songthaew, Tuk-tuk or self-drive motorbike rental.

Taxi (Grab): In Phuket, the driver drives in reverse compared to Vietnam + the winding road and mountain pass + my family include a 2-year-old child and the elderly, so the most feasible option is to take a taxi. I call Grab, the price is more expensive than in Vietnam but acceptable.

Motorbike rental: If you traveling with a young group, likes to explore a little bit of adventure, renting a motorbike to self-drive is the best. The price is quite cheap, only 200 – 300 Baht / 1 day / depending on the type of motorbike. Freely to explore everywhere on the island.

Phuket 3 days 2 night itinerary blog: Where to stay in Phuket?

In Phuket, there are two areas that many visitors rent hotels to stay: Patong and Old Phuket Town. Patong has many large shopping malls, Bangla vibrant and bustling walking street, beach, night market suitable for young tourists or entertainment … And the old town is about 15km far from Patong, with many cafes and restaurants are decorated with local colors, suitable for those who love live slowly, like to explore culture – history.

The hotel I rented in Patong is Amici Miei (Agoda.com or Booking.com), a small and beautiful and convenient to travel, just a few steps away from Banzaan night market, a 15–minute walk from Bangla Street – Jungceylon shopping district and the beach with the reasonable room rate is only about $18-$20 / double room, from $25/triple room. The thing I am most impressed here is that the free breakfast included in the room rate is extremely delicious. Normally, in other places only have a few things, but here, there are also menus for guests to choose. The last day I had to fly early to Bangkok, but the hotel was still very thoughtful prepare for my breakfast to take away. Score 10 for service quality.

Read more: Where to stay in Phuket? — Top 10 best areas to stay in Phuket.

Below are some best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

The Marina Phuket Hotel: 4-star hotel with room rates from $31/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

La Vintage Resort (Former Poppa Palace Hotel): 3-star hotel with room rates from $23/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Banthai Beach Resort & Spa: 4-star hotel with room rates from $58/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Burasari Resort: 4-star hotel with room rates from $64/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Amari Phuket: 4-star hotel with room rates from $125/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Katathani Phuket Beach Resort: 5-star hotel with room rates from $104/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, 5-star hotel with room rates from $61/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Chanalai Garden Resort, Kata Beach, Phuket: 4-star hotel with room rates from $41/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

The Shore At Katathani: 4-star hotel with room rates from $367/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Mandarava Resort and Spa: 5-star hotel with room rates from $93/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Agoda, Booking)
• The Marina Phuket Hotel (Agoda, Booking)
• Avista Grande Phuket Karon – MGallery Hotel Collection (Agoda, Booking)
• Holiday Inn Resort Phuket, an IHG Hotel (Agoda, Booking)
• Grand Mercure Phuket Patong (Agoda, Booking)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort (SHA Extra Plus Certified) (Agoda, Booking)
• Mandarava Resort and Spa (Agoda, Booking)

You can also find, check rates, availability & booking for Phuket hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com.

Below is the detailed Phuket itinerary for 3 days.

What to do in Phuket in 3 days? — Day 1

We moved from Phuket International Airport to the city center by booking a private car in advance on Klook as mentioned above. Getting to the hotel to rest. If you booking hotel in Patong area, I recommend you to try eating at the budget restaurant SAK Seafood (Address: 74/38 ซ บัน ซ้า น ต, Nanai Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand), near Amici Miei Hotel I stayed – Selling Thai food like Tom Yum, Thai seafood noodles, Pad Thai … very delicious. Price only from 80 Baht – 150 Baht.

Old Phuket Town

An area containing many unique cultural and historical features, located in the center of Phuket Island. The main streets of Old Phuket Town are Thalang, Phang Nga, Krabi, Dibuk and Yaowarat, with a typical architectural style blending between China and Portugal. If you are a shopping lover, handicrafts, clothes, jewelry or simply find an art cafe, this is the paradise for you.

Phuket Weekend Night Market

There are many night markets in Phuket, but the biggest and most scale night market is the weekend market which is only held at 16:00 – 23:00 from Friday – Sunday, which is a place you cannot miss. Hundreds of food stalls, clothes, shoes … with extremely reasonable prices, along with many entertainment activities such as traditional dancing or street art performances are available here.

Phuket itinerary 3 days 2 nights — Day 2

Koh Phi Phi Island

The tour to Koh Phi Phi Island I bought from Klook costs $49, with a discount code of $12.98, so it reduces to $203 for 5 people. You can getting to this island from Phuket or Krabi. The tour fee includes a light breakfast with cookies, toast, tea and coffee. After pick up at hotel at 7:30AM, we arrive at the gathering place, the guide will introduces basic information about the tour itinerary.

Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Tour in Phuket

Getting from the shore to the island is quite far, it takes more than 1 hour by boat. In August, the sea was rough, so it was like playing a roller coaster, visitors were often bounced in the cabin:)). I used to take a tour in El Nido – Philippines, I must admit that the sea and islands in the Philippines are the most beautiful in the Southeast Asia. The tours in El Nido also take longer bathing and diving, much more satisfying than in Koh Phi Phi. The islands in Thailand are not as beautiful, but I always have feeling pleasant because the service is very good, the service is offered from A–Z.

This tour goes through Koh Phi Phi Island, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, and Koh Yao Yai Island.

At 4:30PM, the tour ends, we return to the meeting point. Mini Bus take my whole family to the hotel.

Banzaan Night Market (Banzaan Fresh Market)

This is the night market I like to go the most because of the variety, many delicious and cheap dishes. Full of fresh seafood and grilled food. In addition, there are quite delicious desserts such as ice cream, black jelly milk tea, smoothies …

Bangla Walking Street

It is a gathering street of bars, adult clubs, live music, gaming area, massage, hotel …. It can be said that Bangla night street is the most bustling place at night in Patong, Phuket. Walking all the way about 1km of this street is to Patong beach – which is best known as the sexxx tourist paradise. Here, girls talk and invite wine on the street to lure guests.

3 days in Phuket suggested itineraries — Day 3

Shopping at the Jungceylon Shopping Mall

This complex includes many buildings, shops, eateries, foreign brands, even hotel … extremely large, you can spend all day here. It’s suitable for dining, have fun, shopping, buying gifts for the family. My like the most is Thailand soap fruit with variety of fragrance, the price is also cheap, only 100 Baht for 3 soap bars.

Patong Beach

Going to the end of Bangla street is to Patong beach. The coast is gentle, stretching with fine white sand. There are many fun activities, water sports here such as parachuting, jet skiing, surfing, water motorbike … Walking along the beach and swimming is also not a bad idea.

Read more: Patong beach reviews — The fullest guide for a trip to Patong beach Phuket, Thailand.

Malin Plaza Patong

We go to Malin Plaza for dinner. This is another night food market near Patong Beach, open from 14:00-24:00 every day. The market selling many delicious grilled food and fresh seafood, but the dessert is not as diverse as in Banzaan Fresh Market.

Fish massage

Almost night markets in Phuket offer this service. Price 100 Baht / time / 15 minutes – A reasonable price to experience the strange feeling. My first impression is sad and indescribably itchy because dozens of sea fish cling my legs and eat dead skin cells.

The next day, our family of 6 people flew to Bangkok and spent two more days for playing and shopping before returning to Vietnam. The post about Bangkok I will update in another blog! See ya!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Phuket you can refer to

• (All Areas Inclusive) Private Phuket International Airport Transfers (HKT) for Phuket by Thai Rhythm
• Private Transfers for Phuket City and Surrounding Attractions
• Private City Transfers between Phuket and Nearby Cities
• Shared Van Transfer from Phuket International Airport (HKT) to Phuket
• Phuket City Sightseeing Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Full Day Tour
• Phuket Adventure Day Tour
• Phuket City Introduction Half Day Tour
• Phuket Custom Tour: Racha Island, Phi Phi Island, Phuket Fantasea, Dolphin Show, and More
• Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Tour in Phuket
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G SIM Card (BKK Airport Pick Up) for Thailand (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand

Are you finding more top things to do in Phuket? Read more: The fullest Phuket travel guide And let’s check it out here.