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Best time to visit Phuket

Short answer: December to March for dry, sunny days and calm seas. September and October for the lowest prices and quiet roads – if you don't mind tropical showers.

Jan 33°C 30 mm
Feb 34°C 24 mm
Mar 34°C 74 mm
Apr 34°C 143 mm
May 33°C 260 mm
Jun 32°C 213 mm
Jul 32°C 258 mm
Aug 32°C 287 mm
Sep 32°C 361 mm
Oct 32°C 320 mm
Nov 32°C 177 mm
Dec 32°C 72 mm
Dry season – sunny, busiest Shoulder – mixed Green season – showers, best prices
Best weatherJanuary – March: driest, calmest sea.
Lowest pricesSeptember – October: cheapest car rental.
Fewer crowdsMay – June and November: good balance.
Best for road tripsDecember – March: dry roads, clear views.

Month by month

Phuket weather, sea and driving

Average daytime / night temperatures, rainfall and rainy days per month.

January

Dry season
33° / 25°C

30 mm rain · 4 rainy days

Calm, clear

Busy roads; book early

February

Dry season
34° / 25°C

24 mm rain · 3 rainy days

Calm, great visibility

Driest month; beaches busy

March

Dry season
34° / 25°C

74 mm rain · 5 rainy days

Calm, occasional swells

Hot – great for coastal drives

April

Shoulder
34° / 26°C

143 mm rain · 11 rainy days

Mostly calm

Songkran water fights mid-April

May

Green season
33° / 26°C

260 mm rain · 21 rainy days

Waves on the west coast

Rains start; Similans close

June

Green season
32° / 26°C

213 mm rain · 19 rainy days

Rough west coast

Showers, then sunshine

July

Green season
32° / 25°C

258 mm rain · 19 rainy days

Rough west coast

Holiday traffic returns

August

Green season
32° / 25°C

287 mm rain · 19 rainy days

Strong currents

Fewer traffic jams

September

Green season
32° / 25°C

361 mm rain · 23 rainy days

Rough, strong currents

Wettest month; lowest prices

October

Green season
32° / 25°C

320 mm rain · 22 rainy days

Improving, unpredictable

Low prices; Similans reopen

November

Shoulder
32° / 25°C

177 mm rain · 16 rainy days

Calming down

High season starts

December

Dry season
32° / 24°C

72 mm rain · 8 rainy days

Calm, clear

Peak demand at Christmas

Weather figures are long-term monthly averages; real weather varies year to year.

Car rental prices

When car hire costs the most

Car rental demand follows the weather. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for the festive season; in the green season you can often book closer to your trip.

See current deals

Relative demand by month (indicative, 100 = busiest).

Festivals

Events that affect traffic and prices

Chinese New YearJanuary / February

Phuket Town celebrates; one of the busiest rental periods.

Songkran13 – 15 April

Thai New Year water festival. Expect wet roads, water fights and slow traffic.

Vegetarian FestivalSeptember / October

Processions close streets in Phuket Town – plan routes around them.

Loy KrathongNovember (full moon)

Lantern festival at beaches and lakes in the evening.

Season by season

What each season means for drivers

Rainy-season driving guide

Dry season · Dec–Mar

  • Sunny, calm sea, best for beaches
  • Busiest roads – avoid rush hours
  • Book your car 6–8 weeks ahead
  • Great time for a convertible

Shoulder · Apr & Nov

  • Hot in April, showers start in November
  • Songkran: slow, wet roads mid-April
  • Good prices, fewer crowds
  • Similan Islands open (Nov)

Green season · May–Oct

  • Short, heavy showers – drive slowly
  • Red flags on west-coast beaches
  • Lowest car rental prices
  • Quieter roads and attractions

FAQ

Best time to visit Phuket: questions

For sunshine and calm seas, January to March. February is usually the driest month. December is also lovely but the busiest and most expensive.

Roughly May to October, when the south-west monsoon brings heavy showers. September is usually the wettest month.

In the green season, especially September and October. Prices are highest from mid-December to February.

Yes, with care. Showers are heavy but short – slow down, keep your distance, avoid flooded roads and wait out the worst downpours.

As early as possible – ideally two to three months ahead. Cars sell out and prices rise sharply from mid-December to early January and around Chinese New Year.

November is the shoulder month: rain eases off, seas calm down and prices are still below peak season – a good time for a road trip.

April is one of the hottest months, with daytime highs around 34°C. It is also Songkran – fun, but roads are slow and wet during the water festival.

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