Roads
01
Use U-turn slots, not right turns
On divided roads such as Route 402 you often cannot turn right. Drive past your turning and use the next marked U-turn gap.
Car rental in Phuket
Phuket Island · compare suppliers, pick-up points and local driving tips.
5–65 min from HKT
0–50 km
12 suppliers
4 local tips
Search car rental in Phuket
Total price upfrontInsurance, taxes and fees shown before you pay.
12 suppliers comparedInternational brands and trusted Thai firms.
Desk on your voucherClear meeting point for every booking.
Support by phone+66 2 026 1258
Renting a car in Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's largest island – about 48 km from north to south – and it is joined to the mainland by the Sarasin and Thao Thep Kasattri bridges. A car lets you hop between west-coast beaches, the Old Town and the viewpoints in the south without waiting for taxis or haggling over fares.
Pick-up points in Phuket
Phuket International Airport (HKT)
Main pick-up point – rental desks in the Domestic Terminal arrivals hall.
Directions on OpenStreetMap
Main pick-up point – rental desks in the Domestic Terminal arrivals hall.
Directions on OpenStreetMap
Quick facts: Phuket
| From Phuket Airport | 0–50 km / 5–65 min |
|---|---|
| Region | Phuket Island |
| Main pick-up | Phuket International Airport (HKT) |
| Pick-up points | 2 |
| Suppliers | 12 |
| Drive on | The left |
| Tourist Police | 1155 |
Getting there
Driving from Phuket Airport to Phuket
5–65 min
0–50 km · approx., in light traffic
Route 402 runs south from the airport junction through Thalang to Phuket Town; Route 4029 crosses the hill to Patong.
Add 20–30 minutes at rush hour or in heavy rain.
Places worth the drive
Promthep CapeThe island's southern tip and its most famous sunset spot.
Big BuddhaA 45 m marble Buddha on Nakkerd Hill with views over Chalong Bay.
Karon ViewpointThree bays – Kata Noi, Kata and Karon – from one lookout.
Sirinat National ParkQuiet, tree-lined beaches at Nai Yang and Mai Khao, minutes from the airport.
Local driving tips
Local tips for Phuket
What locals know and rental desks rarely tell you – read these before you drive in Phuket.
Roads
02
Low gear on the hills
The roads over Patong Hill and up to the Big Buddha are steep and twisty. Use a low gear going down instead of riding the brakes.
Safety
03
Watch for scooters on both sides
Scooters pass on the left and the right. Check your mirrors every time before you turn or change lane.
Parking
04
Red-and-white kerbs mean no parking
Park only where the kerb is unpainted or in paid lots. Parking on red-and-white kerbs can get your car clamped or towed.
Car rental deals
Today's best deals in Phuket
Indicative "from" prices from recent searches (checked 14 October 2026). Prices in Phuket can differ – search your dates for live prices.
Economy
Toyota Yaris or similarfromTHB 704/ day
- 5 seats, 2 bags
- Free cancellation
- Unlimited mileage
Compact
Toyota Vios or similarfromTHB 868/ day
- 4 seats, 1 bags
- Couples, small families, business travelers,
- Comfortable for city driving and longer island
Full size
Toyota Hilux or similarfromTHB 677/ day
- 5 seats, 5 doors
- Diesel
- Families, outdoor trips & extra cargo
SUV
Honda HR-V or similarfromTHB 955/ day
- 5 seats, 5 doors
- Families & comfortable road trips
- Comfortable ride and good fuel efficiency
Van/Minivan
Mitsubishi Xpander or similarfromTHB 1,248/ day
- 7 seat, 5 doors
- Crossover MPV
- Spacious three-row cabin designed for family use
Luxury
BMW 3 Series or similarfromTHB 1,352/ day
- 5 Seats, 3 luggage
- Business trips and premium travel
- Plug-in Hybrid
Suppliers
Compare rental companies in Phuket
International brands and Thai companies side by side – with the rental desk address and customer score for each.
| Supplier | Type | Rental desk address | Good for | Customer score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Travellers who want a familiar international brand | Details | ||
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Business travellers and loyalty-programme members | Details | ||
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Good price with an international brand | Details | ||
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hall, 1st floor – orange counter (returns at gate 3)Phuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Late-evening arrivals (desk open to midnight) | Details | ||
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | European travellers who know the brand | Details | ||
| Value brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Lower prices with a big-group backup | Details | ||
| Value brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Lowest price on a known brand | Details | ||
| International brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, ground floor – next to the exit between doors 1 and 2Phuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Daytime arrivals | Details | ||
| Thai company | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Good value for money (high value score) | Details | ||
| Thai company | Phuket Airport – Arrivals hall – desk or meet & greet with a name signPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Tight budgets | Details | ||
| Value brand | Phuket Airport – Arrivals hall – desk or meet & greet (local partner)Phuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Low prices with group backing | Details | ||
| Value brand | Phuket Airport – Domestic Terminal, arrivals hallPhuket International Airport (HKT), 222 Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand | Smooth pick-up and drop-off (score 9.8) | Details |
Scores: VIP Cars customer ratings out of 10. Your booking voucher always shows the exact desk or meeting point. Suppliers shown usually appear in our search for this area – availability changes with your dates.
Car types
Choose the right car for your trip in Phuket
Prices are indicative daily rates from recent searches and change with season and demand. Models are examples – you get a car from the same group.
One Way Routes
One-Way Car Rental From Phuket
Pick up in Phuket and drop the car at an airport in southern Thailand – no need to drive back. The one-way fee (drop charge) is included in the price you see when you search.
- Drop-off at the destination airport
- One-way fee shown upfront
- Offered mainly by larger suppliers
Phuket Krabi
Pick up in Phuket, drive to Krabi and drop the car at Krabi Airport (KBV) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Ao Nang, Railay & island hopping
fromTHB 750/ day + one-way fee
Phuket Surat Thani
Pick up in Phuket, drive to Surat Thani and drop the car at Surat Thani Airport (URT) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Khao Sok & the Samui ferries
fromTHB 798/ day + one-way fee
Phuket Trang
Pick up in Phuket, drive to Trang and drop the car at Trang Airport (TST) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Koh Mook, Koh Kradan & Pak Meng
fromTHB 842/ day + one-way fee
Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat
Pick up in Phuket, drive to Nakhon Si Thammarat and drop the car at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Temples, culture & Khao Luang
fromTHB 867/ day + one-way fee
Phuket Hat Yai
Pick up in Phuket, drive to Hat Yai and drop the car at Hat Yai Airport (HDY) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Songkhla & the deep south
fromTHB 916/ day + one-way fee
Approximate distances and drive times in light traffic. "From" price = lowest Economy daily rate seen for each route (checked 14 October 2026); the one-way fee is added in your search. Availability depends on the supplier and your dates.
Help
Questions about renting in Phuket
About 0–50 km, or 5–65 min by car in light traffic. Route 402 runs south from the airport junction through Thalang to Phuket Town; Route 4029 crosses the hill to Patong.
Common pick-up points are: Phuket International Airport (HKT), Phuket Town. Your voucher shows the exact desk or meeting point.
Suppliers that usually appear in our search here include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, Thrifty, Dollar, National, Thai Rent a Car, Chic Car Rent, Keddy by Europcar, Payless Car Rental. Availability changes with your dates.
Use U-turn slots, not right turns: On divided roads such as Route 402 you often cannot turn right. Drive past your turning and use the next marked U-turn gap. See all local driving tips.
Recent searches start from about THB 704 a day for an economy car. Prices change with the season – they are highest from mid-December to February and lowest in September and October.
Yes, one-way rentals are possible – for example to Krabi Airport (KBV), Surat Thani Airport (URT), Trang Airport (TST). The one-way fee is included in the total price you see when you search.
Popular drives include Promthep Cape, Big Buddha, Karon Viewpoint. See the highlights above for details.
With most licences from outside ASEAN, yes. Carry an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva type) with your national licence – rental desks and police can ask for both.
Travel guides
Related guides for Phuket
Researched guides for driving in and around Phuket.
Ready to compare prices for Phuket?
Free cancellation on most bookings and the full price shown upfront.
