Phuket is Thailand at its most effortless: warm Andaman water, limestone islands a boat ride away, night markets and massage shops everywhere, and beach resorts that make the most of all-inclusive. It's long-haul from the US, but few places reward the flight quite like Thailand's biggest island does.
- Language
- Thai
- English widely used in tourist areas
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)
- cards common, cash for markets
- Power
- 230V, Type A/B/C plugs
- bring an adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Phuket International
- HKT
Where Thailand splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
Phuket
The big island with its own airport: a west coast of sandy bays, Phang Nga's limestone islands on the doorstep, and every kind of hotel from party strip to headland villa. Pick it for choice and for the easiest arrival. Patong is as loud as its reputation, so the beach you pick decides the trip.
Start with Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, five-star.
Koh Samui
The Gulf island: calmer, greener and smaller, with Chaweng's long beach on one side and coconut plantations behind. Pick it for a gentler pace and for the Angthong marine park. Its weather runs on a different calendar to the Andaman coast, wettest around November.
Start with Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, five-star.
When to go to Thailand
Climate normals for Phuket / Andaman coast, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 89 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 1.4″ | 1.2″ | 2.3″ | 4.3″ | 13.5″ | 8.7″ | 10.2″ | 10.5″ | 15.5″ | 12.1″ | 7.1″ | 3″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Off-peak | Shoulder | Shoulder | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Prime | Prime |
Sweet spot. November–April (the Gulf side, Koh Samui, runs on a different clock; wettest October–December); rainy season runs May–October, wettest September–October.
Storm risk. Phuket sits below the main typhoon track; the southwest monsoon (May–October) brings rain and rough seas rather than storms.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Phuket / Andaman coast, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport or visa for Thailand?
U.S. citizens get visa-exempt entry for tourism – currently 60 days as of June 2026, though Thailand has approved a rollback toward 30 days, so confirm the number before you fly. Your passport should be valid at least six months.
Everyone arriving must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours of arrival and show the QR code. Beware copycat sites that charge fees, and verify current rules on travel.state.gov.
Is Thailand safe?
Thailand carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory (the current level is shown at the top of this guide), but that's driven by specific regions – the deep-south provinces (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat) and a fragile ceasefire zone within 50km of the Cambodian border, both far from Phuket.
Phuket and the main tourist areas sit at the calmer end of the spectrum. Watch for scooter accidents, jet-ski scams, and rip currents. Always check the latest by region on travel.state.gov.
Currency and tipping
The Thai baht is king. Cards work at resorts and malls; carry cash for markets, taxis, and street food. ATMs are everywhere but charge a per-withdrawal fee.
Tipping isn't obligatory but is appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 20–50 baht for housekeeping, and tip 30–100 baht after a massage. Upscale restaurants often add a 10% service charge.
When to visit
Phuket's dry season runs roughly November to April – calm seas, sunshine, and peak prices around Christmas and New Year. This is the sweet spot for beach days and island hopping.
May to October is the green, wetter monsoon season: lower rates, lush scenery, and rain that often comes in short bursts rather than all-day washouts.
Getting there & around
Fly into Phuket International (HKT), usually via a Middle East, East Asian, or Bangkok hub. Resort transfers and metered taxis (or apps like Grab and Bolt) cover most airport runs.
Thailand drives on the left. Many visitors skip renting a car; songthaews, taxis, and tours handle the island, and longtail or speedboats reach Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands.
What to do beyond the resort
Day-trip by boat to Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, or James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay. Closer in, ride the Big Buddha viewpoint, wander Old Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese streets, and catch sunset at Promthep Cape.
Save an evening for a Thai cooking class, a Muay Thai match, or the buzz of a night market.
Good to know
Power: 230V, Type A/B/C – pack an adapter. Water: drink bottled or filtered, not tap. Dress modestly at temples (shoulders and knees covered).
Respect the monarchy and Buddha images – both are taken seriously here. A wai (palms together) is a gracious greeting, and shoes come off indoors.
Getting to Thailand
Indicative round-trip fares into Phuket (HKT) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LAX | $933Cheapest |
| New York | JFK | $1050 |
| Chicago | ORD | $1094 |
| Dallas | DFW | $1117 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $1186 |
| Newark | EWR | $1193 |
| Miami | MIA | $1199 |
| Boston | BOS | $1341 |
Where the Thailand resorts are
8 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Thailand
The Thailand properties we would actually book.
Where to stay in Thailand
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Resort chains in Thailand
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Thailand came to look the way it does.
Thailand, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Thailand vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
No – U.S. tourists get visa-exempt entry (60 days as of June 2026, with a move toward 30 days approved, so reconfirm). You must also file the free TDAC online within 72 hours of arrival.
Is Thailand safe to visit?
Phuket and the main tourist areas are calm. The country-wide advisory reflects the deep-south provinces and the Cambodian border zone, both far from Phuket – check the current level at travel.state.gov.
What currency is used in Thailand?
The Thai baht. Cards are accepted at resorts and malls; keep cash for markets, taxis, and street food.
Do you tip in Thailand?
It's optional but welcome – round up fares, leave 20–50 baht for housekeeping, and 30–100 baht after a massage. Nicer restaurants may add 10% service.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
November to April for dry, sunny beach weather; book early for the December–January peak. May to October is greener, wetter, and cheaper.
Which airport do I fly into for Phuket?
Phuket International (HKT), typically with one stop via an Asian or Middle East hub. Resort transfers, taxis, and ride apps handle the airport run.