Best Tours from Phuket Old Town: Pickup, Piers and Day Trips

Phuket Old Town is the historic center of Phuket Town, on the east side of the island. Most visitors stay on the west coast beaches, so a town base feels different: fewer beach days, more shrines, cafes and street food, and a central location that works well for day trips. Many island tours from Phuket leave from piers on the east and south coasts, and Phuket Town sits between them.

Why Old Town Works as a Tour Base

The west coast beaches such as Patong, Kata and Karon are separated from the east coast by a ridge of hills. Phuket Town is on the flatter east side of the island, closer to most departure points. As a rough guide, allowing for normal traffic:

• Rassada Pier, the main ferry pier for Phi Phi and Krabi, is on the edge of town, usually 10 to 15 minutes away.
• Chalong Pier on the south coast is usually around 20 to 30 minutes away.
• Piers on the northeast coast, used by many Phang Nga Bay and jet ski trips, are usually around 30 to 45 minutes away.

A shorter drive does not always mean a later pickup, because minibuses often collect guests from several areas on one run. The exact pickup time is confirmed before your trip, and town traffic can be slow at rush hour, so be ready at the start of your window.

How Hotel Pickup Works in Old Town

All five of our day tours include a round trip hotel transfer from standard pickup zones, and our private speedboat charters include hotel pickup too. Most hotels in Phuket Town are easy to reach, but a few points help the morning go smoothly:

• Narrow lanes. Some guesthouses in the old streets, such as those around Soi Romanee or the small lanes off Thalang Road, are on roads where a minibus cannot stop safely. The driver may meet you at the nearest main road. Ask your hotel where tour pickups usually wait.
• Give the full hotel name and street. Several small hotels in town have similar names.
• Be ready early. Wait at the entrance 5 to 10 minutes before your pickup time.

Our guide to Phuket hotel pickup zones explains how areas are grouped and what to do if you are staying outside the standard zones.

The Best Day Tours from Old Town

James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is a natural first choice from town. The James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay speedboat tour leaves from a pier on Phuket's east coast, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:00 and a return around 17:00. The day includes a sea canoe at Hong Island (or Talu Island, depending on the tide), a Thai buffet lunch at the Koh Panyee stilt village and a stop at James Bond Island. At the time of writing, adults pay 3,500 THB and children aged 3 to 11 pay 2,200 THB. Prices on every tour in this guide can vary by date, so check the tour page for yours. The national park fee is not included and is paid on the day, so bring cash. The bay is sheltered and runs all year. Our Phang Nga Bay guide explains what you will see.

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island

The Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Khai Island speedboat tour also departs from the east coast. It is a full day of about 10 hours, with pickup between 07:30 and 08:30 and a return around 17:30. Stops include Khai Nai, Monkey Beach, lunch on Phi Phi Don, Viking Cave from the boat, Pileh Lagoon and the walk from Loh Sama Bay to Maya Bay. The national park fee, a light breakfast at the pier, a halal buffet lunch, snorkel gear and a stand-up paddle board are included. Adults pay 3,100 THB and children aged 4 to 11 pay 2,200 THB. It is not suitable for pregnant women or guests with back problems.

Raya and Coral Island

The Raya and Coral Island snorkeling tour starts at Chalong Pier, a short drive south of town. It runs from about 07:30 to 16:00 and costs 2,400 THB per adult and 1,700 THB per child aged 4 to 11. It is the easiest island day for families and new snorkelers, with short boat rides, mask, snorkel and life jacket included and a licensed English or Chinese speaking guide. See our Racha Island guide.

Jet Ski 7 Islands

If you would rather drive than sit, the jet ski tour explores the sheltered water off the east coast, not far from town. It costs 7,500 THB per jet ski for 1 or 2 riders (maximum 150 kg), with a guide on the water, Thai lunch and hotel transfer included. Drivers must be at least 15, and you need your passport.

White Water Rafting, Flying Fox and Waterfall

For a day away from the sea, the rafting trip heads north into the Phang Nga jungle for 5 km of rafting, a flying fox and lunch. It takes about 8 hours from 07:30 and costs 2,500 THB per adult and 2,200 THB per child under 12. It is a useful plan B when the sea is rough.

Private speedboat charters

For families and groups, a private speedboat charter gives you the whole boat, crew and hotel pickup for up to 6 hours on the water, from 20,000 THB per boat for the 4 Islands of Krabi to 35,000 THB for Phang Nga Bay. National park fees and lunch are not included.

Exploring Old Town Itself

Old Town deserves more than a quick look between tours. The historic center is compact and easy to walk, best in the late afternoon when the heat eases. Highlights include:

• Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang Road, Dibuk Road, Krabi Road and the colorful Soi Romanee, many dating from the tin mining era.
• Chinese shrines such as Jui Tui Shrine, the main venue of the Vegetarian Festival, and the neighboring Put Jaw Shrine.
• Street art painted on walls around the old lanes.
• Local food, from Hokkien style noodles and dim sum breakfasts to old style coffee shops and Southern Thai curries.
• The Sunday walking street market on Thalang Road, held on Sunday evenings.
• Khao Rang Hill, a viewpoint over the town a short drive from the center.

Our Phuket Old Town walking tour has a suggested route through the main streets and shrines.

Planning Tour Days from a Town Base

• Book the most weather dependent trip first. Between roughly May and October, sheltered Phang Nga Bay runs on more days than open sea routes. If Phi Phi matters most to you, book it early in your stay so it can move if the sea is rough.
• Leave a slower day between boat days. Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay start early and end in the late afternoon. A town day in between is a good rest.
• Keep Sunday evening free if you want to see the walking street market.

A sample 4 day plan

1. Day 1: arrive, walk the old streets in the late afternoon and have dinner in town.
2. Day 2: James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay.
3. Day 3: a slow morning, the Khao Rang viewpoint, cafes and museums.
4. Day 4: Phi Phi, Raya and Coral Island, or rafting if the sea is rough.

For more ideas, see our 3 day Phuket itinerary, and browse all tours to check dates.

Frequently asked questions

Is Phuket Old Town a good base for island tours?

Yes. It is closer to most east and south coast piers than the west coast beaches are, and all of our day tours include hotel transfer from standard pickup zones. The trade off is that the beaches are a drive away.

How far is Rassada Pier from Old Town?

Usually around 10 to 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Check your booking for the departure pier, as not every trip leaves from Rassada.

Which tour is best if I only have one day?

For scenery with calm water, James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay. For beaches, lagoons and snorkeling, Phi Phi. For an easy family day, Raya and Coral Island.

What if my guesthouse is on a narrow lane?

The driver may meet you at the nearest main road. Give your exact address when you book, and contact us if you are unsure where to wait.