Phuket Travel Money Guide

Phuket is more expensive than the Thai mainland and far more tourist-priced, especially when it comes to getting around. Resorts and beach-club restaurants take cards, but the moment you step off the property — markets, beach vendors, shared trucks — it's baht only.

How much cash to bring to Phuket

A rough daily budget for a comfortable mid-range trip:

• Food — ฿500–1,200/day (beach restaurants and resort dining are pricier than Bangkok)
• Local transport — ฿300–800/day (Phuket's tuk-tuks and taxis are notoriously dear)
• Beaches & activities — ฿500–1,500/day (loungers, day trips, diving)

Paying your way around Phuket

• Songthaews are the cheap option — the blue shared trucks run set routes for a few baht; tuk-tuks and taxis charge tourist prices, so use Grab where it's available.
• Mind the ฿220 ATM fee — it applies island-wide; withdraw larger sums in Patong or Phuket Town rather than topping up daily.
• Always pay in baht — when a card machine offers to charge in ringgit (dynamic currency conversion), decline; the built-in rate is poor. Choose THB.
• Cards at resorts, cash off them — hotels, malls and bigger restaurants take cards; beach food, markets and small bars are cash.

Neighbourhood cash notes

• Patong — bars and clubs may take cards, but street food, vendors and tuk-tuks are cash.
• Phuket Old Town — photogenic cafés and some shops take cards; the weekend Walking Street market is cash.
• Kata & Karon beaches — loungers, drinks and beach vendors are cash-only.

One Phuket habit

• Carry more cash than you think — ATMs are everywhere in Patong but each withdrawal stings ฿220, and off-resort Phuket is firmly cash. Tipping isn't expected, though rounding up is kind.