Renting a car in Phuket is a great way to explore the area. While motorcycle rental may be more suitable for one or two tourists, a car is an excellent choice for active groups looking to enjoy their vacation. The resort boasts well-maintained roads, making driving a pleasure.
Requirements for Car Rental
To rent a car, you'll need just two documents: a passport and an international driver's license. Additionally, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Keep in mind that you won't be allowed to take the rented car to a neighboring country. Car rental in Phuket is available both with and without a deposit. Experienced travelers often recommend not cutting corners on this expense to ensure added peace of mind from the rental company.
Cost of Car Rental in Phuket
The price of car rental in Phuket depends on several factors, including the car's make, insurance availability, year of manufacture, and the urgency of the service. In Phuket, as in Thailand in general, you can find affordable car rental options. However, it's worth noting that during peak tourist seasons and national holidays, finding cheap car rental in Phuket can be challenging.
The least expensive cars to rent are small cars and manual transmission pickup trucks. The average daily cost of car rental in Phuket ranges from 800 to 1,500 THB, or 10,000 to 20,000 THB per month.
Make sure to inquire about rental car insurance. Additionally, you may be required to provide a deposit of 10,000 to 20,000 THB, which will be refunded at the end of the rental period.
Where to Rent a Car
Just like anywhere in Thailand, you can rent a car in Phuket from major international companies present in all major cities of the country (such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, Sixt), or from local small firms. Renting from reputable online and 24-hour car rental companies is often more reliable. You can find the offices of major rental companies at Phuket Airport.
To save time, it's practical to book a suitable car in advance through the website of one of these companies.
While driving around the island, keep in mind that Thailand follows left-hand driving, but cars have the steering wheel on the right. Phuket also has a higher rate of traffic accidents compared to other Thai provinces. Be cautious and drive carefully!