Phuket from Australia: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Phuket, when to go, the visa for Australians and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
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Phuket in December: longtail boats, a white Buddha on a hill, and the quiet end of the island
Eight nights at the start of the dry season, between the sea caves of Phang Nga and the sunset crowd at Promthep Cape.
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Day to day in Phuket, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | A$11 | A$23 |
| A balanced mix | A$40 | A$51 |
| Mostly restaurants | A$44 | A$56 |
- Local transport: about A$12 a day. Taxi: A$2 to start, then A$0.51 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about A$11 a day for food.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: numbeo.com, thephuketnews.com, phuketexpatguide.com; in AUD at today's rate.
When to go
28°F
29°M
30°A
30°M
29°J
29°J
28°A
28°S
28°O
28°N
28°D
28°
The most pleasant months are December to April. February is the driest month (27 mm of rain) and September the wettest (352 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit Thailand, place by placeCompare: Japan or Thailand · Thailand or Vietnam · Indonesia or Thailand · Thailand or Malaysia · Thailand or Cambodia · Thailand or Sri Lanka · Thailand or Greece · Mexico or Thailand
Visa for Australians
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: smartraveller.gov.au, checked 2026-10-01. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Phuket
Big Buddhamonument · a couple of hoursFree; cover shoulders and knees
Wat Chalongtemple · a couple of hours
Phuket Old Townold town · half a daySino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang Road; Sunday night walking street
Patong Beachbeach · half a dayBangla Road nightlife after dark
Kata Beachbeach · half a day- Nai Han Beach and Promthep Capebeach · half a day
Promthep Cape next door is the island's sunset spot
Snorkelling at Ya Nui Beachbeach · a couple of hours- Phi Phi Islands day tripexperience · a full day
Speedboat tours include Maya Bay viewing and snorkel stops
- Phang Nga Bay sea canoe tourexperience · a full day
Usually combined with James Bond Island
- Scuba diving at Racha Yaiexperience · a full day
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a 10-night trip to Phuket cost from Australia?
About A$2,852 per person. Our planner priced 10 nights for 2 adults from Sydney, leaving 10 December 2026, at A$5,704 for both, home to home: flights, stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa; the lowest-cost version came to A$5,596. Priced on 2026-10-23; flight prices are estimates from recent fares.
How much does a day in Phuket cost?
Food and getting around come to about A$23 a person a day eating street food, A$51 with a balanced mix and A$56 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
The most pleasant months are December to April. February is the driest month (27 mm of rain) and September the wettest (352 mm); daytime highs run from 28 to 30 °C over the year.
Do Australians need a visa for Thailand?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on smartraveller.gov.au on 2026-10-01; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Phuket?
Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town, Patong Beach, Kata Beach.
A real 10-night trip from Sydney, priced by our planner
A$5,704 for 2 adults, home to home, about A$2,852 per person
Leaving 10 December 2026: flights, stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa. The lowest-cost version came to A$5,596.
Priced on 2026-10-23; flight prices are estimates from recent fares. Your own dates and budget change the total.
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