Phuket, 9–15 December

Akshat & Ishita · 9–15 December 2026

Six nights, two coasts

Two hotels: the quiet north (Mai Khao, 9–12) then the west coast (Kamala, 12–15). Open Days for the full plan.

A longtail boat speeding past limestone cliffs in Phang Nga Bay — Phang Nga Bay · Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

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If a button doesn't open Calendar, use the .ics files Akshat shares from the trip folder (AirDrop or Messages, then tap to add).

Day by day

Tap a day to open it. Every activity has Navigate, Calendar and Edit buttons; add your own with “Add activity”. Changes are shared.

Day 1Wed 9 DecArrival in the quiet northNorth

Palm trees silhouetted against a sunset at Mai Khao — Mai Khao at dusk · Dennis Wong, CC BY 2.0

Mai Khao is Phuket's far north: an 11-kilometre beach inside Sirinat National Park, a few resorts, and little else. It is the island's longest stretch of sand and its darkest night sky, fifteen minutes from the airport.

Walking~1 km

WeatherNight 24–26 °C, calm

Budget for two฿2,600–4,000
≈ ₹7,500–11,500

VideoMai Khao Beach resort tour VideoMai Khao Beach review

PhotosMai Khao Beach

Day budget Transfer ฿400–600 · beer and ice ฿1,000–1,400 · supper ฿1,200–2,000

Our notes for day 1

Day 2Thu 10 DecSand, a manor house and a raft to dinnerNorth

Calm turquoise water off Nai Yang Beach — Nai Yang Beach · Andy Mitchell, CC BY-SA 2.0

A deliberately easy day. Nai Yang, the bay just south, is where Phuket families picnic under casuarina trees on weekends and planes glide in low over the water. Lunch is in a restored 1936 manor where the kitchen cooks old Phuket recipes with produce from its own fields.

Walking~5 km, mostly sand

Weather32 °C · UV 10 · walk before 11 or after 16:30

Budget for two฿7,400–10,700
≈ ₹21,300–30,800

VideoBlack Ginger dinner (from 21:51)MichelinToh Daeng

PhotosNai Yang Beach PhotosToh Daeng by Baan Ar-Jor

Day budget Toh Daeng ฿1,000–1,500 · Black Ginger ฿5,000–7,000 · taxis ฿600–1,000 · massage ฿800–1,200 (optional)

Our notes for day 2

Day 3Fri 11 DecPhang Nga Bay by starlightNorth

Limestone karst islands rising from Phang Nga Bay — Phang Nga Bay · Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

Phang Nga Bay is a drowned landscape of limestone towers. Inside many of them are hongs, roofless cave lagoons reachable only by sea canoe at the right tide. John Gray's crew paddles you in after the day-trip boats have gone, then floats krathong lanterns in a cave at night.

Walking~2 km

WeatherCalm sea · sun on the water: hat and reef-safe SPF

Budget for two฿7,500–9,100
≈ ₹21,600–26,200

Still green water inside a hong lagoon — Inside a hong, the hidden lagoons you canoe into · 29cm, CC BY-SA 2.0

A krathong float of banana leaves and flowers — A krathong like the ones we'll float · Per Meistrup, CC BY-SA 4.0

VideoHong by Starlight VideoJohn Gray tour, 2025 RedditWhat people say

PhotosInside a hong PhotosKrathong

Day budget Hong by Starlight ฿6,700–7,900 · resort breakfast ฿800–1,200

Our notes for day 3

Day 4Sat 12 DecMoving west, then a night in PatongWest

Neon bar signs on Bangla Road at night — Bangla Road, Patong · Ben Reeves, CC BY 2.0

The west coast is Phuket's busy side. Kamala began as a fishing village and still feels like a town; Patong, ten minutes south, is the island's loud, neon nightlife quarter. Tonight is the one big night out, all of it within a short walk.

Walking~4 km

WeatherSunset ~18:15 · warm night ~26 °C

Budget for two฿11,600–17,300
≈ ₹33,400–49,800

Simon Cabaret performers posing after the show — Simon Cabaret cast after the show · shankar s., CC BY 2.0

Food stalls at a Patong night market — Patong night market · Karelj, CC BY-SA 4.0

The front of Bangla Boxing Stadium — Bangla Boxing Stadium · Jacek Lesniowski, CC BY-SA 3.0

VideoThavorn full review VideoSimon Cabaret VideoBangla Boxing Stadium

PhotosSimon Cabaret PhotosBangla Boxing Stadium PhotosBangla Road

Day budget Car ฿1,200–1,800 · spa ฿3,000–5,000 · sunset drinks ฿800–1,500 · Simon ฿1,600–2,000 · market ฿400–600 · Muay Thai ฿3,000–4,000 · Grabs ฿800–1,200 · brunch ฿800–1,200

Our notes for day 4

Day 5Sun 13 DecPool, cliffs, and the old tin townWest

Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Phuket Old Town — Phuket Old Town shophouses · Ryomaandres, CC BY-SA 4.0

Phuket Town grew rich on tin in the late 1800s. Hokkien merchants and Peranakan (Baba) families built the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions that still line Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads, with shaded five-foot walkways in front. On Sunday evenings Thalang Road closes for the Lard Yai walking market.

Walking~4 km

WeatherPool till 14:00 · Old Town shade after 15:00

Budget for two฿5,000–8,000
≈ ₹14,400–23,000

Phuket crab curry with rice noodles — Phuket crab curry: order it at Tu Kab Khao · T.Tseng, CC BY 2.0

VideoThavorn lagoon pool VideoSunday Walking Street GuideOld Town 2026

PhotosPhuket Old Town PhotosTu Kab Khao

Day budget Rom Sai ฿800–1,500 · Grabs ฿1,000–1,400 · museums ฿700 · market ฿400–700 · Tu Kab Khao ฿1,500–2,500 · drinks and Go Benz ฿600–1,200

Our notes for day 5

Day 6Mon 14 DecPhi Phi in the late lightWest

Turquoise water between the cliffs of Maya Bay — Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh · Nnthurber, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Phi Phi islands belong to Krabi province and a marine national park. Maya Bay, once ruined by crowds, has reopened with strict limits: no swimming, boats moored offshore. A sunset trip reaches it around 16:30, after the day-trip fleet has turned for home.

Walking~2–3 km, sand

WeatherCalm Andaman sea in December · long day on the water

Budget for two฿13,900–15,900
≈ ₹40,000–45,800

VideoPhi Phi: watch before booking VideoMaya Bay today RedditSunset tour reviews

PhotosMaya Bay

Day budget Sunset speedboat ฿8,800 · park fee ฿800 · Baan Rim Pa ฿4,000–6,000 · Grab ฿300

Our notes for day 6

Day 7Tue 15 DecA last swim, then homeWest

Leave time for December traffic and immigration queues. The airport is 45–60 minutes from Thavorn.

Walking~1 km

WeatherMorning swim before 09:00

Budget for two฿800–2,200
≈ ₹2,300–6,300

Day budget Airport ride ฿800–1,000 · optional lounge entry for Ishita ~฿1,200

Our notes for day 7

Before we go

Tick things off as they're done. Ticks are shared, so we both see the same list.

before 25 NovSort the presentation time with Marriott's greeter team when they call to reconfirm. Ask to move it to Sat 12:00, or for a 14:00 late check-out on the 12th if it stays on Friday. Flights are registered, Ishita's name is corrected, and there's no airport pickup. this weekBook the two tours: Hong by Starlight (Fri 11) and the Phi Phi sunset speedboat (Mon 14). 1–2 wks outReserve dinners: Black Ginger, Café del Mar, Tu Kab Kao, Baan Rim Pa. Sort baht: Akshat buys in India (zero-markup card or doorstep cash delivery). Ishita brings AUD or a no-fee card. Pick seats together on both bookings for HKT → BLR → LKO on the 15th. Message Thavorn on Booking.com: arriving ~15:15 on the 12th, book the 15:45 couple's massage, ask when breakfast ends. Ishita brings the credit card she booked with. by 1 DecCheck lounge access: Scapia unlocked for December (₹20,000 spent in a calendar month), RBL Priority Pass visits left, and Ishita's Amex Centurion entries left for 2026. 6–9 DecEach file a TDAC, Thailand's free arrival card, at tdac.immigration.go.th (within 72 h of landing).

Our lists

Make your own lists: shopping, gifts, places to try. Every list on this tab can take new items, and × removes one.

Booking list

Tick each one once it's booked. For two; ✓ = price from a 2026 listing.

Day	What	THB	INR
Sat 12	Presentation 12:00 confirmed (greeter team)Part of the package	Free	Free
Thu 10	Toh Daeng, 12:30+66 62 459 8889	1,000–1,500	2,900–4,300
Thu 10	Black Ginger, 19:301–2 weeks ahead	5,000–7,000	14,400–20,200
Fri 11	Hong by Starlight ✓Book now	6,700–7,900	19,300–22,750
Sat 12	Private car, Mai Khao → KamalaResort desk, day before	1,200–1,800	3,450–5,200
Sat 12	Thavorn spa, 60 min for two, 15:45Booking.com chat	3,000–5,000	8,650–14,400
Sat 12	Simon Cabaret, 19:30A few days ahead	1,600–2,000	4,600–5,750
Sat 12	Muay Thai, Bangla Stadium ✓A few days ahead	3,000–4,000	8,650–11,500
Sun 13	Tu Kab Khao, 19:301–2 weeks ahead	1,500–2,500	4,300–7,200
Mon 14	Phi Phi sunset speedboat ✓Book now · check Mondays	8,800	25,350
Mon 14	Baan Rim Pa, 20:301–2 weeks ahead	4,000–6,000	11,500–17,300
	Booked items	35,800–49,500	1.03–1.43 lakh

Easy to miss

Small things that cause big problems if they're skipped.

IshitaCheck entry for the Lucknow leg. If Ishita travels on an Australian passport, she needs an Indian e-Visa or OCI card before flying HKT → LKO. Apply early. BothGet cards ready. Tell the banks about the trip, activate the forex card, then add a card to Grab and test it before flying. AkshatKeep the Indian SIM active (dual-SIM alongside the eSIM) so bank OTPs still arrive. BothAgree an airport meeting spot in case phones don't connect, such as the exit of international arrivals. BothDownload offline Google Maps of Phuket and the Thai language pack in Google Translate. BothScreenshot both hotel addresses, ideally in Thai from the booking apps, to show drivers. BothPrescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription. BothNo vapes. E-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand and fines are heavy. BothBirthday or anniversary on the trip? Mention it when booking Black Ginger or Baan Rim Pa; they can set something up.

Trip money

Everything in one place: what's already paid, what's still to pay, and what we spend there. Tap any cost to edit it. Rupee totals use the rates in the converter below.

By category

Settle up (shared costs, split 50/50)

Costs marked personal, like each of our own flights, aren't split.

Costs

Flights and hotels are filled in from the bookings. Planned items are estimates until you mark them paid.

Spending log

Quick entries while we're there: Grab rides, meals, tips. They count in the totals above.

Converter

Type in any box. Change a rate and every rupee total on this tab updates for both of you.

Baht ฿ Rupees ₹ Australian $

₹ per ฿1 ₹ per A$1 ₹ per US$1

Daily budgets

The original plan estimates for two: food, tickets and local transport.

Day	Plan	THB	INR
Day 1	Arrival in the quiet north	฿2,600–4,000	₹7,500–11,500
Day 2	Sand, a manor house and a raft to dinner	฿7,400–10,700	₹21,300–30,800
Day 3	Phang Nga Bay by starlight	฿7,500–9,100	₹21,600–26,200
Day 4	Moving west, then a night in Patong	฿11,600–17,300	₹33,400–49,800
Day 5	Pool, cliffs, and the old tin town	฿5,000–8,000	₹14,400–23,000
Day 6	Phi Phi in the late light	฿13,900–15,900	₹40,000–45,800
Day 7	A last swim, then home	฿800–2,200	₹2,300–6,300
	Trip total	฿48,800–67,200	₹1.41–1.94 lakh

Backup

Download everything you've both added (edits, lists, costs, spending, notes, memories) as a file.

Photos & memories

Full-quality photos go in our shared iCloud album; write little moments here and they collect by day for both of us.

Shared iCloud album: link coming soon.

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Show the driver

Tap a card to show it full-screen. “Please take me to” is written above each one. The Thai was written from the English addresses on the bookings, so ask reception to check it once.

Emergency

1155Tourist PoliceEnglish-speaking, 24 h 1669AmbulanceMedical emergency 191Police 199Fire

Hospitals

Near Mai Khao: Thalang Hospital (public) โรงพยาบาลถลาง Navigate
Near Kamala: Patong Hospital (public) โรงพยาบาลป่าตอง Navigate
Best private: Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Phuket Town โรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพภูเก็ต Navigate

Embassies

Embassy of India, Bangkok Maps
Australian Consulate, Phuket Maps

Flights & hotels

Booking references are here for check-in. Share this page only with Ishita, never by public link.

Wed 9 DecAkshat

6E 2238LKO T3 09:15 → BOM T2 11:40Live status

6E 1311BOM T2 13:15 → HKT 19:15Live status

IndiGo PNR JCEEGG

1 h 35 min Mumbai connection: go straight to international transfer.

Wed 9 DecIshita

JQ27SYD T1 15:00 → HKT 20:05Live status

Jetstar booking NMUK3M · seat 27G

Centurion Lounge at Sydney T1 with the Amex Explorer.

Tue 15 DecBoth

IX 931HKT 12:40 → BLR T2 14:40Live status

IX 1541BLR T2 17:05 → LKO T3 19:50Live status

Akshat PNR XCIS6X · Ishita Air India E4KYFE (Expedia 73550132142820)

Bengaluru: immigration, collect bags, customs, re-drop at the transfer desk.

9–12 Dec

Marriott's Mai Khao Beach

Customer ref 7916070 · confirmation 71372768

2-bedroom apartment · check-in 16:00, out 10:00 · no breakfast

Call MVC call centre

12–15 Dec

Thavorn Beach Village

Booking.com 6700762766 (PIN kept off this page)

Lagoon Pool Access with Bathtub · check-in 15:00, out 12:00 · breakfast 07:00–10:30

Call Resort

Add to Calendar

Add whole trip Add before-trip to-dos

If a button doesn't open Calendar, use the .ics files Akshat shares from the trip folder (AirDrop or Messages, then tap to add).

Airports & lounges

How long we spend at each airport and where we can sit down. Lounge rules are from the card issuers' 2026 terms. Check the visits left in each app a week before flying.

Akshat · Scapia

Domestic lounges only. Unlocked by spending ₹20,000 in a calendar month (raised from ₹10,000 in 2026).
No international lounges.
Check the app shows lounge access unlocked for December.

Akshat · RBL World Safari

Priority Pass: 2 free international visits a year. Extra visits and guests are about US$35 each.
Domestic: 2 visits a quarter if ₹35,000 was spent the previous quarter (Jul–Sep spend covers December).

Ishita · Amex Explorer (Australia)

2 free entries a year to the Centurion Lounge at Sydney or Melbourne international (calendar year; enter within 3 h of departure).
No Priority Pass, so no free lounges outside Australia.

Wed 9 Dec · getting there

Airport	Who	Time there	Lounge
Lucknow T3Domestic	Akshat	Arrive 07:15 for the 09:15 flight (6E 2238). About an hour after security.	Adani Lounge, T3 domestic. Use Scapia or RBL domestic access and keep the Priority Pass visits for Phuket.
Mumbai T2Domestic → international	Akshat	Land 11:40, leave 13:15 (6E 1311): 1 h 35 min to clear transfer security and immigration.	Skip it. Boarding starts ~12:30, so go straight through. A week before, check the flight still leaves from Mumbai T2: some international flights moved to Navi Mumbai in Oct 2026, though Phuket hadn't.
Sydney T1International	Ishita	Arrive ~12:00 for the 15:00 flight (JQ27). About 2 hours airside.	Centurion Lounge, T1. Use one of the 2 free Amex entries and have lunch there.
Phuket arrivals	Both	Akshat lands 19:15 and waits ~50 min after immigration. Ishita lands 20:05 and is out ~20:50.	No lounge before immigration. Wait at an arrivals café.

Tue 15 Dec · going home

Airport	Who	Time there	Lounge
PhuketInternational	Both	Arrive ~10:30 for the 12:40 flight (IX 931). About an hour airside after December immigration queues.	Coral Premium Departure Lounge or Coral Executive Lounge (Priority Pass). Akshat uses a free RBL visit. Ishita pays the guest fee (~US$35) or a walk-in pass (~฿800–1,200). Reviews say it gets crowded, so only go with an hour to spare.
Bengaluru T2International → domestic	Both	Land 14:40, leave 17:05: 2 h 25 min. Immigration, collect bags, customs, re-drop at the Air India Express transfer counter, then domestic security. Allow 60–90 min.	Then ~45–60 min in a T2 domestic lounge. Akshat uses Scapia or RBL domestic access; Ishita pays at the door. On an Australian passport, Ishita uses the e-Visa immigration line, which can be slower.
Lucknow arrivals	Both	Land 19:50.	—

Door to door: Akshat about 13 h each way (home 06:45 IST → resort 21:30 Thai time; Thai time is IST + 1:30). Ishita about 14½ h to get there.

Eating in

Hotel kitchens and delivery for nights we stay put. Hours are from the hotels' own pages; confirm on arrival, as the JW Marriott has been renovating. Menu photos are linked rather than copied, since they belong to the hotels and reviewers.

Marriott's Mai Khao Beach · 9–12 Dec

Where	Hours
ZestAll-day Eastern and Western fusion; Chinese dishes in the evening HotelMenu TripadvisorPhotos MapsMenu photos	07:00–22:00
Delights Noodle BarNoodle bowls HotelDetails	12:00–22:00
Aqua Pool BarSwim-up cocktails and light lunch HotelDetails	09:00–19:00
In-room diningDial 0. The easy answer after Wednesday's late arrival HotelDetails	24 hours

JW Marriott next door · same beach, short walk

Where	Hours
CucinaHomemade pasta and wood-fired pizza; 4.7 on Tripadvisor HotelMenu TripadvisorPhotos MapsMenu photos	12:00–14:30 18:00–23:00
BenihanaJapanese teppanyaki, cooked at your table SiteMenu TripadvisorPhotos	12:00–14:30 17:00–23:00
Siam DeliSandwiches, pastries and snacks to take away TripadvisorPhotos MapsMenu photos	07:00–22:00
JW Steakhouse · M Beach ClubSteaks; beach-club dining. Hours not published: call +66 76 338 000 HotelDetails	Ask

Thavorn Beach Village · 12–15 Dec

Where	Hours
Marisa TerraceThai, Asian and Western. Breakfast is included and ends at 10:30, so wake by 10:00. Last orders 22:30 HotelMenu download OpenRicePhotos MapsMenu photos	07:00–10:30 11:30–23:00
Private beach dinnerSeafood BBQ or candlelit dinner in a beach cabana; book a day ahead. Last orders 22:30 HotelDetails	17:00–23:00
Crocodile Bar & GrillSwim-up bar at the lagoon pool HotelDetails	Ask
Thai Sala CaféLanna-style café on the beach: cakes and coffee HotelDetails	Ask
In-room diningLocal and international menu HotelDetails	Breakfast to dinner

Delivery

Kamala: GrabFood is strongest on the Bang Tao–Surin–Kamala coast (20–45 min). LINE MAN is better for local Thai.
Mai Khao: outside the main delivery coverage, so expect few choices and long waits. Use the resorts.
Fees and timing: about ฿15–150 an order. Order before the 11:30–13:00 and 18:00–20:00 rush. No alcohol delivery.
Pick well: filter for 4.7+ with 500+ reviews; search for Rom Sai Baan Nakalay or Kalim Rim Lay near Thavorn.
Late night: Sam Chor in Patong cooks Isan food 24 hours. Check whether it delivers to Kamala.

More places to eat

Well-reviewed spots near where we already are, beyond the ones in the plan. Taken from Michelin's 2026 Phuket list, Tripadvisor's 2026 rankings and local Phuket guides. Check the Maps reviews and opening hours before going.

North: Mai Khao & Nai Yang (Wed–Sat)

Place	Why go
The Andaman KitchenPhuket Marriott Resort, Nai Yang MapsReviews	One of Nai Yang's top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor (4.5).
CucinaMai Khao · Italian MapsReviews	Near the top of Mai Khao's 2026 list, 4.7 from ~1,500 reviews. Good for a break from Thai food.
TakiengMai Khao · Thai MapsReviews	Topped Mai Khao's September 2026 ranking.
Sand Box Beachfront Bar & EateryMai Khao · casual MapsReviews	Easy beachfront lunch or drinks near the resort.
Sea Almond · Big Fish Bar & Grill · The Good ViewNai Yang beach MapsNai Yang restaurants	Toes-in-the-sand sunset spots. The Good View is cheap, good Thai on the beach.
Singh SeafoodMai Khao · budget MapsReviews	Well-rated local seafood at local prices.
PRU at TrisaraChoeng Thale, ~25 min · splurge MapsReviews	Phuket's only Michelin-starred restaurant (also a Green Star). Tasting menu, very expensive, book weeks ahead.

West: Kamala & Kalim (Sat–Tue)

Place	Why go
Kalim Rim LayKalim, ~5 min from Thavorn MapsReviews	Local seafood with an ocean view, fair prices. Halal, so no alcohol. An easy lunch on the chill day.
Charoen SeafoodKamala MapsReviews	Buys from Kamala's morning market. Known for curry mussels.
Phumin SeafoodKamala · rustic MapsReviews	Low-key, and its Phuket lobster gets strong reviews.
Nanork SeafoodKamala beach MapsReviews	Thai and seafood right on the sand.

Old Town & Phuket Town (Sunday)

Place	Why go
One Chun MapsReviews	Michelin Bib Gourmand. Crab-meat curry and moo hong.
Go Benz MapsReviews	Michelin Bib Gourmand, famous for late-night rice porridge (khao tom). A night-owl stop after Soi Rommanee.
Khao Tom Dibuk · Kin-Kub-Ei · The Charm Dining Gallery MichelinFull Bib list	More Bib Gourmand picks around Old Town: rice soup, home-style Phuket dishes, and Peranakan food in an old mansion.
A Pong Mae Sunee · Roti Thaew Nam	Bib Gourmand snack stops: crispy coconut pancakes, and a classic roti breakfast.
Raya MapsReviews	The other famous crab-curry house from our Reddit notes.

Shopping

Fitted into days we're already out. Bargain at markets but not in malls. Keep receipts over ฿2,000 per shop for the VAT refund at the airport.

Where	Good for	When on our plan
Turtle VillageMai Khao, next to the resort	Small arcade with boutiques, cafés and essentials	Any evening, Wed–Fri
Central PhuketFestival + Floresta, Phuket Town	Biggest mall, ~500 shops: swimwear, sunglasses, Thai brands, and supermarket snacks to take home	Sun 13, ~15:15–16:30, on the way to Old Town
Sunday Walking StreetThalang Rd, Old Town	Souvenirs, handicrafts, cheap clothes, street food. Cash, bargain	Sun 13, 16:45 →
Chartered Walking StreetPhang Nga Rd, Old Town	A newer second Sunday market a couple of streets over, quieter	Sun 13, same visit
Jungceylon + Banzaan MarketPatong	Patong's main mall (Uniqlo, Adidas and more), with street food behind it	Sat 12, 20:50 between shows
Naka Weekend MarketNear Chalong, Sat & Sun from ~16:00	The biggest, rowdiest bazaar: clothes, replicas, food	Alternative to Walking Street
King Power duty freePhuket airport	Alcohol and perfume to take home. India allows 2 L of alcohol duty-free per adult	Tue 15, after check-in

What's worth bringing home

Phuket cashew nuts, the island's best-known snack
Thai spa products: coconut oil, lemongrass and herbal balms
Yadom herbal nasal inhalers (cheap, everywhere)
Thai tea mix and dried mango from the supermarket
Linen and cotton beachwear from the markets
Old Town prints and tile magnets of the Sino-Portuguese shophouses

GuideShopping in Phuket 2026 GuideWeekend markets

If we want something else

Swaps grouped by area so the routing still works. Per person unless marked; the elephant and Muay Thai prices were checked, the rest are estimates.

VideoThe one Akshat shared RedditPhuket in December Reddit7 days in Phuket Reddit6-day itinerary thread RedditCouples itinerary review

North swap into Wed–Sat

What	THB	INR
Phuket Elephant SanctuaryEthical, observation-only half day, Paklok ~35–40 min · price checked VideoVisit	3,000	8,650
Local Thai massage, Nai Yang1 h at a beach-road shop	400–600	1,150–1,750
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project + Bang Pae WaterfallRescue centre and a jungle-trail swim, ~30 min	~200 + donation	~600
Splash Jungle Water Park5 min from Mai Khao · check it's open	~1,500	~4,300
Wat Phra ThongTemple with a half-buried golden Buddha, ~20 min	Free	Free

West & Patong swap into Sat–Mon

What	THB	INR
Freedom BeachLongtail from Patong, 15 min each way, per boat return · undeveloped, no restaurants	~1,200–1,500	~3,450–4,300
Paradise BeachSmall cove just south of Patong, snorkelling off the beach, beach bar · entry fee	~100–200	~300–600
Sunset catamaran cruiseSailing, swimming, drinks	~2,500–4,500	~7,200–13,000
Hanuman World / Flying Hanuman ziplinesJungle canopy, ~25 min	~2,500–4,000	~7,200–11,500
Andamanda Water ParkKathu	~1,500	~4,300
Carnival MagicEvening light park, 10 min from Thavorn · check it's open	~1,500–2,000	~4,300–5,750

South & Old Town half-day add-ons

What	THB	INR
Big Buddha + Wat ChalongHilltop views and the island's main temple · cover shoulders and knees	Free	Free
One Chun, Old TownMichelin Bib Gourmand crab curry · for two	800–1,200	2,300–3,450
Chalong Bay Rum distillery2-h cocktail workshop daily at 12, 14 or 16:00; 590 THB distillery visit also offered SiteWorkshops	1,290–1,490	3,700–4,300
Sabai CornerClifftop sunset spot near Karon Viewpoint, Thai food and wood-fired pizza, ~10:00–21:30 · for two, estimate MapsReviews	~1,000–2,000	~2,900–5,750
Racha Yai + Coral Island speedboatCloser and calmer than Phi Phi, clear water, good snorkelling · ~US$62 group day trip, pickup 07:00–08:30	~2,000	~5,750
Promthep Cape sunsetPhuket's famous sunset point	Free	Free
Private longtail to Coral IslandFrom Rawai, per boat	~2,500–3,500	~7,200–10,100
Blue Elephant cooking classHalf day, Phuket Town	~3,000–4,000	~8,650–11,500

Local knowledge

Cross-checked across several sources; small numbers point to the sources in the Word document.

Tipping

Optional, but appreciated. Phuket guides agree no tip is expected; rounding up is the norm. ^{1 2 3}
Local restaurants: round up or leave ฿20–50. Mid-range places: ฿50–100 or about 10% if no service charge is printed. ¹
Check the bill first. Hotels and smarter restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 7% VAT; then no tip is needed. ³
Massage: ฿50–100 for a one-hour street massage, ฿100–200 at a spa, handed directly to your therapist. ^{1 2}
Grab and taxis: round up (฿250 becomes ฿300). Guides on a full-day tour: ฿100–300 per person. ^{1 4}

At the table

Spoon in the right hand, fork in the left. The fork pushes food onto the spoon; chopsticks are for noodles. ^{5 7}
Order for the table. A few dishes plus rice, shared, each taking small portions. ⁵
“Check bin” asks for the bill. “Mai phet” means not spicy. Local places often take cash or Thai QR only.

Getting around

Grab is the backbone and the only app with an airport pickup zone; Bolt and inDrive are legal backups. ^{10 37 38}
Taxis and tuk-tuks charge negotiated flat fares, often 2–3× the app price. Agree first. ^{11 12}
The Smart Bus runs airport → Bang Tao → Kamala → Patong → Rawai, about ฿100 flat. ^{8 9}
Walking is lovely in Old Town, Patong and on beaches; ride between areas, where roads have little pavement.

Mistakes to avoid

Jet skis: the best-known damage scam. Don't rent one. ^{11 12 13}
Passport deposits: never leave one; offer a photocopy. ^{12 13}
Bar tabs on Bangla Road: pay per round. ¹³
The sun: UV ~10 at midday; reef-safe SPF, hats, shade 11:00–15:00. ^{15 16}

Customs to respect

Head high, feet low: never touch a head; don't point feet at people or Buddha images. ^{5 6}
Temples: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off. ^{5 7}
Monks: women should not touch or hand items directly to a monk. ⁵
The monarchy is protected by law: never joke about or criticise it. ⁶

Essentials

Visa, money, apps and getting around.

Visa & entry

Indian passports: 30 days visa-free (cut from 60 in Sept 2026). Australian passports are visa-free too.
Passport valid past mid-June 2027, return ticket, both hotel bookings.
TDAC arrival card online, free, within 72 h of landing. One each.
No tourist entry fee yet.

Apps

Grab for rides. It's the only app with an official airport pickup zone (outside Exit 8, international arrivals). Bolt and inDrive are legal backups but can't collect you at the airport.
GrabFood or LINE MAN for food delivery (no alcohol).
Google Maps, Google Translate with Thai offline, LINE for messaging drivers and shops.
An eSIM set up before flying.

Money

฿1 ≈ ₹2.88. Cash for markets, the park fee, small places, tips and beer: about ฿10,000–12,000 between us. Cards everywhere else.

Akshat: buy baht in India. A zero-markup forex card (Niyo Global, Scapia) or cash ordered online with doorstep delivery (BookMyForex and similar, 2–4 days). Don't plan to change rupees in Thailand: rates are poor.
Ishita: AUD exchanges well in Phuket, or use a no-fee card such as Wise.
In Phuket: independent booths beat banks and the airport. SIA Money Exchange in Patong is well rated. Change only ฿2,000–3,000 at the airport.

ATMs charge ~฿220–250 per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often. Always choose to pay in THB.

Getting around

Taxis and tuk-tuks don't use meters and often quote 2–3× the fair price. Use Grab or Bolt.
At the airport: the Grab pickup point or the official metered taxi (meter + ฿100).
Skip scooters: insurance is usually void and the roads are steep.

Good to know

December is dry season, ~24–32 °C. Sunset ~18:15.
Shops sell alcohol 11:00–midnight; bars serve later.
Reef-safe sunscreen for the boat days.
Temples: cover shoulders and knees, shoes off.
Never joke about the royal family, and don't touch anyone's head.
Skip jet-ski rentals on Patong beach: they're known for "damage" scams.
Drink bottled water; ice in restaurants is fine.
Tourist Police: 1155.

Six nights, two coasts

Add to Calendar

Day by day

Before we go

Our lists

Booking list

Packing & shopping

To buy

To pack

How much to pack

Akshat

Ishita

Toiletries

Easy to miss

Trip money

By category

Settle up (shared costs, split 50/50)

Costs

Spending log

Converter

Daily budgets

Backup

Photos & memories

Show the driver

Emergency

Hospitals

Embassies

Flights & hotels

Marriott's Mai Khao Beach

Thavorn Beach Village

Add to Calendar

Airports & lounges

Akshat · Scapia

Akshat · RBL World Safari

Ishita · Amex Explorer (Australia)

Wed 9 Dec · getting there

Tue 15 Dec · going home

Eating in

Marriott's Mai Khao Beach · 9–12 Dec

JW Marriott next door · same beach, short walk

Thavorn Beach Village · 12–15 Dec

Delivery

More places to eat

North: Mai Khao & Nai Yang (Wed–Sat)

West: Kamala & Kalim (Sat–Tue)

Old Town & Phuket Town (Sunday)

Shopping

What's worth bringing home

If we want something else

Local knowledge

Tipping

At the table

Getting around

Mistakes to avoid

Customs to respect

Essentials

Visa & entry

Apps

Money

Getting around

Good to know