Driving in Phuket: rules, parking and fines
When exploring Phuket at your own pace, driving offers the island's best freedom. Familiarize yourself with local rules, parking, and fines before you set off—our 88-car fleet, from ฿750 daily, awaits your journey.
How It Works
Renting a car with us starts with a quick online booking. Choose your car from our fleet of 88 vehicles across 8 classes, ranging from economy hatchbacks at ฿750 per day to premium SUVs at ฿6,500 per day. When you arrive at Phuket Airport (HKT), we deliver the car to you – delivery is free anywhere on the island, including the airport. All cars come clean with a full tank, and you can keep it for as little as one day. Mileage is unlimited on Phuket, so you can drive as much as you like.
Before you get behind the wheel, remember: traffic keeps to the left, and all our cars are right-hand drive. If you're not used to it, take a few minutes to familiarise yourself in a quiet area. You'll also need your home driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP) – unless you're from an ASEAN country, where your national licence is sufficient. We'll ask to see these documents along with your passport when we hand over the keys.
We deliver across the whole island, from Patong to Rawai, and to the airport. If you're planning a longer trip, we can also arrange a car for weekly or monthly rental – rates are lower per day for longer periods, and we have vehicles suitable for families, groups, or corporate needs.
Costs and Who Pays
Our daily rates start from ฿750 for an economy car like the Honda Brio or Suzuki Swift, and go up to ฿6,500 for premium models like the BMW X3. All prices include VAT at 7%, and there are no hidden fees. Weekly rental works out as six times the daily rate – so a car at ฿1,000 per day would be ฿6,000 per week. Monthly is 21 times the daily rate, giving you ฿15,750 for a car that costs ฿750 per day.
When you book, we'll hold a security deposit on a bank card in the main driver's name – the amount is set out in the rental agreement. Petrol costs are on you, but you'll start with a full tank. Parking on Phuket is mostly free, but some beach roads in Patong, Karon, and Kata have paid parking at ฿20–50 per hour. Shopping malls like Central Phuket and Jungceylon offer free parking, so it's worth using them.
If you drive to the mainland, the Sarasin and Thepkasattri bridges are toll-free. There are no toll roads anywhere in southern Thailand – you only encounter them near Bangkok, so road trips to Khao Lak or Krabi won't involve any extra costs.
If Something Goes Wrong
Thailand has strict driving laws, and as a visitor, you're expected to follow them. If you're stopped by police, you'll need to show your passport, home licence, and IDP. Driving without an IDP carries a fine of ฿500–1,000, and your insurance may not cover you. All our cars are covered by compulsory motor insurance (Por Ror Bor), which protects against injury to third parties – it's attached to every registered vehicle. For damage to the car itself, we provide first-class (Class 1) insurance, and the terms, including any excess, are detailed in your rental agreement.
Traffic cameras are common, and fines are issued to the car's owner – that's us. We'll re-invoice any fines to you, and if they're left unpaid, they can block the car's registration renewal, so we take them seriously. If you're involved in an accident, call us immediately. We'll arrange assistance and guide you through the process with the police and insurance company. The rental agreement is controlled by the Thai Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), so everything is transparent.
Driving on Phuket is straightforward once you're used to the left-hand side. To get started, browse our fleet online and book your car today. We'll deliver it to you at the airport or anywhere on the island, and you'll be ready to explore.
FAQ
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Phuket?
Yes, unless you hold an ASEAN driving licence. A home licence plus an IDP is required by Thai law.
Is parking free on Phuket?
Parking is generally free, but some beach roads in Patong, Karon, and Kata charge ฿20–50 per hour. Shopping malls offer free parking.
What happens if I get a traffic fine?
The fine is issued to the car owner, and we re-invoice it to you. Unpaid fines can block the car's registration renewal.
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