3 Budget Travel Tips for Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand

Undeniably, Phuket is an island that would fit most people’s descriptions of Paradise. Its shimmering crystal waters lapping at the gleaming white sand are enough to make any budgeting traveller want to stay on the beach for the entirety of the visit. However, there are plenty of things to see and do in Phuket without breaking the bank. By using my self-proclaimed extensive knowledge of literature, I found myself following the lessons taught by the poet Robert Frost by taking ‘the one [path] less traveled by.’ In short, I made sure I steered clear of the pricey tourist havens and get to know the local Phuket.

Avoid the Tourist Traps and Explore Old Town

As I have a penchant for exploring the historic areas of towns, my first move was to head down to Phuket Old Town. Wandering amongst the streets of the Old Town was a wonderfully peaceful experience; a world away from the beaches overrun by tourists. The shops and houses around were all around three stories high, all ornately decorated in a manner that suggests a Chinese influence.

Located nearby were a number of temples, which as well as being incredibly beautiful, were completely free to have a look at. My particular favourite was ‘The Shrine of the Serene Light,’ which was built by a Chinese family in 1889. It has a secluded garden used as a meeting point for locals as well as paying their respects through lighting candles and joss sticks. I truly felt that I was in and amongst it all as I watched the locals come and go.

Don’t Miss the Downtown Market!

For those of you who can’t resist a good bargain, there was plenty to be found in the Downtown Market, located on Ranong Road. Although this market’s main commodity is fresh fruit and vegetables, there is an incredible range of produce for excellent prices… One cannot go to Thailand without sampling some amazing street food. My favourite snack was the Ka-nom Dtoh-gieow which are mini stuffed pancakes filled with cream and fish – simply delicious!

Budget Eats

Although I was awfully pleased with my experience to expense ratio, the time had come to part with some of my hard earned cash. Eating in Phuket is generally quite cheap, so for a good sized meal a budgeting traveler there are plenty of options. I chose a restaurant called Shakers, located in Patong. The meals vary from $3-$17 depending how much you want to eat, and does a huge variety of food from Thai food to pizza. Your best bet is to shop around and take a look at the menus in the area. Once you find a price that fits your budget, head on back to that restaurant!

There really is no excuse to come back from Phuket out of pocket. Just make sure you explore some of the towns and get to know a bit of the local culture. For me (and Robert Frost), ‘that made all the difference.