25 tips for Phuket, Thailand: when to go, things to do, food, getting around, and monthly rent by neighborhood. Checked by the My Nomad Dream team.
1-bedroom condo with pool and gym, long lease, checked Oct 2026: Kathu, Kamala, hills between Patong and Karon, 18,000 – 30,000 THB; Rawai / Chalong, newer condos, 22,000 – 32,000 THB; Phuket Town, older building, no pool, 8,000 – 15,000 THB. Short-term rates can double in high season (November to February). The best deals are from May to October: a 6- to 12-month lease signed then can save 15 to 25%.
Trick: search Booking for a month or more (often 25 to 30% off), then go in person and negotiate with the manager, paying cash. A decent room for about US$300 a month with bills and wifi included. Patong, in the middle of the action: US$600 to 1,000 for a modern one-bedroom.
November to April is the good season: clear skies, calm sea. It's also when crowds arrive and prices go up. May to October is rainy, with heavy storms that usually pass within an hour. The island turns green, prices drop, and Kata and Nai Harn get the best surf. The sea can get rough: respect the red flags.
About US$900 a month for a comfortable life: 300 rent, 300 food, 100 transport, 50 bills, 100 fun and 50 extras. Add 500 for a nicer apartment and more trips. Electricity depends on the AC: around US$30 if you're careful, up to 100 running it all day. Water, US$5 to 10.
Public transport barely exists: no real buses, just pricey taxis and shared trucks (songthaews) that are slow and disappear after sunset. Taxis are expensive: US$8 to 10 for a short ride, and hardly any use the meter. A Grab motorbike is much cheaper.
Fiber internet is fast and reliable: US$15 to 30 a month.