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Although not vast in size, Phuket offers a plethora of captivating attractions to explore over 3 days, leaving you yearning for more.
Discover Phuket in a 3-Day Itinerary
Below is a suggested itinerary for your reference:
Day 1: Wat Chalong, Big Buddha Statue
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Depart from either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City on a morning flight, arriving at Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. From there, connect for another 1 and a half hours to Phuket.
3:00 PM: Check-in at the hotel.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Explore Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha statue.
Located 8 km south of Phuket city, Wat Chalong is one of the largest temples on the island, attracting many Buddhists, locals, and tourists. Built in the 19th century, Chalong Temple was founded by two monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who contributed to maintaining peace for the islanders. When visiting the temple, you may be surprised to hear the sound of lucky firecrackers or encounter sleeping dogs scattered throughout the Wat Chalong grounds.
Standing at 25 meters tall, the Big Buddha statue, made of Burmese marble, is one of the most beloved attractions in Phuket. The statue sits atop Nakkerd Hill, between Chalong Bay and Kata Beach. Along the road leading to the Big Buddha, there are many ideal viewpoints, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of Phuket from Nakkerd Hill's summit.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner time!
8:30 PM: Return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Phi Phi Islands, Maya Island, Khai Islands Tour
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Departure to the pier.
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Explore Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay, and Khai Islands.
From Phuket, embark on a one-hour boat journey to the famous Phi Phi Islands, a must-visit destination. The boat will take you past Monkey Island Ao Ling and allow about an hour of snorkeling before stopping at Phi Phi Don for lunch break. Here, you can choose to stay at a hotel and enjoy the beach at Phi Phi Don.
Maya Bay is stunning with towering limestone cliffs over 100 meters high, surrounding numerous small beaches, some of which only appear at low tide. The largest beach stretches about 200 meters with colorful coral reefs.
Khai Islands consist of 3 small islands: Khai Nok, Khai Nai, and Khai Nui nestled amidst crystal clear waters with vibrant coral reefs. Despite its small size, the islands boast lively bars and various recreational activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, or jet skiing.
Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant upon returning to the mainland at 17:30 - 18:30.
At 19:00, immerse yourself in the nightlife along Bangla Road.
If you're into partying, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of the bars on Bangla Road. At night, Bangla transforms into a pedestrian city with various alleys like Soi Easy, Soi Tiger, Soi Crocodile, offering entertainment options for everyone.
Retire to your hotel for rest at 22:00.
Day 3: Explore Phuket Old Town.
From 9:00 to 11:30, wander through the historic streets of Phuket Old Town.
The historic district of Phuket spans about 2 km, comprising 6 streets and 2 alleyways. Allocate roughly half a day to explore this destination. Here, you'll have the chance to admire numerous temples and shrines with Chinese architecture. Additionally, quaint coffee shops, private museums, or small printing shops are places worth visiting. Especially, you can freely capture memorable photos with the red lantern street.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Beach time at Nai Harn Beach and sunset watching at Promthep Cape.
Nai Harn is a serene beach due to its fishing village and Samnak Song Nai Harn monastery nearby. This place promises moments of relaxation as there are no large resorts or crowded restaurants and bars.
Promthep Cape offers panoramic views of Nai Harn Beach, Ko Kaew Island, and Mun Island. If time permits, stroll down the hillside road, explore the area around the lighthouse at the foot of Promthep Cape, and admire the coastline. Time your visit here to secure a prime viewing spot, as it gets crowded very early to witness the sunset.
Additional Information
From either Hanoi or HCMC, you can fly to Phuket with AirAsia with 2 flights per day. However, there are currently no direct flights so you will have to transit in Bangkok before landing at Phuket International Airport. Pay attention to the airport staff's instructions for retrieving luggage at the dedicated conveyor belt, as it's an international connecting flight.
At Phuket airport, you'll find many mini bus ticket counters priced at 150-200 baht (approximately 100,000 – 130,000 dong) to travel to hotels in the Patong, Karon, or Kata beach areas.
If you plan to stay for an extended period, you can purchase a tourist SIM card for 200 baht (around 130,000 dong) for communication and internet usage for a week.
For any information or assistance in Phuket, you can visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office on Thalang Road.
When moving between tourist spots, always request taxi drivers to use the meter and agree on the fare clearly before taking a tuk-tuk ride.
Remember to dress modestly when visiting temples, shrines, and other sacred places.
Discover the wonders of Phuket with insights from Theo Phạm Huyền.
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Expert travel tips courtesy of Mytour.
Plan your dream getaway with Mytour.April 18, 2018
