Budget

The best of Phuket in 3 days

by The Broke Backpacker · 3 days · Updated 22 Oct 2026 · $115 est.

Old Town, Wat Chalong, Promthep Cape and seafood at Laem Hin, then waterfalls, Bang Tao and Bangla Road, and Phang Nga Bay with Koh Panyee and James Bond Island.

Read the full guide on thebrokebackpacker.com

Where you'll go

In your cart

Pins are approximate. Tap one for the exact spot in Google Maps.

Day 1 ~1 h 35 min on the road

Day 1 route in Google Maps

1Lub d Phuket Patong
Creator's pick. Or U Sabai Living Hotel or Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa.
Stays · 2 nights
$22from, per night, dorm bed (date-dependent)Typical price · kayak.com
Find on Booking.com
2Phuket Old Town
Expect the unexpected
~35 min drive from the last stop · 14 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
3Wat Chalong
~25 min drive from the last stop · 10 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
4Big Buddha Phuket
The viewpoint was reported closed after the 2024 Kata landslide (Phuket News, Nov 2025). Check it has reopened before you go.
~10 min drive from the last stop · 5 km
Experiences
Freefree (creator)
5Kata Noi Beach
~10 min drive from the last stop · 5 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
6Promthep Cape
It's not worth staying much longer
~15 min drive from the last stop · 6 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
Laem Hin Seafood
Food
$10creator: Pay for what you buy (<$10)

Day 2 ~2 h 20 min on the road

Day 2 route in Google Maps

1Bang Pae Waterfall
Experiences
$5.95200 THB per adultTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
Find on GetYourGuide
2Sirinat National Park
Pack some snacks for your day before you arrive.
~45 min drive from the last stop · 18 km
Experiences
$5.95200 THB per adultTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
Find on GetYourGuide
3Bang Tao Beach
Head to the southern section for more places to eat
~35 min drive from the last stop · 15 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
4Banzaan Fresh Market
~40 min drive from the last stop · 16 km
Food
Freefree (creator: Entrance is free)Typical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
5Paradise Beach
~10 min drive from the last stop · 5 km
Experiences
$5.95200 THB per adultTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
Find on GetYourGuide
6Bangla Road
~10 min drive from the last stop · 5 km
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com

Day 3 Packed day: ~3 h 25 min on the road

Day 3 route in Google Maps

1Patong Beach
A love-or-hate thing
Experiences
FreefreeTypical price · thebrokebackpacker.com
2Ao Phang Nga National Park
~2 h 40 min drive from the last stop · 67 km
Experiences
$8.92300 THB per adult (creator: 200 Baht ($6) for entrance, plus boat costs)Typical price · foratravel.com
Find on GetYourGuide
3Koh Panyee
There is not much else to do
~20 min drive from the last stop · 9 km
Experiences
$45creator: Private boat is 1500 Baht (around $40)
Find on GetYourGuide
4James Bond Island
Mixed reviews because of the crowds
~25 min drive from the last stop · 9 km
Experiences
$12creator: between 400 and 2000 Baht (for a private)
Find on GetYourGuide

This is a summary of The Broke Backpacker's itinerary. Their guide has the photos, stories and tips that don't fit here.

Read the full guide on thebrokebackpacker.com

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