phuket on a budget :)

hi all :)

You all seem to have so much invaluable info to share.

We are travelling to phuket next july for the first time. We will be on a tight budget with 2 kids and were wondering about free or cheap activites we could do with the kids. obviously the beaches and the resort pool will be a big hit but we were wanting them to experience some thai culture and nature eg temples animals We not really into crowded touristy stuff. We were thinking of hiring a driver for a day how much should we expect to pay for that.

Also wondering about cheap eats and which are the best markets for bargain souvenirs.

we are staying in the karon beach area.

thanks a million

xxx

phuket on a budget :)

Everything is much cheaper that you will find in Tassi, but to keep costs down,

Anything offered in your hotel is probably at tourist prices. Walk to the nearest shops to eat, drink, massage or book tours and you will save heaps.

Eat Thai food - it is very cheap. Plate of noodles or rice is probably less than a dollar. Seafood is cheap by Australian standards. Western food is pricey by comparision and not always great.

Empty out the bar fridge in your hotel room. Put it all to one side and go to the local shop and stock up on beer, softdrinks and Thai whiskey if you can stomach it. Or grab some duty free on the way out of Australia and drink that. Wine is expensive.

Transport on Phuket is expensive by Thai standards unless you get the local bus. That is a %26#39;cultural'; experience by itself. The bus runs to Phuket Town where you can do a walking tour and take in temples and markets. Markets in town are probably cheaper than Karon.

Have not been for 2 years so not up on latest rpcies but suggest you read JBR%26#39;s or Just Back Reports for good info.

Last time we splashed out for John%26#39;s Greys Hongs Kayak Tour. I recommend it or a trip to the Hongs with Captain Mark. An expereince that is worth every cent.

regards

Freddy

phuket on a budget :)

I am not positive but I didn%26#39;t think there was a bus that ran from Karon to Patong. If not then it will cost you a fair bit to get to Patong to catch the bus to Phuket town (which from memory is only 20bt each (kids free).

Once you get to Phuket town you are dropped off at the bus station which is surrounded by taxi vultures who hassle you endlessly (we had one keep following us and this was a bit distressing for my 8 year old son as he would not go away even though we said we were not interested). When you get dropped off here it is a fair walk to get into the shopping district. Depends how old your kids are....

It is worth going to the expo markets and also the shops opposite the Robinsons store were cheap. Also worth a look inside Robinsons and Ocean Plaza(?). We got some good souvineers here.

The Phuket weekend markets were by far a lot cheaper than Patong. These are open late arvo til about 10.

I think it would be worth hiring a driver for the day or for so many hours to take you to Phuket town. We paid 800bt just to be taken from Patong to the Phuket town markets and back. This should give you a bit of an idea on price.

Also worth considering is the Dino Mini GOlf. It was about 140bt per child and 240bt per adult. Food is expensive there but you can always eat somewhere else.

I would also consider hiring a driver for the day and seeing Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha, Cape Promthepe(magnificant sunsets). All these are free and worth seeing. You should be able to add a few more things into a day trip.

Phuket Fantasea is worth seeing. We got tickets cheap at one of the roadside tour places. Normally 1500bt for adults so not so cheap but a great night.

Check out my 2 JBR%26#39;s to see what we did with a 2 and 8 year old in tow. We didn%26#39;t do many tours this time as we had done a lot last time but we still kept busy....

hope this helps

karin

If you do hire the car for a day, I wouldn%26#39;t miss the Aquarium over on cape Panwa. (great for kids and do the nature walk at the end)

Also, my kid loves the gibbon rehabilitation center east of the Heroine%26#39;s Monument. Both are inexpensive.

Karon is not the cheapest place around for eats but sounds like you%26#39;re already decided on that one.

I agree to buy your drinks and snacks at the shops and not the hotel.

Lots to see and do if you have wheels. We like to go camping up on Mai Khao beach, or feed the monkeys in Phuket town on the way up the hill with all the TV towers on top.

Or go to Saphan Hin on weekends and there%26#39;s always something going on be it a festival, or kite flying, or games with 5 year olds playing organized sports.

Have fun.

I%26#39;ve stayed at Karon Beach ...and there is a very good indoor market there that is as cheap(if not cheaper than Patong).Its open most days and for food,try The Kata Villa restaurant at the next beach along.They do a very good 3 course meal(4 tiger prawns in garlic sauce,piece of fish and a green curry)about 5 dollars!(their room rates are also cheap at low season.)Enjoy!