Phuket

JabberWokker

Ok done the googling and always coming up with expensive options so will ask here for advice on the current standing of this. What is the cheapest option (by plane, so no boats or hiking etc) to get a trip to Phuket and back from bali for a few days? Airasia used to do direct and I'm very sad they don't do it anymore. Pity as to holidaymakers its a perfect dual trip. Anyone want to join me?

Adam

JabberWokker, I've done a few trips to Phuket though always Perth-Singapore-Phuket-Singapore-Bali rather than Bali-Phuket and found Air Asia cheapest for the Bali-Singapore circuit and Tiger Air for the Singapore-Phuket bit. Some of the Tiger Air bits have been stupidly cheap.

Smoke

just did it about 2-3 months ago bali to bankok to phuket was a piece of cake!

spicyayam

How do you think Phuket compares to Bali? I have traveled quite a bit over Thailand, but never made it to Phuket.

mugwump

spicyayam wroteHow do you think Phuket compares to Bali? I have traveled quite a bit over Thailand, but never made it to Phuket.

Was there last year and feel that it probably comes closer to Kuta, but w/o the rowdiness. Russians seemed to be the predominant tourists at the time. The beaches were cleaner than Bali, but beware the seafood. Great looking lobster, udang etc., but allowed to sit out all day in the melting ice till tasteless. If you wish I will be happy to dig out the name of my hotel as it was clean, reasonably quiet, fairly priced and had the best food I tasted. Just pm me.

Joe Writeson

spicyayam wroteHow do you think Phuket compares to Bali? I have traveled quite a bit over Thailand, but never made it to Phuket.

...think Kuta with cleaner beaches but 987 more pubs...

Smoke

only there for 2 of my days in Thailand , clean beaches, night life like kutas but calmer like mugwump said. When I travel I try and stay in "local" areas to get real feel for the place.a cheap taxi ride and you are in the heart of the tourist mix.

Markit

Was there in 1980. It was wonderful. It's a shithole now. Such is life.

samsiam

If you have never been, go because you will always wonder. Then you will wonder why you ever bothered. If you can, experience Phuket for a couple of nights and then go to Krabi....but of course, depends on the reasons for going in the first place.

JabberWokker

Thanks for the info on flights. I’ve been to Phuket several times and personally I think Phuket is very nice and offers a good selection of variation of crazier nightlife to more laid back. The main difference I think is the girly bars which are now sprouting up everywhere and spoiling some of the old quieter areas. My brother who has lived there for a very long time is actually a bit sick of the place and saying it’s becoming over commercialised and too many sex scene places. Food wise I like Thai food, the people are friendly as well. However if you gave me the choice it would be Bali over Phuket.

davita

spicyayam wroteHow do you think Phuket compares to Bali? I have traveled quite a bit over Thailand, but never made it to Phuket.

Phuket and Bali are islands...that's about all the similarity. Bali is about 10 times bigger and has about 7 times more people, excluding tourists. Phuket is a tourist haven if bars, girls, transgender or crossdressers are in your holiday itinerary. The offshore islands and beaches are pretty and the Big Buddha is a must visit...otherwise it is beach, bars and restos mainly centered around Patong Beach. Bali has a great Hindu spiritualness with many temples, ceremonial lakes, waterfalls, nature parks; and numerous water sports like scuba-diving, water rafting and surfing. Of course...certain areas have all the bars, restos and night life as well.....but I'm not familiar with that scene...better others post! I have a friend, divorced, who retired to a very nice villa in Karon beach but, after visiting us in Bali he wishes to sell there and move here. He says that the night-life in Phuket quickly becomes boring. There is simply more to do in Bali. As samsiam says...probably best to have a few days in Phuket then head to other places like Krabi...or even all the way to Chieng Mai.

Thaiman

Pattaya where I've lived for 10 years is worth a visit.Rent condo opp. Beach,200 dollars a month,30 cent taxi rides and Patts is the biggest brothel in the world.What more could a man ask for.

Markit

Love, fresh air, cold beer, love, good dog, fresh food - well cooked, good scenery, nice neighbours, good weather, love, smell of freshly baked bread, smallish brothel by the front door..... etc.

samsiam

Soi dogs can make fine friends.

Joe Writeson

Thaiman wrotePattaya where I've lived for 10 years is worth a visit.Rent condo opp. Beach,200 dollars a month,30 cent taxi rides and Patts is the biggest brothel in the world.What more could a man ask for.

..well there you go ... I hated the place ... noisy, dirty and hounded by touts night and day... but that was before I left home

kiteman

I slept on Patong Beach in 1975 for a week with some other newly-met backpackers. I mean ON the beach as there were no permanent buildings, no roads and no toilets. It was Paradise. It has changed a lot of course but is still quite a nice place to stay for a few days. I agree that Krabi is nicer but as for Pattaya!!!!!!..... it's a shithole................... a town-sized whorehouse! Don't even dream of going there with a wife or girlfriend. It's ultra-sleazy......... but it seems that some guys like that sort of thing.........