From Phuket Deep Sea or Patong Port: Private Customizable Tour

A private vehicle and driver replace the group coach on this 8-hour circuit around Phuket, and the order of stops is left to whoever’s riding. The default route runs past the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong temple, Phuket Old Town, Kata Beach, Patong Beach, and the Sunset and Karon view points, but nothing about the sequence is fixed — skip a stop that doesn’t interest the group, or linger longer at one that does.

The catch is in what’s not included. The $86 fare covers the vehicle and driver only: entrance fees, food, drinks, and any kind of guiding are all extra. That’s a driver, not a tour guide — useful for navigation and logistics, but there’s no running commentary on the Big Buddha’s history or Wat Chalong’s relics. Anyone who wants context at each stop should read up beforehand or budget for a separate guide.

The vehicle fits up to 10 people, is wheelchair accessible, and takes infant car seats, prams, or laps. Airport or cruise-port pickup adds THB 500 if booked in advance (THB 1,000 on the spot), paid in cash to the local operator — and pickup is limited to Phuket hotels; Khao Lak addresses aren’t covered.

Insider Tip: Book at least three days ahead if fluent English matters — the operator flags driver English proficiency as inconsistent on short-notice bookings, though every driver can get by.