“Do I need to book a taxi before I land in Phuket?”

“Where’s the best beach party during Songkran?”

“Why is everything suddenly three times more expensive?”

If you’ve ever asked any of these before packing your bags, good. You’re not alone. And if you haven’t — oh, you will.

Let’s keep it simple.

Songkran in Phuket is wild, loud, chaotic, and—if you’re not careful—expensive.

Here’s what I wish someone told me before I got drenched head-to-toe by a 7-year-old with a Super Soaker.

The Real Songkran in Phuket – Not Just Buckets and Blasters

We all see the Instagram clips.

Girls in floral shirts. Buckets of ice water. Truck beds packed with teenagers. Loud. Wet. Non-stop.

But that’s not all Songkran is.

Especially in Phuket, where there’s more than one way to do it.

Here’s what locals actually do:

  • Early morning temple visits – People pour water gently over Buddha statues. It’s calm. Respectful. Nothing like the mayhem on Bangla Road.
  • Family time – Many locals leave the island to go back to Chiang Mai or Isaan to see their parents.
  • Merit-making ceremonies at Wat Chalong or smaller temples in Rawai.

If you’re into culture, wake up early, dress modestly, and go temple-hopping before 9AM. You’ll see a side of Songkran no tourist blog mentions.

Getting from Phuket Airport Without Getting Ripped Off During Songkran

You land.

You’re tired.

Your phone’s at 8%.

And the first thing that hits you? 1,200 baht taxi fare.

Don’t do it.

Here’s what works:

  • Smart Bus: Runs every hour from 8AM to 11:30PM. Costs 100 baht. Clean, has Wi-Fi. Expect 1.5 to 2 hours (yes, traffic during Songkran is a beast).
  • Grab: Use the app. Transparent pricing. No surprise detours.
  • Minibuses: Cheap but annoying. You’ll stop at every fake pearl shop and overpriced tour booth.
Phuket Smart Bus for 100 THB
Phuket Smart Bus stations

👉 If you’re staying in Patong, the Smart Bus drops you near Jungceylon Mall.

And yes, Grab works straight from the airport, but you might need to walk outside the terminal for pick-up.

Where to Stay in Phuket for Songkran (Without Getting Burned)

Think you scored a beachfront deal in Patong?

Think again.

Songkran means:

  • Double pricing
  • Overbooked hotels
  • “Sorry, your room isn’t available” scams

How to dodge it:

  • Take screenshots of your booking (not just emails, but room type, bed size, view, breakfast).
  • Note down every detail — aircon, balcony, sea view.
  • Arrive early if possible. Late arrivals get shafted.

👉 Try staying in Karon or Rawai if you want a calmer vibe (and slightly less water-gun warfare).

Phuket Songkran Tours: What’s Worth It (And What’s Not)

Everyone’s selling tours.

Hotel lobbies. Street vendors. Even the guy pouring your coconut shake.

And during Songkran, prices shoot up faster than a water cannon.

Here’s the hack:

  • Walk along Patong Beach Road – compare at least 3 shops.
  • Don’t book from your hotel – they add hefty commissions.
  • Ask if park fees are included (especially for Phi Phi Island tours – they usually charge 400 baht extra).
  • High season price: 2,000–3,000 baht
  • Low season price: 1,200–1,800 baht

Don’t be shy about bargaining — it’s expected. Just do it with a smile.

How to Get Around Phuket During Songkran (And Not Hate It)

Water fights + motorbikes = hospital.

Let’s keep you dry and mobile.

Your options:

  • Grab App: Still the safest. Prices spike during Songkran, so book early.
  • Tuk Tuks: Loud. Flashy. Total rip-off. 200–400 baht for a 5-minute ride.
  • Motorbike Taxi: Cheap-ish. Risky if wet roads freak you out.
  • Rent a Scooter: Fun if you know what you’re doing.

If you do rent:

  • Wear a helmet
  • Take photos of every scratch before leaving the shop
  • Have an actual driver’s license (no, your student ID doesn’t count)

👉 Download Skoot App. It’s a lifesaver if you need to rent a scooter in Thailand.

The Skoot App

Songkran Massage Tips in Phuket: Get Real, Not Ripped

Massage during Songkran? Yes please.

Here’s what I learned:

  • Patong is full of overpriced, hit-or-miss places.
  • Walk 2–3 streets behind the main strip — better value, less awkwardness.
  • Hotel spas = expensive but usually top quality.
  • Fair price: 300–500 baht.

If it’s more than 700 baht?

It’s either a resort… or a side-service you didn’t ask for.

Where to Eat During Songkran in Phuket (And Not Regret It Later)

Thai food is dirt cheap. Fresh. Amazing. Everywhere.

But there are traps:

  • Seafood in Patong: overpriced, touristy, looks great on Instagram — tastes like rubber.
  • Kata or Karon: Way better seafood, fresher and not triple marked-up.
  • Western food: You’ll pay London prices for pizza. Don’t act surprised.
  • Watch the bill: Service charges sneak in like they’re optional. They’re not.

👉 Want to eat smart? Use the Yindi app. It lists same-day leftovers from bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants. I once got a 400-baht sushi box for 90 baht. No shame. Just strategy.

Phuket Shopping Tips for Songkran: Don’t Get Played

You’ll see flip-flops for 600 baht and think, “Isn’t this the land of cheap?”

Here’s the game:

  • Don’t buy at the first shop.
  • Bargain — politely, always.
  • Or just go to Jungceylon or Central Festival. Real brands, real promos.

If someone says it’s “handmade”?

It probably came from a box in Bangkok.

Money Exchange in Phuket During Songkran

Good news: You won’t get ripped off too badly.

  • Rates across booths are pretty consistent
  • Check 2–3 spots max. That’s all.
  • Open late, even during the wildest water fights

Just skip the hotel front desk. Always worse rates.

Beach Activities During Songkran: Fun Until It Isn’t

Beach vibes + festival energy = awesome.

But also:

  • No rules
  • Dodgy operators
  • No refunds

Want to jet ski or parasail?

Ask these first:

  • “How much exactly?” (say it twice)
  • “Who handles safety?”
  • “What happens if it rains?”

Red flag: If the beach has a big red sign saying Do Not Swim, believe it.

Phuket’s rip currents don’t care if you’re a good swimmer.

Flying Domestic from Phuket After Songkran? Read This First

Every traveller makes this mistake.

They book a 1PM domestic flight… then an international connection at 4PM.

Don’t. Do. It.

Domestic Thai flights get delayed. A lot.

If you’re flying out of Phuket after Songkran, give yourself:

  • 3+ hours buffer
  • Travel insurance that actually works
  • A plan B

I learned this the hard way when I missed a flight to Kuala Lumpur because my Bangkok Airways flight was delayed 90 minutes… and my bag took another 40 to show up.

Must-Have Apps for Surviving Songkran in Phuket

Besides Grab, here’s what actually helped me:

  • QueQ App – Skip queues at banks, hospitals, and sim card shops
  • Yindii – Discounted food at places you’d actually eat at
  • Seekster – Need to fix the AC or deep-clean your Airbnb after the party? Book a pro.

What to Pack for Songkran in Phuket (That No One Tells You)

You’ll regret bringing your best linen.

Here’s what actually matters:

  • Dry bag – Trust me. Phones, cash, passport. Keep them sealed.
  • Ziplock bags – For the stuff you think doesn’t need a dry bag until it does.
  • Flip-flops or water shoes – You’ll be walking in puddles, soap, and mystery goo.
  • Quick-dry t-shirts – Cotton stays wet all day. And it stinks.
  • Sunglasses with straps – The water cannons don’t care about your designer shades.
  • Waterproof phone pouch – Get one before you land. Phuket prices triple it.

And no, umbrellas don’t work. You’ll look like a soggy Mary Poppins.

Quiet Places in Phuket During Songkran – Escape the Chaos

Not everyone wants to be soaked 24/7.

I get it.

If you’re like me, you’ll want breaks from the noise and water fights.

Here’s where to go:

  • Cape Panwa – Quiet. Scenic. Locals call it the “Phuket that used to be.”
  • Nai Harn Beach – Less madness than Patong or Kata.
  • Ao Yon – Hidden gem. Calm waters. Very few tourists.
  • Soi Ta-Iad (aka Fighter Street) – Packed with wellness cafes, Muay Thai gyms, and smoothie bowls. Everyone here’s too tired from training to throw water.

Go in the morning. Come back before 2PM. That’s when the splashing kicks off hard.

Food Spots in Phuket That Stay Open (Even in Songkran Madness)

Phuket doesn’t shut down like Bangkok does during holidays.

But that doesn’t mean everything is open.

  • Street vendors disappear mid-day (unless they’re armed with buckets).
  • Bars and clubs in Patong? Full steam ahead. Expect foam parties and deafening EDM.
  • Local restaurants in Chalong and Rawai? Still cooking. Less chaos. Better prices.

👉 Use the Yindi App if you want cheap leftovers around 8PM. I once got three trays of sushi for under 100 baht. Not even joking.

Songkran & Phuket Safety: Not the Stuff You Read on Posters

Now here’s what they don’t print in guidebooks.

Every year, Songkran comes with a grim nickname: Seven Dangerous Days.

Why?

  • Road accidents
  • Drunk drivers
  • Zero helmet use

If you rent a motorbike, please:

  • Wear a helmet (not just carry it)
  • Don’t drink and ride
  • Avoid driving at night during April 13–15

Even in Phuket, where things feel chill, stuff goes sideways fast.

Grab is your friend.

And if you’re caught in a weird spot, Seekster can book you help (cleaners, repair guys, handymen). One time, my Airbnb AC broke mid-festival. Seekster had someone there next morning, no drama.

Unwritten Rules of Songkran in Phuket (Break These at Your Own Risk)

This ain’t the West.

There are rules, even if no one tells you.

  • Don’t splash monks – Obvious, right? You’d be surprised.
  • Avoid water fights in temples or schools – Major disrespect.
  • Don’t throw water after sundown – Locals consider it bad luck.
  • Never throw dirty water – Unless you want beef with locals.

One year I saw a guy pour ice water into a tuk tuk full of locals.

Didn’t end well.

Is Songkran Worth It in Phuket?

Look.

Heading to Phuket for Songkran is a full-on sensory overload.

There’s music, water, sweat, sunscreen, smiles, scams, sunsets, and scooters.

If you come prepared, it’s brilliant.

If you don’t, it’s chaos.

Me? I’d do it again — but smarter.

I’d pack better.

Stay in Rawai.

Eat before the chaos starts.

And maybe this time, skip that Bangla Road foam party that nearly cost me a phone and half my dignity.

Heading to Phuket for Songkran? Read this tips before you go, or you’ll end up sunburnt, soaked, and searching for a new phone in a wet sarong.