When is it cheapest to visit Phuket?

Phuket is cheapest to visit in May, June, July, August, and September.

Peak season is January, February, November, and December, when rooms cost the most.

Phuket seasons and room prices

Phuket's high season runs from November to April, with the sharpest peak from Christmas through early January and again over Lunar New Year, when beach resorts sell out months ahead. The southwest monsoon from May to October is the low season: the same resort can drop steeply and often throws in breakfast or a room upgrade. Rain tends to come in bursts rather than all day, but the west coast surf is rough and red flags close some beaches to swimming. Shoulder weeks in early November and late April offer most of the dry weather at a softer price.

Phuket local costs and payment

The currency is the Thai baht. Resorts and larger restaurants accept cards, but beach vendors, local markets, tuk tuks and scooter rentals want cash, and ATMs charge a flat withdrawal fee, so take out larger sums less often. Exchange rates at the airport and in Patong are weaker than in Phuket Town, so change only what you need on arrival. Pay the hotel in baht rather than in your home currency. As elsewhere in Thailand, VAT and a service charge are often left out of the headline rate, so compare on the total.