Phuket car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Phuket
The best car rental companies in Phuket are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from เธฟ840/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
โ Free cancellation optionsโ No booking feeโ Full-to-full suppliersโ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Phuket
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editorโs pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ9500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ840/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ9500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ910/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ8750Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ870/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ8750Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ800/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ7600Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
Fromเธฟ760/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ9500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
Fromเธฟ950/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ9500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ1050/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#8
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ8750Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
Fromเธฟ910/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#9
Thai Rent A Car
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from เธฟ5700Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
Fromเธฟ680/day
base rate
View Thai Rent A Car deal
Prices are indicative market estimates ยท Last checked 2026-07-22 ยท 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Phuket
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | เธฟ840 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | เธฟ1050 | Honda City | 5 |
| SUV | เธฟ1600 | Toyota Fortuner | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | เธฟ2100 | Toyota Innova | 7 |
| Luxury | เธฟ3400 | BMW 3 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Phuket
Airport โ Phuket International Airport (HKT)
HKT sits in the north of the island, about 32km from Patong, roughly a 45-minute drive, with rental desks in the arrivals hall. Thailand drives on the left.
Downtown โ Patong / Kata beach area
Desks near Patong or Kata suit travelers who want a car mainly for exploring beaches beyond walking distance or day trips to Phang Nga Bay and Old Phuket Town.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | HKT airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21โ24) | 230โ460 THB/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | 152โ300 THB/day | Per extra driver |
| Damage excess / CDW upgrade | 300โ570 THB/day | Reducing the standard deposit liability |
| One-way drop fee (Krabi, Phang Nga) | 1,150โ2,650 THB | Returning to a different province |
| Refundable deposit | 5,700โ11,400 THB | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Phuket
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) sits in the north of the island, about 32km from Patong, roughly a 45-minute drive, with rental desks in the arrivals hall.
- Thailand drives on the left-hand side of the road, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home license is required for foreign drivers.
- Patong and Kata are walkable for beach access, but a car is useful for reaching quieter beaches, Big Buddha, or the Old Phuket Town.
- The rainy season runs roughly May to October, with heavier afternoon downpours โ allow extra time and caution on coastal roads.
- Phang Nga Bay, known for its limestone karsts, is about an hour north by car from central Phuket.
- Many visitors rent scooters, but a car is generally safer and more comfortable for families or longer island routes.
- Prices are displayed in THB, the local currency.
- Phuket has a tropical climate year-round, with air conditioning standard across all rental categories.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Phuket
Do you need a car in Phuket?
Patong and Kata are walkable for beach access, but a car helps for reaching quieter beaches, Phang Nga Bay, or the Old Phuket Town.
How far is Phuket Airport from Patong?
About 32km, roughly a 45-minute drive, with rental desks in the arrivals hall.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Phuket?
Yes, foreign drivers need an IDP alongside their home license to drive legally in Thailand.
Can I drive from Phuket to Krabi?
Yes, it's about a 2.5-hour drive, a common route for exploring the Andaman coast beyond Phuket.
What currency are prices shown in for Phuket?
Prices are shown in THB, the local currency.
Is it safer to rent a car or a scooter in Phuket?
A car is generally safer and more comfortable for families or longer routes, though scooters remain popular for short trips.
What is the cheapest car type in Phuket?
Economy cars like a Toyota Yaris start around 840 THB/day, among the lower rates in Southeast Asia. An SUV starts around 1,600 THB/day.
Nearby trips
