Updated 15 June 2026 · by the Move to Phuket team

★ PHUKET AREA GUIDE · 2026

Living in Phuket Town

The historic Sino-Portuguese old town — café culture, the Sunday Walking Street and the best price-per-square-metre on the island.

Studios from ฿9,000
Entry rent / month
~35–40 min
To the airport
🏖️
Not on a beach (~20–30 min to the coast)
// The feel

What Phuket Town is like

The historic Sino-Portuguese old town — café culture, the Sunday Walking Street and the best price-per-square-metre on the island. Phuket Town is the value-and-culture pick for remote workers who prize a walkable city over a beach.

Best for: Budget-conscious expats, remote workers and culture lovers.

// The trade-offs

Pros & cons

Why live here

  • The cheapest quality rentals on the island
  • Walkable, with great food, cafés and culture
  • Central to everything, with hospitals and services on hand

The trade-offs

  • Not on a beach
  • More local than resort
  • Urban traffic and parking
// Practicalities

Rent, beach & getting around

Typical rent: Studios from ฿9,000 · 1-bed ฿12,000–25,000 · 2-bed ฿22,000–35,000 (12-month lease; short-term and high-season rates run higher). Beach: Not on a beach (~20–30 min to the coast). Airport: about ~35–40 min off-peak — high-season traffic can roughly double it. There is no real public transport in Phuket, so budget for a scooter or car — see getting around.

Is Phuket Town right for you?

Phuket Town is the value-and-culture pick for remote workers who prize a walkable city over a beach. Compare the numbers in our cost-of-living guide and the other areas in the neighbourhoods overview.

// FAQ

Common questions

Is Phuket Town a good place to live in Phuket?

Phuket Town suits budget-conscious expats, remote workers and culture lovers. Phuket Town is the value-and-culture pick for remote workers who prize a walkable city over a beach.

How much is rent in Phuket Town?

Typical long-term rent in Phuket Town runs Studios from ฿9,000 · 1-bed ฿12,000–25,000 · 2-bed ฿22,000–35,000, on a 12-month lease. Short-term and high-season (December–February) rates are higher.

How far is Phuket Town from Phuket airport?

Phuket Town is about ~35–40 min from Phuket International Airport off-peak; allow extra time in high season and the late-afternoon rush.