All sightseeing tours in Phuket: how to choose and not be disappointed
Planning to get to know Phuket for the first time? In this article, we will tell you which sightseeing tours are really worth your time, what is the difference between free and paid options, and how not to waste a day of vacation on obsessive shopping instead of vivid impressions.
If you are visiting Phuket for the first time, you should start your acquaintance with the island with a sightseeing tour. This is truly the most convenient way to see the key sights, get to know the culture and just feel the atmosphere of the island. But it is important to understand: not every sightseeing tour will bring you pleasure and give you exactly the experience you are counting on. Unfortunately, an unsuccessful tour can ruin not only the day, but also the overall impression of the holiday.
Today we will tell you about what types of sightseeing tours exist, how they differ from each other and what to pay attention to when choosing, so as not to regret the hours spent.
"Free" excursion from the tour operator
Almost all tourists who buy a tour through an operator are offered a tour "as a gift". In fact, this is part of the classic scheme, well known to anyone who has ever traveled to Thailand or Turkey. The excursion usually includes a visit to one temple or observation deck and a large number of stops at shops disguised as "farms" or "health centers": latex factories, herbal pharmacies, jewelry boutiques, honey centers and snake "farms".
During the info-meeting, guides can insistently recommend this trip, often presenting it as an important part of the program or even mandatory. The idea is that each store pays the tour operator a percentage of sales, and sometimes a fixed amount for each tourist brought. Therefore, the program is focused not so much on your pleasure, but on shopping that is profitable for the organizers. Often they drag on for a whole day of endless shopping for tourists, and everyone returns to the hotels with a feeling of time wasted and a day of vacation wasted in vain.
Paid overview from a tour operator: has it gotten better?
When free tours got a bad name online, operators started offering improved paid versions. Sounds like a great idea. But in practice, the changes were mostly cosmetic. For example, you could pay 500-800 baht for an extended program that adds lunch and an extra stop or two, but the overall focus would still be on shopping.
Typically, these tours take a full day, but a significant portion of the time is spent shopping in the same "specialized" centers that pay a large commission on sales to your tour operator. As a result, you spend 6-8 hours for a couple of beautiful views and hours of shopping at inflated prices. Yes, some consider this part of the vacation - but it is important to know what you are getting into.
It is important to read the program description carefully. If you see the words "center", "show", "therapy", "tasting", "factory" in the list - most likely, this is a disguised store. A real excursion will consist of specific attractions, with clearly marked stops and without intrusive sales.
Local agencies and individual sightseeing tours
An alternative is sightseeing tours from local agencies, especially those that have been working in Phuket for many years and value their reputation. This is where you can often find programs without shops, where the whole day is dedicated only to natural and cultural attractions.
If you don’t want to adjust to others, wait or rush, consider an individual sightseeing tour. This is a great opportunity to visit places that are really interesting to you, with a personal guide and a flexible schedule. Yes, it is more expensive than a group tour, but for this you get comfort, personal attention and maximum information.
Exploring the island on your own
At the moment, you can find a lot of information about all the island's attractions on the Internet - including on our website. You can independently organize your trip by public transport or taxi, or rent a car for these purposes.
Viewing platforms, temples, architectural monuments of the old city, beaches - all this can be seen without stopping at "latex centers" and without hours spent waiting for other tourists.
We are not discouraging you from shopping. If you want to buy a latex pillow or herbal balm , go ahead. You have the right to choose any store, and not overpay for the sake of additional income for your tour operator (who has already earned enough from you).
It's worth asking yourself honestly: do you want to spend a whole day of rest on this?
A sightseeing tour should be about Phuket, not about shopping. It's your time, and it's up to you to decide how to spend it.
Be thoughtful when choosing any excursion. Read the programs, ask questions, clarify details. Don't be afraid to politely refuse an imposed "free" trip - it is not an obligatory part of the vacation. Look for those offers that really care about your comfort and impressions.
If you want to get to know Phuket without the fuss, queues and intrusive sales, we will be happy to select a suitable tour. Individual and group programs, routes without shops, experienced guides and an honest attitude - we have lived on the island for many years and will show you Phuket the way we love it.
Leave a request on the website or write to us - and we will tell you which sightseeing tour is right for you.
