Wintering in Phuket: Visas, Accommodation, Insurance, Transport, and Tips for 2026

Spending winter in Phuket has long become a real trend among tourists, freelancers, and families with children. The tropical climate, affordable housing, fresh fruits and seafood, stable internet, and a comfortable pace of life make this island an ideal place for a long stay. But along with dreams of a heavenly winter, many practical questions arise: which visa to choose, where to stay, how to get around, what insurance to get, and how to keep children busy.

In this material, we have collected the most up-to-date information about spending winter in Phuket in 2026.

Visa Issues

A visa is the main document that determines how comfortable your winter stay will be. In 2026, several options are available:

Tourist Visa (TR) — issued for 60 days with the possibility of extending for another 30. Suitable for winter stays up to 3 months.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) — for citizens of some countries (e.g., Russia) valid for 30 days, but can be extended for another 30. Not very convenient for a long winter stay.
Education Visa (ED) — obtained upon enrollment in language courses or other programs. Valid for up to 1 year. Suitable for those who want to stay legally for a long time and acquire new knowledge.
Retirement Visa (Non-O, Non-OA) — for people over 50, requires proof of financial solvency.
LTR (Long-Term Resident) — a visa for investors, high-income freelancers, specialists, and retirees with sufficient capital. Valid for up to 10 years.
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) — a new visa launched in 2024–2025. This is an important innovation for winter travelers. It is designed for "long-term tourism," suitable for digital nomads, remote workers, online course students, as well as those planning to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days a year. The visa is valid for 5 years and allows extending the stay up to six months each time. For many travelers, this has become a real alternative to ED and LTR visas, without being tied to educational centers or high financial requirements.
Thailand Elite Visa — this is a long-term visa for 5 to 20 years, which allows you to live in the country without complex bureaucracy and constant extensions. It grants multiple entry and exit rights, VIP airport service, assistance with bank accounts and documents. The cost starts from 600,000 baht. The visa does not grant the right to work but is ideal for a comfortable winter stay, residency, or frequent visits to Thailand.

Which visa is right for your winter stay in Thailand depends on several factors — your citizenship, planned length of stay, and even the purpose of your trip. If you plan to come for only a couple of months, you might not even need to apply for a visa in advance.

For citizens of Russia, a visa-free regime applies: you can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, and then extend your stay for another 30 days directly at the local immigration office. That is, a total of up to 90 days without applying for a visa in advance. This is quite sufficient for those who come for the winter for only 2–3 months. For citizens of Kazakhstan, the visa-free period is 30 days. Check for visa-free regimes before traveling, as information can change very quickly.

If you plan to stay longer, you need to choose a visa depending on your goals. For a long winter stay, tourist visas, student visas (for example, for studying at language schools), as well as new formats like DTV or a long-term elite visa, designed for several years, are suitable.

We can consult and assist with applying for an elite visa for 5, 10, or 15 years. For more detailed information, click the feedback button at the bottom of this article. For other visa types, it is best to contact the Thai Consulate or Embassy in your country of departure directly.

Medical Insurance

In 2026, entry to Thailand no longer requires mandatory insurance, but tourists and winter residents without it face risks. The cost of medical services remains high: a specialist consultation costs 1000–1500 baht, treatment for serious injuries can be tens of thousands of baht, and hospitalization starts from 50,000 baht and up.

Types of insurance:

Basic tourist policies (from 30–40 dollars per month) — cover only emergency cases.
Extended policies (from 50–80 dollars per month) — include treatment for injuries, chronic diseases, and pregnancy assistance.
Insurance with "sport" option — mandatory if you plan to ride a bike, dive, surf, or engage in other active recreational activities.
Long-term expat policies (e.g., Allianz, AXA, Pacific Cross) — cover treatment for 6 months to a year, suitable for winter residents and families.

Tip: When choosing a policy, always check the list of clinics where the insurance is valid. In Phuket, it is best to focus on Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Phuket International Hospital, Dibuk Hospital, and major private clinics.

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation in Phuket depends on the area, season, and type of housing.

Tourist areas (Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Bang Tao, Surin) — closer to the beach, but rent and food prices are higher.
Non-tourist areas (Chalong, Rawai, Kathu, Phuket Town, Thalang) — cheaper accommodation, closer to markets and shopping centers, but you can't do without transportation.

Accommodation types:

Condo — apartments with security, a pool, and a gym. From 15,000 baht per month.
Houses and townhouses — from 10,000 baht per month in non-tourist areas.
Villas — from 40,000 baht per month, in the Laguna area — from 100,000 baht.
Guesthouses and hotels — from 500 baht per night, but for a winter stay, this may not be cost-effective or convenient.

Important: During the high season (November–March), prices can increase by 2–3 times. Therefore, it is more advantageous to conclude long-term contracts or book accommodation in advance.

We offer apartments and villas for rent for periods starting from 14 days and monthly, which can be very convenient when planning a winter stay. However, please note that peak months (December/January) are booked as early as summer and autumn.

Transportation

Taxis in Phuket are expensive, and public transport is limited. The best option is to rent transportation.

Scooter — from 3000–4000 baht per month, but unsafe, especially with children.
Car — from 12,000 baht per month. Cheaper for a long term than daily rentals.

Tip: we offer cars for rent in excellent technical condition for any period, but it's better to book in advance – their number is limited.

Children's Leisure and Education

Phuket is suitable for families with children. There is a large water park (Andamanda), ziplines, and play centers in shopping malls.

Education:

Russian kindergartens — from 1000 dollars per month.
Thai private kindergartens — from 300–400 dollars per month, help children learn the language faster.
International schools (British International, HeadStart, UWC) — tuition costs from 10,000 dollars per year.

Additional Tips for Winter Residents

Electricity and water are more expensive in tourist areas than where locals live.
Internet is fast: mobile packages — from 300 baht per month, wired Wi-Fi — from 600 baht.
Coworking spaces and cafes for work are available in Phuket Town, Chalong, Rawai, and Bang Tao.
At markets (Siko Market Kathu, Downtown market), you can buy fresh seafood and cook at home — an excellent option for those renting apartments with a kitchen.
If you want to plan your winter budget in advance, you can check product prices using the Makro, Lotus store apps.
In 2025, the wellness and yoga retreat trend is actively developing in Phuket, making a winter stay even more attractive.

Spending winter in Phuket in 2026 is an excellent opportunity to swap grey weekdays for a warm climate, the sea, and a relaxed atmosphere. It offers all the conditions for a long stay: from visa solutions to affordable accommodation, healthcare, transport, and entertainment for the whole family.

If you plan to spend the winter in Phuket and are looking for accommodation, a car, or excursions — contact us. We have lived and worked on the island for many years, so we know how to make your winter stay as comfortable as possible.

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