Phuket layover guide for crew

Where crew eat, drink coffee and get a massage in Phuket, plus airport buses, swimming and road safety from Smartraveller, tap water and emergency numbers.

Phuket is an island with a long west coast, and the crew pins split between Old Town in the south-east and the beach strip around Patong. Old Town packs food, coffee and massage into a few streets, so it suits a short turnaround. Patong has its own late food and a gym.

Food, early and late

In Old Town, crew pinned Tu Kab Khao on Phang Nga Road, Raya on Debuk Road and Local Canteen Phuket on Yaowarad Road as sit-down restaurants. The three roads are close enough to walk between.

For late food, Kaab Gluay on Phra Barami Road in Patong carries the late-night tag. For breakfast, crew pinned BONNEE - Brunch & Blends on Soi Rommanee.

Our guide to late-night food after a late arrival covers what to do when the kitchens have shut. Our food poisoning guide covers what to order when you are unsure.

Coffee

Crew pinned several coffee spots in Old Town. ASTERISK ESPRESSO is on Phoonpon Road, Live Specialty Coffee is on Ratsada Road and MONDO Espresso & Tea Bar is on Yaowarad Road.

Gym and wellbeing

Crew pinned two massage places: Kim's Massage & Spa on Phang Nga Road in Old Town and Napa Massage Patong Beach on Thaweewong Road. Fitness Hero Sports Club in Patong is the gym pin. Our guide to staying active on a layover has ideas if you have no time to leave the building.

Getting around and staying safe

From the airport. Airports of Thailand lists public airport buses from the domestic terminal, including an express to Patong, Karon and Kata, plus the Phuket Smart Bus from the arrivals platform there. Check the airport's page for current routes before you land. For taxis and rideshare, use our guide to taxi and rideshare safety abroad.

Swimming. Smartraveller says swimming conditions at some Thai beaches are unsafe, with strong rips, and lifesaving services are rare and below Australian standards. Do not swim or go on a boat after drinking.

Water sports. Smartraveller says transport and tour operators, including those offering jet-skiing and boat trips, do not always follow safety and maintenance standards. Check your travel insurance covers the activity before you book.

Roads. Smartraveller says road accidents are a significant cause of injury in Thailand, and to wear a helmet on motorcycles and motorcycle taxis.

Medicine and vapes. Smartraveller says travellers have been arrested for carrying medicine, even when prescribed, and that vapes are illegal. Read our crew medicine kit guide before you pack.

Scams. Smartraveller warns about scams and card-skimming devices at ATMs. Our guide to common scams in Southeast Asia covers the usual ones.

Tap water. Use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. The CDC advises travellers to avoid tap water unless they have good reason to think it is safe, and to avoid ice made from it. See our tap water guide.

Emergency. Call police on 191, an ambulance on 1669 or the fire service on 199. Smartraveller lists 1155 for the tourist police. Our guide to emergency numbers for crew cities lists the rest.

Find more on the map

All the spots crew recommend in Phuket are on the On Chocks map. Filter by open now to see what is serving while you are up.

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