How to Rent a Car in Phuket

So, you’ve decided to visit Phuket for a vacation and have already booked your tickets and accommodation.

The next question that arises is, “How will I get around there? After all, there’s so much to see – beaches, viewpoints, Big Buddha, crocodile/snake/pearl farms, Monkey Hill, and generally walking in the heat and humidity is not that enjoyable. After 10 minutes of walking, you already want to go back to the sea or at least under a shower.”

You may have already found information online that public transport on the island is quite poor. There are fewer proper bus routes than fingers on one hand, and taxis are very expensive. Local minibuses, “songthaew,” run once an hour according to vague schedules, and their drivers don’t speak any language other than Thai, with no specific stops either.

Renting a scooter? Sure, it’s freedom, wind in your hair, the scent of the sea, romance and all that, but it’s also helmets, mandatory international licenses, right-hand traffic that’s unfamiliar and chaotic without clear rules, plus no insurance, as bikes are not insured at all. Also, scooters are stopped for checks very often by the police, especially if they see a foreigner driving and the bike is rented (believe me, it’s immediately noticeable to the trained eye of a police officer).

Bicycle? The bike rental service is absolutely undeveloped on the island (as well as scooter rental, by the way), because, again, it’s very hot and humid here. From a safety standpoint on the roads, it’s no better than a scooter, even worse, and you also have to pedal, with no specific bike lanes, and riding between beaches over mountain passes is just not feasible.

So, the logical conclusion is to rent a car. Bingo! Cars are safer, they are almost never stopped for checks, they have insurance, air conditioning, and on a right-hand traffic road, you feel more confident with four wheels instead of two.

What are the options for renting cars on the island?

1.Internationally known companies (Hertz, Avis, etc.)

Pros:

• Clear insurance conditions;
• Location – at the airport (a plus if you arrive and immediately want to rent a car for the whole term, but a minus in all other cases);
• Good car condition – international standards;
• No unjustified complaints about the car’s condition upon return.

Cons:

• Expensive or very expensive;
• Very often no cars available for rent;
• Location – only at the airport;
• Need to pay with a non-Russian card and mandatory presence of a non-Russian credit card for fund blocking (often several);
• Child seats – only for additional money;
• Extremely high fueling service prices if the tank is not full upon return;
• Limited car class selection in Phuket.

2.Local large car rental companies

Pros:

• Wide car class selection;
• Clear pricing policy (no risk of overcharging as these companies have clear price lists and do not inflate prices due to market competition);
• Guaranteed rental (even if something unforeseen happens with a specific car, there’s almost always a replacement available);
• Presence of an official Thai company (safety guarantees in unclear situations);
• High service level (support staff and field staff, communication in several languages, often free additional services to increase their value in the eyes of a client who will return and recommend this company to friends);
• Excellent car condition – important for their reputation;
• Roadside and critical situation assistance (especially valuable – in the renter’s native language);
• Clear rental agreement concluded before payment;
• Flexible payment and deposit terms (they accept money in any form convenient for the renter);
• Delivery and return – by agreement at any point on the island;
• Often – additional “perks” like free child seats or boosters;
• Clearly outlined responsibility in the agreement in case of an accident;
• No unjustified claims upon return.

Cons:

• Usually have a minimum rental term – from one week;
•  Require international licenses as they comply with Thai law.

3.Thai rental companies along roads and in tourist spots

Pros:

• Walking distance from accommodation;
• Flexible rental conditions;
• Any rental term;
• Almost never require international licenses for rental.

Cons:

• Language barrier (especially when discussing something unfavorable for the landlord – they might “forget” all languages except their native Thai);
• High likelihood of unjustified nitpicking upon return and, consequently, deposit loss;
• Often lack an official company;
• No roadside or critical situation assistance;
• Responsibility in an accident is interpreted very broadly depending on the landlord’s audacity and your understanding of Thai laws (and sometimes just the Thai language);
• Average car condition – “not falling apart, so it’s fine”;
• No child seats at all or they are in such a condition that it’s scary to even put a dog in them;
• Often – no contract;
• Pricing policy fundamentally depends on whether you look like a fresh tourist or a seasoned local, even if a foreigner.

4.Agents / private individuals / “local-from-chat-telegram-10-years-living-on-the-island”

Pros:

• Personal communication during car selection for rental;
• Individual approach, flexible payment and deposit terms (again, this is only during the selection stage, before payment);
• Do not require international licenses for rental.

Cons:

• Price – depends on negotiation (if lucky, you’ll save, but you might overpay significantly);
• No official Thai company;
• After payment, the chosen car is not guaranteed;
• High risk of fraud;
• No contract;
• Often – no proper insurance;
• No roadside or critical situation assistance;
• Not always available;
• Car condition – depends on luck, never known in advance;
• Child seats – for very high additional fees and only if the agent is not too lazy to find one for rent specifically for you;
• High likelihood of deposit non-return;
• Complete lack of responsibility.

The choice is yours!

Holy Cow, has specifically selected several reliable large local rental companies with a large car rental fleet, with legal Thai companies and transparent contracts, with support, flexible payment terms, delivery anywhere on the island, and a high level of service.

Go to the Car Rental in Phuket page to view options with prices and send a rental request. A manager will definitely contact you to discuss terms and help with booking.

Book your car in advance and enjoy a comfortable vacation on the paradise island of Phuket!

Anton Petrov
Co-Founder of Holy Cow Phuket Co., Ltd
23.08.25