7 Best Private Phuket Tours to Sightsee the City

Top 7 Private Tours in Phuket Around the City

1. Phuket Instagram Tour: The Most Famous Spots

Perfect for those who want extraordinary photos captured by a pro!

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 to 8  Hours | 🏝 Book it!

If you’re not into the whole renting a scooter and having helmet hair, ride in a private car to the most photo-friendly places in Phuket on this Instagram Tour. 

Stop at iconic Thai landmarks such as Big Buddha Temple, Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong), Old Phuket Town, and Karon Viewpoint while passing by so many other locations. If you see anywhere you like, just ask your driver to slow down for the shot you want. 

With a personal photographer on hand, you’ll have someone capturing all your best angles instead of setting up your own tripod and taking forever. 

Plus, eat a delicious local lunch at an aesthetic restaurant your followers will be asking you about. 

Your private tour guide will also lead you to a hidden ocean-front spot with a picture-perfect backdrop.

Any admission fees and lunch are included in the tour package. And you’ll have 2-way comfortable transfers from any southern Phuket hotel included, so you won’t have to worry about transportation.

2. Phuket City Tour: Karon View Point, Big Buddha & Wat Chalong

Most Popular Phuket City Tour, great for first-timers

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

Experience this half-day guided adventure around Phuket City with two different departure times and three language options to choose from. 

Your informative local guide will take you to all the must-see sights, including Big Buddha Phuket, Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong), Old Phuket Town, Karon Viewpoint, and even a cashew nut factory.

This option is perfect for first-time visitors to Phuket who want to get an overview of the city’s top attractions without the hassle of planning and navigating on their own. 

Enjoy comfortable pick-up and drop-off from centrally located hotels in Phuket. You can also pick from German, French, and English-speaking language choices.

3. Private Customized Phuket Tour with Driver

Best option for those who want to make your own itinerary

⭐️ RATING: 4/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 to 8 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

With this private customized tour, you are basically hiring your own personal Thai uber, which will give you ultimate flexibility in planning your day sightseeing in Phuket.

You can choose your own departure time and customize the duration to have a half-day or full-day experience. With multiple options for 4, 6, or 8-hour hires, you can create the perfect itinerary for you and your group.

Cat’s Insider Tips: Along with the most popular tourist places, here are some of my hidden gem recommendations of where you should go: Promthep Cape, Nui Beach, Mad Hog Tavern (Hogwarts Themed Cafe in Old Town)

Your private driver will take you anywhere you want to go, allowing you to move at your own pace. Just note that even though your driver will have lots of local knowledge, but they are not a licensed guide. 

4. Amazing Phuket Island & Big Buddha Guided Tour

Best tour for those with big groups 

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH:  5 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

This private city tour in Phuket is the perfect choice for large groups of 8-9 people because this option charges a flat group fee. 

Enjoy a ride in a private air-conditioned minivan as your local guide takes you on a journey around the island.

Much of the itinerary looks similar to the tours above. Take in views from Karon Viewpoint before heading to the iconic Big Buddha monument and the Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong).

You’ll also get to explore Old Phuket Town and see the city’s unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese architecture. And stop at a cashew nut factory for a taste of this local specialty.

Round-trip hotel transfers make it easy and convenient for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy with your group.

5. Phuket Night Food Tour & Old Town’s Magical Lights

Best for foodies and night owls

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

Did you know that Phuket is UNESCO-recognized as a “city of gastronomy”? And really Thai massages and food are probably what the country is most famous for.

Join a local foodie guide on this private evening food tour of Phuket Old Town, trying the flavors that give this city the honor.

Enjoy a mix of a walking tour and private minivan rides to visit five different food stops, sampling at least 10 dishes and drinks along the way.

You’ll get to taste everything from Thai street food snacks at the night market to unique delicacies like Peranakan delights and Chino-Portuguese flavors.

Learn about the history, culture, and traditions of Phuket as you eat your way through the streets. Plus, see the beautiful old town illuminated by magical lights at night.

They’ve also got you covered with round-trip hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you’re not hulling your full stomach back home yourself.

6. SANYATI – Leopard 51 Power Cat Luxury Cruise

Best for those who want a private boat charter

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

Why not just charter your own private luxury catamaran? Customize your sailing route on this 8-hour cruise around Phuket. 

Since all the other options in this list are land-based, I wanted to include one private Phuket boat tour option that allows you the freedom to explore wherever you want. While you can certainly embark on a Phuket islands tour to James Bond Island or Phrang Nang Bay, you can also simply cruise along the Phuket coastline and enjoy views of the city from the sea.

The Leopard 51 Power Cat, with a maximum capacity of 15 guests, offers a powerful sound system and comes with a professional three-man crew dedicated to pampering you.

Onboard, you’ll find fishing and snorkeling gear, as well as fun water toys such as an inflatable water slide, floating sofas, and sea kayaks to enjoy.

Enjoy a seafood BBQ for lunch prepared by your crew. Beverages are provided, including 6 complimentary beers per adult. From wherever you’re staying in Phuket, private transfers are also included.

This catamaran sail is an amazing 5 star experience! You’ll have a fantastic day exploring Phuket Island and its surroundings.

7. Phuket Giant Water Lilies & Temple Tour

Best for those who want to see a Phuket hidden gem

⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 Hours | 🏝 Book it!

Phuket is home to one of the largest lilies in the world, the Victoria Amazonica. They’re so big, you can literally lay on them like in the cartoons!

On this private half-day Phuket giant lilies tour, you’ll get to take a long-tail boat ride through the lotus pond, where you can even stand on a lily pad or capture fantastic drone shots. This is truly a unique experience, rare in the world. 

Related Post: A trip to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, is the only other place I know of that has this. 

In addition to the lotus pond, you’ll also get to visit three beautiful temples: Wat Phra Thong Temple, known for its half-buried golden Buddha statue; Wat Phra Nang Sang, Phuket’s oldest temple; and Wat Sri Sunthon, home to an enormous golden reclining Buddha.

Your private package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and drone pictures. However, videos will have an extra fee. This is definitely a must-do tour for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Where to Stay in Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is gigantic, and being the popular tourist hub that it is, you’ll find every kind of accommodation option. From luxurious beachfront resorts to cozy guesthouses and budget-friendly hostels, here are some of the best neighborhoods to stay in

• Patong: Endless entertainment options and nightlife, but a bit sleazy.
• Kata & Karon: Touristy but long, beautiful beaches nearby
• Phuket Town: Relatively cheaper and a hub of local markets, but further from the beach
• Kamala & Surin: Home to boutique resorts and some of the best beaches

Twinpalms Hotel

⭐ RATING: 8.9 out of 10 Stars | Surin | $$$

Book a stay at Twinpalms Hotel, a 5-star resort that blends Thai hospitality, modern amenities, and world-class service. Located in Surin, guests can enjoy private terraces with magnificent lagoon pool views, an expansive saltwater pool, and three onsite restaurants. Uber-ing around Phuket gets expensive and you have to watch for cops with Phuket scooter rentals, so Twinpalms complimentary “Take me to” shuttle service connecting you to all of the nearby beaches is a definite plus.

Shunli Hotel

⭐ RATING: 9.8 out of 10 Stars | Phuket Town | $

Shunli Hotel is a great place for travelers looking for a low-cost, yet comfortable stay right in the middle of Phuket Town. This 2-star hotel has an impressive 9.8/10 rating from over 500 satisfied guest reviews! People here love their complimentary breakfast and the peaceful green garden that surrounds the hotel.

Slumber Party Surf Hostel Kata Phuket

⭐ RATING: 8.3 out of 10 Stars | Kata | $

I stayed at Slumber Party Surf Kata Phuket, and as a backpacker for the first time in Phuket, I couldn’t really ask for more. They have capsule-style DOUBLE size beds, and it was super easy to meet people. They have a DJ spinning techno x house every night and a community bar, fun games, and big hang-out space. Plus, it is pretty close to the beaches and right next to a night market with plenty of food.

Final Thoughts: Top Private Phuket City Tours

Phuket is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations, so hit the city landmarks before you move onto what I think is the more exciting part of Phuket: going on a trip to the nearby beautiful islands, like Phi Phi Islands for Maya Bay, Krabi, Railay, Similan Islands, Coral Island, and so many more.

Read my next post on the best Phuket boat tours that’ll take you to any island you want to go. 

And in case you’re still not sure which Phuket sightseeing tour to pick, here’s a summary: 

• Hit the highlights with a personal photographer, sign up for this Instagram city tour.
• See all the iconic places with a professional local tour guide, book this city tour.
• If you want to make your own itinerary, hire a private driver to take you around town.