Book through Localrent to access local rental companies in Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok. Drive the Andaman coast or explore the mainland on your own terms.
HKT terminal, drive south to beaches or north across Sarasin Bridge
KBV airport or Krabi Town, gateway to Ao Nang and Ko Lanta
Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports, start for Pattaya and Hua Hin
Most renters arrive at Phuket International Airport in the north of the island and pick up immediately. HKT sits on the west coast; Route 402 runs south through the interior, connecting Patong in 45 minutes, Kata in 55 and Rawai in 65. The Chalong Circle acts as a bottleneck during rush periods. Crossing Sarasin Bridge to the mainland opens Khao Lak in 1.5 hours. Rassada pier, south of Phuket Town, handles ferries to Phi Phi.
Krabi Airport lies 15 km east of Krabi Town. Ao Nang beach sits 30 minutes west via Route 4034, with limestone karsts lining Route 4. Ko Lanta became reachable by two consecutive bridges in 2016, eliminating the ferry wait; budget 2 hours. Railay remains accessible only by longtail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi Town. Phang Nga Bay is 1.5 hours north.
Bangkok offers two airports: Suvarnabhumi east of the city and Don Mueang to the north. Motorway 7 leads to Pattaya in 1.5 to 2 hours. Tollways accept cash or Easy Pass tags. Hua Hin lies 3 hours south via Route 35 and Route 4. Ayutthaya is 1.5 hours north. Rush hour runs 7 to 10 in the morning and 16 to 20 in the evening; most visitors collect their car at the airport and leave the city the same day.
November through February marks high season on the Andaman coast. Daytime temperatures hold between 28 and 32 degrees. Rain tapers off, leaving dry roads and calm seas. Visibility improves for snorkelling and island hopping. The Gulf coast sees some rainfall even in these months, but the west side stays reliably dry.
Local companies listed on Localrent adjust rates for peak weeks around Christmas and New Year, yet inventory remains strong. Beach roads fill earlier in the day, so start trips before mid-morning. Northern provinces like Chiang Mai cool into the low twenties at night, comfortable for mountain drives without air conditioning.
Thailand follows left-hand traffic. Keep left, overtake on the right. An International Driving Permit is required by Thai law alongside your home licence; rental companies listed on Localrent will check both documents at pick-up.
Tollways around Bangkok collect cash at booths or accept Easy Pass electronic tags; some rental companies offer tags for a small daily fee. Phuket and Krabi have no tolls. Speed limits are typically 90 km/h on rural highways and 120 km/h on motorways, though enforcement varies. U-turns under bridges are common and legal; watch for painted arrows on the pavement.
Scooters weave through traffic and often ignore lane markings. Keep a wide buffer. Petrol stations cluster in towns and along main routes; fuel is widely available. Park in marked bays where possible; enforcement is stricter in tourist zones.
| Class | Typical models | Suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan | Toyota Yaris, Honda City | Two passengers, beach circuit | Easy to park, good fuel economy |
| Sedan | Toyota Vios, Nissan Almera | Small family, highway trips | Larger boot, stable on motorways |
| SUV compact | Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander | Three adults, moderate luggage | Higher seating, better visibility |
| SUV mid-size | Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X | Four passengers, long routes | Comfortable for multi-day mainland drives |
| Pick-up | Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger | Equipment transport, off-paved tracks | Four-wheel drive available, popular locally |
Compact sedans handle Phuket's beach loop easily. SUVs offer clearance for rougher roads near national parks. Pick-ups dominate rural areas and provide four-wheel drive for wet-season excursions, though most winter visitors stick to paved routes.
Some local companies listed on Localrent offer rentals that do not require a deposit at pick-up. The no-deposit page explains how these offers work and which conditions apply. Coverage, excess and liability are separate items in the voucher.
When a deposit is required, it is held by the rental company as a security measure and released after the car is returned. The amount and method are stated in your voucher. Payment of the deposit is not related to insurance choices; both are distinct terms agreed at booking.
The IDP must accompany your original licence; it is not a standalone document. Thai police and rental staff routinely check both. Advance payment is settled through the Localrent widget when you book; the remainder is paid to the rental company at pick-up as stated in the voucher.
Phuket's west coast beaches link by a single coastal road punctuated by hills. Allow extra time during afternoon return traffic. The drive to Ko Lanta replaced the old ferry crossing in 2016; two consecutive bridges now connect the island. Railay cannot be reached by car; park in Ao Nang and take a longtail boat. Bangkok's motorways speed up exits to Pattaya and Hua Hin, but inner-city stretches clog during rush periods.
Yes. Thai law requires an International Driving Permit alongside your home country licence. Rental companies listed on Localrent will ask for both documents when you collect the car.
Thailand follows left-hand traffic. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car, and you overtake on the right.
Some local companies on Localrent permit one-way rentals between Phuket and Krabi. Availability and any one-way fee will appear in the search results when you enable routing in the booking widget.
Motorway 7 between Bangkok and Pattaya has several toll booths. You pay in cash or with an Easy Pass tag if your rental car is equipped with one. Keep small notes for the toll collectors.
Yes. Local companies listed on Localrent maintain inventory through the November to February peak. Booking a few weeks ahead gives you a wider choice of car classes and better rates.
Ready to explore? Use the Localrent widget above to compare live offers from local companies in Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok. Pick your dates, choose a car and book directly.