The split between international and local is ours; the Booking.com page does not make it and gives neither deposit nor insurance.

Licence: what to show

The Thai government's official site states (November 2024) that visitors may drive with a valid International Driving Permit, a Thai licence or a licence issued by an ASEAN country. So show your national licence and your international permit. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) adds that without one of these documents you must apply for a Thai licence. Rental companies may require both, and insurance can refuse to pay without a valid licence. We found no official source on which convention (1949 or 1968) applies: ask the body in your country which international permit to get. A motorbike licence is a separate matter: see renting a scooter in Phuket. General laws and formalities are in before you go to Phuket: laws and safety.

Driving on the left

Thailand drives on the left, and seat belts are compulsory. The hill roads between Kata, Karon and Patong are steep and motorbikes weave through traffic. To choose between a car and a scooter, see scooter or car in Phuket. We found no clear official table for speed limits, alcohol limits and fines: never drive after drinking. Useful numbers: police 191, medical emergencies 1669.

Insurance and excess

Read the offer's conditions before paying: the excess (the amount left to pay after an accident) and what the insurance covers. TAT advises checking that the vehicle has valid registration and insurance, otherwise insurance may be void after an accident. Preferably choose full cover with no excess, or your bank card's insurance after reading its terms. After an accident, inform the rental company and the police.

Deposit and rental conditions

The deposit, minimum age and required licence are set by each company. The Booking.com airport page does not state them: read the offer before booking and keep a credit card in the driver's name. We give no amount because we have no source.

Airport pick-up and inspection

Give your flight number when booking. At pick-up, photograph the car from every angle, check the fuel level and keep the contract. At drop-off, take photos again and have the inspection form signed. For damage disputes, read scams and safety in Phuket. To reach your beach without renting, see from the airport to the beaches and getting around Phuket.

When not to rent

Do not rent without an international permit, if you are not comfortable driving on the left, if you are staying on one beach or if you arrive tired from an overnight flight: a transfer or Grab is simpler.

If you have an accident

On the spot: get to safety, switch on the hazard lights, check for injuries and call emergency services (191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)). Get a written police report on the spot: without it, the rental company and the insurer may refuse to pay. Photograph the vehicles, the plate, the road and the damage, note the other driver's details, and call the rental company before any repair.

Who pays what: damage to the car is covered by the rental company's protection (CDW), subject to its excess (deductible), or by an excess cover bought with the rental; injuries and medical costs fall under your travel insurance. Travel insurance does not pay for the rental car or for damage to third parties.

SafetyWing covers medical costs after an accident abroad; check the policy's conditions for driving (a licence valid in the country, a helmet on a scooter).

FAQ

Do you need an international permit to rent a car in Phuket?

In practice yes: the Thai government's official site lists a valid international permit among the accepted licences. Show your national licence too.

Do they drive on the left?

Yes, like everywhere in Thailand.

How much does a car cost per day?

About $25 a day on average for a small car on Booking.com on 20 October 2026, before fuel and any full insurance.

Where can I compare rental companies?

On Booking.com's Phuket airport car rental page, which lists about a dozen companies.

The Phuket Authority editorial team, 20 October 2026.