Your stay — Friends Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Phuket.
The Property — Friends Hostel
Friends Hostel in Phuket is a 3-star social hub for young travellers and backpackers. The hostel's modern design features bright colours, rattan furniture, and plenty of natural light, giving it a lively, beachy vibe. Its USP is its lively common areas, where guests can mingle over pool tables, board games, and BBQs. Standing in the lobby, you'll feel the laid-back atmosphere, with a friendly staff always ready to help. It's perfect for solo travellers and groups of friends looking for a fun, relaxed base in Phuket.
Chronicles of Phuket
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century when it was a major trading port. The island's old town, with its Sino-Portuguese architecture, reflects its colonial past, while the present-day city is a bustling hub of tourism and development. Patong Beach, where the hostel is located, was once a quiet fishing village but has since become a vibrant nightlife district. Phuket's cultural identity is a blend of Thai, Chinese, and Malay influences, with a strong emphasis on Buddhism and a thriving arts scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phuket guide →Best months
The best months to visit Phuket for good weather and manageable crowds are May and June, when the temperature is warm and sunny, with average highs of 32°C (90°F), and the crowds are smaller than in the peak season. July and August can also be great options, but be prepared for occasional rain showers.
Peak / festival surge
December is peak season in Phuket, driven by the festive atmosphere and Christmas/New Year's celebrations. Expect higher prices for accommodations, and popular beaches like Patong and Kata can get very crowded. Hotel prices tend to increase by 20-30% during this time.
Budget shoulder season
The shoulder season, from April to June, offers the best budget-friendly options, with discounts on accommodations and fewer crowds. The weather is still warm, but with a slight chance of rain showers.
Weather & packing
Phuket's climate is characterised by a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Pack light, breathable clothing for the hot and humid weather, and don't forget to bring sunscreen with a high SPF rating.
Live City Briefing — Phuket
- The Phuket International Airport has recently expanded its terminal, with improved facilities and easier check-in processes.
- A new night market has opened in Patong, offering a wide range of street food, souvenirs, and local handicrafts.
- The Phuket authorities have implemented stricter noise regulations in the old town area to reduce noise pollution and preserve the historic architecture.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Friends Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (4th-6th) for a quieter stay. These floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise, which can be a concern in Phuket's busy areas. Additionally, being on a higher floor will also give you a better chance of avoiding noise from the service entrance and lift.
Rooms to avoid
Try to avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) and service entrance, as these areas tend to be noisier due to frequent foot traffic. On lower floors (1st-3rd), you may hear more street noise and the sounds of the bar/restaurant from the ground floor.
Best views
Since Friends Hostel is located in Phuket, you can expect a view of the surrounding cityscape or nearby buildings, but not a beach or ocean view. If you're looking for a view, request a room on a higher floor to see the city skyline.
Quietest floors
4th-6th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise, especially if you're a light sleeper. Phuket's nightlife can be lively, and the hotel's location may not be far from bars or clubs. However, the hotel's design and soundproofing should help minimize the noise.
Insider tips
1. Try to arrive early for check-in to secure parking, as spaces can be limited in Phuket's busy areas. 2. Request a room with a balcony or a window that opens to get some natural light and a bit of a breeze.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Friends Hostel
free 1GB per day, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader, no physical papers
14:00-00:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00, 12:00 late check-out fee 200 THB
24/7 baggage storage available for 20 THB per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries, adapted rooms available on request
on-site parking available for 100 THB per night, nearest public car park 500 THB per day, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 30 THB per night/person
Deposit & card hold: 200 THB advance deposit + 300 THB incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Wat Mongkonwaram (822 m · ~10 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosque Darul Abideen (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Sirinart Naiyang Park — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
K-Bank — 259 m · ~3 min walk
Midnight Pharmacy — 677 m · ~8 min walk
7-Eleven — 41 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Change money at banks or money changers in local areas like Patong or Phuket Town, avoiding airport or tourist bureaux for better rates.
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB) and mobile payments (TrueMoney, GrabPay) are widely accepted in tourist areas, but cash is still king in local markets and some street food stalls.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Try a local 7-Eleven or a street vendor for a coffee around 30-50 THB ($1-$1.50 USD)
Street food stalls or markets like the Phuket Walking Street offer affordable lunches around 100-150 THB ($3-$4.50 USD)
Local restaurants and eateries serve affordable dinners around 150-250 THB ($4.50-$7.50 USD) for a main course
Patong Beach Road and the surrounding areas are popular for street food, while Phuket Walking Street offers a variety of food stalls on weekends
Big C, Tesco Lotus, and 7-Eleven are common supermarkets in the area
Patong Beach Road and the Jungceylon shopping mall offer affordable shopping options for clothing
A one-day bus pass costs around 140 THB ($4 USD) for unlimited rides on Phuket's public buses, while a taxi from the airport costs around 800-1,200 THB ($25-$35 USD)
Use local transportation instead of taxis, eat at street food stalls or local restaurants, and avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist areas for better rates
Good to know — Phuket
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · THB
Emergency Contacts
PhuketWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phuket, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Friends Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · K-Bank — 259 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Midnight Pharmacy — 677 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
💡 Download Grab app; fixed pricing upfront. Safer and more transparent than street taxis. Pool option available for savings.
Central Phuket Town → Merlin Beach/Kamala area
💡 Red songthaews are local shared taxis; negotiate fare beforehand. Best for day trips; avoid late night travel.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
💡 Use official airport taxi counter; avoid unmarked taxis. Negotiate fixed rate before departure or ensure meter is running.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Central Phuket/Patong Beach area
💡 Most economical option; requires additional local transport to hotel. Buy tickets at ground floor departure hall.
About Phuket
Wikipedia ↗
Phuket ( poo-KET; Thai: ภูเก็ต, [pʰūː.kèt] , Malay: Bukit or Tongkah) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the A...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Friends Hostel?
Request a room on the higher floors (4th-6th) for a quieter stay. These floors are likely to be farther away from the street noise, which can be a concern in Phuket's busy areas. Additionally, being on a higher floor will also give you a better chance of avoiding noise from the service entrance and lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Friends Hostel?
Try to avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) and service entrance, as these areas tend to be noisier due to frequent foot traffic. On lower floors (1st-3rd), you may hear more street noise and the sounds of the bar/restaurant from the ground floor.
Is Friends Hostel noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise, especially if you're a light sleeper. Phuket's nightlife can be lively, and the hotel's location may not be far from bars or clubs. However, the hotel's design and soundproofing should help minimize the noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Friends Hostel?
Since Friends Hostel is located in Phuket, you can expect a view of the surrounding cityscape or nearby buildings, but not a beach or ocean view. If you're looking for a view, request a room on a higher floor to see the city skyline.
What are insider tips for staying at Friends Hostel?
1. Try to arrive early for check-in to secure parking, as spaces can be limited in Phuket's busy areas. 2. Request a room with a balcony or a window that opens to get some natural light and a bit of a breeze.
What time is check-in at Friends Hostel?
Check-in at Friends Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Friends Hostel have Wi-Fi?
free 1GB per day, 5 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Friends Hostel?
30 THB per night/person
Where can I eat cheaply near Friends Hostel?
Street food stalls or markets like the Phuket Walking Street offer affordable lunches around 100-150 THB ($3-$4.50 USD)
What is the cheapest way to get around from Friends Hostel?
A one-day bus pass costs around 140 THB ($4 USD) for unlimited rides on Phuket's public buses, while a taxi from the airport costs around 800-1,200 THB ($25-$35 USD)
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
The best months to visit Phuket for good weather and manageable crowds are May and June, when the temperature is warm and sunny, with average highs of 32°C (90°F), and the crowds are smaller than in the peak season. July and August can also be great options, but be prepared for occasional rain showers.
Top Attractions in Phuket
💡 Bring small bills; the grilled pork skewers and mango sticky rice are worth queueing for.
💡 Dress modestly (free sarongs available); go early morning for the best light and fewest visitors — midday crowds and heat are both intense
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid heat and crowds; the walk up is steep if you skip the taxi.
💡 Dress modestly (cover knees and shoulders); climb the pagoda for good views of the grounds.
💡 Rent a deckchair for 100 baht from the southern end; there's free public parking near the temple.
💡 Entry is 200 baht (about £4), but it’s worth it for the air-con and the quiet courtyard garden; free guided tours in English at 10am.