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Walking
Kamala is such a small place that getting around is easy.
Most hotels are close to the beach, entertainment, restaurants,
shopping and activity centres, which makes walking an easy option.
By "Tuk Tuk" or Open Taxi
For those times when you just don't want to walk, opt for a tuk
tuk or small taxi truck.
State your destination and agree on the price before setting off!
A trip within the Kamala area shouldn't cost more than 50 Baht,
but for trips further afield, anything up to 400 Baht can be expected
- depending on the distance, the weather and your bargaining skills!
Song Taew
If heading off to other beaches and sites around the island, either
take a tuk tuk or catch a local songthaew or bus. The local buses
(painted bright blue for easy recognition) have their destination
written in English on the outside of the bus and run regularly between
7.00 am and 6.00pm.
There are no designated bus stops, which means you have to wave
them down in the middle of the street. Standard cost for trips to
Phuket Town, or North to Surin are approximately 15-20 Baht, and
you shouldn't take one if you are in a hurry to get where you want
to go.
Renting Cars
Private cars, jeeps and small motorbikes can be hired from most
major hotels, and from private dealers off the street. In the hotel
are the well known international companies like Hertz or Budget,
while on the street it's mainly private companies or individuals.
If you really want to explore, having your own vehicle is the best
way to go. It's important to check that full insurance coverage
is included and that you have the appropriate licenses at hand in
case of accident. You don't want to find yourself liable for damages
and medical bills or worse. A Thai or an international car or motorbike
license is mandatory for the purposes of claiming successfully for
insurance in case of accident.
Renting Cars & Motorbikes
For serious bike enthusiasts, the area around Kamala offers spectacular
views and coastal rides. Cruise along the coast on a smooth road
that banks and curves around lush green mountains looking out over
the Andaman Sea and visit some of the smaller beaches, as well as
Patong to the south, and Laem Sing, Surin and Nai Yang to the north.
There are bike shops in Kamala that have a range of bikes from the
popular Honda Dream (250cc) to larger bikes.
A word of warning - take care when riding the roads in Thailand.
Not only is there an extreme disregard for traffic regulations which
leads to unexpected and dangerous behaviour on the roads, but during
the rainy season, bike riders often come to grief when damp roads
become slippery to ride on due to oil spill build-ups. It is therefore
recommended that the inexperienced rider elect the safety of a standard
vehicle as the means for enjoying touring around Kamala and elsewhere
on the island.
Motorbike Taxis
During the day and night, you'll see groups of motorcyclists along
the road, on the corner, or cruising the streets wearing coloured
vests and trying to catch your attention. These are the motorcycle
taxi drivers who will take you anywhere around town for a fee. The
price can vary depending on the distance you want to travel and
your bargaining skills. You'll find them on the main road at Kamala
and popular sections of the beach, near the restaurants.
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