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Long stay in Phuket: areas, transport and its real cost

Updated: July 2026 · 9 min read · APARTEL Rental

A long-stayer with a maxi scooter on a sunset terrace — transport for a long stay in Phuket

Every November thousands of people fly into Phuket for 3–6 months — and in the first two weeks they make the same expensive mistakes: they settle in an area "by the photos", ride Grab at 400 ฿ a trip, and take the first scooter they find at the nearest rental with no servicing and no replacement scooter. We're a rental company that serves long-stayers on the northwest of the island year-round, and in this guide we'll lay out plainly what people usually learn by expensive trial and error.

1. Why a long stay won't work without your own transport

Phuket is a big island: 50 km from north to south. There is no public transport in the usual sense: buses run rarely and not where you need them, tuk-tuks cost 300–500 ฿ for a short trip, and a Grab to a villa deep in an area takes 20–30 minutes and costs as much as dinner. The supermarket, the market, the beach, a café to work in, the gym — all of it is "5–10 minutes by scooter, but not on foot".

Let's count honestly. A long-stay family makes 2–3 trips a day. On Grab that's 600–1,000 ฿ a day, i.e. 18,000–30,000 ฿ a month — for waiting on a car and someone else's schedule. A scooter costs that same family 5,500–9,000 ฿ a month plus 600–900 ฿ of fuel. The difference is 3–4×, and that's before counting time.

2. Where to live for a long stay: the northwest areas

The classic long-stay route is the west coast, from Patong north towards the airport. Here you'll find the best beaches, all the "Russian" infrastructure and reasonable housing prices away from the beachfront.

Bang Tao and Laguna — the heart of long-stay life

The most popular choice: kilometres of beach, Boat Avenue and Porto de Phuket with restaurants and a Friday market, cafés to work in, kids' clubs. Housing ranges from condos to villas in the Laguna complexes. Everything is close from here, and our base is right here: delivery and scooter swaps within 15–30 minutes. More: scooter rental in Bang Tao and in Laguna.

Surin and Cherng Talay — villas and quiet

The "millionaires' mile": villas in the greenery, a beach with no loungers, the best sunsets on the coast. The villas sit back from the sea — a scooter here isn't an option but basic infrastructure. Boat Avenue is 7 minutes away. More: scooter rental in Surin.

Kamala — families with kids

A quiet bay over the hill from Patong: a calm beach, a measured rhythm, FantaSea right there. It has no malls of its own — for everything you ride to Patong (20 minutes) or to Boat Avenue (15 minutes). More: scooter rental in Kamala.

Nai Yang and Nai Thon — maximum quiet, airport nearby

The most underrated option: Sirinat National Park, seafood restaurants on the sand, housing noticeably cheaper than its southern neighbours, the airport 10 minutes away — handy for visa runs and guests. Without a scooter it's a complete no-go here. More: scooter rental in Nai Yang.

Patong — if you want the buzz

Restaurants, nightlife, Jungceylon — all on foot, but housing prices are higher and there's no quiet. Many long-stayers pick a compromise: live farther north and ride to Patong. More: scooter rental in Patong.

About the south (Kata, Karon, Rawai, Nai Harn). The areas are beautiful, but it's the other end of the island: an hour to the airport, and the long-stay infrastructure is thinner. Our free-delivery zone runs from Patong north; to the south we deliver by arrangement — send us the address and we'll work it out.

3. Monthly transport budget: the numbers

OptionPer monthComment
Grab / taxi, 2–3 trips a day18,000–30,000 ฿plus 15–30 minutes waiting on a car
Honda Click / Filano scooter3,500–5,500 ฿solo long-stayer, trips around the area
PCX 160 / NMAX scooter5,500 ฿a couple, area + outings
Honda ADV160 2026 scooter7,500 ฿active trips all over the island
Maxi Forza / XMAX9,000–15,000 ฿a couple "for the whole stay", car-level comfort
Car (Yaris and up)30,000+ ฿plus fuel and parking; makes sense with kids

Fuel: a full scooter tank is 120–160 ฿, and at a normal long-stay pace you get through 600–900 ฿ a month. Bottom line: a scooter for a month pays for itself in 12–15 taxi trips. Full prices by model are on the monthly rental page and in the scooter catalogue.

4. Seasons and rain: what to expect when

5. Seasonal rental: what to look at besides price

A scooter for 3–6 months isn't "take it and forget it" — it has consumables. Questions worth asking any rental before you hand over money:

Long-rental checklist

  1. Who pays for servicing? The oil is changed every 3,000 km — on a long stay that's once every 1–1.5 months. With us servicing is included: we come to you or swap the scooter for the day of the work.
  2. What happens in a breakdown? The right answer is a replacement scooter and "downtime isn't counted". The wrong one is "fix it and bring it back".
  3. Locking in the price for the whole term — in writing, before handover. For 3+ months ask for a rate below the monthly one (we have it).
  4. Deposit in cash, not your passport. The passport original is never given to anyone, ever.
  5. Video at handover — a slow video all around, sent to the rental's chat. A detailed breakdown is in the scooter rental guide.
  6. Category A licence + IDP — over a long term a checkpoint encounter is guaranteed, and insurance doesn't work without a licence.

6. Common long-stayer questions

Scooter or car?

A scooter is the basic transport: parking anywhere, no fear of traffic, 5,500 ฿/month. A car makes sense with small children and frequent long trips — we have cars from 30,000 ฿/month; many families combine: a scooter for every day + a car for outings.

Can you get a scooter right on arrival?

Yes — with an advance booking we meet you at the airport, or the scooter waits at your place ready for check-in. The arrangements and an arrival checklist are on the airport rental page.

What about a visa run?

The scooter stays with you — just let us know the dates. Leaving for a while? We'll pause the rental and take the scooter into storage — we'll arrange it individually.

Wherever you settle from Patong to Nai Yang — the scooter comes to your door:

Bang Tao heart of the long-stay scene, Boat Avenue Laguna resorts and families Surin · Cherng Talay villas and quiet Kamala families with kids Nai Yang · Nai Thon quiet north by the airport Patong all the island's buzz
Scooter rental by the month from 3,500 ฿ · servicing included All scooters and prices 8 models: from Click to XMAX 2026

More guides for a long stay by scooter:

Bang Tao & Laguna beaches Bang Tao, Surin, Layan, Kamala Phuket in one day by scooter a ready west-coast route Scooter licence & fines category A, IDP, checkpoints

Transport on a long stay — what actually costs less per month

The maths from this page, line by line:

  • Grab and taxis at 2–3 trips a day — 18,000–30,000 ฿ a month
  • Waiting for a car — 15–30 minutes on every trip
  • A scooter for the same family — 5,500–9,000 ฿ a month
  • Fuel at a long-stay pace — 600–900 ฿ a month, a full tank is 120–160 ฿
  • A scooter pays for itself in 12–15 taxi trips
  • Yamaha Fino 125 for a month — 3,500 ฿, that is 117 ฿ a day
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD for a month — 5,100 ฿, that is 170 ฿ a day
  • Honda PCX 160 for a month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿ a day
  • Honda ADV160 2026 for a month — 7,500 ฿, that is 250 ฿ a day
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 for a month — 15,000 ฿, that is 500 ฿ a day
  • Oil is changed every 3 000 km — once every 1–1.5 months on a long stay
  • Routine servicing on a monthly rental — 0 ฿, we swap the scooter for the day
  • A downpour lasts 30–60 minutes and the roads dry within half an hour
  • A car for a month — from 25,000 ฿ (Toyota Yaris Ativ 2022–2023)

What does a scooter rental in Phuket cost by model and length?

APARTEL price list v6, updated 2026-07-07. The prices are the same at every branch.

The daily rate falls as the rental gets longer. Every line carries the model, the length, the daily price and the deposit.

  • Yamaha Fino 125, 1–3 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125, 3–6 days — 230 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125, 7–11 days — 220 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125, 12–17 days — 170 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125, 18–23 days — 150 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125, one month — 3,500 ฿, that is 117 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 1–3 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 3–6 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 7–11 days — 200 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 12–17 days — 150 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha Grand Filano 125, one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, 1–3 days — 340 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, 3–6 days — 290 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, 7–11 days — 270 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, 18–23 days — 230 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD, one month — 5,100 ฿, that is 170 ฿/day, deposit 3,000 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha NMAX 155 (2022-24), one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 3,500 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda PCX 160 (2022-24), one month — 5,500 ฿, that is 183 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 1–3 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 3–6 days — 300 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 7–11 days — 250 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 12–17 days — 220 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), 18–23 days — 200 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Click 160 (2022-24), one month — 3,500 ฿, that is 117 ฿/day, deposit 2,500 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, 1–3 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, 3–6 days — 600 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, 7–11 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, 12–17 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, 18–23 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda Forza 2020, one month — 9,000 ฿, that is 300 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 1–3 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 3–6 days — 600 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 7–11 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 12–17 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, 18–23 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2020 300cc, one month — 9,000 ฿, that is 300 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 1–3 days — 800 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 3–6 days — 750 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 7–11 days — 650 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 12–17 days — 550 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, 18–23 days — 660 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 NEW, one month — 15,000 ฿, that is 500 ฿/day, deposit 5,000 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 1–3 days — 500 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 3–6 days — 450 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 7–11 days — 400 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 12–17 days — 350 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, 18–23 days — 330 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿, helmet and delivery 0 ฿
  • Honda ADV160 2026 NEW, one month — 7,500 ฿, that is 250 ฿/day, deposit 4,000 ฿

What is included in the scooter rental price?

  • Rider helmet and phone holder — 0 ฿ extra
  • Delivery inside the selected branch's local area — 0 ฿, even on a 1 day rental
  • Paperwork and handover — about 5 minutes
  • The rental day runs 13:00 to 13:00 — a full 24 hours
  • Deposit from 2,500 ฿ to 5,000 ฿ in cash, refunded in full on return
  • 10 models to choose from — 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day
  • Monthly rental from 3,500 ฿ to 15,000 ฿, servicing included
  • Replacement scooter if something breaks — 0 ฿ extra, same terms

What costs less on a long stay — a scooter or taxis?

Grab at 2–3 trips a day is 18,000–30,000 ฿ a month. A scooter for the same family is 5,500–9,000 ฿ a month plus 600–900 ฿ of fuel. The scooter pays for itself in 12–15 taxi trips.

Who pays for servicing on a monthly rental?

We do. The oil is changed every 3 000 km — once every 1–1.5 months on a long stay — and servicing is inside the monthly price. We bring another scooter for the day of the work, 0 ฿ extra.

From how many days does the rental get cheaper?

The price drops in five steps: 1–3 days, 3–6 days, 7–11 days, 12–17 days and 18–23 days. A Yamaha Fino 125 costs 250 ฿ a day on a short rental and 150 ฿ a day from 18 days.

The lowest daily rate in the fleet is the Yamaha Fino 125 from 18 days: 150 ฿ a day. The Yamaha Grand Filano 125 costs 250 ฿ a day for 18–23 days against 300 ฿ on the first three days.

What is the deposit for a scooter in Phuket?

From 2,500 ฿ for city scooters up to 5,000 ฿ for the 2026 models. The amount is known in advance and refunded in full when you return the scooter. Cash only.

Do you keep my passport as a deposit?

No. We take a cash deposit of 2,500 ฿ to 5,000 ฿ only and never keep your passport — it stays with you for the whole rental.

Do I need an international driving permit to rent a scooter?

Yes. To ride a motorbike in Thailand you need an international driving permit with category A. Without it the fine at a police checkpoint is usually 500 ฿ to 1,000 ฿, and the insurance will not pay after an accident.

Do you deliver the scooter to the hotel, and what does it cost?

Yes — delivery to a hotel or villa inside the selected branch's local area is 0 ฿, even on a 1 day rental. Other areas of Phuket are by arrangement.

Catalogue and prices — where to go next

These links lead into the catalogue and onto the model pages, where the price, the deposit and the photos of that exact scooter are:

  • APARTEL scooter catalogue — 10 models, 150 ฿ to 800 ฿ a day, deposit from 2,500 ฿
  • Yamaha Fino 125 — 250 ฿/day, 150 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 2,500 ฿, 3,500 ฿ a month
  • Honda PCX 160 — 400 ฿/day, 200 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 4,000 ฿, 5,500 ฿ a month
  • Yamaha NMAX OLD — 340 ฿/day, 210 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 3,000 ฿, 5,100 ฿ a month
  • Honda ADV160 2026 — 500 ฿/day, 300 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 4,000 ฿, 7,500 ฿ a month
  • Yamaha XMAX 2026 — 800 ฿/day, 500 ฿/day from 18 days, deposit 5,000 ฿, 15,000 ฿ a month
  • Monthly scooter rental — from 3,500 ฿ to 15,000 ฿, routine servicing included
  • Car rental in Phuket — Toyota Yaris Ativ 2022–2023 from 1,600 ฿ a day, 8,700 ฿ for 7 days and 25,000 ฿ for 30 days, deposit from 10,000 ฿
  • All APARTEL guides — prices, documents, areas and routes around Phuket

A scooter for the whole stay — with servicing and swaps

Tell us the area, the term and how many of you there are — we'll pick a model, lock in the price for the season and bring the scooter to your door.

See the catalogue and prices  Message on Telegram WhatsApp Call