How many kilometres is the one-day Phuket scooter route?

The west-coast route Bang Tao — Surin — Kamala — Patong is about 25 km one way, 6–8 hours with stops for beaches, cafés and photos. The road is easy except for one mountain stretch of switchbacks between Kamala and Patong.

Do I need riding experience for this route?

Basic experience is needed. The Bang Tao–Surin–Kamala leg is easy and beginner-friendly, while the Kamala–Patong switchbacks — with blind corners and buses — require confidence. If it is your first day on a scooter, it is easier to return via the Kathu bypass instead of the switchbacks.

How much money should I take for a day on a scooter?

600–1000 ฿ per person: petrol around 100 ฿, lunch by the sea 300–500 ฿, coffee and smoothies. For the southern route with temples and Promthep Cape budget more — 800–1200 ฿ including temple donations.

What should I bring on a one-day scooter trip?

A helmet (required by law), a category A license with an IDP, some cash, water, sunscreen and a raincoat — even in the dry season a short downpour can catch you. We include a raincoat free with every bike.

Phuket in One Day by Scooter: a Ready West-Coast Route

Updated: July 2026 · 7 min read · APARTEL Rental

Scooter on a Phuket coastal road — one-day west-coast route

Only one day to spare and the scooter already in your hands? Don't zigzag across the island without a plan. Below is a route tested by many of our guests from Bang Tao: five coastal stops, easy roads almost all the way, and one scenic stretch of switchbacks before Patong. You cover it all in 6–8 hours and get back before dark.

1. Timing of the day

Time	Stop	What's there
10:00	Bang Tao	start, 8 km of sand, empty in the morning
11:00	Surin	the “millionaires' beach”, photos, hillside cafés
12:30	Kamala	lunch by the beach, 300–500 ฿
14:30	Kalim Viewpoint	view over Patong Bay, 15 minutes
15:30	Patong	Jungceylon, the beach, Bangla Road at night

Distance: ~25 km one way · Difficulty: easy-to-medium (⭐⭐) · Budget: 600–1000 ฿/person (petrol ~100 ฿, lunch 300–500 ฿, coffee)

2. Stop by stop

10:00 — Bang Tao Beach

Start from the home beach: 8 km of sand with almost nobody around in the morning. Take 30–40 minutes for a walk and photos, then hit the road.

11:00 — Surin Beach

Turquoise water and villas on the hill. Park the scooter along the road behind the beach. In the rainy season watch the flags — the waves here can be serious.

12:30 — Kamala, lunch

A laid-back village with cafés right by the water (300–500 ฿ for lunch). Parking at the beach entrances, no hassle.

14:30 — Kalim Viewpoint

A lookout on the switchbacks between Kamala and Patong with a view over the whole of Patong Bay. 15 minutes — then downhill into town.

15:30 — Patong

The beach, Jungceylon (air-con and a supermarket for the hottest hours), and Bangla Road in the evening. Scooter parking: covered at Jungceylon; on the streets only in marked spots — bikes get towed fast.

The Kamala → Patong switchbacks are the only tricky stretch. Blind corners, oncoming buses, a narrow lane. Hold your lane and never overtake blind. If this is your first serious ride on a scooter — return to Bang Tao via the Kathu bypass instead of the switchbacks.

3. Want more? The southern option

If you have the energy and road confidence to spare, the south of the island has its own one-day route: Big Buddha → Wat Chalong → seafood in Rawai → sunset at Promthep Cape. It is longer (~90 km from Bang Tao) and harder (⭐⭐⭐, switchbacks on the climb to the statue), but the Promthep sunset is one of the island's best. A great idea for a separate day — don't combine it with the west coast in one go.

4. Road difficulty — a cheat sheet for beginners

Route	Difficulty	Main hazard
Bang Tao — Surin — Kamala (this route)	⭐⭐	Kamala → Patong switchbacks
First ride around Bang Tao/Laguna	⭐	getting used to the bike
The wild north (Nai Yang, Mai Khao)	⭐	almost none — the best first ride
The south in a day (Big Buddha, Promthep)	⭐⭐⭐	the hill climb, Chalong traffic
Southern viewpoints (Kata/Karon switchbacks)	⭐⭐⭐	switchbacks, riding back in the dark

The base rule for any route: helmet always, a category A license with an International Driving Permit, fuel from petrol stations (not roadside bottles), and in the rain — wait out the downpour for 20–30 minutes under a roof. More on licenses and fines in the guide “License and fines for riding a scooter in Thailand”.

5. Route map

📍 Bang Tao · 📍 Surin · 📍 Kamala · 📍 Patong

6. Which scooter to take for the day

For two people with backpacks doing the whole route, take a bigger class — the stability and storage will pay off. For one rider with short stops a city scooter is enough.

Honda ADV 160 crossover scooter: stable, made for two Yamaha XMAX 300 maxi scooter: highway comfort

A scooter at your villa — for a day or the whole holiday

New 2026 models, a fair cash deposit — no passport held, helmets and a raincoat included. We reply on Telegram within minutes.

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