Cheap Backpacker Style Accomadation?

[buripuk]

I'm getting the bus from Bangkok to Phuket next weekend and was looking for some advice or tips of where to stay.

The cheaper the better as I'm on a really tight budget. I don't need air-con and just basic shower and toilet. I'd still like a semi-comfy bed and would like it to be situated near the beach and things going on. I've never been to Phuket before and am planning on staying a few days so any help with names/directions for places would really be helpful.

I'll probably have to do a visa run to Ranonn while I'm there, is this easy?

Thanks in advance for any help

[huggybear]

I'm getting the bus from Bangkok to Phuket next weekend and was looking for some advice or tips of where to stay.

The cheaper the better as I'm on a really tight budget. I don't need air-con and just basic shower and toilet. I'd still like a semi-comfy bed and would like it to be situated near the beach and things going on. I've never been to Phuket before and am planning on staying a few days so any help with names/directions for places would really be helpful.

I'll probably have to do a visa run to Ranonn while I'm there, is this easy?

Thanks in advance for any help

Sorry, but the cheap backpacker places disappeared in the early 90's.

Such a thing is now 500thb a night.

Sinthavee Phuket Town, Orchid Gardens Nai Hairn, Thalassa Nai hairn are about as cheap as I can come up with.

[LivinLOS]

Baan Ton Sai is usually 400 - 500 per night for thier rooms... A couple along Nanai that are 500 for quite nice (ac / wifi / pool even)...

Where on Phuket are you looking.

[aussiechick]

Baan Tonsai is great and cheap! Nanai Road, Patong.

Clean rooms, swimming pool. 10 minute walk to the beach.

I always stay there.

[MisterMan]

A visa run to Ranong is one of the most miserable day of my life.

Since you are in Bangkok it would be quicker to do a visa run to Camboida.

An organized visa run to Ranong is about 1500 baht and at least 6 hours each way in a tiny mini-van. That is if your mini van does not break down or crash.

Air Malaysia had some nice specials to KL from Phuket and Bangkok. I saw it advertised for 1800 including tax one way.

But it seems that my friends in Bangkok speand a lot less time on a bus doing a visa run.

[pete600]

On banzan market rd there is a backpackers place for 300b a night. Know a few guys that have stayed there nice and clean and cheep.

let me know and i will get you the phone number

[LivinLOS]

A visa run to Ranong is one of the most miserable day of my life.

Since you are in Bangkok it would be quicker to do a visa run to Camboida.

An organized visa run to Ranong is about 1500 baht and at least 6 hours each way in a tiny mini-van. That is if your mini van does not break down or crash.

Air Malaysia had some nice specials to KL from Phuket and Bangkok. I saw it advertised for 1800 including tax one way.

But it seems that my friends in Bangkok speand a lot less time on a bus doing a visa run.

If you take the cheapest option expect the nastiest trip..

The 2300 visa run isnt so bad.. 6 captains chairs, big and comfy.. Videos to watch.. Then the airco big boat over to the casino.. 4 - 5 hours each way depending on weather etc.. Sure its not a day at the beach but it isnt hel_l on wheels either. The cheap, cramped, open longtail, and surly visa office, trips are a chore I agree.

[madmitch]

I'm afraid Huggybear is a bit out of date as there are plenty of backpacker places on Phuket, some of which have opened recently to cater for the many people who come here on a tight budget. Not everyone has a fortune to spend.

Phuket Town has a number of options but you may want to spend a night there if you arrive by bus then get a local bus to the beaches next morning. Phuket Backpackers is a hostel very close to the local bus terminal.

Patong has at least two hostels: the Crown, which is in the Lonely Planet but doesn't get the best of write ups elsewhere, or the one that is mentioned earlier in this thread, the Sea Blue Guesthouse in Soi Banzaan. http://www.seabluephuket.com

Karon has a few places as well. Pineapple Guesthouse has new dorm beds at 190 baht per night, for example. http://www.pineapplephuket.com/

Have a look at Jamies Phuket Blog for a bit more information on the backpacker scene.

http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com/2008/06/gue...phuket-for.html

Hope the links work.

[Super Hans]

Visa runs from patong aren't that bad at all - 4 hours or so each way - they take care of everything as well. 1500 all in, including lunch. 9 seat brand new minibus, only 2 other people on mine, but that's pot luck. I think it's supposed to be a bit quicker than the Bangkok route.

[keestha]

In order to do the visa run, you could also just go to Phuket town busstation and take the public bus to Ranong, and from the busstation there take a songthaew to the pier where longtailboats to Burma/Myanmar leave. To use this option, you would have to leave early in the morning.

[fiddlehead]

I'm surprised no one mentioned my favorite: Ao Sane near Nai Harn. Has it's own (although small) beach, and you won't be bothered there although the cicadas are loud sometimes. It's quiet. Depends what you're looking for.

Visa runs can be fun if you take a few days and see Thailand on your way. You'd have to rent a bike though.

Phuket isn't really Thailand anyway. You can find Thailand on the way to Ranong.

[huggybear]

I'm surprised no one mentioned my favorite: Ao Sane near Nai Harn. Has it's own (although small) beach, and you won't be bothered there although the cicadas are loud sometimes. It's quiet. Depends what you're looking for.

Fiddlehead, I'm pretty sure those places fill up fast during high season. Plus, that road can be treacherous after a few of the backpacker types have been imbibing at the reggae bar.

BTW-how're things in the states? I'm fired up about Obama, how're the peeps in your neck of the woods about it? (sorry off topic)