lets say i dont want to pay 500 or more from one place to the next what's the next best alternative? bus?

Rent a car. 1200 baht a day is about average.

M'bike 250 a day

M'bike 250 a day

rental of the bike or taxi?

Do you need a bike license?

You need an international drivers license (if you are stopped)

There is a songteaw system between certain points, in the daytime. (truck with 2 bench seats in the back that hold from 8-20 people depending on size)
If you are in Phuket town, go to the traffic circle near old town that has the smaller water fountain (near the market area) and that's where they base out of.
Ask around for schedules and where they go.
They go to some of the beaches, are a bit slow, but many people use them.
There is a bus system too, but I don't know much about it.

Would help if you describe where you are and where you want to go.

Troll post removed

You need an international drivers license (if you are stopped)

no such thing it is a international driving PERMIT and only valid with your home country licnse

a license from your own country is fine if your staying less thna 90 days

rent a motorcycle for 200 baht/day an drive very carefully.

Bus system only ruins from the beaches to phuket town ( they leave from the market) , not around the island

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Bus system only ruins from the beaches to phuket town ( they leave from the market) , not around the island

And service stops about 17.30 ...

If you hire a car, rent from one of the multinational car companies at the airport, DO NOT hire a jeep off the beach.

Also, you can put your 1400 baht (return phuketshuttle airport taxi trip) into the car hire.

Bike, but I guess prices will vary depending on where you are. When my motorcycle was in the shop last, the lady at Chalong circle rented one to me for 150. That was with some haggling and me walking off at 180...."ok.,ok., 150".

Also, she said no to the copy of the passport, did have to leave the passport. I guess a lot of disappearing bikes these days.

Bike, but I guess prices will vary depending on where you are. When my motorcycle was in the shop last, the lady at Chalong circle rented one to me for 150. That was with some haggling and me walking off at 180...."ok.,ok., 150".

Also, she said no to the copy of the passport, did have to leave the passport. I guess a lot of disappearing bikes these days.

Interesting. I know it is illegal to leave your passport as it actually the property of your countries' government. But we've both seen it done many times over the past 10 plus years we've been here...