Phuket:BigC, Tesco Lotus, Central Festival from Patong

[sgnick]

Hi,
What is the easiest way to get to these malls and back from Patong by public transport, assuming I am going there between late afternoon till around 9pm? How much would it cost for transportation?

Are these malls within easy walking distance from each other, or do I need transport between these malls?

Thanks

[LivinLOS]

They are just about within walking distance (do you know how hot it is here??) but along a long dusty 3 lane road without footpaths.. Not advisable tho Big C to Central is only a couple 100m or so.

Most everyone would use Tuk Tuks or taxis.. The Patong bus does pass Tesco Lotus I think but never used it.

Central is really a mall while Big C and less so Tesco Lotus are more supermarkets with some smaller shops and eateries attached. I certainly wouldnt go to Lotus or Big C to wander around only shop and leave.

[sgnick]

Thanks LivinLOS,
guess I'll be taking tuk tuk to/between these places then.

[Crustasian]

The local Patong to Phuket bus service stops near all three places.From Patong they leave every 20 minutes and its only 20 Baht.You can stand outside Central and flag them down on the way back too.

I believe,however,that their latest run from Pkuket to Patong is 1900 so you may have to get a Tuk Tuk.

[sgnick]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

The local Patong to Phuket bus service stops near all three places.From Patong they leave every 20 minutes and its only 20 Baht.You can stand outside Central and flag them down on the way back too.

I believe,however,that their latest run from Pkuket to Patong is 1900 so you may have to get a Tuk Tuk.

Thanks for the tips Crustasian.

The bus to phuket town, do I board it from the southern end of Patong? Is there a bus stop or bus terminal there?

[charlie5005]

the bus departs from thaweewong just south of patong merlin. it goes along
the beach, turning right onto bangla then left to ra-u-thid. It goes left again
at sawatdirak and back onto thaweewong northbound before going uphill at
phra-barami and all the way to phuket town.

you can stop the bus anywhere along the route. there are 2 types of buses.
the first is the usual with a single isle and seats for 2, while the second is a
converted truck with long benches on both side and middle.

it is not difficult to a seat when getting out of patong if you catch the bus
before it turns into bangla. however getting back from central would be not as
easy as the buses would be full by the time they pass by central. there are
no bus-shelters and you need to cross the 6-lane highway to get onto the
other side.

there is a taxi stand at central where a trip to patong cost 300 bahts. if you
have a company of 4, it would be much better than standing in the hot sun
to wait for the bus with no guarantee of it stopping.

central on weekends is the place to go if you love crowds. otherwise go
during the day on weekdays. have a great trip.

cheers.

[urtheman]

Unless you really need something from these stores I would advise to just go to ocean center in patong if that's where you are staying.

Since you are coming from Singapore these markets and the one mall will pale in comparison to what you are used to.

If I was on vacation I would use that time for other things, but if you are curious or looking to buy some stuff a little cheaper than Singapore I understand.

I could never wait for a bus here in Phuket, hot and no cover to wait. I would just go for the taxi and save time.

Cheers!

[sgnick]

Thanks for the advise guys.

I have been to Phuket twice before and spent most of my time on trips to the islands, but never been to the big stores/malls or the town, so thinking of checking them out the next time I'm there.

[fun2have]

perhaps sgnick should meet charlie5005 for a beer in singapore, charlies was a superb descripiton of that bus run. meet him for a beer mate.

just avoid the school knock off time because the buses are too crowded then.