Transport around Phuket

[Homer]

Hi, just a newbie to posting here so have had a lot of questions to ask and don't want to piss anybody off with silly comments.

I am booking accom for my first trip and have had some good feedback from the BM's here which has been really helpfull.
But because of my limited experience (none) I have found one of the most difficult things to work out is travelling distances and times to various locations on the island.
For example one travel agent suggested Laguna Beach Resort (and gave bloody good pricing) because with the family we should stay a little bit out of Patong. I wanted to book Kalim apartments but with total package at Laguna inc breakfast airfares/transfers etc Laguna looks very good value and appeals to the handbrake. So now we are looking at booking Laguna, but it looks a bloody long way out of Patong to me!!!
I would like to spend a fair bit of time in Patong eating, drinking and being very merry, but it looks like this might put the kybosh on the fun!
To make a long story short, I think it would be beneficial to anyone looking at travelling to Phuket if there was a thread or sticky with distances or travel times for different beaches or places of interest that boardmembers recommend from various points like Patong, Phuket Town, Airport etc. what do you reckon?

[Spector]

Laguna Beach Resort is a hike from Patong. If I were looking for the best of both worlds I would suggest Karon/Kata. Nice beach, great hotels, good restaurants, nightlife, but still family orientated and only 15 minutes from Patong by Tuk Tuk.

[nelsonone]

yeah laguna is a hike but when I stayed there years ago they had a free bus which ran into Patong regularly (you may want to ask about this when booking)....the Laguna Beach Resort is a lovely hotel for a family (if that is what you are talking about....Laguna is the name for the whole resort area)...great bech there and beautiful surrounds plus there are some local businesses just outside of the resort area....and kamala isn't too far away...just ask Dodger...555

[pablo]

Just a guess here, but I would say at least 1/2 hour from Laguna to Patong.

Tuk tuk price, probably 400thb to 500thb (each way).

Or, hire a private taxi for maybe 800thb to 1000thb. Have him pickup, deliver you to Patong, and hang around to take you back home at the end of your playtime.

[Homer]

Thanks people, now thats some good info.
Seems I can keep everyone happy and still get into some local culture while I'm at it.
Cheers,
Homer