The comparison in a table
| Scooter or motorcycle | Car | Taxi, Grab and Bolt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | category A and an IDP, or a Thai motorcycle licence | category B and an IDP, or a Thai car licence | not needed |
| Term | from 3 days with our partner | from 3 days with our partner | one ride |
| Price | a monthly price in the catalogue with a date | a monthly price in the catalogue with a date | the app price before you book, Smart Bus 100 baht |
| Deposit | refundable, $200 to $1,000 with the partner, plus a passport for some bikes | refundable, $300 for both cars in the catalogue | none |
| Insurance | per the partner terms, bikes are not insured and the renter is responsible | compulsory insurance pays for harm to people, not for car repairs | every taxi has compulsory insurance, which covers passengers |
| Helmet and belts | a helmet for rider and passenger, fine up to 2,000 baht | belts for all rows, a child under 6 in a seat, fine up to 2,000 baht | belts on the back seat, fine up to 2,000 baht |
| Seats | rider and one passenger | five seats | up to 4 in Economy, Bolt and Taxi, up to 6 in XL and Van |
| Rain | open | covered | covered |
| Pickup | delivery to your hotel for a fee | delivery to your hotel for a fee | the car comes to your point on an app order |
Rental data is from our partner as of October 2026 and the rules are from Thai law as of 17 October 2026. The Grab and Bolt data comes from the service websites, with more in the guide to taxis in Phuket.
When each one pays off
- Bike: you are one or two people, live on the island for a week or more and ride almost every day. You need category A, an IDP, a helmet and attention: a bike is the most vulnerable way to travel
- Car: you travel as a family of three or four, carry luggage, plan long routes or have come in the rainy season. You need category B and an IDP, and compulsory insurance does not cover car repairs
- Taxi and Grab: you have no licence, stay for a week, ride a few times a week or drink in the evening. The price is visible before the ride and there is no deposit
- Smart Bus and transfer: arrival day and trips between west-coast beaches
How to work it out yourself
Take two numbers: the rental price from the catalogue and the total price of your rides in Grab or Bolt over a week, summed by route. The difference shows from how many rides a bike pays off. An example from a figure in our taxi guide: the app may show 300 baht for a Karon to Patong ride (7.7 km), and 20 such rides a month come to 6,000 baht. To a bike rental add petrol, a helmet and any repairs that are your fault, and a taxi has none of these. Compare two apps: the price difference can be noticeable.
Who rents out the equipment
You sign the rental contract with the partner, not with Thaipedia. We take your request and pass it to the partner. Before paying, ask for a written contract with the repair price list, deposit terms and insurance terms.
What safety decides
If you have no category A or manual-gearbox practice, begin with an automatic scooter or a taxi rather than a sportbike. With children take a car. Any bike needs a helmet, sobriety and a habit of left-hand traffic. What to check at handover and how the deposit and insurance work is in how to choose and check a bike, and if you doubt, the five-question finder takes your licence and passengers into account.
FAQ
What is better for a month: a bike or taxis?
Compare the rental price in the catalogue with your number of rides. An example from a figure in our guide: if the app shows 300 baht for a Karon to Patong ride, 20 such rides a month come to 6,000 baht. On a bike you add petrol, a helmet and the risk of repairs that are your fault, and a taxi has none of these.
Do I need a licence to take a taxi?
No. A licence is needed only by those who rent a bike or a car. App taxis, the Smart Bus and airport transfers work without a licence or deposit.
Can I ride a bike with children?
The law requires a helmet for the rider and the passenger. In a car a child under 6 needs a child seat. With children we advise a car: it is covered against rain, and the child seat is booked together with the rental.
What if I have no licence?
Use taxis, Grab, Bolt, the Smart Bus and transfers. Riding without a licence carries a fine of up to 1,000 baht, and after an accident the insurer may refuse to pay. You can open the right category at home before the trip or get a Thai licence at the DLT.
Sources
- Department of Land Transport (DLT). Driving licences, procedure for foreigners
- Land Traffic Act 1979 (พ.ร.บ.จราจรทางบก พ.ศ. 2522), consolidated text, Office of the Council of State
- OIC (Office of Insurance Commission). Registrar's order 2025 on the compulsory insurance policy form
- Phuket Smart Bus. Payment and fares
- Grab Thailand. Transport services
- Bolt. Rides in Phuket
Found an error or outdated fact? Tell the editors, we will fix it and update the check date.