How to rent a bike in Phuket?

What do you need to rent a bike in Phuket?

To rent a bike, you only need a minimal set of documents and a little attention to detail. The requirements haven't changed in 2025: you still need a passport, an international driver's license, and a deposit.

📋 Typically, the procedure goes like this:

• copy of your passport;
• category A international driver's license;
• deposit of 3,000 to 5,000 baht;
• a short souvenir photo—the rental staff will document the condition of the bike.

💡 Tip: It's best to take photos of the bike yourself from all sides—it takes a minute, but will save you from having to talk when you return it.

Before signing the document, the staff will show you the basic components: brakes, lights, steering lock. No one rushes you—it's best to ask questions right away. If they start the engine and check the sound in front of you, it's a good sign the bike is in good working order.

⬛ 1. Make sure your name is on the document.
⬛ 2. Check the fuel level – bikes are usually rented with a half-tank.
⬛ 3. Check where you can return the bike.
⬛ 4. Take a photo of the odometer – convenient if you're renting long-term.
⬛ 5. Make sure you have two helmets – one for the passenger.

For first-timers in Thailand, it's important to know: the police do check your license. The fine is small – around 500 baht. Therefore, an International Driving Permit is mandatory, not just a "just in case" item.

Sometimes it seems like renting a moped is a snap: just hop on and go. But during the first few days, be careful. Local drivers drive calmly, but without honking – they simply yield with a glance. Gas station attendants are often surprised if a foreigner fills up their scooter themselves, and sometimes they even help by wiping off any spills from the tank. There's also a repair shop in almost every neighborhood—for 50 baht, they'll pump up your tires and tell you where the nearest market is. A small smile and a few words of Thai can work wonders—people open up, and the road becomes a whole new experience.

Rules for Renting a Motorbike in Phuket

The island has simple but sensible rules.

First, driving is on the left. If you're from Europe or USA, it'll take a day to get used to it. 

Second, parking: don't park your bike on the sidewalk, especially near 7-Elevens and on busy streets.

And third, turn signals: they're rarely used here, so always keep your distance.

📄 Good to know:

A category B license isn't suitable for riding a moped;
Even passengers without a helmet can be fined.

💡 Tip: In hot weather, don't fill up to the brim with gas—the fuel expands and can leak while the bike is parked in the sun. If you rent equipment from a company with a physical office, rather than from a private individual, the chance of surprises is minimal.

Official companies like Hakuna Rent regularly inspect their vehicles, so you won't have to look for gas immediately after starting off—the tank is already half full.

💡 Tip: Always check if gas, insurance, and helmets are included in the price—that way, the bill won't be a surprise.

In the morning, when the city is just waking up, you can hear the sound of mopeds starting up one after another. The smell of coffee mingles with gasoline, and at the traffic lights, everyone calmly waits for the green light—no one is in a hurry.

Everyone has their own rhythm: some are going to school, some to the store, some are just delivering groceries on an old scooter with a basket on the front.

Tourists are nervous at first, but then they get the hang of it and ride like the locals: with their backs straight, without unnecessary movements, feeling the road in their skin. The main thing is not to look at the speedometer, but to look around.

How to rent a bike in Phuket with Hakuna Rent

Our rental process is structured so that even a beginner can easily understand everything. All our vehicles are original, manufactured in 2025. All models undergo regular maintenance.

The registration process takes about 10 minutes:

1️⃣ Choose a model.
2️⃣ Fill out a short form.
3️⃣ Show your passport (we'll take a photo of it).
4️⃣ Receive your keys, helmets, and photos of the bike's condition.
🚀 Delivery is available directly to the airport or hotel—no extra charges.

Renting a car in Phuket or bike with us means actual transportation, not a middleman.

💡 Tip: You can book in advance—the bike will meet you right at the airport, in the parking lot with a sign. Or at your hotel—it's your choice.

The first ride is always memorable.

When you get on a scooter after a plane, the whole road seems to smell like the sea.

The sun is low, and the wind lifts your hair under your helmet. Some stop at a fruit stand, others take photos by the palm trees—no one is in a hurry.

In the evening, traffic thickens: locals are heading home, children sit behind, holding onto their parents' shoulders, everyone's headlights on.

Surprisingly, even at night, the scooter is smooth—if you ride calmly, you can hear the cicadas and laughter from the street cafes. This is the real Thailand—lively, warm, and a little lazy.

Practical tips for scooter riders on the island

Below are eleven proven tips, compiled over years of observing Phuket's roads and travelers' habits. These aren't just "life hacks," but things that will really come in handy.

💡 1. Ride slowly for the first 15 minutes—your brain will naturally look for the right side of the road.
💡 2. Don't stop abruptly: your bike can skid on sand, especially on the descent to the beach.
💡 3. Check your mirrors and brakes before riding—especially if you're renting during the rainy season.
💡 4. Keep your phone in a closed pocket or chest bag—it's easy to drop in the wind.
💡 5. Remember landmarks, not just street names—GPS sometimes loses signal between mountains.
💡 6. Fill up at large gas stations that sell 95-octane gasoline, not from roadside bottles.
💡 7. If it starts to rain, park under a shelter—it'll be dry in 10 minutes.
💡 8. Never put things in the front basket—children on mopeds sometimes snatch them at traffic lights.
💡 9. Don't carry a backpack on your back—sweat and heat make the ride tiring; under-seat storage is better.
💡 10. Park next to other bikes, especially near beaches: police will tow away those who obstruct the road.
💡 11. Check your tire pressure—it affects stability on winding roads.

There are things you only understand when you're there. For example, why everyone parks their mopeds in the shade—the seats get so hot it's impossible to sit on them! Or why the locals always ride in long sleeves—not for style, but to avoid sunburn. When you leave in the morning and feel the air still cool, it seems like the day will be easy.

And in the evening, returning along the narrow streets, you meet people just like you: with tanned arms, a helmet tucked under their arms, a slight sunburn on their cheeks. The roads here teach patience, attention, and the ability to enjoy the ride. A scooter becomes not just transportation, but a way to see life a little more clearly.