Which scooter should you rent in Phuket?

Model comparison

125–160cc scooter: solo and local

The Honda Click 160, Yamaha Aerox 155 is light and easy to handle, park and turn in narrow streets. Great if you mostly ride alone around your area. Two-up on steep climbs it struggles.

Maxi-scooter: two-up and island-wide

The Honda PCX 160, Yamaha NMAX 155, Yamaha NMAX 160, Yamaha XMAX 300, Honda Forza 350, Honda Forza 300, Yamaha TMAX 560 have a roomier seat, bigger wheels and an under-seat trunk, and feel steadier on main roads. The most popular choice for couples — they pull confidently two-up over the hills between Patong, Karon and Kata. The 300cc+ models suit long rides and airport runs with luggage.

Adventure scooter: rough roads

The Honda ADV 160, Honda ADV 350, Honda X-ADV 750 sits higher, with longer suspension travel and bigger wheels. Good on broken roads, dirt tracks to villas and trips to remote beaches in the north.

Choose in 30 seconds

• Solo, short trips — a light scooter.
• Two-up, or staying on a hill — a 150cc+ maxi-scooter.
• Touring the whole island — a 300cc maxi or an adventure scooter.
• First time on a scooter — the lightest model, and practise in an empty car park first. Don’t start with hills two-up.

Not sure? Tell us where you’re staying and where you plan to ride, and we’ll suggest one. Or see “Phuket scooter routes”.

Questions