Spending the Winter in Phuket: Weather, Areas and Monthly Rentals
Dry-season weather, the best areas for a long winter stay and when to book your monthly rental.
Every year, thousands of Europeans, Russians and Australians escape the cold for a few months in Phuket. The dry season lines up almost perfectly with the northern winter, and a monthly apartment turns a holiday into a second home.
When is the best time to winter in Phuket?
The dry season usually runs from late November or December to March or April. Days are sunny and around 30–33 °C, nights warm, and the sea on the west coast is generally calm — good for swimming every day. Rain showers become more frequent again from May.
The busiest weeks are Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. If you want specific dates in that period, book your accommodation several months ahead.
Where to stay for a winter
- Rawai — the classic choice for a long winter: calm, a large community of returning snowbirds, markets and restaurants, and Nai Harn Beach nearby.
- Karon — for those who want a long swimming beach on foot and more restaurants around.
Our guide on where to stay in Phuket for a month compares all the main areas.
What a winter month costs
High season (December–February) is the most expensive period for rent. In our apartments a Rawai studio costs up to 35,000 ฿ per month and a Karon condo up to 55,000 ฿, with electricity, water and WiFi included. November and March are cheaper mid-season months, so arriving in November or staying into March lowers the average.
Staying the whole winter also unlocks our duration discount: −7 % from 84 nights and −12 % from 168 nights. See the full cost of living for a month.
Practical checklist
- Check your visa options for a stay longer than your visa-free entry allows — many long-stay visitors now use the DTV visa.
- Take travel health insurance that covers the whole stay.
- Plan transport: most winter residents rent a scooter or a small car by the month.
- Book early for December–February, then extend if you like it.
See which apartments are free for your winter on the availability page.
