Car Rental in Kalim, Phuket

Where is Kalim?

Kalim is the reef shore just north of Patong. From Patong you drive north along the beach road, and past the roundabout with the dolphin figures Road 4030 begins, with Kalim beach along it on the left, about 1.8 km from the centre of Patong beach.

How far is Kalim from everything?

Phuket Airport is about 33 km away, through Surin and Kamala, around forty minutes by the OSRM route planner. Kamala is about 8 km and 9 minutes north over the pass, and Phuket Town about 15 km and 17 minutes inland.

Which car suits Kalim?

A compact car is easier here: it fits at the roadside and pulls back into the traffic without fuss. Just past the beach Road 4030 climbs to the pass towards Kamala, and in rain the tarmac on that climb is slippery, as on every hill around Patong, so slow down before the bends rather than in them.

Where to park at Kalim

Cars at Kalim are left along Road 4030 where the verge is wide and the kerb is not painted. A red and white kerb means no parking, as everywhere on the island, and in high season it is fined. Do not turn round in the middle of the road: drive on to the dolphin roundabout or a wide bay and come back from there.

When to go to Kalim beach

Kalim is best towards sunset: Patong bay faces west, and from Kalim the sun goes down over the whole bay. Arrive an hour early, because the roadside spaces fill first in the evening.

From May to October Kalim, like the whole west coast, has waves and currents, and a red flag means no swimming. Kalim is a reef shore, and surfers treat it as a spot for people who already know what they are doing.

Delivery and booking

The car comes to your hotel or villa in Kalim or to airport arrivals at the hour agreed in chat, and delivery is its own line in the total. Every driver shows a passport, the national driving licence as a physical card and an International Driving Permit at handover.

For a month next to Patong, see monthly car rental in Kalim.

Cars and prices

The two lowest-priced models of each class in our live search, per day for three days, a week and a month, with the deposit for each model. Each name opens the page of the car. See also prices and rental terms for every model.

Lowest price in our live search for pick-up in Patong, rentals starting 2 November or 16 November; checked 19 October, Phuket time. Delivery is counted separately; the search shows the exact total for your dates.

Rental terms

• Deposit: refundable and separate from the rental price, from 5,000 ฿ for most economy cars and up to 30,000 ฿ for the most expensive electric car. Left in cash at handover; a non-cash option is agreed in the chat before delivery.
• Insurance: first-class commercial insurance is included, a policy for commercial use, so the insurer accepts a claim on a rented car. Damage to third parties is covered up to 800,000 ฿; a copy of the policy on request.
• Documents: a passport, a national driving licence and an International Driving Permit for everyone named in the contract. Licences from ASEAN countries follow a different rule: name the country of issue when you book and we confirm in the chat.
• Age: 21 with a year of driving; premium cars and large SUVs from 23.
• Delivery: to your hotel, villa or the airport exit at any hour, night flights included. It is counted separately from the daily rate; the sum for your address is named in the chat.