# Living in Karon, Phuket: Rents and Daily Life Page URL: https://adadai.com/en/district/karon Karon, the next bay south of Patong, is for people who want Patong's sea without its night noise: a one-bedroom condo in Karon asks about 31,250 THB a month, and the beach runs for almost 3 km. A freshwater lagoon sits between the sand and the houses, so most homes are a short walk back from the water rather than on it. From May to October the long open beach gets strong rip currents, so it is not a year-round swimming spot. ## Key facts - 31,250 THB — median one-bedroom condo - 3 km — of straight, gently sloping beach - 45 km — by road to the airport - 20 km — by road to Phuket Town ## How much does it cost to rent in Karon? We counted 91 condo listings in Karon. A one-bedroom asks a median of 31,250 THB a month, a studio 24,500 THB and a two-bedroom 60,000 THB, against 75,000 THB in Kata next door. Karon has almost nothing under 22,000 THB, and the cheapest flat we found wanted 18,000. Per square metre it is about 600 THB, a little under the island's 640; the flats are just large, with two-bedrooms around 120 m². We did not collect enough villa listings in Karon to give a villa median. Hillside complexes above the bay do exist, with views of the whole beach. We are a guide, not an agency, and we do not show homes. If you want options in Karon, our housing partner in Phuket answers in the chat — the button is just below. | Karon | Figure | | --- | --- | | Studio median, ฿/month | 24,500 | | 1 bedroom median, ฿/month | 31,250 | | 2 bedrooms median, ฿/month | 60,000 | | Per m², ฿/month | 600 | | Cheapest listing, ฿/month | 18,000 | | Listings in sample | 91 | | To the airport / Phuket Town, km | 45 / 20 | | Length of beach, km | about 3 | *Our analysis of 2,927 open long-term condo listings island-wide. Distances by road, rounded.* ## Which part of Karon should you live in? Karon is laid out unlike its neighbours. The lagoon pushes building back from the sea: along the shore runs a road, then a green strip, and only then hotels. There is little true front line, but almost everywhere is a short walk from the sand, and you hear the surf from the third street back. The north end, by the roundabout and the climb to Patong, is the busiest part, with shops, rentals and transport. The south end towards Kata is calmer and greener, with more flats on long leases. The hills above hold complexes with a view of the whole bay and cool evenings, but every trip starts with a climb. One practical plus over Patong and Kata: parking. There is room along the road, so keeping a car here is easier. ## Where is Karon, and how far is everything? On the west coast, one bay south of Patong, stretched along almost 3 km of shore. A headland and a road over the hill separate it from Patong in the north; in the south a single climb leads to Kata. East, over green slopes, lies Chalong. The airport is about 45 km, via Kathu and Patong or inland through Chalong. Walking between Karon and Kata is realistic: the road runs along the top with a view of both bays. Karon sits right between loud and quiet, with Patong's lights to the north, compact Kata to the south, and the island's main roads and the Chalong pier to the east. ## What is the sea like through the year? From December to March the water is calm and the bottom slopes slowly, noticeably easier for children than Kata. In May the swell arrives, and by July even, person-high waves stand in the middle of the beach. Surfers come less than to Kata, but rip currents here are stronger: look for dark tongues of water between the lines of surf. Red flags go up along the whole length in a storm, because on a straight beach there is no safe corner. In the rains the sand changes shape, and a step forms at the waterline within a few days. The quietest months are June and early October. > **Watch out.** Mosquitoes are more active near the lagoon in the wet months than on the beach itself. Weigh that when choosing a floor and which way the windows face. ## How do you eat and shop in Karon? Not on the seafront but on the street running parallel inland. Family Thai cafés there serve curry and fried rice cooked by the owner, with handwritten menus. By the roundabout in the north, places are denser, including Indian food and seafood on display. Every few days a local market sets up: greens, fish, takeaway dishes and sweets in bags, at the prices Thais pay. Stall holders at the beach exits sell iced coffee and rice in the morning and grilled skewers at night. There are no big food courts, so an evening out means a walk along one flat, well-lit street. - Inland street — family Thai cafés with handwritten menus - The roundabout — the densest choice, open latest - Local market — every few days, local prices - Beach exits — iced coffee by day, skewers at night ## Who is Karon right for? People who liked Patong's sea but not its nights. A one-bedroom costs about 31,250 THB, close to Kata's and Patong's 30,000 THB, while Patong's lights are 20 minutes away. Families like the gentle water from December to March, and a two-bedroom here, at 60,000 THB, is cheaper than in Kata. It suits drivers better than Kata does, thanks to the parking. It suits frequent flyers less: the airport is 45 km, and town 20 km, so budget time for both. Moving to Karon for a season? Your landlord files the TM30 when you move in; the extension of your own stay is yours to handle, and our page on [how to extend a stay at Phuket immigration and what TM30 is](/en/visa/extend-stay-tm30) walks through the fee and the documents. ## Questions people ask ### How much is rent in Karon? A one-bedroom condo in Karon asks about 31,250 THB a month, a studio 24,500 THB and a two-bedroom 60,000 THB. Almost nothing goes for under 22,000 THB. ### Is Karon quieter than Patong? Much quieter at night. Patong's nightlife is over the headland, about 20 minutes away, so you can sleep with the window open while still reaching it easily. ### Is Karon beach safe for children? From December to March, yes: the water is calm and the bottom slopes gently. From May to October rip currents are strong and red flags cover the whole beach. ### Can I walk from Karon to Kata? Yes. The road runs along the top of the headland with a view of both bays, and it is a realistic walk. ### Is parking easy in Karon? Easier than in Patong or Kata. There is room along the road, so keeping a car is less of a headache. ### Why are the houses set back from the beach? A freshwater lagoon lies between the sand and the town. Building sits behind it, so most homes are a short walk from the sea rather than on the front line. ## Read next - [Living in Kata](https://adadai.com/en/district/kata) - [Living in Patong](https://adadai.com/en/district/patong) - [Condo and apartment rental in Phuket](https://adadai.com/en/realty/apartment-rental) - [Condo rental in Kata and Karon](https://adadai.com/en/realty/condo-kata-karon) - [Phuket viewpoints to visit on your own](https://adadai.com/en/places/viewpoints) - [Night markets in Phuket by day](https://adadai.com/en/places/night-markets) - [Big Buddha hiking trail](https://adadai.com/en/places/big-buddha-hiking-trail) - [Central Festival Phuket](https://adadai.com/en/places/central-festival) - [Beach clubs in Kamala](https://adadai.com/en/places/kamala-beach-clubs) - [Where Phuket is and how to get there](https://adadai.com/en/guide/where-is-phuket) - [Rawai or Nai Harn for living](https://adadai.com/en/living/rawai-or-nai-harn) - [Where to live in Phuket without a scooter](https://adadai.com/en/living/without-a-scooter) - [Black Rock Viewpoint hike](https://adadai.com/en/places/black-rock-viewpoint) - [Kamala or Kata for a family holiday](https://adadai.com/en/guide/kamala-or-kata-for-families) - [Working in Phuket as a foreigner](https://adadai.com/en/living/working-in-phuket) - [Which Phuket beach is best for what](https://adadai.com/en/places/beaches-by-area) - [Gyms and Muay Thai camps in Phuket](https://adadai.com/en/living/gyms-and-muay-thai) - [Best cafés to work from in Phuket](https://adadai.com/en/living/work-from-cafes) - [Best day spas in Phuket by area](https://adadai.com/en/places/day-spas) - [Snorkelling from the beach in Phuket](https://adadai.com/en/places/beach-snorkeling) --- Looking for a villa or condo in Phuket? Our housing partner on the island sends options for your area, dates and budget: https://t.me/PhuketDAexpert Written by the adadai.com editors. We are a guide, not an agency or a broker: we do not list properties or handle deals. Source: adadai.com, https://adadai.com/en/district/karon. The canonical version of this page is the HTML at this address.