Avis: fixed counter in the terminal's arrivals hall (Tat Counter). Budget: meet a representative just outside the nearest terminal exit.
Budget's own desk can be genuinely hard to locate on arrival according to real feedback — build in a few extra minutes if you're renting from them specifically.
Is Avis and Budget Phuket well rated?
For Avis, feedback is thin but mixed — one renter worried about dirty vehicles and disputed damage fees, another received a nearly-new car. For Budget, staff helpfulness and cleanliness score well, but the counter can be hard to find and value-for-money is the weakest category, with drop-off consistently slower than pick-up.
What renters say
A subsequent renter (58)
Worried about reports of dirty vehicles and staff attempting to bill for pre-existing damage or excessive cleaning fees ahead of an Avis booking.
One later renter (59)
Received a nearly-new, low-mileage car from the Phuket airport Avis counter — a positive counterpoint to the damage-fee concerns.
A prior renter (60)
Rated Budget's staff helpfulness and cleanliness highest, but flagged that the counter/desk can be hard to locate on arrival.
Another local renter (61)
Praised Budget's desk service speed and a wide vehicle selection, but noted drop-off was consistently slower than pick-up.
Budget observed roughly £21-51/day (economy to SUV), or €14.87-€65.85/day depending on class. Avis pricing was too inconsistent across sources to quote reliably.
Before you book at Phuket Airport
A few practical points apply to every desk at Phuket: Thailand drives on the left, and the island's hillier west-coast roads toward Kata and Patong reward a car with decent brakes and some power in the rainy season. Bring an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence, as it's commonly requested at the counter. Deposit holds are usually placed on a credit card, and prices swing sharply with the season, so booking a few weeks ahead tends to lock in a better rate.
Compare with the other desks
See the full comparison of car rental desks at Phuket Airport, with ratings and locations.
Do Avis and Budget have the same pickup style at Phuket Airport?
No — Avis has a fixed counter in the arrivals hall, while Budget uses a meet-and-greet just outside the nearest terminal exit.
Where is Avis and Budget Phuket relative to the terminal?
Avis: arrivals hall counter inside the terminal. Budget: a meet-and-greet just outside the nearest terminal exit rather than a fixed counter.