Phuket and Koh Samui are Thailand’s two largest and most iconic island destinations. Both have all the ingredients for a perfect vacation – stunning landscapes, incredible beaches, warm weather, a mix of resorts, relaxation and adventure.
Both islands are ideal destinations for a first holiday to Thailand, but how do you choose which one to visit? Phuket or Koh Samui?
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I’ve spent plenty of time on both islands, and while they are both beautiful, Koh Samui and Phuket do offer very different experiences – so it depends on what you are looking for.
In this blog, I’ll break down the key differences between Samui and Phuket to help you decide which Thai island is best suited for you.
Phuket vs Koh Samui – What To Consider
Comparing Koh Samui vs Phuket goes beyond picking the most beautiful island as they offer very different experiences and will appeal to different types of travellers.
So when making your decision think carefully about what you are looking for and consider all the factors including:
- Accessibility
- Accommodation options
- Beaches and scenery
- Activities and attractions
- Nightlife and entertainment
- Food and shopping
- Weather
- Cost
In this blog I will compare both islands on each of these important factors. Then I’ll discuss the pros and cons of each and see who each island is better suited for.
Accessibility and Travel Costs
Getting There
First, it’s important to consider how you will get to the island of your choice.
Both Samui and Phuket have an airport, but Phuket’s airport is larger and much more well-connected than Samui’s.
Phuket: You can fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT) from all over the world with airlines like Emirates, Eithad, and Thai Airways – there are even direct flights from Europe.
The price of flights to Phuket are reasonable and in line with international flights to Bangkok, making Phuket an easily accessible and convenient place to visit.
Samui: Koh Samui’s airport is much smaller and mainly has domestic flights between Samui and Phuket or Bangkok. It is not possible to fly directly to Koh Samui from Europe.
Koh Samui Airport (USM) is mostly open air – it’s beautiful and unique, but as it’s privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, flights routes are limited and prices are more expensive as there’s no competition.
If you are flying internationally, there are two main ways to reach Koh Samui:
- Fly into Bangkok and then take a Bangkok Airways flight to Samui – The fastest but most expensive option).
- Fly into Surat Thani Airport (the closest mainland airport) and then take a ferry to Samui – The cheapest but longest option. (Get a combined ticket on 12GoAsia to save time and hassle)
Getting Around
When it comes to getting around the island, both have their pros and cons. Roads in Thailand are generally pretty good but public transport on islands can be limited and taxis can be expensive (by Thai standards)
Here’s your options for getting around Phuket and Koh Samui:
Taxis: Meter taxis are widely available on both islands but prices are high by Thai standards. Taxi drivers can charge high fares to unsuspecting tourists so always agree on a price before getting in or consider using ride hailing apps like Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber) which are available in both places. You might be surprised to know that you don’t see many 3 wheeled tuk tuks on the islands – they are mainly in Bangkok.
Grab: In Phuket there are both cars and motorbike taxis (the cheapest and quickest way to get around) available and waiting times are short and prices are reasonable. Whereas Samui only has cars which are slower and more expensive and there are not so many drivers available in Samui, so waiting times and prices are higher. Samui is smaller though so distances are not far.
Buses: Phuket has a modern public bus service, while Koh Samui does not. The Phuket Smart Bus runs from Rawai in the south to the airport in the north, stopping at all the main tourist towns along the west coast. It is just 100 Thai baht a journey and buses run once an hour.
Local Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run on both islands between the major towns and beaches, flagging one down and hopping in is the cheapest way to get around.
Car and Scooter Rental: If you’re looking to rent a scooter or car, I found that Phuket’s roads are generally in better condition than Samui’s. While Samui’s main roads are fine, some of the smaller beach roads can be more like dirt tracks. However, Phuket’s roads are definitely busier, so you will most likely spend more time sitting in traffic in Phuket compared to Samui.
Guided Tours: There is a wide selection of guided tours and day trips available on both islands which make it easy to explore the tourist attractions and popular destinations. You can choose from cheaper group tours or skip the crowds with a private tour. I prefer to use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours because I can check reviews first.
Verdict: Phuket is easier and cheaper to get to and get around than Koh Samui.
Accommodation Options and Prices
Both Phuket and Koh Samui have a well developed infrastructure for tourism and offer accommodation options for all budgets. You will find luxury villas, 5-star resorts, boutique hotels, budget guesthouses, affordable beach huts, and backpacker hostels on both islands.
Accommodation prices on both islands have risen significantly post-Covid, but affordable options are still available.
Samui has no shortage of amazing 5 star resorts ideal for a luxury beach getaway – this is where you’ll find the stunning Four Seasons Resort Samui where season 3 of the White Lotus was filmed but, on the other end of the scale, you can still find some cheap beach huts in Samui too.
As it’s larger than Samui there is a wider choice of accommodation in Phuket and prices are generally a bit cheaper. Phuket also has cute boutique heritage hotels, condos and apartments suitable for longer stays.
Be aware that during the peak season (December to March), hotel prices increase significantly on both islands and can get fully booked – so make sure you book well in advance if you plan to visit during this busy time and expect to pay more than during rainy season.
Verdict: Both Samui and Phuket offer plenty of accommodation options for all budgets, however as the larger and more developed island Phuket offers more choice and slightly cheaper prices.
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Beaches and Scenery
Both Koh Samui and Phuket make for an incredible beach holiday. These two islands boast many stunning beaches with soft white sand, gently swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters.
Phuket’s beaches can get very busy and are slowly becoming more developed, but each has a different vibe so there’s something for everyone:
- Patong Beach is the most famous in Phuket. It’s ALWAYS lively with watersports and a legendary nightlife strip on Bangla road popular with backpackers and party people.
- Karon, Kamala, and Kata beach are bustling tourist beaches that are great for swimming and water sports and popular with families and couples.
- Nai Harn Beach is adored by expats, giving it a bit more of a local vibe.
- Mai Khao Beach is the most uncrowded and undeveloped beach
Similarly, the best beaches in Samui all have a different ambiance:
- Chaweng Beach is the busiest, known for lively beach clubs and vibrant nightlife
- Lamai Beach is a bit more chilled but still has plenty of amenities
- Bo Phut Beach is home to the lively Fishermans Village and popular with families.
- Mae Nam Beach is more peaceful and perfect for honeymooners and couples
- Lipa Noi Beach is a barely developed beach with amazing sunsets ideal for total relaxation
Verdict: Both islands have beautiful beaches, but in my opinion, Samui’s beaches are more “postcard-perfect.” Many of Phuket’s beaches have become crowded and overdeveloped which has taken some of the idyllic paradise island charm away.
Activities and Tourist Attractions
Both islands are well-developed so you’ll find plenty of things to see and do in Phuket and Koh Samui from island hopping boat trips to cultural attractions and activities.
That being said, because the former is much bigger, there is a wider range of things to do in Phuket. It also has slightly more iconic cultural attractions like the famous Big Buddha, the impressive Wat Chalong Temple, and the colourful Phuket Old Town.
This doesn’t mean that Samui lacks culture; rather, its golden Big Buddha, unique temples and cultural sites like Wat Plai Leam and Wat Phra Yai are just not quite as famous as Phuket’s but are equally impressive. So don’t worry there are still plenty of things to do on Koh Samui to keep you entertained for at least a week.
In terms of adventure activities you can find elephant sanctuaries, ATV rides, and ziplining on both islands. However, Samui’s jungly interior is best for natural beauty, waterfalls, and hiking. Phuket does have hiking trails and waterfalls, but they are less impressive than Samui’s.
One key difference between the attractions in Phuket and Samui is the island hopping, snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities.
Samui has some fantastic islands nearby that you can visit on day tours including the Ang Thong National Marine Park, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. There are also world-class dive spots close to Koh Samui.
Phuket has SO MANY nearby islands, including the Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, Surin Islands, Ko Racha, Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai and more!
Phuket is also close to many beautiful places in the Phang Nga province, including Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island and Khao Lak. It’s also within driving distance of Krabi and the incredible Khao Sok National Park can also be visited on a day trip from Phuket.
Verdict: If you want to explore as many islands and places as possible Phuket is the better choice, but equally if it’s your first time in Thailand you’re unlikely to be disappointed with Samui’s island hopping excursions either.
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Nightlife and Entertainment
Regarding nightlife, Phuket and Koh Samui each have a renowned “party town” full of bars and nightclubs. In Phuket, this is Patong Beach on the island’s west coast while in Koh Samui, this is Chaweng Beach, in the northeast.
If you’re visiting for the nightlife make a beeline for these popular areas to be in the heart of the action, but if you’d prefer peace, relaxation and a quiet nights sleep then you’ll want to avoid staying in these areas.
Both islands also have plenty of bars and beach clubs. In Phuket, you will find plenty in Bang Tao. In Koh Samui, you will find more beach clubs dotted around the island, including Chaweng and Lamai Beach.
One advantage of Samui is that it is close to the famous full moon parties in Koh Phangan, which you can reach by a short boat ride. Koh Phangan has many other renowned parties, including the Waterfall Party, Jungle Party, and Half Moon parties.
Phuket has many incredible parties, too, though they might not be as world-famous. One iconic party experience in Phuket is Yona – a floating beach club in the Andaman Sea! There are also tons of boat parties you can do, as well as various music festivals, like Electric Daisy Carnival.
If wild parties are not what you’re looking for both islands also offer quieter areas to stay and more low key nightlife like lively night markets where you can browse stalls for unique souvenirs and handicrafts while enjoying street food and live music. Phuket’s Old Town has a famous Sunday night walking street market which is one of the best in the country.
Verdict: Both Samui and Phuket offer some uniquely epic nightlife and entertainment options – you won’t get bored at night on either island but equally you can always find somewhere peaceful if you don’t want to party.
Food and Shopping
Koh Samui and Phuket have some incredible food options (both Thai and international) and plenty of shops, from Western-style shopping malls (Phuket and Samui both have a central festival mall) to traditional markets. Being the bigger, more developed island, Phuket has the most extensive array of restaurants and shops.
In Phuket, you can find every cuisine you can think of, which is often very high quality. There are also many fancy and fine-dining options in the more upscale areas like Laguna.
Old Phuket town is also full of excellent Thai, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants, cute coffee shops and cafes, and hosts a massive Sunday walking street night market.
Koh Samui also has plentiful, high-quality Thai restaurants and Western eateries, especially in Fisherman’s Village (Bophut) which also has a Friday night walking street market.
Chaweng has a mall and multiple night markets offering all the iconic Thai delights like pad Thai and mango sticky rice, clothing, handicrafts and souvenirs.
I also found there are tons of beachfront restaurants and romantic dining options on Samui, such as Dining on the Rocks at the luxurious Six Senses resort.
Verdict: Being a huge foodie, I rate Phuket higher than Samui in terms of food options and quality, there’s also more choice when it comes to shopping, but both islands have more than enough options for a holiday.
Weather and When to Visit
Thailand is warm all year round but both Phuket and Samui have distinct dry and wet seasons.
During the dry season, both islands offer perfect beach weather – abundant sunshine, high temperatures and low humidity, but peak season comes with peak prices and crowds.
In the wet season, it doesn’t rain all day everyday but it is often overcast with frequent tropical downpours, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and high humidity. Both islands can have rough, unswimmable waters during the monsoon season and boat rides can get bumpy.
The only difference is the time of each island’s monsoon season. Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea, while Koh Samui is in the Gulf of Thailand so their rainy seasons are different.
Phuket’s rainy season is very long. It officially runs from May to October, however, it is often at its worst in September and October. Samui’s rainy season is shorter and starts later, between October and December, but it can be mostly dry during the summer holiday period in July and August.
Verdict: If you plan to travel in the summer holidays (July and August) Koh Samui is the better option, whereas Phuket is generally better for Christmas and New Year holidays.
Pros and Cons
Now we’ve discussed the different aspects of each island at depth, here’s a quick run down of the pros and cons for each island to help you decide.
Phuket
Pros
- Large international airport with regular, affordable, international flights
- Endless accommodation options, activities and attractions on offer
- Tons of island hopping opportunities and close to the mainland
- Exceptional international cuisine scene
- A charming, colourful, old town to explore
- Slightly cheaper prices than Samui
Cons
- Heavy traffic – it can take a long time to travel between areas
- The beaches can get very crowded
- A longer rainy season
Koh Samui
Pros
- Less crowded and more idyllic beaches
- Smaller size – can drive around the whole island in a day
- A good balance between activity and relaxation
- A shorter rainy season
- More paradise holiday island vibes than Phuket
Cons
- Very few international flights fly directly to Koh Samui
- Fewer islands nearby and limited mainland access
- More expensive and less choice
Koh Samui vs Phuket – Wrapping It Up
As you can see, each island has its own pros and cons. So think about when you want to visit and the type of holiday you want to ensure you choose the destination that best suits you.
Who is Phuket Best Suited For?
If you are looking for a bustling beach city vibe, Phuket is ideal. Here, you will find EVERYTHING: beaches, nightlife, culture, and adventure. That’s why it attracts a diverse array of people, including families, couples, and solo travelers.
In recent years, Phuket has become extremely crowded, and during the busiest months, it can feel like ‘Bangkok by the beach.’ But what makes this Thai destination so popular is the vast array of things to do and see. If you’re looking for a jam-packed adventure break, Phuket is the best island.
Also, note that each area in Phuket has a unique vibe. Patong Beach is undoubtedly the party area and can be somewhat seedy, while Kata and Karen are lively yet more family-friendly. Meanwhile, Nai Harn Beach has a slightly more chilled vibe as it’s located at the southern tip of the island.
If you’re seeking relaxation, I recommend Panwa Beach, located on the eastern cape of Phuket. This is one of the quietest spots on the island, yet it is just a short drive from Phuket town.
Another good thing about Phuket is that there are many island hopping trips and small islands to explore.
Who is Koh Samui Best For?
Being smaller than Phuket, Ko Samui does tend to have more idyllic beaches and a more chilled island vibe which might suit you better if you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation.
While it’s well-developed, it is less urban than Phuket – there are far fewer big roads, and the smaller size means it takes less time to travel around and explore the island.
The people who choose to visit Samui are typically couples and honeymooners looking for a relaxing beach holiday and a bit of pampering rather than an adventure-filled break.
The calmer vibe can also make it a good choice for families, but there are fewer activities for kids here than in Phuket.
Phuket vs Koh Samui – The Final Verdict
So which Thai island should you choose? Koh Samui or Phuket? Ultimately it comes down to what you want.
Phuket is the top choice for choice, convenience, and accessibility but, being a smaller island and not so easy to get to, Koh Samui does have a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than Phuket.
So if you prefer more of an island vibe for a honeymoon or relaxing family holiday then Samui may be best. However, Phuket has much more to do with many iconic sights and cool cultural events. You can find any activity and cuisine in Phuket, so if you’re seeking a bustling beach city vibe, Phuket is ideal.
That being said, choosing between Phuket or Koh Samui boils down to personal preference. And at the end of the day, both Thai islands are equally beautiful, so you can’t go wrong with whichever island you choose!
If you have time, I definitely recommend spending time on both! Spending 4 or 5 days on each island will give you enough time to enjoy the beaches, explore and get a taste for each island.
And remember, these are just two of the many stunning destinations in Thailand. If you’re considering a longer trip check out these 21 Amazing Places to Visit in Thailand and see my 2 week Thailand itinerary to know how to fit the best of both north and south into one epic trip.
Read More: Once you’ve decided which island to visit if you want help planning your trip check out my Phuket Guides, and my Koh Samui Guides. 🙂
