Phuket or Koh Samui: Which One Should You Visit?

Heading to Thailand and wondering whether to visit Phuket or Koh Samui? This guide will help you decide which of these Thai islands is right for you.

Both Phuket and Koh Samui are popular tourist destinations, with the former being Thailand’s largest island and the latter the second largest. Both receive millions of visitors each year, although Phuket attracts significantly more.

I’ve visited both islands, and while they’re both fantastic destinations, I personally lean towards Phuket, mainly due to the breadth and variety of activities available. However, that doesn’t mean Koh Samui isn’t worth visiting—it might actually be the better option for you.

This guide covers the key aspects of travelling to these islands, from connectivity, costs, and crowd levels to dining, experiences, and, of course, beaches. Additionally, as the rainy seasons differ between the two, it’s worth knowing the best time to visit.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please note, I only recommend products and services that I know and love. Read full Privacy Policy here.

Comparing Phuket and Koh Samui

A quick note on this guide: there is always an element of subjectivity when discussing travel destinations. For instance, I’m not a big fan of nightclubs, so visiting those is not a priority for me when I travel. However, nightlife might be important to you.

Before you decide on where to go, consider what you want to get out of the experience. This will help determine the best plan of action.

Connectivity

Phuket definitely wins in this category. Both islands have international airports, although Phuket is much better connected to international destinations, with direct flights from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Samui Airport receives a handful of international flights from Asian travel hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong. The airport is owned by Bangkok Airways, so the majority of its flights are domestic and operated by this carrier.

This means that if you’re choosing a destination for a two-week break, Phuket might be a better option as you’ll need fewer flights to get there. This has certainly influenced my decision when deciding which places to visit.

I’ve mostly visited Thailand on two-week breaks from work, so spending extra time in airports to reach a more remote location doesn’t always appeal to me. This consideration is less important if you have more time to travel around the region and plan to move around frequently.

Alternative ways of getting to the islands include taking coaches to Phuket and ferries from Surat Thani to Koh Samui. Ferries also run between Koh Samui and the nearby islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. From Phuket, you can also travel by ferry to popular destinations like Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

Weather

Both islands share a tropical climate and bask in warmth year-round, with no cold or snowy winters. However, due to their geographic locations, there are variations in the timing of their rainy seasons, so the best option will depend on when you are planning to visit Thailand.

Phuket experiences its rainy season between May and October, with higher humidity, increased rainfall, and monsoons. The best time to visit is usually between December and March, when the heat is pleasant, humidity is low, and the chances of rainfall are minimal. I visited Phuket in December and can confirm that it’s a great time to go.

In contrast, Koh Samui is much drier than Phuket between May and September, as its monsoon season falls between October and December, with November being the wettest month. If you’re planning a beach trip to a Thai island in November or December, Phuket is likely to offer more stable weather.

That said, the rainy season in Thailand typically consists of short, intense bouts of rain that pass relatively quickly, so you may still enjoy plenty of good weather. My husband and I visited Koh Samui in December and, although it rained frequently, we still had plenty of sunshine to enjoy the beach.

Cost

I’ve found that the costs of staying in Phuket and Koh Samui are comparable, and ultimately, both can be as expensive or as cheap as you like.

Food, drinks, guided tours, and services such as Thai massages cost about the same on both islands. After all, they are highly dependent on tourism. Getting to Koh Samui may cost slightly more, but I think the difference in the overall price of your trip will be minimal.

Accommodation costs are also comparable, with options available for every budget—from hostels to exclusive resorts. However, since Phuket is a larger island with more development, there are more accommodation options, including countless condos and budget hotels.

All in all, I don’t think there’s a clear winner in this category, simply because your travel costs depend on many factors. This guide on the cost of travel to Thailand will help you plan your budget, and the information is relevant to both islands.

Beaches

Ksenia walking along Mae Nam Beach — Me Nam beach in Koh Samui

Bang Tao Beach on a summer morning — Bang Tao beach in Phuket

One of the main reasons so many tourists flock to both Phuket and Koh Samui is, of course, the beaches. Both islands offer plenty of superb stretches of sand to choose from.

Many of Phuket’s beaches can get extremely busy and are surrounded by significant development. Patong is one of the main offenders in this regard, as it’s one of the most well-known resort areas on the island.

However, Phuket does offer alternatives. The northern part of Bang Tao and Mai Khao provide a much more peaceful experience with limited development. I also enjoyed visiting the paradisical Freedom Beach, but since I went there shortly after Thailand reopened following the pandemic in 2021, it was likely much quieter than usual.

In contrast, many of Koh Samui’s beaches seem to have retained a more relaxed vibe and, with less development overall, offer a more traditional palm-fringed setting, free from high-rise buildings.

The popular Chaweng Beach and Bo Phut still have plenty of beachside hotels and bars and can get quite busy, but quieter options like Mae Nam and Choeng Mon Beach provide a more tranquil experience.

Overall, Koh Samui’s beaches feel more laid-back, with less intensive development than Phuket. However, if you’re looking for an untouched beach with hardly any people, other Thai islands would be a better choice.

Accommodation

Santiburi Koh Samui Review Hero Shot: a view of the hotel's main building with the swimming pool in foreground — Santiburi Koh Samui resort

As I’ve mentioned before, both islands offer a wide selection of accommodation to suit different budgets, from cheap and cheerful to ultra-luxurious and everything in between. So, I don’t think there’s a clear winner in this category.

Nevertheless, due to its sheer size, Phuket tends to have more options, ranging from quirky boutique hotels in traditional shophouses in Phuket Old Town to exclusive Michelin-starred resorts. I’ve also found an endless choice of condos for rent across the island, as many resort towns are home to an abundance of apartment complexes.

Koh Samui has recently built a reputation as a wellness destination for affluent travellers looking to combine a touch of luxury with an opportunity to reconnect with themselves. However, plenty of budget options remain available.

My personal favourite places to stay include SAii Laguna Phuket, located by my favourite beach on the island, Bang Tao, as well as SAii Koh Samui Villas, an adults-only resort nestled among lush greenery by a secluded beach.

I also love Santiburi Koh Samui, situated by Mae Nam Beach. This luxurious retreat offers stunning facilities with a Thai twist, delectable dining, and total relaxation. Learn more in my Santiburi resort review.

If you’d like to know more about great accommodation for a romantic getaway, check out this guide to the best places to stay in Phuket for couples.

Dining

I’ve seen passionate discussions online about whether Phuket or Koh Samui is the best foodie destination. In reality, you can enjoy delicious dining on both islands.

Nevertheless, at the risk of sounding controversial, I think Phuket is the winner here. I’ve heard multiple complaints that it’s impossible to find authentic Thai food on the island, but that’s simply not true.

Granted, the popular resort towns primarily cater to tourists, and their menus reflect that. However, you just need to know where to go. This is true for all touristy areas beyond Phuket as well.

Phuket Old Town is the island’s foodie hotspot, boasting numerous street food stalls, traditional shophouses serving local specialities, and cool independent cocktail bars and cafés. Several street food stalls—some of which don’t even have non-Thai signage—are featured in the Michelin Guide.

Speaking of the guide, there are currently 56 Michelin-listed eateries in Phuket compared to just 12 in Koh Samui. Although Koh Samui is also home to many excellent restaurants, I didn’t feel that the island has an equivalent to Phuket Old Town, where you’ll find a concentration of street stalls and long-established traditional eateries serving local specialties.

If you fancy international food, I also think Phuket comes out on top. The large expat community has led to the arrival of excellent restaurants serving cuisine from Europe and other parts of Asia.

For example, Patong, which nobody would accuse of being a sophisticated dining destination, is still home to high-end establishments like Acqua and L’Arome by the Sea, where you can enjoy excellent Italian and creative French fare, respectively.

Nightlife

Coco Tam's beach bar in Bo Phut, Koh Samui

Phuket is notorious for its vibrant nightlife, which is concentrated in Patong, home to go-go bars, nightclubs, and adult entertainment venues. If partying until dawn is what you’re after, Patong is the place to go.

Personally, the seedier side of Patong’s nightlife and its links to sex tourism don’t particularly appeal to me, so I wasn’t a big fan of the town. Nightlife in other parts of Phuket is much more low-key by comparison. I much preferred the beach bars in Bang Tao and the smart cocktail bars in Phuket Old Town.

Nightlife in Koh Samui is generally more laid-back, with many towns boasting stylish beach bars offering sea views, creative cocktails, and, occasionally, fire shows. Chaweng also has a few nightclubs for those looking for a more energetic night out.

One of the spots I particularly enjoyed in Koh Samui was Coco Tam’s. This trendy beach club in Fisherman’s Village, by Bo Phut Beach, offers bean bags right on the sand, an extensive menu of signature cocktails, quality pizza, and an evening fire show. Be warned—it does get quite busy.

Activities and Tours

Ksenia sitting at the top of a longtail boat with the limestone cliffs of Pileh Lagoon behind her — Ksenia on a longtail boat tour around Koh Phi Phi islands

If you’d like to explore beyond the beach, both Phuket and Koh Samui offer plenty of options. Day trips to nearby islands, snorkelling excursions, visits to elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes, and guided tours to local attractions are all readily available on both islands.

Due to its size and location, I’d say Phuket offers more activities and day trips than Koh Samui, so it takes the win in this category. My favourite part about Phuket is the opportunity to visit some iconic destinations during your stay, including Koh Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, the Similan Islands, and many other lesser-known islands in the Andaman Sea.

From Koh Samui, you can easily visit Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, as well as some beautiful smaller islands. However, I feel that the Andaman Sea simply offers greater variety and more dramatic scenery.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on what you personally want to do while there. For example, if you’re interested in playing golf, Phuket is the better destination as it has multiple courses, whereas Koh Samui has just one 18-hole course.

That said, no matter which island you choose, there will be more activities and tours than you can fit into a single trip.

Arts and Culture

A shophouse façade in Phuket Old Town — A stylish shophouse façade in Phuket Old Town

Neither Phuket nor Koh Samui are known as art and culture destinations. However, neither is devoid of cultural experiences either.

Phuket is the clear winner in this category, primarily thanks to the historic Phuket Old Town. This small but charming area is home to several streets lined with elegant, pastel-hued Sino-Portuguese shophouses, which house boutiques, bars, and restaurants.

This area offers a welcome respite from the island’s resort-town development, which rarely has architectural value. It is also home to museums, artist studios, and even a street art trail. Additionally, it hosts a popular Sunday night market, where you can explore stalls selling street food and trinkets.

A trip to Phuket Old Town provides a glimpse of what life on the island was like before tourism took over. Visiting the area was one of my personal highlights of Phuket.

As for Koh Samui, if you can tear yourself away from the sun lounger, there are still elegant Buddhist temples to explore, as well as the tranquil Secret Buddha Garden. There is also a small Coconut Museum, where you can learn about the island’s coconut trade, which was its main industry before tourism.

Shopping

Since Phuket is the more developed island, it’s no surprise that it offers better shopping opportunities than Koh Samui.

Thailand’s largest island is home to several shopping malls, numerous markets, and a wide variety of shops selling everything from cheap, mass-produced souvenirs to local designer clothing, accessories, and homeware. Whether you’re after a designer knock-off or authentic Thai silk products, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Phuket.

I’ve found that the quality of shopping varies depending on where you are on the island. For instance, Patong isn’t the best place for smart boutiques, and its main mall, Jungceylon, is looking a little tired.

However, if you head to higher-end areas, there are better choices. Phuket Town is home to Central Phuket, a large mall with hundreds of shops, including designer brands and international chains, as well as a market-style shopping area offering local souvenirs.

I also enjoyed the shopping options in Bang Tao, particularly in the Boat Avenue area, which includes the smart Porto de Phuket mall. This mall features a mix of local and international brands and a great selection of eateries.

The main shopping destination in Koh Samui is Central Samui in Chaweng. Although not as extensive as its counterpart in Phuket, it still offers a decent selection of shops and a food court. There are also some interesting shopping options in Fisherman’s Village, but they remain somewhat limited.

Development and Crowd Levels

Whether you’re heading to Phuket or Koh Samui, it’s best to manage your expectations—neither is an off-the-beaten-path destination. If you’re looking for untouched, “authentic” Thailand, you’re better off heading elsewhere.

All in all, Phuket is the more developed and busier island, with road congestion, high-rises, and crowds at its most popular beaches and attractions. This is something many visitors dislike about the island. While you can stay in quieter areas, you’re still likely to encounter these issues when travelling around.

In contrast, Koh Samui’s development is considerably less dense and mostly low-rise. There is only one circular road around the island, and overall, Koh Samui doesn’t feel as crowded as Phuket, as it doesn’t receive as many visitors.

Just like in Phuket, some areas of Koh Samui are busier than others. For example, I wasn’t a big fan of Chaweng, but Mae Nam, on the northern coast, felt a world away from all the bars and congestion.

Final Thoughts

I hope this comparison between Phuket and Koh Samui has helped you decide which island is right for you.

Personally, despite its major downsides, I still prefer Phuket due to the diversity of activities and experiences it offers. However, if you have the opportunity, it’s always great to visit both islands and form your own opinion.

Whichever island you choose to visit, I also recommend adding a stop in Bangkok during your trip to the Land of Smiles. Thailand’s capital is a truly fascinating city, offering a different perspective on local life compared to what you’ll experience on the islands. Learn more in this travel guide to Bangkok.

FAQs: Phuket or Koh Samui

Is Phuket or Koh Samui better?

The choice ultimately depends on personal preferences and what you want from your experience. Personally, I prefer Phuket, although Koh Samui has its own advantages, including a more laid-back atmosphere and less development.

Is Samui more expensive than Phuket?

No, the costs of visiting the island, from accommodation and dining to transport and activities are comparable. I’ve found Phuket has more accommodation options at different price points simply due to its size.

Is Koh Samui cooler than Phuket?

Both islands enjoy a tropical climate, though there is some variation in average temperatures, with Koh Samui typically a couple of degrees cooler than Phuket. However, the difference is minimal, and you’re unlikely to notice much of a change when travelling between the two.

Enjoyed this comparison guide between Phuket and Koh Samui? Bookmark or pin it for later.

Phuket or Koh Samui: Which One Should You Visit?