A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Cromwell for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Phuket or Cromwell?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Cromwell, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a cultural, outdoorsy, and historical town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and skiing.

Phuket and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Cromwell?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Cromwell, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Cromwell is more popular for its skiing, museums, hiking, and small town charm. Phuket is more touristy than Cromwell and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Also, Phuket is famous for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Cromwell is well known for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards.

How is Phuket different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cromwell and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a nice place to visit for winter skiing. However, Phuket is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Cromwell is a great destination to visit. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Phuket is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Cromwell?

Cromwell is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Cromwell offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Cromwell? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Cromwell can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Cromwell is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its evening party scene.

Phuket is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cromwell. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Resorts?

Phuket is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Cromwell is not a resort destination.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Cromwell is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a great resort island for its diving and snorkeling. However, Cromwell is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Phuket is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Cromwell is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Phuket is very popular for the beache. However, Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Phuket is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Cromwell is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Phuket is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Cromwell?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cromwell and Phuket.

Phuket offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Cromwell has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Families?

Cromwell is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cromwell is a very kid-friendly town. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Phuket and Cromwell are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Cromwell is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cromwell is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Phuket is a resort island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cromwell. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

Phuket is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. Many backpackers complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Cromwell Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Phuket or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Phuket and Cromwell both are notable when exploring on foot.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable resort island. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phuket or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phuket than Cromwell because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cromwell.

Families should spend more time in Cromwell than Phuket. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cromwell, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Cromwell. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Phuket that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cromwell than Phuket if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cromwell.

One day in Phuket or Cromwell?

The resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cromwell. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Phuket or Cromwell?

Phuket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Cromwell is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Cromwell?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cromwell. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Cromwell?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Cromwell. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Cromwell, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Cromwell much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Cromwell is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cromwell would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cromwell and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Phuket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phuket than you might in Cromwell.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Cromwell Expensive?.