A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Kanchanaburi for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Kanchanaburi, 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 stunning, activity-filled, and energetic resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a informative, educational, and reflective town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Phuket and Kanchanaburi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

You'll generally find more things to do in Phuket than Kanchanaburi. Phuket is bigger than Kanchanaburi, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Kanchanaburi is more popular for its museums & sights. Phuket is more touristy than Kanchanaburi 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). Kanchanaburi is well known for its dark history during World War II as well as the many nearby national parks.

How is Phuket different from Kanchanaburi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kanchanaburi is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kanchanaburi can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is most recognized for the Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge), which you can walk across or take a train across. The city also has the Thailand Burma Railway Center and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the Memorial Museum, Chungkai Cemetery, and the JEATH War Museum.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Kanchanaburi 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."

Kanchanaburi is becoming an appealing option for foodies. While food isn't the first thing that comes to mind here, you'll find markets with great street food as well as interesting riverside and floating restaurants. A local specialty that you should try is the gaeng paa pla khang (jungle curry). There are also western style restaurants if you need a break from the curry. Many visitors head to Mae Nam Khwae Road for most of their meals.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Kanchanaburi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The backpacker scene keeps the nightlife active. You'll find locals and tourists mingling along Maenam Kwai Road. You'll also find several clubs along Song Kwae Road.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kanchanaburi is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Phuket for its luxury resorts. 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.

Kanchanaburi is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Phuket. 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.

Kanchanaburi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for the beache. However, Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Phuket offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Kanchanaburi is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kanchanaburi 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.

Kanchanaburi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are lively night markets, active walking streets, and independent vendors where you can pick up souvenirs or anything that you might need.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Families?

Phuket and Kanchanaburi are both notable destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. 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.

Kanchanaburi offers lots of family activities. Although most people think of "The Bridge over the River Kwai" when they think of Kanchanaburi, for families, there are actually a number of outdoor adventures in the area that kids will enjoy. Biking, hiking, and kayaking are all popular. The locals are also very friendly and welcoming to children.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Couples?

Phuket is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Kanchanaburi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Phuket makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Kanchanaburi is a good resort island for couples to visit. It's an educational and informative place to visit, but there are also outdoor activities that couples can enjoy together.

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi. There are plenty of hostels to choose from in the area, and like many places in Thailand, it is an affordable place to visit.

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 Kanchanaburi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Phuket and Kanchanaburi.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

While Kanchanaburi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The easiest way to get around town is by tuk tuk or songthaew (pick up truck).

Is Phuket or Kanchanaburi a more walkable city?

Phuket and Kanchanaburi 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.

Kanchanaburi is a somewhat walkable resort island. There is a Walking Street in the town that has restaurants and nightlife.

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

Should I spend more time in Kanchanaburi or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Phuket and Kanchanaburi. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than in Kanchanaburi. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-3 days is enough time in Kanchanaburi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

One day in Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this party-hard resort island offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kanchanaburi. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

Phuket is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this party-hard destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kanchanaburi. 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 Kanchanaburi?

Phuket is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the educational destination of Kanchanaburi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Kanchanaburi, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Kanchanaburi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kanchanaburi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kanchanaburi 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 Kanchanaburi.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Kanchanaburi. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Kanchanaburi, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Kanchanaburi. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kanchanaburi throughout the year.

July to October in Kanchanaburi is the rainy season. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 176 hours of full sun.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi in the Autumn?

Both Kanchanaburi and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kanchanaburi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. The dry season in Kanchanaburi is November to May. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi is July to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kanchanaburi. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite sunny in Kanchanaburi. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Kanchanaburi during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Phuket is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Kanchanaburi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi in the Winter?

Both Kanchanaburi and Phuket during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kanchanaburi year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in January than Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Kanchanaburi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the winter, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kanchanaburi receives 276 hours of full sun.

In January, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Kanchanaburi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Kanchanaburi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Kanchanaburi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. November to May in Kanchanaburi is the dry season. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Kanchanaburi. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kanchanaburi receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kanchanaburi this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kanchanaburi during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Kanchanaburi receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Kanchanaburi. Phuket is around the same temperature as Kanchanaburi in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kanchanaburi fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).

Typical Weather for Kanchanaburi and Phuket