A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Koh Lanta for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Koh Lanta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Koh Lanta, 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 activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is a off-the-beaten-path, tranquil, and peaceful island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, nightlife, and food.

Phuket and Koh Lanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Phuket than Koh Lanta, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Koh Lanta is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Koh Lanta and is known 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). Koh Lanta is well known for it's long and sandy beaches, its idyllic paradise atmosphere, and its beautiful national park.

How is Phuket different from Koh Lanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta?

Koh Lanta is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Koh Lanta offers a few options for museum-goers. Nature and tranquil beauty are what this island is all about, so you won't find much in the form of museums or temples.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Koh Lanta is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Koh Lanta. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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."

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Phuket just to party. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Koh Lanta has a few options to choose from. This is one of the most chill islands in Thailand, so you won't find the hardcore party scene of some of the more backpacker heavy islands. That doesn't mean you won't find live music or places to hang out any night of the week.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Resorts?

Phuket is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Koh Lanta is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Koh Lanta to choose from. Most of the hotels and resorts are small, family-owned businesses that have a local and welcoming atmosphere.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find high quality snorkeling or scuba diving in both Phuket and Koh Lanta.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy 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.

Koh Lanta is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Beaches?

Both Phuket and Koh Lanta have first-rate beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in 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.

Koh Lanta is considered to be a world-class beach destination. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Hiking?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. You'll find hiking trails in Koh Lanta National Park, which is at the southern tip of the island. You'll wander through the jungle, see wildlife, and take in breathtaking views.

Phuket is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its shopping areas.

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.

Shopping in Koh Lanta can be found for those interested. The island doesn't have the huge tourist crowds of many places in Thailand, so you'll find few shops in the towns. If you need to buy clothes or other items, it's better to go to the mainland.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Families?

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

Koh Lanta is a very kid-friendly island. This is among the best island's in Thailand for kids. The waters are calm and the nightlife scene is relaxed. There are hotels that have kiddy pools and some even have kid's clubs. There are also kid-friendly menus at many of the restaurants.

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 Koh Lanta Better for Couples?

Koh Lanta is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Koh Lanta has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The laid back vibe offers a bit of romance for couples. The beaches are beautiful and the island isn't as built up as many islands are in Thailand. And while you'll find places to go in the evening near the backpacker areas, most of the island has a chill and relaxed atmosphere.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as 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.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta. You'll find backpackers on almost every island in Thailand, but this one is a bit more chill than most. It's not as touristy as most of the country's southern islands, but there are still enough amenities to make it comfortable.

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

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its public transit. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Koh Lanta. There really isn't any public transit on the island. Most visitors hire taxis or rent motorbikes to get around.

Is Phuket or Koh Lanta a more walkable city?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Koh Lanta is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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.

Koh Lanta is not a very walkable resort island. While there are some parts of the island that can be explored on foot, most people get around by motorbike.

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

Should I spend more time in Koh Lanta or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

In either Phuket or Koh Lanta, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Phuket than Koh Lanta because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-5 days is enough time in Koh Lanta.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.

One day in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Phuket. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Koh Lanta. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning destination of Phuket. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Koh Lanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. 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 Koh Lanta?

You'll find nightlife and food around the activity-filled resort island of Phuket. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lanta. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Koh Lanta?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the off-the-beaten-path destination of Koh Lanta. This island 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, 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 Koh Lanta, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Koh Lanta?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Koh Lanta, 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 Koh Lanta?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Koh Lanta in the Summer?

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

The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Koh Lanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Lanta during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Lanta receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Koh Lanta in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Koh Lanta fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Koh Lanta in the Autumn?

Both Koh Lanta and Phuket during the autumn 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 Koh Lanta year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Lanta receives 181 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Phuket or Koh Lanta in the Winter?

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

December to March in Phuket is the dry season. January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Lanta receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Koh Lanta. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Lanta fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Koh Lanta in the Spring?

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

June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Koh Lanta receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Lanta. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Lanta receives 249 hours of full sun.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Koh Lanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Koh Lanta fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Lanta and Phuket