A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Krabi for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Phuket or Krabi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Krabi, 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 gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Krabi

Krabi is a colorful, stunning, and local 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 nightlife.

Phuket and Krabi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Krabi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Phuket. Although Phuket and Krabi are popular destinations, Phuket has more sights and attractions for tourists. Phuket is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Krabi attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Phuket is more touristy than Krabi and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Krabi is famous for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market.

How is Phuket different from Krabi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Krabi 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 Krabi can be an interesting and educational experience. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Phuket and Krabi can be difficult as they are each nice 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."

Krabi is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for nightlife. Also, Krabi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Krabi has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Phuket is a perfect choice. 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.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in 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.

Krabi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its beaches. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Phuket is a very popular vacation 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.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Krabi?

Krabi is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Krabi is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Families?

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

Krabi is a very kid-friendly town. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

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 Krabi Better for Couples?

Phuket and Krabi are both excellent 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.

Krabi is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

Is Phuket or Krabi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi 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 Krabi. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

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

Phuket is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Krabi is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Phuket has some public transit options. 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 Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Is Phuket or Krabi a more walkable city?

Phuket and Krabi both are nice 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.

Krabi is a somewhat walkable resort island. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Krabi or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Krabi?

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

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

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

One day in Phuket or Krabi?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Phuket or Krabi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Krabi 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 Krabi?

Phuket is a fun place to experience. In Phuket, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

In Phuket, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this party-hard destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Krabi. 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 Krabi, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Krabi?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Krabi, 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 Krabi?

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 Krabi in the Summer?

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

August to October in Krabi is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Krabi. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the summer. Phuket usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Krabi. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Krabi receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the summer, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Krabi. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krabi receives 206 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Phuket or Krabi in the Autumn?

Both Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi is December to March. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In October, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krabi. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Krabi receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Krabi during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Krabi receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Krabi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Krabi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Krabi in the Winter?

Both Krabi 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 Krabi year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Phuket. December to March is the dry season in Krabi. Phuket usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Krabi. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Krabi receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Krabi, 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 Krabi. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krabi receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Phuket is around the same temperature as Krabi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Krabi averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Krabi in the Spring?

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

Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Krabi. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Krabi receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi 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 Krabi during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Krabi receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Krabi. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Krabi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Krabi and Phuket