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

Should you visit Phuket or Matsue?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Matsue, 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. Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Phuket travel costs.

Matsue

Matsue is a historic, quiet, and peaceful town. The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Matsue travel costs.

Phuket and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Matsue?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Phuket than Matsue. While Matsue is larger than Phuket, Phuket has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Phuket is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Matsue is more popular for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Matsue 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). Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Phuket different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Matsue 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 Matsue can be an interesting and educational experience. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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."

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Phuket is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Matsue to see the old town. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Matsue?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Matsue 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Phuket or Matsue More Beautiful?

Matsue is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Families?

Phuket and Matsue 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Couples?

Phuket is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Matsue is a good resort island for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Phuket or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Phuket and Matsue are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Phuket. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Matsue is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Matsue can get you around easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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.

Is Phuket or Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Matsue?

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

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

One day in Phuket or Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Phuket or Matsue?

Phuket is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Matsue 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 Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the party-hard destination of Phuket. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quiet destination of Matsue. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the family-friendly experiences.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Matsue. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Matsue. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phuket or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue 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. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Phuket is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Matsue. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun.

Matsue 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 Matsue. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Matsue can be very cold during winter. In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun in the winter.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Matsue. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Matsue. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Matsue because of the natural beauty.

Phuket is much warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Matsue and Phuket