Comparison · Koh Phangan vs Koh Samui · Thailand
Koh Phangan vs Koh Samui
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Choose Koh Phangan for Full Moon Party, Haad Rin and lower day-to-day costs; choose Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha. Koh Phangan is generally less expensive, and the two are about 24 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 24 km
- Less expensive
- Koh Phangan
- Best time for Koh Phangan
- February–April and July–August
- Best time for Koh Samui
- February–April and June–August
Side by side
| Koh Phangan | Koh Samui | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Thailand |
| Known for | Full Moon Party, Haad Rin and Yoga retreats | Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and Fisherman's Village |
| Best time to visit | February–April and July–August | February–April and June–August |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 6 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $90–$200 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | April, 33°C (91°F) | April, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 28°C (82°F) | December, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 4 |
| Beaches | Thong Nai Pan Noi | Chaweng |
| Airports | USM, URT | USM, URT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Koh Phangan for…
Full Moon Party, Haad Rin and lower day-to-day costs. Koh Phangan is a hilly, jungle-covered island in the Gulf of Thailand, about 15 km north of Koh Samui. It is famous for the Full Moon Party on Haad Rin's Sunrise Beach, but most of the island is far quieter: the west coast around Srithanu is a hub for yoga…
Choose Koh Samui for…
Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha. Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, is ringed by a coastal road of about 50 km linking a dozen beaches, from busy Chaweng and Lamai on the east coast to quieter Bophut, Maenam and the sunset-facing west. Coconut plantations and forested hills fill…
Top sights compared
| # | Koh Phangan | Koh Samui |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full Moon Party at Haad Rin | Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) |
| 2 | Bottle Beach | Wat Plai Laem |
| 3 | Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai | Fisherman's Village, Bophut |
| 4 | Than Sadet waterfall and beach | Hin Ta and Hin Yai |
| 5 | Phaeng Waterfall and Domsila viewpoint | Na Muang Waterfalls |
Food compared
| Koh Phangan | Koh Samui |
|---|---|
| Massaman curry | Khao yam |
| Southern sour curry | Gaeng som pla |
| Pad thai | Tom kha gai |
| Som tam | Seafood barbecue |
Which is cheaper?
Koh Phangan is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $90–$200 in Koh Samui (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Koh Phangan on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Koh Phangan and Koh Samui are about 24 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Koh Phangan and 6 in Koh Samui.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Koh Phangan or Koh Samui cheaper?
Koh Phangan is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $90–$200 (estimates).
+Is Koh Phangan or Koh Samui better for a first trip?
Pick Koh Phangan for Full Moon Party, Haad Rin and lower day-to-day costs, or Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach and Big Buddha.
+How far is Koh Phangan from Koh Samui?
About 24 km in a straight line.