Comparison · Koh Samui vs Phuket · Thailand
Koh Samui vs Phuket
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights; choose Phuket for Beaches and Phang Nga Bay. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 254 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 254 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Koh Samui
- February–April and June–August
- Best time for Phuket
- December–March
Side by side
| Koh Samui | Phuket | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Thailand |
| Known for | Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and Fisherman's Village | Beaches, Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi Islands day trips |
| Best time to visit | February–April and June–August | December–March |
| Ideal stay | 6 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$200 | $90–$200 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 33°C (91°F) | March, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 28°C (82°F) | September, 31°C (88°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | Chaweng | Kata Beach |
| Airports | USM, URT | HKT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Koh Samui for…
Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights. 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…
Choose Phuket for…
Beaches and Phang Nga Bay. Thailand's largest island, about 50 km long, lines its west coast with sandy bays from lively Patong to calmer Kata, Kamala and Nai Harn, all facing the Andaman Sea. Inland, rubber plantations and forested hills hide the Big Buddha and waterfalls, while…
Top sights compared
| # | Koh Samui | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) | Big Buddha |
| 2 | Wat Plai Laem | Old Phuket Town |
| 3 | Fisherman's Village, Bophut | Wat Chalong |
| 4 | Hin Ta and Hin Yai | Promthep Cape |
| 5 | Na Muang Waterfalls | Karon Viewpoint |
Food compared
| Koh Samui | Phuket |
|---|---|
| Khao yam | Phuket Hokkien noodles |
| Gaeng som pla | Moo hong |
| Tom kha gai | Khanom jeen |
| Seafood barbecue | Phuket dim sum |
Which is cheaper?
Koh Samui and Phuket cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $90–$200 in Koh Samui and $90–$200 in Phuket (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Koh Samui on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Koh Samui and Phuket are about 254 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 6 days in Koh Samui and 7 in Phuket.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Koh Samui or Phuket cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $90–$200 in Koh Samui and $90–$200 in Phuket (estimates).
+Is Koh Samui or Phuket better for a first trip?
Pick Koh Samui for Chaweng Beach, Big Buddha and free sights, or Phuket for Beaches and Phang Nga Bay.
+How far is Koh Samui from Phuket?
About 254 km in a straight line.