When traveling to Thailand, tourists often cannot decide on the choice of a suitable island; the task becomes more complicated even if you have been to Thailand at least once. It is doubly difficult for those who are going to Thailand for the first time.
Typically, travelers prefer the exotic islands of Koh Samui or Phuket, which are the most popular in Thailand. By the way, Phuket is the largest island in the Kingdom, and Samui comes just behind it in terms of area. To decide where to go, it’s worth considering the features of holidays on both islands.
Route
To Phuket
First you need to better know the features of the route to the resorts. You can consider the pros and cons of Phuket - Samui, how to get to your destinations.
There are often direct flights to Phuket from Moscow. Phuket is connected to the mainland by a bridge, because it is located a short distance from it. They get there by land or air, almost completely excluding the route by water.
On Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the country's second largest island. You can get to Samui from Bangkok by land or by water in about 15 hours, which is a very inconvenient way. It is best to fly from the capital of Thailand by plane in just 1.5 hours. There are no direct flights to the island; only local airlines, such as Airasia, fly to Koh Samui.
Phuket or Koh Samui
When thinking about what to choose: Phuket or Koh Samui, it’s worth comparing beach holidays on the two islands. The beach line of Koh Samui is covered with many cafes, bars, and hotels. In Phuket, most hotels are located across the road from the beach. Another disadvantage of Phuket is that due to the road running close to the beach, the exotic and secluded holiday is significantly spoiled.
Samui
The disadvantage of Samui is that there are too many low tides in May-October, as a result of which the luxurious beaches become shallow and it becomes difficult to swim in them. For Phuket, this is typical only on the east coast, so there are almost no tourists there. In the summer months, you can’t swim on the island, as there are strong waves in Phuket at this time, and the rains are getting stronger - not really the season for a holiday in Phuket in the summer, actually.
Natural conditions at one time or another must be taken into account when deciding where to go: to Samui or Phuket. Koh Samui can be visited in the summer, because the rainy season there lasts only from October to November. In Phuket, tropical downpours last from May to October.
Attractions
Combined tour
Modern travel agencies offer travelers combined Phuket-Samui tours, which will greatly appeal to those who are flying to Thailand for the first time. The average cost of such tours is 50,000 – 60,000 rubles and depends on the duration of the trip, as well as on the hotels. First, they take a direct flight to Phuket, spend a few days there, and then get to Samui via Phuket using a bus and ferry. During such a trip, you will be able to independently compare holidays on two luxurious islands.
Shopping
There is no doubt that shopping in Phuket is extensive: there are many large shopping centers. It is possible to buy almost everything - clothes, gifts, souvenirs, mobile phones, jewelry, leather goods, shoes, handicrafts.
There are fewer shopping places on Koh Samui and the choice of shopping is less varied.
Ecology
In terms of ecology: there is less transport on Samui, and there is only one main road. The central part is occupied by jungle. The tourist areas of the island are more like a village with houses of two or three floors. In Phuket, the flora is sparse and there are more vehicles. And houses for rent are mostly five to eight storeys.
Both islands have many beaches. On Koh Samui, as a rule, there are not many people on the beaches. The beaches in Phuket are busier. Both Koh Samui and Phuket have all the conditions for relaxation - sun loungers, sun umbrellas, white sand, spreading palm trees.
In Phuket there are multi-storey hotels, in Samui there are many bungalows and small houses.
In Phuket you can find places to stay for 400/500 baht per day and 4000/5000 baht per month - but not by the sea.
If you rent a house for a month, then the prices are basically equivalent on both islands - approximately 5000/6000 baht.
As you know, resorts in Thailand are incredibly popular among lovers of beach and sea holidays. If you are planning to go to the islands, then you will definitely have a question: “What to choose - Phuket or Koh Samui, where is it better to relax?” Of course, making a choice is not at all easy, however, knowing more information, you can decide on your preferences.
Islands of Thailand
There are more than 250 islands in Thailand, but not all of them are well equipped. Naturally, when choosing this country as a holiday destination, tourists prefer to relax on the ennobled islands. Like, for example, Samui or Phuket.
In the second of them, the process of formation and development of civilization was much more dynamic. Already in the fifteenth century, local residents actively used the advantageous location of the land and developed the economy. At the same time, the inhabitants of Koh Samui lived a rather wild life in their bungalows. Today, such large differences between the islands have been practically erased. Tourism is developing quite actively in each of them. Now the islands have become competitors. And yet, historical aspects still define the characteristics of Koh Samui and Phuket. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, Phuket is interesting as a place for active recreation. The island has a fairly active nightlife. But Samui is preferred by those holidaymakers who, on the contrary, want to take a break from the fast pace of big cities. Therefore, in order to decide where it is better to relax - on Phuket or Koh Samui - you need to know all the features of each of them.
Weather difference
In order to make the right choice, it is worth knowing the weather differences between the islands. If you do not want to spoil your vacation, then you do not need to come to the islands during the rainy season. During such periods, the water is not very warm, it often rains and there are waves. It would seem that Samui and Phuket are quite close, and yet there are differences in their climatic conditions. This is due to the fact that the coast of Phuket is located on the Andaman Sea. The rainy season here lasts from May to the end of October. But Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so the rainy season here lasts from November to February. Knowing these features of the islands, it is easy to make a choice based on your vacation time.
Of course, Samui is the most attractive place in terms of weather, because it only rains a few months a year. But in Phuket, the high season lasts from March to April. At this time there are always a lot of tourists on the island. The air temperature fluctuates within + 30 degrees, and there is no precipitation at all.
Where is it easier and faster to get to?
So, what is better: Samui or Phuket? Last but not least, the answer to this question depends on how convenient it is to get to a particular resort. Of course, Phuket wins in terms of air travel, since there are five direct flights to the island from Moscow every day. But there are no direct flights from other regions of the country.
How to get to Phuket and Koh Samui? If we figured out the first one, then the road to the second one is more complicated. The fact is that there are simply no direct flights to the island. Samui Airport serves domestic flights only. Therefore, tourists will probably have to buy tickets to Bangkok, and then take a ferry. Perhaps in the future the situation will change and getting to Samui will be easier.
Which resort is cheaper?
When assessing which is better - Samui or Phuket - many are based on the cost of the holiday. Phuket can confidently be called the most expensive resort in Thailand. The island is more urbanized and densely populated. It looks more like a metropolis. According to experts, Samui is definitely a cheaper resort. Of course, if you want to save money, you can cut down on your needs, but still many people want to allow themselves to relax and fully enjoy their vacation.
Staying on Koh Samui will cost much less. Prices for food, shopping, and entertainment are much lower. Holidays on the island are more suitable for those tourists who want to relax their soul and body.
On Koh Samui, you can afford to completely relax and live in a traditional bungalow on the very shore, enjoy the deserted beach and go to the local market to buy fruit. Here you are guaranteed a quiet, calm and measured holiday. This is the dream of any resident of a noisy metropolis.
As for Phuket, it is chosen by people who value a higher level of service and entertainment. Prices for food, services and hotels here are indeed higher, which is quite logical for a popular resort.
Resort infrastructure
Phuket is one of the few islands in Thailand where civilization began to develop quite early. And the last century has become very significant for the island. Phuket has always had a significant impact on the country's economy, but its tourism potential was only appreciated in the 60s. It was during this period that restaurants, hotels and roads began to be built. It’s hard to imagine, but in just one decade the island has turned into an incredibly popular resort that all avid travelers wanted to visit. But Samui began to develop in the 70s. But the island became popular only in the 90s.
To be fair, it is worth noting that there is a big difference in infrastructure development between resorts. In Phuket you can find everything you need: restaurants, hotels, entertainment, clubs, shopping centers, attractions, spas, shopping centers and much more. There are similar facilities on Samui, but there are much fewer of them, and they are much more modest. Of course, Phuket can easily be called a leader in infrastructure. In this matter, it doesn’t even make sense to compare Samui and Phuket. The leading position is occupied by the second island.
Transfer Phuket - Samui
It is worth noting that the islands are located in completely different oceans, so it is impossible to reach them only by sea. But despite this, the connection between them is well established. The distance from Phuket to Samui is about 350 kilometers. And yet there are plenty of options to get from one island to another - by bus, plane, taxi, plane and ferry.
One of the fastest and easiest options is air travel. Due to geographical features, the direct distance between the islands is 80 kilometers less than along the routes of communication. How long does it take to fly from Phuket to Koh Samui? The flight takes about an hour, and the ticket costs 5,600 rubles.
The most budget option is a bus. If you do not want to spend money on air tickets, you can also use ground transport. But it is worth remembering that, in addition to the bus, you will also have to take the ferry. There is simply no way to get from Phuket to Koh Samui without transfers. Such a journey takes up to six hours, and in fact the whole day is wasted, since night flights do not exist in nature. As for the fare, it depends on the carrier.
If you decide to travel by bus and ferry from Phuket to Samui, the fare will cost you about 800 rubles.
Those tourists who love comfort can be offered to use a taxi. Cars move along the same route as buses. However, such a trip will cost you more than a flight, so when traveling by taxi it makes sense to find travel companions. The taxi ride takes approximately five hours.
Very often, when vacationing in Thailand, holidaymakers rent transport to be able to travel freely. If you rented a bike or car, you can get to the ferry yourself and cross it along with your vehicles.
Beaches of the islands
When discussing the advantages and disadvantages of resorts, of course, it is worth remembering their beaches, because it is for them that tourists go on long journeys. Phuket and Samui are simply made for a beach holiday. Their long coastlines will delight any holidaymaker. There are youth, elite, children's and even nudist beaches here. Still, there are differences between the beaches of the islands. An incredible number of tourists vacation in popular Phuket. Therefore its beaches are more polluted. As for Samui, its coastline is cleaner. Local beaches are less crowded and more natural. There are times in Phuket when swimming is prohibited due to rough seas. But there are no waves on Koh Samui. There the sea is very calm and quiet.
If you dream of relaxing right on the sea coast, then you should definitely choose Samui. On the island you can rent a bungalow built right on the coastal sand and enjoy the sound of the sea throughout your vacation.
But in Phuket you are unlikely to be able to find a similar option, since all the hotels are quite far from the sea.
Nature
Since Phuket has been the most popular resort in Thailand for decades, its territory is still being built up. Now the island already resembles a metropolis. And all some beautiful natural places were preserved. If tourists wish, they can see parks, waterfalls, jungles, coral reefs and underwater inhabitants.
As for Samui, in terms of nature the island is more attractive. There are no high-rise buildings and the constant hum of cars. Oddly enough, a large number of vacationers come to Koh Samui, but the island does not follow the path of Phuket. It is in the interests of the country to fully preserve the unique nature of the island so that there is a contrast in tourist destinations. When you go to Koh Samui, you can be sure that coral reefs, sandy beaches and coconut palms await you there.
Resort hotels
Finding accommodation on the islands for your vacation is not a problem at all. There are modern hotels and original bungalows in a romantic style. However, it is worth considering the fact that there are absolutely no beach hotels in Phuket. A big mistake was made when developing the island. After the sandy coast there is a road, it turns out that beach hotels simply do not exist in nature. Therefore, if you want to live by the sea, you should go to Koh Samui.
Where is it more comfortable to relax with children?
If you are planning to go there, you should choose a place with clean beaches, children's entertainment and a gentle approach to the sea. All this is available in Phuket and Koh Samui. It’s comfortable to relax on both islands with kids. The only thing you need to remember is that on Koh Samui the sea is quieter and calmer; there are never waves here. And this is very important for children.
Entertainment for tourists
When going on vacation, many tourists want to have a blast and visit nightclubs. In terms of plans, Phuket undoubtedly wins. There is a whole street with all kinds of nightlife establishments, which is in itself an attraction of the resort. Samui in this regard is a calmer place. Even if you find a nightclub on the island, its scope cannot be compared with the establishments of Phuket.
As for attractions, they are all located in Phuket. Koh Samui is a very small island that has only natural beauty.
Phuket and Koh Samui: reviews from tourists
The Thai islands are amazing holiday destinations. Each of them is good in its own way. Before you decide where to go on vacation, it is worth deciding on your priorities and thinking about how you see your vacation. Phuket and Samui are fundamentally different places that offer diametrically different opportunities and conditions. According to experienced tourists, Phuket should be chosen by those people who value comfort, attractions, nightlife and developed infrastructure. If you like natural beauty and a relaxing holiday on the very seashore, then you simply cannot find a better place than Samui. Therefore, when making a choice, listen to yourself: what do you want to receive - holiday or peace.
Let’s say right away that the comparison itself, which is better than Samui or Phuket, is akin to choosing between two corners of paradise. Okay, so what, it’s great both at that resort and at the other. But there are a number of nuances - we will talk about them.
However, both resorts are not antipodes. To a lesser extent, there is drive in Samui, and places for meditation in Phuket. And remember: the picture of your vacation will largely be determined not so much by the place as by the season. We're still flying into the jungle! The rains, and most importantly, the stunning waves have not been canceled!
But everything is in order. We will conduct a comparative analysis in several categories:
- Transport accessibility;
- Price issue;
- Sea;
- Hotels;
- Weather;
- Ecology;
- Party;
- Shopping;
- Entertainment, diving;
- Excursions;
- Vacation with children;
Transport accessibility: flights and transfers
A noticeable difference between Samui and Phuket is the path to the resort. And Phuket is better in this regard. You can get here much faster and cheaper, and most importantly, without transfers. Direct flights from Russia are plentiful. Just 9 hours and cool Moscow is replaced by the warm landscapes of Phuket.
There is no way to get to Koh Samui without transfers. There is a small airport here that accepts only domestic flights. By the way, the price tag for such a flight is steep, because the rules of the game are set by the local aviation monopolist. At one time, the issue of building a second airport on Samui was actively discussed in the Thai press, however, to this day no one has implemented the projects.
As for internal travel, both points are equally comfortable here, with the only difference being that the road from Samui airport to the most popular beaches of Chaweng and Lamai islands will take 15 minutes, and in Phuket you will get from the port to the sea in almost an hour.
Price question: where is it cheaper?
Financial estimates are relative and largely dependent on needs. One will bask in the sun or under a palm tree, drinking a cocktail, the other will go all out. Costs, of course, will vary dramatically. An approximate breakdown can only be made based on prices for food, rental housing and transportation. In these positions it is in the lead. According to the stereotype, Phuket is the most expensive resort in Thailand. Although, if you want, you can save money. Instead of a taxi, we choose public transport (it runs actively from almost all the beaches here), and instead of a luxury hotel, we rent an apartment - and now a decent amount is left in our wallet. Again, when taking into account the costs of travel to Samui, the question of which island will cost you a pretty penny will remain open.
Weather, climate and sea surprises
For many, these points will carry much more weight than prices and availability combined. Because the sea in Thailand is not always welcoming and not for everyone. Both Phuket and Samui are tropical with all that it implies. So consider the time of year your trip falls in. In May, the rainy season comes into its own here. It ends only in November.
In Phuket, the “wet” season is felt more strongly: cloudy, daily downpours, and most importantly, huge waves. The sea here is so rough at this time that it even becomes unsafe! There have also been tragic incidents, so rescuers warn tourists about the treachery of the waves with red flags. In any case, “unimportant” swimmers and children should not swim. But at this time, surfers have freedom here.
Koh Samui is much more pleasant during the rainy season. It pours like buckets only in October-November, and the sea is quieter. Just don't forget about the tides. You will have to walk about a hundred meters to get to the big water, no less!
In general, during these specific six months, water procedures in Phuket and Samui are fundamentally different. But the sea will delight you with clean water both there and there equally. There are no problems with this in Tai. Even Pattaya is criticized more out of pickiness than for real dirt.
Ecological or urban?
The conversation about ecology will be conditional. Fresh air in Thailand is provided to you anywhere in the country. But Samui is still more environmentally friendly: it is a jungle surrounded by one main road, and a coastline dotted with colorful Thai villages. Phuket is more urban: more roads, more transport, more people, high-rise hotels and even skyscrapers. By the way, hotels are also a key segment when choosing between Phuket and Samui.
Hotels in Phuket and Koh Samui
The price difference is not particularly noticeable. Rumor has it that hotels in Phuket are more expensive. But it's like searching! On average, you can spend 5000-6000 baht at both resorts. The same goes for service. According to many, Phuket loses to Samui not in the quality of service in hotels (service is generally a separate topic and sometimes independent of the places), but in their location. Whatever one may say, between you and the coveted coast there is a piece of hated asphalt everywhere - the main road. So those who prefer Phuket will have to forget about the house on the beach. And only a few exclusive beaches in the south (only 50 meters long), near Nai Harn, can compete with Samui in this matter. A stay in these bungalows will be more impactful on your wallet than staying in high-rise hotels beyond the highway. So if you dreamed of splashing into salty waters in the morning without walking, feel free to choose Samui.
Lazy holidays and active holidays: entertainment, diving, excursions, parties
Those who came for relaxation and meditation are definitely Samui. For lovers of active recreation, this resort will offer a minimum of offers. There are only a couple of attractions for excursions. You can also visit the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Entertainment is concentrated on the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, and even then not a lot. Nightlife is also not great: there are few bars and discos.
Another thing is Phuket: a paradise for all kinds of parties! Here you will find go-go clubs, and girls, and music, and dancing until you drop. The cultural program does not lag behind either. There are many places in Phuket that are worth visiting with a guide. You can admire the temples and other attractions not only in Phuket itself, but also on neighboring islands and resorts (, Racha, Yao,). Phuket's location allows you to be mobile thanks to a bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
Samui is more suitable for peace. However, once a month, this stronghold of peace also pulsates to the frantic rhythm of music. For a huge dose of drive, partygoers from all over the world come here (namely to Samui’s closest neighbor, Had Rin Beach). Fool Moon Parties are known all over the world. This is an incredible open-air party with techno music.
The underwater beauty of both resorts is good for diving. The underwater exoticism of Koh Tao Island will delight those who vacation on Koh Samui. But the Andaman waters are richer in this regard, and the choice of reefs will be greater in Phuket, because from there you can easily move to the popular scuba diving islands, Surin and other islands.
Vacation with children
Wherever you fly: to Phuket or Koh Samui, the children will be happy. Both resorts offer a lot of entertainment for children. These include zoos, attractions, and various shows... But do not forget about the big waves during the rainy season. From May to November, it is better to fly to Koh Samui with children. It's safer there.
Phuket and Koh Samui. Pattaya is criticized for its dirty sea, but praised for its active nightlife. Dirty sea? No dirtier than in Sochi. And the nightlife is really very diverse. If with Pattaya everything is more or less clear: an urban-type resort with a lot of entertainment for all ages, then the islands and Samui They have been competing with each other for over thirty years.
I am often asked which is better - Samui or Phuket? Here I will answer the question with a question: when?
In the south of Thailand the climate is monsoonal, and the seasons depend only on the winds. For Phuket, the ideal months are from to inclusive, for Samui- from March to October. During the season, the islands have a gorgeous sea and a large number of sunny days. "Bad months" are characterized by winds that bring waves to the coast and light rain. The name "rainy season" is, in my opinion, a misnomer. It should be called "the season of waves at sea" or "a great holiday for surfers." It rains in Thailand regardless of the month; the tropical climate is prone to precipitation. I love the rainy seasons Phuket. It's not so hot, and in the evening it's even cool. Have you seen tropical rain? It is not at all like autumn in Russia. The tropical rain is so strong that it is better to wait it out in a cafe over a watermelon shake. And so fast that it will end before you finish your cocktail. Of course, there are cyclones and storms when the sky is cloudy and there are downpours for several days.
You have decided on your holiday time in Thailand. All that remains is to choose a place. Let's compare the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
Developed infrastructure - Phuket
Island Samui half the size of Phuket and resembles a small cute village. Phuket has a wide variety of beaches, from the most party beaches to the absolutely calm ones. But in terms of the amount of entertainment, shopping centers, and quality of roads, it is the undisputed leader. Here you can retire to one of the northern beaches, and if you want to go shopping, come to Patong or Phuket Town. A few years ago, the Central Festival was opened on Samui, but its diversity cannot be compared with.
Nightlife - Phuket
Patong is the most party beach in Phuket, I call it “mini-Pattaya”. Restaurants, cafes, bars, discos, go-go - any night entertainment. reminiscent of Walking Street in Pattaya. On Koh Samui, nightlife is much more modest. There are discos and bars, but their format does not reach the international level. Both Koh Samui and Phuket have beach clubs where you can have fun during the day with a cocktail or in the evening listening to the beats of famous DJs. Only in Phuket you will see a wide variety of go-go bars with tricks. Koh Samui is more of a family resort.
Holiday prices - Samui
Purity of the sea - Phuket and Koh Samui
Samui is still a less developed and sparsely populated island; such places still exist in Phuket.
Short distances - Samui
The ring road to Koh Samui, built in the seventies of the last century, is a little more than sixty kilometers long; you can go around the island in an hour and a half. If you drive from Phuket Airport, located on the northern beach of Mai Khao, to Rawai, you will spend more than 2 hours.
Shopping - Phuket
Phuket is the third place after Bangkok and Pattaya for shopping in Thailand. In recent years, large shopping centers have begun to open on Samui: Central Festival, Outlet, Tesco Lotus, BigC.
Privacy - Koh Samui and Phuket
Both have secluded beaches and the opportunity to visit beautiful neighboring islands, where you can count the number of people on your fingers.
Conditions for a long holiday - Phuket
The island's culture, a developed network of transport links, the presence of outlandish villas, cute houses and cozy apartments, the presence of all types of services - of course, an ideal place to relax. Phuket has international schools, hospitals, entertainment for children and much more that Samui has never even dreamed of.
In my opinion, Phuket is suitable for living and working here, while Samui is better for relaxation.
Phuket and Koh Samui are the most popular islands among tourists in Thailand. They have developed infrastructure, beautiful beaches, but completely different atmospheres and lifestyles. Ideally, visit both resorts and draw your own conclusions which one you liked better. But this is not always possible, since many people have very limited vacation time. Therefore, in this article we will try to figure out whether it is better to choose Phuket or Koh Samui and what advantages and disadvantages these two islands have.
Beaches
Phuket will delight you with snow-white sand and azure sea. On the beach almost everywhere there are a lot of sun loungers with umbrellas, which can be rented for 100-150 baht. There are a lot of people during the season, especially on popular beaches such as, and. However, from May to October, large waves rise in Phuket and red flags and signs appear on the beaches stating that swimming in the sea is dangerous. But this is the best time for surfing.
The beaches of Koh Samui are not as white as those in Phuket. There are no sunbeds with umbrellas almost everywhere here, and there are much fewer vacationers. The island has many deserted beaches where you can be alone with nature and enjoy beautiful views. The sea is calm all year round, waves are very rare, so you can swim in any season. However, Samui is characterized by low tides from May to October, especially on the west coast.
Nature
There are quite a lot of natural areas in Phuket: parks, tropical forests, waterfalls. However, it is more civilized than Samui. There are wide roads, more traffic, multi-storey buildings, so the atmosphere in Phuket is urban.
Samui is more like a village, there are no tall buildings, narrow roads, many bungalows on the seashore, and the central part of the island is occupied by tropical forest. There are many secluded places, deserted beaches, where you can sit in silence and watch the sunset.
Entertainment and attractions
Phuket has quite a lot of entertainment: a water park, an aquarium, a monkey camp, etc. There are also various attractions: temples, lookouts. You can take an excursion to the nearest islands: , Sirey, and many others.
There are also places to go and things to see on Samui: an aquarium and a tiger park, temples, and so on. Excursions to and are available.
Night life
Phuket has many clubs, discos, and various show programs. Most of the island's parties are concentrated in the Patong area.
On Koh Samui, the nightlife is not so intense; there are fewer discos and clubs. Basically, all night entertainment venues are located in the Chaweng and Lamai areas.
But not far from Koh Samui is the island of Koh Phangan, where every month the well-known event is held, where young people come from all over the world. You won't find anything like it in Phuket.
Prices
The cost of food, clothing and other things in Phuket and Koh Samui are almost the same. But prices for housing, transportation, excursions, beach activities and other tourist services in Phuket are higher. However, when choosing between these two resorts, you should not forget that there are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui; you will have to fly with a transfer, so a flight to Koh Samui will cost more.
Weather
In Phuket from May to October there is a strong wind, it rains almost every day, and there are big waves on the sea. Therefore, this weather is not conducive to a beach holiday. It is worth flying to Phuket during the season from November to April.
On Koh Samui, even during the wet season, you can relax on the beach and swim in the sea. The most rain on Koh Samui is in October and November; during these two months it is better to refrain from traveling to this island. The rest of the time, Samui will delight you with sunny and clear weather. The most favorable time of the year is January-May.
Pros of Phuket
- Snow-white beaches with clear water.
- Well-developed infrastructure: many shopping centers, a large selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment.
- More vibrant nightlife.
- There are direct flights from Russia to Phuket.
- Shopping is more developed than on Koh Samui.
- Large selection of island excursions.
Cons of Phuket
- There are practically no deserted or deserted beaches.
- Prices are higher than on Koh Samui.
- There are no hotels on the seashore, basically everything is across the road.
- A pronounced rainy season and large waves on the sea.
Pros of Samui
- Quite a large selection of attractions and entertainment.
- There are many shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, bars, but less than in Phuket.
- More greenery and natural areas.
- Many hotels on the seashore.
- Prices are lower.
- There are no big waves, you can relax and swim in the sea even during the rainy season.
Cons of Koh Samui
- The cost of tours is higher.
- There are no direct flights from Russia, you will have to get there with a transfer.
Which island is better to choose?
You should choose Phuket if:
- Do you prefer a city atmosphere?
- Are you looking for a vibrant nightlife?
- Do you love shopping
- Do you like surfing and want to ride the waves?
You should choose Koh Samui if:
- Do you want a relaxing beach holiday?
- Are you eating with small children?
- Are you tired of the city bustle?
- Do you want to holiday in Thailand during the rainy season from May to September?
To summarize, we can say that Phuket is a resort with a developed infrastructure and more of an urban than an island atmosphere. And Samui is a calm island with clean and quiet beaches, but at the same time there are large shopping centers, markets, a wide selection of hotels, cafes and restaurants. Which island to choose is up to you. But it’s better to visit both and draw your own conclusions.
I wish you a great holiday and unforgettable experiences!
