Which is better krabi or samui? How to get from Krabi to Koh Samui Differences in weather

Only 50 minutes (ground transport - bus and ferry in total will take at least 7 hours).

In this article we will try to compare in detail and answer the question: “Which is better – Phuket or Koh Samui?” And give recommendations on which categories of tourists this or that place is suitable for. We'll look at everything point by point and then give recommendations.

Which is easier to get to: Koh Samui or Phuket?

Here the leader is undoubtedly the island of Phuket, since there are direct flights to it from Russia (flight time from Moscow is 9 hours). Although Koh Samui also has an airport, it is small and only accepts local flights. It is somewhat private, as it is owned by Bangkok Airways, which charges fairly high ticket prices.

In April 2012, information appeared in the Thai newspaper Bangkok Post that it was planned to build a new international airport, 14 km from the old one. And it will host flights from almost all countries of the world. At the same time, the mayor of Samui claims in a local newspaper that there is no flat space on the island for a new airport, and a lot of money will have to be allocated to level the hills and it is not profitable. What will come of this, the future will show. If it does appear, then to the question: Which is better - Samui or Phuket in terms of accessibility, it will be the first island, since it takes 15-20 minutes to drive from the airport to the main beaches. While it takes at least 45 minutes to get to the main beaches of Patong.

Features of the sea

Both there and there everything is ok, it is clean even on popular and crowded beaches. But from May to October there are often high waves and red flags stick out on the coast warning that swimming is unsafe. Of course, if you are a good swimmer and won’t swim far, you can splash in the waves. But if you are traveling, then he will have to be on the shore all the time, since meter-high waves are clearly not for children. Moreover, there are waves even in Patong, which is considered one of the calmest due to the peculiarities of its location. This time is good for surfers, not for beach holidays. The island is washed by the Andaman Sea, which is part of the ocean. Because of this, in 2004 there was a devastating tsunami, after which early warning equipment about the impending disaster was installed.

But on Samui there are practically no high waves. But here another misfortune occurs - frequent low tides from May to October, during which the water goes far from the shore (hundreds of meters) and the sea becomes quite shallow. This is great for children, but adults sometimes find it annoying to walk several hundred meters to finally swim up to their necks in water. Phuket does not suffer from this.

Party and secluded beaches

Both islands have party beaches and practically “wild” beaches.

On Samui, even the most popular ones - Chaweng and Lamai - there are few people. There are more people in Phuket. Both Koh Samui and Phuket have all the conditions for relaxation - sun loungers, sun umbrellas, white sand, spreading palm trees.

Comparison of Phuket and Koh Samui by hotels

The main disadvantage of Phuket is the almost complete absence of hotels on the first line, since there is an asphalt road between them and the sea. Even on the relatively wild beaches that are located in the north-west (,), there is still asphalt, although motorbikes and cars almost never drive on it. The only exception is a few isolated beaches in the south, near. There are small bungalows right on the coast. True, this coast is only 50 meters long.

On Koh Samui it’s exactly the opposite. Although there is also a ring road there, it does not pass near the sea. There are hotels on the beaches, and behind them the highway begins. This is an indisputable advantage of the island, because... many tourists want their house to be right on the beach.

In Phuket, hotels with several floors and buildings predominate, while in Koh Samui there are a lot of bungalows and detached houses.

As for hotel prices in Phuket, they are generally more expensive, although if you try, you can find cheap accommodation. If you rent for a month, the prices are almost the same - on both islands you can rent a room for 5000-6000 baht.

Climate

If you compare which is better than Phuket or Koh Samui in terms of climate, then the choice will be with the latter. In Phuket, the rainy season is generally very pronounced. From May to October, the sun can be behind the clouds all week, rain - every other day or every day (though only for 1-2 hours), waves on the sea, God forbid! But on Samui at this time it is much calmer, a large amount of precipitation falls only in October-November, so this is a good place to relax during the “wet” season, which lasts in Thailand from May to November.

Prices

Traditionally, Phuket is considered the most expensive resort in Thailand, but this only applies to prices for hotels and taxis. Everything else is not that expensive - food, massage, motorbike rental. Public buses run from almost all beaches to (the capital of the island), where travel costs from 25 to 50 baht.

And in the capital you can see, climb, visit the night market and the largest shopping center on the island - Central Festival. Not far from it is Tesco Lotus, where, for example, they sell large fish for 17 baht, a kilogram of chicken legs for 60 baht. So in terms of products, Phuket is not that expensive.

As for housing in Phuket, you can also find inexpensive offers for 400-500 baht per day and 4000-5000 baht per month (of course, not near the sea).

Shopping

If you answer the question of what to choose Phuket or Samui in terms of shopping, then definitely Phuket. There are large shopping centers here - Central Festival, Jung Ceylon, Robinson, not to mention a bunch of Tesco Lotus and Big C. Here you can buy everything, absolutely everything! Souvenirs, latex, jewelry, equipment, iPhones, laptops, phones, etc.

There are few shopping centers on Koh Samui. Of course, the selection of goods is noticeably worse. But if your goal is to shop cheaply in Thailand, then it’s better to generally settle in Pattaya or Bangkok - prices there are the lowest in the country.

Entertainment

Phuket has no equal here. On Patong Beach, in the area of the street (and on the street itself) there are all the main parties of the island. There are a dozen, a bunch of bars (sports, drinking, with live music), Go-Go bars, restaurants, all kinds of shows, a lot of interesting things for single men. If you are a party animal and love nightlife, then Phuket is definitely your choice.

On Koh Samui, entertainment is mainly found in the Chaweng Beach area and to a lesser extent in Lamai. But after sunset, life here is not in full swing as much as in Phuket. Fewer bars and discos, and generally less everything.

But everything changes when Fool Moon Parties take place every month on Koh Phangan, the island neighboring Samui. It is very easy to get to and then you can take part in a grand open-air rave - something Phuket has never dreamed of! Thousands of people from all over the world listen to techno music. Basically, the whole party is located on Had Rin beach, which is the closest to Koh Samui.

There are more water activities in Phuket, although not on all beaches.

Where are the best excursions in Phuket or Koh Samui?

Phuket has more interesting attractions, including temples. Plus, from here you can travel to the neighboring islands (Racha, Yao, a little further - Lanta) and resorts (,). Diving tours, for example, to the Similan and Surin Islands, are also popular. You can get to all of them quite quickly, since Phuket is connected to the mainland by a bridge along which buses and minivans run to the nearest resorts.

But Samui is located an hour and a half from the mainland, and in fact there is nothing particularly interesting in this part of Thailand. There are attractions on the island itself, albeit few. Trips to the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are popular.

Ecology

There are fewer cars and motorcycles on Koh Samui, and there is actually only one main road. The central part is occupied by the jungle. All tourist areas of the island are more reminiscent of small villages with 1-3-story buildings.

There are fewer forests and more transport in Phuket. There is no smell of villages here; all the resorts are full of 5-8-story buildings, some have skyscrapers.

Diving

From Phuket it is easy to go to the most popular islands of Thailand for diving: Similan, Surin and others. The world of the Andaman Sea is considered richer than that of the Gulf of Thailand. From Samui they go to the island of Tao - there are also quite a lot of coral reefs with exotic inhabitants.

Family holidays with children

Koh Samui and Phuket have calm, non-party beaches where you can relax with children (although there are still more of them on the former). There are zoos, all kinds of shows of crocodiles, elephants, snakes. There will be something to do.

Long-term stay: where is better Samui or Phuket

If the sea, uncrowded beaches and bounty are important to you, then it is better to hang out on Samui for a long time (from a month). If you prefer proximity to civilization and well-developed infrastructure, then Phuket. In principle, you can stay there for the rest of your life, there are all the conditions for this - inexpensive guesthouses and detached houses, restaurants, shops, markets, bars, nightlife, and available girls for men.

Total: which is better in Thailand than Samui or Phuket?

Pros of Phuket: well-developed infrastructure with hotels, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shops; lots of entertainment and excursions; easy to reach from Russia; best shopping and diving opportunities.

Cons of Phuket: from May to October there is often rain and a lot of waves on the sea; There are practically no hotels on the first line; higher prices; the environment is worse.

Pros of Samui: more greenery and untouched nature; full of hotels on the first line; prices are slightly lower; The climate is better, you can relax even during the rainy season.

Cons of Samui: there are no direct flights from Russia, which means you will have to get there with a transfer in Bangkok or Phuket; There are fewer opportunities for shopping, excursions, entertainment and diving.

Phuket is better than Samui for you if you...

budget tourist, since there are direct flights from Russia (accommodation prices are not much more expensive than Samui); an active person who loves nightlife; a single man in search of exotic entertainment; shopaholic; diver or surfer.

Samui is better than Phuket for you if you...

want a relaxing holiday in the lap of nature and are tired of the fast pace of large resorts; We were going to relax in Thailand during the rainy season (May - October).

Where to go when you have a long-awaited vacation? Holidays in Thailand have recently attracted Russians, but not many know which resort is better and what recreational conditions await them in this exotic country. Let's take a quick look at the best places to vacation in Thailand and at what time of year.

Is a visa required for a holiday in Thailand?

Flights to Thailand will not be cheap, especially during the tourism season from November to March, since the flight time will take about 9 hours from Moscow. And it is best to purchase tickets from Aeroflot or Transaero, since prices from the national carrier Thai Airlines will be much more expensive.

For residents of Russia there is a visa-free regime for up to 30 days. Therefore, to travel to Thailand you only need a passport. If you are planning to fly with a child, then it is best to purchase business class tickets.

What you need to know about resorts?

Pattaya has the cheapest prices for trips and tours, which is why so many Russians vacation here.

In Krabi and Koh Samui, your holiday will cost much more. We can say that there is more Russian here than Thai. On the streets you will see a large number of signs in Russian, in cafes and restaurants you will be served menus in Russian, and even with local residents you will be able to speak your native language.

Krabi is one of the most expensive resorts in Thailand, as it has the most beautiful and rich nature in the country, the cleanest sea and the most upscale hotels.

Phuket is the second most popular resort after Pattaya and there are also many Russians here. But here the sea is cleaner and the nature is more picturesque. From this island, as well as from Pattaya, it is more profitable and cheaper to fly to Russia than from Samui or Krabi.

Samui is also an expensive Thai resort, but it is fully justified, as here you will find magnificent white beaches with clean sand and chic nightlife.

How clean are the sea and beaches?

Pattaya is considered one of the safest places in Thailand. If you are afraid of natural disasters (threats of typhoons and tsunamis), then this resort is the safest place. But the sea here is very dirty, so no matter what time of year you come, don’t expect clear blue water and clean white beaches. Holidays with children are completely unsuitable here, since there is a lot of human waste floating on the shore and in the water, and no one cleans it up in a timely manner. Also, nature will not pamper you with picturesque greenery and a riot of colors.

If you want an inexpensive holiday, but you are not attracted by the dirty beaches of Pattaya and the abundance of Russian tourists, then it is best to opt for Phuket. There are fairly clean beaches with fine sand and a fairly clean sea where even children can swim. Nature will delight you with an abundance of greenery, evergreen trees and tropical flowers.

In terms of cleanliness, abundance of rocks, and picturesque greenery, Krabi will please you more.

Basically, the beaches here are clean with blue, clear water, except for days when the tides begin to be strong and the water, mixing with silt, becomes cloudy. There are few waves here, so you can take your children with you on vacation. But here you will be surprised by the ban on sunbeds; you won’t find them on any beach, so stock up on soft bedding.

Also in Samui you will find beautiful nature, clean beaches and sea, as well as many excellent spa resorts. Fans of active recreation will be able to do the following:

diving,
surfing,
windsurfing,
beach volleyball, etc.

Attractions and resort hotels

In Pattaya An eventful and full of impressions awaits you. The most popular hotels in the resort are Park Beach Resort and Ambassador, which is the largest hotel complex remote from the center. At Park Beach you will find a huge jacuzzi and simply gigantic water slides. In your free time, you can visit various wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, Rock Park, Crocodile Farm, Tropical Garden, Tiger Zoo and Elephant Village, and much more.

Phuket You will also be pleased with its hotels (Meridian Phuket Beach Resort and Movenpick Resort), which are located on the west coast of the island. And the room rates here are affordable. There are also many parks, zoos and historical attractions here:

Khao Lak National Park;
Pearl Farm;
Butterfly Garden;
Snake Farm;
Fanta Sea Amusement Park;
Aquarium at the Biological Center;
Golden Buddha Temple;
Wat Chalong Temple, etc.

Samui You will enjoy its abundance of attractions and entertainment, as excursions can be organized at every turn. Here is the famous Grandmother and Grandfather sculpture, Buddha's Magic Garden, Na Muang Waterfalls, Prai Yai Temple and others. Also here you can go surfing, diving, snorkeling. See the monkey theater, buffalo fights, Thai boxing, Moulin Rouge show, etc.

And here to Krabi you will find only entertainment in the form of caving, rock climbing and kayaking, diving, surfing. There are practically no attractions here, and therefore after a few days you will get bored if you like a vibrant and active nightlife.

Holidays in November, December, January, February, March, April

At this time of year in Thailand, a humid tropical and subequatorial climate reigns along the entire coast. Therefore, you can relax at any of the above resorts at this time.

The air temperature in Pattaya changes slightly and mostly stays at +26?C...+28?C, but sometimes it gets warmer, one might even say hotter, and it rises to +30?C... +34?C. The weather on Koh Samui is identical, so a holiday here will be excellent any time from November to April. At the beginning of spring and at the end of autumn there is the greatest influx of tourists.

It is also best to vacation in Phuket from November to April, since at this time the weather is dry and sunny, and the sea off the coast warms up to +28? C. In Krabi, all year round the daytime air temperature reaches +26?C...+30?C, and the water is heated to +29?C, so you can also swim here throughout the year.

More information about climate and weather by month: in Thailand .

Holidays in May, June, July, August, September, October

From May to October, tropical downpours and hurricanes usually begin in Phuket, which can interfere with your holiday. But mostly these rains are short-lived. The period from May to October in Thailand is humid and hot and therefore it is best to refrain from holidaying at this time of year if you have health problems. Summer is very hot and humid. But if everything is in order with you, then you can choose any of the country’s resorts.

Phuket or Samui, Krabi or Pattaya, which is better?

In conclusion we can say that Pattaya and Phuket offer the cheapest holidays in Thailand with a lot of attractions, but not very clean sea and beaches. And if you are a lover of comfort and cleanliness, then choose Krabi or Samui.

They have long gained fame and become popular among Russian tourists. They are very similar in terms of tourist offer, but they also have their own characteristics, their own highlights and distinctive features. So, if you've planned a trip to Thailand and can't decide where exactly, study their differences to find out which is better to choose - or?

Two provinces

Both places are provinces of Thailand, but Krabi, unlike Samui, gained tourist fame earlier. For some reason, tourists have chosen this particular resort and do not give the palm to other Thai resorts. Maybe the whole point is that this is where you can see karst caves and amazingly beautiful grottoes, rugged coastline and emerald jungle, as if straight out of a picture from the movie “Avatar”. A distinctive feature of this island is the majestic rocks.

However, Samui can compare in beauty with Krabi. There is an equally transparent, gentle sea, which embraces the cleanest coastline with lagoons, snow-white beaches with corals and clear water. Thailand's third largest island is just as attractive to tourists as blessed Krabi.

Beaches of Krabi and Koh Samui

Of course, why people go to Krabi and Koh Samui are, first and foremost, the beaches. They are more numerous, extensive, beautiful. The sand there is mostly fine, although Krabi has beaches with small shell rock. Among the disadvantages of Krabi beaches, tourists cite the lack of sun loungers and umbrellas. That is, such a wild fusion with nature. So you have to look for a place under the trees and use hard litter to lie on.

There is no such problem in Koh Samui, there are many different beaches that are equipped in different ways. Big Buddha Beach, for example, has sun loungers, good-quality canopies, and other attributes of ordinary beach life. By the way, there are excellent spa resorts for those who like to improve their health using traditional Thai methods. And for those who prefer active recreation, there is something to choose from: surfing; windsurfing; Beach volleyball; diving.

Weather

Thailand is warm almost all year round, and this applies to both Koh Samui and Krabi. It’s comfortable to relax here even out of season. Although season is also a relative concept. If someone likes heat over 40 degrees, then in Krabi it happens at the end of March and in April. Samui is a little cooler - up to 35, but also swelteringly hot. But during the rainy season it sometimes waters, but this does not mean that the resort freezes. The rains pass, the sun comes out, and the rainy season turns into one of the blessed times in this unusual corner of the world.

Hotels - where are they cheaper?

In general, a holiday in Krabi is considered one of the most expensive in Thailand. And Samui in this sense is not much different from this province. Krabi definitely has some of the most expensive hotels, but they are also the most upscale. Here is the cleanest sea and the most pronounced tropical nature, which is why exotic lovers are drawn here, including from. It is no coincidence that on the streets of Krabi you will find a huge number of signs in Russian, and the menu in the restaurant is in your native language. This interest of Russians also largely determines the price - the higher the demand, the higher the prices.

Shopping

More large supermarkets in Krabi shops. It is here that not only large shopping centers are concentrated, but also many warehouse stores, including household ones. At the same time, the trade of small shops and shops is very developed. But in Samui there are a lot of small shops, but there are only one or two serious chain supermarkets. But there are food markets, vegetable markets, and most importantly, fruit markets with exotic specimens in both provinces in huge quantities.

Resort cuisine

Naturally, the cuisine is Thai. A huge selection of different stones, inexpensive street food is everywhere. Dishes are based on the extensive use of vegetables. Chicken, shrimp, local noodles. An ordinary fast food dish costs about 40 baht (baht - 1 ruble). So there is no problem of what and where to eat either in Samui or Krabi. There is only one problem - everything is tasty, but very spicy.

Attractions and entertainment

This is quite tense in both provinces. In the sense that there is something to see, but there is not enough night entertainment. In Krabi, you can get bored already on the third day. But excursions with swimming in hot springs and a lagoon, trips to nearby islands, and, of course, visits to Bokhorani National Park, local monasteries and waterfalls will save you. Fans of active recreation will enjoy cycling and rock climbing lessons.

In Koh Samui you can see waterfalls and caves, visit the aquarium and the tiger zoo. There are several spectacular and shocking shows like the drag queen show, snake farm and crocodile show.

When is it worth going to Koh Samui and Krabi? Those who:

loves the famous spicy and spicy Thai cuisine and exotic fruits;
who loves heat, it is better to prefer Krabi; Samui is a little cooler in the hot months;
loves clean beaches not overshadowed by civilization;
who plans to improve their health with famous Thai practices;
simply loves the mysterious East with its amazing world, rich culture and shocking surprises.

Necessity get from Koh Samui to Krabi or making the return trip arises quite often among vacationers in Thailand, because the direct distance between the indicated coconut island and the center of the most beautiful province of the country is only 270 km. At the same time, the resorts of Krabi and Koh Samui are located in different oceans and have significant differences in tourist seasons, local cultural traditions, and environmental entertainment. This article describes the most convenient and fastest ways to overcome the route Samui - Krabi and Krabi - Samui.

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE (you can click on the link for a quick transition)

Air flight Samui - Krabi: advantages and disadvantages

At first glance, buying an air ticket on the route Samui - Krabi or Krabi - Samui is the simplest and most logical option, because both destinations have small but quite modern airports of their own that are easy to reach. This option is also the simplest due to the fact that, unlike the province of Krabi, most of which is located on the mainland (including the city of Krabi town itself and some popular ones), Samui is still an island, so it is logical to assume that only air travel allows you to travel the required distance using only one type of transport - an airplane.

However, in practice, air travel between Samui and Krabi is not very popular either among tourists or local residents. Using the search form for air tickets at the best prices located in the side column of the site, you can independently verify that the cost of an air flight from Samui to Krabi is unreasonably high for such a short distance and is, at best, about $100 one way. It should be borne in mind that there is only one flight per day, and not throughout the year, but only during the high tourist season.

Therefore, it is quite possible that you will be faced with a situation where you will be offered an air flight with a long layover in Bangkok (sometimes over 12 hours), which makes this method of getting from Krabi to Koh Samui or back completely pointless even if you have an impressive budget for the average traveler (for the option with a layover the cost more than triples).

And looking for accommodation on the island in the dark is not a pleasant task, unless, of course, you took care of this in advance and found yourself a cool hotel at the lowest price, using the form below to search for hotels and compare prices for the same room in different reservation systems. The second bus from Krabi to Samui ends up on a night ferry and the journey takes more than 12 hours. Using the latter option, you can save on one night in a hotel, but personally, I would rather sleep on the beach of Koh Samui than in a seat on an overnight ferry.

There is also the option of using not direct buses, but bus routes with transfers, for example, in Surat Thani. In this case the full cost Samui - Krabi route will be calculated as the cost of the ferry between Samui and the mainland (150 baht), the cost of a transfer from the mainland pier to the Surat Thani bus station (70 km or from 150 to 200 baht), as well as a bus or minibus on the route Surat Thani - Krabi (150-170 baht respectively) . In total, we get a minimum of 450 baht, but it is better to count on an amount of no less than 500 baht. In general, taking this route (or the return route Krabi - Samui) is not too difficult, but in a situation where there is a more convenient option described below, I would not do it :).

Transfer Samui - Krabi (Krabi-Samui) - the best option

Today, one of the most convenient options that allows you to quickly and with a high level of comfort get from Koh Samui to Krabi and in the opposite direction is to use an organized transfer, which is a trip in a comfortable minibus overland and covering the sea section of the route on a high-speed boat or ferry. .

While on Samui, the easiest and cheapest way is to contact the office of one of the ferry companies. This is due to the fact that such companies not only service all passenger transportation between the mainland, Samui and other islands of the region, but also organize full transfers from Samui to other resorts, including Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Islands and Lanta. The cost of transfers from ferry companies is often the lowest, but this is not their main advantage over other companies that also offer transfers between Samui and Krabi.

In practice, it has been noticed that the option of transferring a ferry company, for example, Lompraya, allows you to get to your destination as quickly as possible with a minimum of transfers, often not just from the pier to the bus station, but from the doors of a hotel on Samui to the doors of a hotel in Krabi or Ao Nang. Those. Ultimately, this is a very convenient and cost-effective option. The cost of such a transfer at the end of 2014 is 400-450 baht when using a regular passenger ferry on the sea section of the route and from 550 to 600 baht when using a speed boat.

In a situation with a transfer in the opposite direction, i.e. when needed get from Krabi to Koh Samui, most often you have to turn to intermediaries and overpay, although quite a bit ($2-3). It is also possible to avoid such an overpayment, but for this you must know at least a little and not be afraid to speak English on the phone with representatives of the ferry companies in Koh Samui, who will need to explain on what day you want to move, at what time and from which hotel you will need to be picked up.

If you don’t have such a desire (to communicate by phone), you can simply contact any tourist information office in Ao Nang, or a street excursion seller. The overpayment will be, as I already wrote, small, but it is advisable to initially negotiate all the conditions and choose options in which the transfer will again be provided by the Lomprayah company or a well-established transfer company in the region called Joint Ticket(transfer 450 baht for minibus + ferry or 600 baht for minibus + speed boat).

When choosing the time of your trip from Samui or Krabi, always remember that you will need to be ready for the trip about an hour before the departure time indicated on the brochure. This is due to the fact that the local minibus takes some time to go around the hotels and collect all the passengers. As a rule, you will be reminded of this at the time of purchasing the transfer. For example, if you pay for a transfer from Ao Nang to Samui with departure at 11 a.m., you will be picked up no later than 10:30 a.m. to be taken to a small private bus station in the Krabi Town area.

Sometimes on the streets of resorts (both on Koh Samui and Krabi) you can find more tempting offers in terms of the cost of transfers between these resorts. There is hardly any reason to be afraid that these are scammers, but there are several unpleasant nuances that you may encounter: a long journey, multiple changes of transport along the way and a possible disembarkation in an inconvenient place upon arrival, from where you will have to take an expensive taxi to the hotel. If the possibility of this does not scare you too much, you can save money and take a risk, but it is advisable to first search for at least some information about the carrier on the Internet.

I personally had experience. when I wanted to get from Koh Samui to Krabi and used the services of a local transfer company. As a result, I was delivered to the Krabi bus station only late in the evening. After 8 hours on the road. There were many transfers along the way, I spent about an hour at the bus station in Surat Thani and for about 5 kilometers I was forced to ride in an open pickup truck on the floor, along with backpacks and other travelers. The bus was old and broke down several times on the road. On the other hand, it was fun and unusual!

Taxi transfer Krabi - Koh Samui and back

Another option that allows you to quickly get from Krabi to Koh Samui or make the return trip is to use a taxi transfer from. Of course, this option is not the cheapest, but in some situations it is ideal for travelers. The cost of travel by modern taxi between resorts can be found at the link above. It is important to understand that, unlike an air ticket, a car can accommodate several people (4 or more). this means that the transfer price for each passenger will be very attractive.

And if you add travel speed, comfort, the ability to choose a car class, install child seats, pay by card, etc., then the option is generally wonderful. If you want to get from Krabi to Koh Samui, I advise you to book a taxi transfer not to Koh Samui, but to Donsak Pier. After all, there is no point in overpaying for the fact that the car will sail to the island with you and then return back (at your expense). I wish you fast and comfortable trips on the route Samui - Krabi and no less pleasant transfers, allowing get from Krabi to Koh Samui!

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This question is naturally asked by almost every tourist planning to relax on the islands of Thailand. Of course, there is no definite answer to this complex question, but still, additional information to decide whether to prefer Samui or Phuket will clearly not be superfluous.

After all, literally each of the islands of Thailand has its own “zest”, its own pros and cons, about which a lot has been written on our website. And yet, let’s try to answer this difficult question and compare holidays in Phuket and Samui.

What are the main differences between Phuket and Koh Samui?

Differences in weather.

Here you need to focus on the time of arrival of the rainy season. At this time, the sea is relatively cool, waves are often quite large, in which swimming may even be prohibited, and short-term rains often occur. The differences between Phuket and Koh Samui in terms of climate are that Phuket's beaches are located on the Andaman Sea side and the rainy season here lasts from May to October.

Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand and the rainy season lasts from November to February.

Therefore, it is necessary to look where during your holiday there will be more comfortable weather and calmer seas.

Much easier to get to.

Of course, the leader in this matter is Phuket, which has its own airport and good transport links with the mainland of Thailand.

The airport on Koh Samui only accepts local flights, and mainly uses sea transport, which may not be to everyone’s taste.

Where is the sea better - Phuket or Koh Samui?

Here it is difficult to give primacy to any of the islands, although in each case the sea still has its own characteristics.

Everywhere the sea is simply wonderful, even on the most tourist beaches. We have already mentioned the rainy season and problems with waves during this period. In Phuket, swimming on many beaches is prohibited at this time. Therefore, holidays with children in the rainy season in Phuket are extremely undesirable.

Even on Patong Beach, which is famous for its calm sea due to the nature of its location, the sea is rough at this time. Only surfers, of whom there are many in Phuket at this time, can rejoice at this.

On the island of Koh Samui, there are almost no high waves during the rainy season, but there is another misfortune - frequent and strong low tides, during which the water moves a hundred meters or more from the shore, and the sea becomes quite shallow. Of course, this is a joy for children, but adults have to wade quite far in knee-deep water to swim.

And in the normal season, the sea is excellent both on Koh Samui and Phuket.

What can you say about the beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui?

Both there and there are both crowded and completely secluded beaches. You can read more about them in the materials on our website about the beaches of Phuket and the beaches of Samui. Everywhere you can find a beach to your liking with all the amenities provided - umbrellas, sun loungers, palm trees, sand.

However, there is one “but” - in Phuket there are almost no hotels located on the seashore, on the first line. There is almost always an asphalt road between the hotel and the sea. And although there are almost no cars driving along it, you won’t be able to leave the hotel directly on the beach. There are no bungalows on the seashore here. Most resorts consist of multi-storey buildings.

On Koh Samui, the road passes behind the line of hotels, so there are no problems described above. There are quite a few bungalows and houses right on the beach, which is a definite plus of this island.

In general, we can say that the beaches on Koh Samui will be more beautiful, although picturesque corners are not uncommon in Phuket.

Where is the cheapest vacation?

Of course, Phuket can be called the most expensive island in Thailand.

Prices in hotels on Samui will be lower, but still not so much that this becomes the decisive argument in your choice. The differences are not very big, and if you go for a long time (a month), then there is almost no difference. On average, a hotel room will cost 5-6 thousand baht.

But the prices for everything else - food, entertainment, massage, etc. - about the same everywhere.

Where is the best place for shopping?

Of course, Phuket is the leader here due to better transport links to the mainland. There are several large shopping centers where you can check out branded collections and even get significant discounts on them.

Shopping on Samui is limited to one BigC hypermarket and many small shops with a traditional souvenir and T-shirt assortment.

Where should you go with children?

It is better to relax with children where there is a clean beach, a gentle slope into the sea, there is entertainment in the hotel (slides, children's rooms) and there is the opportunity to get additional entertainment (elephant riding, a zoo). All this is available both on Koh Samui and Phuket. Children will be happy on any of these islands, just don't miss the rainy season.

What about nightlife?

Patong Beach in Phuket is a little Pattaya with WalkingStreet. Incendiary parties, discos, go-go, various bars for every taste - a guarantee that you will not be bored. Here Phuket has no competition.

Samui is much quieter in this regard, but Chaweng Beach will also offer nightlife lovers a variety of entertainment. From Koh Samui you can also go to the main party in Thailand - Full Moon Party (takes place on Koh Phangan, on the full moon). Phuket wasn’t even close to this!

What about other entertainment?

There will be more attractions in Phuket - temples, excursions to the neighboring islands of Racha Noi, Phi Phi, James Bond Island, diving tours to the Similan Islands.

There are no special attractions on Koh Samui, and the island itself is small. You can go to the neighboring islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.