Phuket or Krabi: which place suits you?
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and has its own airport, an old town and many beaches. Krabi is not an island but a stretch of coast with limestone cliffs and several towns. The sights there can often only be reached by boat.
Phuket and Krabi compared
| Phuket | Krabi | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | South, Andaman Sea | South, Andaman Sea |
| Character | Beaches, old town and islands | Limestone cliffs and islands |
| Best time to visit | December to March, with January and February the driest. | December to March, with January and February the driest. |
| Getting there | Its own international airport, daily flights from Bangkok; around 14 hours by bus | Flight from Bangkok to Krabi, then the ferry to Phi Phi in just over two hours |
| Rain over the year | Phuket station | Krabi station |
| Highlights |
|
|
- dry under 60 mm
- changeable 60 to 150 mm
- rainy season over 150 mm
Bars: rain per month from January to December. Weather figures: Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), climate averages 1981 to 2010, rounded. All monthly figures are on the weather page: Phuket and Krabi.
How to decide
Choose Phuket if you …
- want to go out in the evening: the Bangla Road is in Patong, the bars close around 2 am, the clubs around 4 am.
- like cafés and markets in an old town: Phuket Town has houses in the Sino-Portuguese style and a Walking Street on Sundays.
- need to get there quickly: Phuket has its own international airport, and many domestic flights leave from Bangkok.
Choose Krabi if you …
- are looking for limestone cliffs and boat trips: the Four Islands tour starts from Ao Nang, and there are also the Phi Phi Islands and Railay.
- want peace and quiet: in Railay West and Klong Muang you are away from the bustle, and Krabi Town is the cheapest place to stay.
- want forest and water close together: the Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) costs 400 baht, and the Tiger Cave Temple is near Krabi Town.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Phuket and Krabi?
For both, December to March is best, with January and February the driest. From May to October it rains a lot; Phuket gets the most rain in September, Krabi in October.
How do I get there?
Phuket has an airport with daily flights from several hubs. To Krabi you fly from Bangkok; from the airport a shared bus takes 30 to 40 minutes to Ao Nang for 150 baht.
Where is it quieter?
On Phuket, Mai Khao, Nai Yang and Nai Harn are quiet. In Krabi the quieter spots are Railay West and Klong Muang.