It's the most common question we get from travellers planning a Thailand beach holiday: Phuket or Koh Samui? The honest answer is that they're fundamentally different experiences dressed in similar tropical packaging.
The Quick Answer
Choose Phuket if you want variety, nightlife options, and easy access to day trips. Choose Koh Samui if you want a more relaxed, intimate island feel with fewer crowds.
Size & Scale
Phuket is Thailand's largest island — roughly the size of Singapore. It has a proper airport with direct international flights, multi-lane highways, shopping malls, and distinct neighbourhoods each with their own character. Patong is the lively centre. Kamala and Surin are quieter and more upscale. Rawai in the south feels almost like a separate island.
Koh Samui is significantly smaller. You can drive around the entire island in about 90 minutes. The airport is tiny and charming (open-air terminals with thatched roofs). Everything feels more contained and walkable.
Best Luxury Hotels
Phuket
Amanpuri set the standard when it opened in 1988 and still holds its own. Trisara offers stunning cliffside pool villas. Sri Panwa at the southern tip has jaw-dropping panoramic views. For value luxury, check Rosewood Phuket — relatively new and competing hard on price.
Our SEA Hotel Score leaders in Phuket: Amanpuri (95), Trisara (93), Sri Panwa (91).
Koh Samui
COMO Point Yamu (technically on the mainland but often grouped with Samui), Four Seasons Koh Samui, and Six Senses Samui are the standouts. The Four Seasons sits on a hillside with individual villas cascading down to a private beach — it's magical.
Our SEA Hotel Score leaders in Koh Samui: Four Seasons (93), Six Senses (91), Banyan Tree (89).
Beaches
Phuket wins on sheer number and variety. Freedom Beach is arguably the most beautiful in Thailand — accessible only by longtail boat. Nai Harn in the south is excellent for swimming. Kata and Karon offer long stretches of sand.
Koh Samui's beaches are more consistent but less dramatic. Chaweng is the main strip (busy, lots of restaurants). Lamai is slightly quieter. Bophut's Fisherman's Village has the most character.
Food & Dining
Both islands have excellent food, but Phuket has more range. Old Phuket Town's restaurant scene rivals Bangkok for quality. The island has several serious fine-dining options and an incredible street food scene around the weekend markets.
Koh Samui's food scene is more resort-focused. The island has good restaurants, but fewer surprises. The night market at Fisherman's Village (Friday nights) is worth planning around.
Getting There
Phuket has an international airport with direct flights from Singapore (1h45), Kuala Lumpur (1h30), Hong Kong (3h), and Sydney (9h). Budget carriers like AirAsia and Scoot keep prices competitive.
Koh Samui's airport is privately operated by Bangkok Airways, which means flights are generally more expensive and less frequent. Many travellers fly to Surat Thani and take a ferry, which adds 3-4 hours but saves significantly.
Our Verdict
For a first trip to Thailand's islands, Phuket offers more to see and do. For a return visit or a dedicated relaxation holiday, Koh Samui's slower pace is hard to beat. Either way, compare hotel prices across platforms — we regularly see $40-70 per night differences between Booking.com and Agoda for the same Thai resort.
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