Koh Samui or Phuket: where is it better to relax, features, interesting facts and reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

As you know, the resorts of Thailand are incredibly in demand 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.

Thai Islands

Thailand has over 250 islands, but not all of them are well developed. Naturally, choosing this country as a place to relax, tourists prefer to relax on the ennobled islands. Like Koh Samui or Phuket.

On 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 favorable location of the land and developed the economy. At the same time, the inhabitants of Koh Samui lived quite a wild life in their bungalows. Today, such large differences between the islands are practically erased. Tourism is developing quite actively on each of them. Now the islands have becomecompetitors. And yet, historical aspects to this day define the features of Koh Samui and Phuket. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, Phuket is interesting as a place for outdoor activities. The island has a fairly active nightlife. But Koh Samui is preferred by those holidaymakers who, on the contrary, seek to take a break from the fast pace of megacities. Therefore, in order to decide where it is better to relax - in Phuket or Koh Samui - you need to know all the features of each of them.

Weather difference

In order to make the right choice, you should know 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 Koh Samui and Phuket are close enough, 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 Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, so the rainy season here lasts from November to February. Knowing such features of the islands, it is easy to make a choice, focusing on the time of vacation.

Of course, Koh Samui is the most attractive place in terms of weather, because it rains here only a few months of the 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.

Much easier and fasterget there?

So, what is better: Koh 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, in terms of air travel, Phuket wins, since there are five direct flights to the island from Moscow daily. 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, then the road to the second is more complicated. The fact is that there are simply no direct flights to the island. Samui Airport serves only domestic flights. Therefore, tourists will probably have to take tickets to Bangkok, and then get on the ferry. Perhaps in the future the situation will change and it will be easier to get to Koh Samui.

Which resort is cheaper?

Assessing which is better - Koh Samui or Phuket - many start from the cost of rest. Phuket can definitely be called the most expensive resort in Thailand. The island is more urbanized and densely populated. It is more like a metropolis. According to experts, Koh Samui is definitely a cheaper resort. Of course, if you want to save money, you can cut back on your needs, but still, many people want to allow themselves to relax and enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

Staying on Koh Samui is much cheaper. Prices for food, shopping, 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 traditionalbungalow on the very shore, enjoy the deserted beach and go to the local market for fruit. Here you are guaranteed a quiet, calm and measured rest. This is the dream of any resident of a noisy metropolis.

As for Phuket, it is chosen by people who appreciate a higher level of service and entertainment. Prices for food, services and hotels are really higher here, 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 a restaurant, hotels and roads began to be built. It's hard to imagine, but in just one decade, the island has become an incredibly popular resort that all avid travelers aspire to visit. But Koh Samui began to develop in the 70s. And the island became popular only in the 90s.

In fairness, it should be noted that there is a big difference in infrastructure development between resorts. You can find everything in Phuket: restaurants, hotels, entertainment, clubs, shopping malls, attractions, spas, malls and much more. There are similar objects on Koh Samui, but they are much smaller and much more modest. Of course, Phuket can be safely called a leader in infrastructure. There is no point in even comparingKoh 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 the waters of completely different oceans, so it is impossible to get there only by sea. But, despite this, the relationship between them is established quite well. The distance from Phuket to Koh 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 price is 5600 rubles.

The most budget option is the bus. If you do not want to spend money on air tickets, then you can use ground transport. But it is worth remembering that, in addition to the bus, you will also have to use the ferry. From Phuket to Koh Samui you simply cannot get there without transfers. Such a journey takes up to six hours, and in fact disappears all day, since night flights do not exist in nature. As for the fare, it depends on the carrier.

If you decide to take the bus and ferry from Phuket to Koh Samui, the fare will cost you about 800 rubles.

Those tourists who love comfort can be offered to use taxi services. Cars are moving alongthe same route as the buses. However, such a trip will cost you more than a flight, so it makes sense to find travel companions for traveling by taxi. The taxi ride takes approximately five hours.

Very often, vacationers in Thailand rent transport to be able to travel freely. If you have rented a bike or a car, you can independently get to the ferry and cross it 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 a long journey. Phuket and Koh Samui are just made for a beach holiday. Their long coastlines will please any holiday-maker. There are youth, elite, children's and even nudist beaches here. And yet, there are differences between the beaches of the islands. An incredible number of tourists rest in the popular Phuket. Therefore, its beaches are more polluted. As for Koh Samui, its coast is cleaner. Local beaches are less crowded and more natural. There are periods in Phuket when swimming is prohibited due to rough seas. But there are no waves on Koh Samui. The sea is very calm and quiet there.

If you dream of relaxing right on the sea coast, then you should definitely choose Koh 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 enoughaway from the sea.

Nature

Since Phuket has been the most popular resort in Thailand for more than a decade, its territory is still being built up. Now the island already resembles a metropolis. And all some beautiful natural places managed to be preserved. Tourists, if they wish, can see parks, waterfalls, jungles, coral reefs and underwater inhabitants.

As for Koh 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 at the same time 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 of tourist destinations. Going to Koh Samui, you can be sure that coral reefs, sandy beaches and coconut trees await you there.

Resort Hotels

Finding accommodation on the islands for a vacation is not a problem at all. There are modern hotels and original romantic-style bungalows. However, it is worth considering the fact that there are absolutely no beach hotels in Phuket. When building the island, a big mistake was made. 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 plan to go to Thailand with children, then you should choose a place with clean beaches, children's entertainment and a gentle sea setting. All this is in Phuket and Koh Samui. With kidscomfortable rest on both islands. The only thing to remember is that the sea on Koh Samui is quieter and calmer, there are never waves here. And this is very important for children.

Tourist entertainment

Going on vacation, many tourists want to break away to the fullest and visit nightclubs. In terms of nightlife, Phuket undoubtedly wins. There is a whole street with all kinds of nightlife, which is in itself a landmark of the resort. Koh Samui in this regard is a more peaceful place. Even if you find a nightclub on the island, its scope cannot be compared with the institutions of Phuket.

As for the attractions, they are all located in Phuket. Koh Samui is a very small island that has only natural beauty.

Phuket and Koh Samui: reviews of tourists

The Thai islands are amazing places to stay. Each of them is good in its own way. Before deciding where to go on vacation, it's worth prioritizing and thinking about how you see your vacation. Phuket and Koh Samui are fundamentally different places that offer diametrically different opportunities and conditions. According to experienced tourists, Phuket should be chosen by those people who appreciate comfort, attractions, nightlife and developed infrastructure. If you like natural beauties and a relaxing holiday on the very shore of the sea, then you simply cannot find a better place than Koh Samui. Therefore, when making a choice, listen to yourself: what do you want to receive - a holiday orappeasement.