Both Phuket and Krabi are regarded as the gems of Asia and are often sought out by backpackers from different works of life. But if you were to choose between both cities for your next vacation, which one will it be? Making the right decision has left lots of travelers standing on their toes. Currently, Phuket is quite popular for being one of the top destinations in Thailand. On the hand, Krabi, the then underdog city has grown in popularity and now competes shoulder-to-shoulder with Phuket in terms of the best vacation destinations.
This article will serve as a guide to help you choose the right destination (Phuket or Krabi) when planning your next vacation or holiday trip.
Which One Will you Choose? Phuket vs Krabi
To help you choose the right destination between both cities, this comparison will be based on what Phuket and Krabi have to offer in terms of romantic trips, friends trips, budget, family trips, beaches, adventure, attractions, nightlife, and food.
Romantic Trips to Phuket and Krabi
Arguably, both destinations are great and ideal for honeymoons and general romantic getaway trips. Phuket is a destination full of luxurious spas, villas, and resorts perfect for romantic staycations. On the other hand, Krabi is the quieter destination filled with concealed spas in jungles and side houses on pacific islands. However, one thing is certain, both destinations offer the perfect atmosphere for beachside candlelight dinner while sipping exotic, rare red wine, which is ideal for dinner dates. Furthermore, you can also take part in activities like kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, and spa treatments. When it comes to romantic activities couples can enjoy, there are a variety of choices to choose from, which makes it a bit difficult to choose between both cities for a romantic getaway.
Budget required for Phuket and Krabi
Whenever it comes to picking a travel destination, budget is always one of the major factors that will affect a person’s decision. In terms of accommodation, the hotel prices in Phuket – being a more popular destination between both is higher, especially from November to April. It cost around 10000 Thai Baht to secure accommodation in a 3 to a 4-star hotel for two persons in Phuket. In Krabi, this can go for as low as 5000 to 6000 Thai Baht. The same goes for transportation. The cost of moving around Phuket in public or private transportation systems is higher in Phuket when compared to Krabi. In some parts of Phuket, the cost of transportation could be twice the amount in Krabi. In this case, it would be wise to head over to Krabi to avoid breaking the bank. For sure, there are a few ways you can still get the best out of Phuket without leaving a hole in your purse. It will require relying on local restaurants or street vendors for food instead of sophisticated ones. The difference in the quality of food is not noticeable as both avenues serve delicious and high-quality food.
Family Trips to Phuket and Krabi
When it comes to family vacations, Phuket beats Krabi to be the ideal destination. Although you can find impressive family-oriented resorts in Krabi (e.g Krabi Resort and Golden Beach Resort) promising activities you and your family can enjoy, Phuket offers a more extensive list of things and attractions, giving it an edge over Krabi. In Phuket, you and your family can engage in activities such as golfing, attending water park shows, and many more. Boredom does not exist in Phuket.
The Beaches in Phuket and Krabi
The beach experience in Phuket is one of the major reasons why lots of travelers flock to this destination. Here, in this part of Thailand, is where you will find the most beautiful beaches in the world, especially in areas like Karon, Kata, and Patong. The beaches in the aforementioned towns offer breathtaking scenic views and plenty of beachside activities including water rides. On the other hand, the beaches in Krabi are often visited by families and solo travelers seeking a more laid-back and tranquil atmosphere.
Adventure in Phuket and Krabi
In terms of adventure, Krabi has an edge over Phuket. In Krabi, you will find dense jungles stretching over miles and providing fun-filled adventures. Here you will find lots of adventure-promising activities such as dirt biking, ATV excursions, rock climbing, and white water rafting. For a thrilling experience, you and your family can go for treetops and zip line experiences.
Although Krabi has more to offer in terms of adventure, Phuket is also up to the task. It is quite famous for its gyrocopter and paramotor flights which operate in the early hours of the morning.
When it boils down to snorkeling and diving activities, both Phuket and Krabi are excellent destinations in the country. This is a result of the presence of offshore islands and extraordinarily diverse marine life offering opportunities to experience and explore the underwater world. Here, you will find lots of marine creatures such as reef sharks, stingrays, and squids. There also do exist diving schools in both cities, they are; Lon-tiki Krabi Diving Centre and Dive Ao Nang in Krabi, and Super Divers and Andy’s Scuba Diving in Phuket. However, in Phuket, the majority of travelers and locals prefer the nearby Koh Phi Phi and Similan islands for a better diving experience.
Attractions in Phuket and Krabi
Phuket scores more than Krabi in terms of tourist attractions. The city has attractions and sites spread across its region all of which offer distinctive experiences. One of the most sought-after attraction sites aside from shopping scenes is the Andaman Sea. Persons with interest often sign up to get flown in helicopters over the sparkling blue waters of the Andaman Sea for an up-close aerial experience. Skydance Aero is the organizer of this experience. Also, there’s a breathtaking underwater aquarium in Phuket that serves as a home to beautiful diverse marine life. What’s more? Baan Teelanka, also known as the Upside-Down House will blow you away with its carefully architectured decors and other furniture.
Krabi is an ideal destination the lovers of nature. The majority of its attractions are nature-based and include the Emerald pool, the hot springs of Klong Thom, the Thung Teao National Park, the Susan Hoi shell cemetery, and others.
The Nightlife in Phuket and Krabi
The nightlife in both cities is great, however, that of Krabi cannot be compared to Phuket. In Phuket, you will find nightclubs that operate till sunrise, full moon parties, and even boat parties. All of these happenings are what come to mind at the mention of the nightlife in the city of Phuket. The popular spots in Phuket at sundown often packed with tourists are gogo bars, nightclubs, Patong brims, and others. In terms of nightlife, choosing Krabi over the city of Phuket will result in lesser options to explore and enjoy the nightlife. At midnight, the majority of bars in Krabi cease to operate.
Food
Let’s call this a tie because food is something both destinations are good at. However, the city of Phuket is popular for being an explicit paradise for food lovers. Pancakes, fresh fruits, noodles, and other international and global dishes from both exotic restaurants and street-side vendors are guaranteed to keep your taste buds happy. Krabi is a better destination for romantic and cozy settings with laid-back vibes. The best seafood delicacies can also be found in Krabi as they come in a punch of flavors and ambiance. Your chances of finding appealing, homely, and rustic beachfront dining venues in Krabi are very high.
Three Best Restaurants in Phuket
The dining scenes in Phuket are colorful and it would be impossible to not love them if you are a foodie. Below are some of the best and must-visit restaurants in Phuket.
The Black Ginger Restaurant
Situated at The Slate Resort and the center of a lagoon, this restaurant can only be visited by boat. This is a flex because you will also experience the flame-lit waters surrounding this spot. Here, you can enjoy both traditional Thai dishes with a modern twist. The popular traditional Thai dishes served here include green papaya salad (som tam), southern-style fish curry, tom yam, and others. What sets this restaurant apart from others is that they also offer traditional Thai dishes not often sold at other exotics restaurants, they include pork and crab spring and also cha-plu leaves with chili sauce.
The Mom Tri’s Kitchen
Perfect for romantic dates and family get-togethers, this restaurant is found at Kata Noi Beach and is an extension of Villa Royale. The Mom Tri’s Kitchen serves first-class food in an alfresco setting with scenic views over the Andaman Sea and Kata Noi beach. Its interior is well-designed with beautiful artwork, antiques, and a terracotta floor.
Slow-cooked veal cheek dipped in red wine sauce served alongside mushrooms, and roasted vegetables placed side by side with heavy dishes are the popular picks from the menu of Mom Tri’s Kitchen.
The DeDos Restaurant
Here is where you will get one of the best dining experiences in the city of Phuket. The DeDos Restaurant is a small spot located near the Laguna Phuket Complex and at Tinlay Place. Popularly known for serving good food with a blend of Mediterranean, Asian (mostly Thai and Japanese), and French cooking methods. This is the ideal spot for sampling fine French dishes, but with a Japanese and Thai twist.
The Kan Eang Restaurant
This restaurant is at the pier ashore of Chalong Bay and has been around for quite some time. It specializes in local Thai dishes and seafood. It has both indoor and alfresco dining settings offering great views of the waterside. Irrespective of receiving lots of customers daily, the atmosphere at the Kan Eang Restaurants always remains somewhat relaxed and laid-back.
While dining under large tamarind trees you can enjoy the marine views and sea breeze. Dining indoors is also a great experience. They have three well-decorated pavilions equipped with air-conditioners.
The Best Restaurants in Krabi
The excellent restaurants in the city of Krabi is one of the major reasons why the city has started to gain worldwide recognitions for excellent, mouthwatering dining options. Below are some of the best restaurants you wouldn’t want to miss out on when visiting this vacation destination.
The Carnivore Steak & Grill Restaurant
Under Dutch management, this restaurant came into existence in the year 2003. Located in Ao Nang, it rapidly grew into a destination for steak and grill lovers. Both interiors and exteriors are of stylish décor. With grilled meat being its specialty, it also serves fine western dishes including salads, seafood dishes, and soups.
The Krua Thara Restaurant
It is one of the restaurants in Krabi that has been around for a very long time and is under family management, catering to both locals and travelers. It offers a variety of authentic traditional Thai dishes with a blend of exotic spices and seafood. This restaurant depicts the distinctive dining scene of Nopparat Thara which includes welcoming staff members, fresh seafood baskets, bright lights, and live fish tanks.
The Krua Thara Restaurant is situated in Nopparat Thara, far away from Krabi’s exotic dining scenes. However, its location does not stop it from serving delicious Thai food including mouthwatering seafood in an unpretentious, guileless way.
The Jenna’s Bistro & Wine Restaurant
The name of this restaurant is self-revealing. It is a small, casual restaurant that serves excellent cheese, fish, steak, wine, and champagne. This restaurant is an ideal option for trying out western dishes when in Krabi instead of the local Thai dishes.
Although small and casual, this restaurant has an elegant and upscale setting and serves its dishes mostly prepared with imported premium ingredients.
The Chalita Restaurant & Café
This is a popular and distinctive restaurant that has built quite a reputation over the years for serving unique dishes and offering a distinctive atmosphere. This restaurant often attracts visitors who, on arrival, want to feel at ease.
Jazz music is played here. It has soft lighting spread across the one-story shop. Its interior is well furnished with rattan cane chairs and tables. Customers are often met with a warm welcome from the staff. The food here is reasonably cheap and of high quality.
What do Phuket and Krabi Have in Common?
These cities are both Thailand’s crowned jewels in terms of getaway locations. In both cities, there are astonishing beaches with crystal blue waters and sun-kissed, white, and warm sand. Additionally, you will find lots of activities that promise fun, excitement, adventure, and unforgettable memories in both cities.
Some of these similar activities are beachside sports, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Beachside visitations in both cities offer opportunities for indulging in beachside spa treatments, sunbathing, or dining at seafood restaurants.
How to Arrive at Phuket from Bangkok
Traveling by flight is the most convenient way to travel to Phuket from the country’s capital, Bangkok. There are frequent flights operated by Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Usually, this trip takes about 1hr 25mins. From Don Mueang Airport you will find budget-friendly carriers like Nok Air and Air Asia. Finding your way to the Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to travel by bus would be the cheapest way to travel to Phuket. However, do note that bus trips take longer arrival times which is between 10 to 13hrs. Bus travels are also convenient and the majority of their services include free Wi-Fi and snacks. Unfortunately, there are no direct train services to the city of Phuket from Bangkok. The trick here is to board a train to Surat Thani and then take a bus to Phuket.
How to Arrive at Krabi from Bangkok
Just like Phuket, the best and fastest way to arrive at Krabi from Bangkok is by flight. Flight services such as Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Airways operate frequent domestic flights to Krabi from the Suvarnabhumi Airport as well as Don Mueang Airport. Traveling from Bangkok to Krabi takes at least 1hr 30mins arrival time. If you wish to travel by bus to enable you to save cost, you can head over to the Southern Bus Terminal, however, this mode of transportation takes much longer to arrive at Krabi, at least 12 to 14 hrs. Again, it is impossible to find a direct train to Krabi from Bangkok. If you insist on traveling by train it will require boarding one to the Surat Thani Train Station and then taking a bus to Krabi.
Conclusion
Between Phuket and Krabi, which of these cities will you choose? If you aren’t facing any financial insecurities and would love to visit a bustling city with lots of nightlife activities and romantic scenes then you’d want to travel to Phuket. But if you want a more laid-back and budget-friendly city with a little bit of nightlife to offer and more adventure, then the city of Krabi is where you’d to be. As earlier-mentioned, Phuket is a costlier city to be in, however, you can also find budget-friendly activities to engage in.
If your reason for wanting to visit either of these cities is based on attraction sites, Phuket would be your ideal destination. There are only a few attractions in Krabi.
