Phuket and Krabi sit about 2.5 to 3 hours apart by road on Thailand's Andaman coast. They share the same season, November to April, and many of the same island trips. The difference is mostly in the feel.
Choose Phuket if you want
- Lots of choice: more hotels, restaurants, beaches and boat trips than anywhere else in southern Thailand.
- Nightlife: Patong is lively, while Kata and Karon are calmer.
- Easy flights: Phuket airport (HKT) has many international and domestic connections.
- Big-name day trips: Phi Phi and Maya Bay and Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island.
Choose Krabi if you want
- Scenery: tall limestone cliffs rising from the sea, especially around Railay.
- A quieter base: Ao Nang is smaller and more relaxed than Phuket's main beaches.
- Short island hops: the Hong Islands and the 4 Islands are close by.
- The jungle nearby: Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake are a few hours inland.
Quick comparison
- Beaches: Phuket has more and longer beaches. Krabi has more dramatic scenery.
- Nightlife: Phuket has much more.
- Families: both work well. Kata, Karon and Ao Nang are all easy bases.
- Phi Phi: easy to reach from both, about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat.
One base or both?
Short on time? Our 4-day Phuket Islands Holiday keeps you in one hotel with two island days. To see both, our 5-day Andaman island hopper starts in Phuket, takes the ferry via Phi Phi and finishes in Krabi, with hotels and transfers arranged.
When to go
November to April for both. From May to October the sea is rougher, and some boat trips may be cancelled. Read our guide to the best time to visit Thailand.