A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Phuket vs. Khao Lak for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Khao Lak?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Khao Lak, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. Phuket is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Phuket travel costs.

Khao Lak

Khao Lak is a friendly, idyllic, and serene area. The famous beauty of Khao Lak is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Khao Lak travel costs.

Phuket and Khao Lak: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Phuket. Although Phuket and Khao Lak are popular destinations, Phuket has more sights and attractions for tourists. Phuket is very popular for its food, nightlife, and resorts, while Khao Lak attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and impressive beauty. Phuket is more touristy than Khao Lak and is known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. It is also well known for The Seated Maravija Buddha Statue (Big Buddha). Khao Lak is famous for its undersea marine life, white sand beaches, and mellow coastal vibe.

How is Phuket different from Khao Lak?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Khao Lak and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Khao Lak is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Khao Lak offers a few options for museum-goers. You'll find plenty or natural beauty, but not much in the form of temples or museums.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Khao Lak? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Khao Lak is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Phuket makes for a great culinary experience. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Khao Lak has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a range of southern Thai classics that include seafood, curries, grilled meats, and even vegetarian options. You'll also find an abundance of western food restaurants that serve everything from pizza to burgers.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Nightlife?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for nightlife. Also, Khao Lak is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

If you're looking for night time activities Khao Lak has a few options to choose from. While it's a tranquil place, there are still some bars and clubs that have a laid back atmosphere and are fun places to hang out in the evening.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an amazing resort island to visit for its resorts. Also, Khao Lak is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Phuket is a world class resort vacation destination. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

There are plenty of resorts in Khao Lak to choose from. The resorts cater to couples and families and offer a laid back and relaxed setting.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find high quality snorkeling or scuba diving in both Phuket and Khao Lak.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Khao Lak is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many great dive and snorkel spots in the area and you'll find no shortage of excursions and day trips, whether you're interested in scuba diving or snorkeling.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Beaches?

Both Phuket and Khao Lak have first-rate beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Khao Lak is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The beaches are a highlight of any trip to Thailand. They offer a laid back and peaceful setting with white sand, turquoise water, and tropical marine life. Some of the best beaches include Bang Niang Beach - which is one of the most popular, Nang Thong Beach - which is one of the most beautiful, and Coconut Beach - which is one of the most idyllic.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Khao Lak and Phuket.

Phuket offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Khao Lak has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find night markets, souvenir shops, local tailors, and other places where you can grab essentials or pick up souvenirs from your holiday.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak More Beautiful?

Khao Lak is an amazing area to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Khao Lak is one of the main draws. Stunning beaches, diverse marine life, and breathtaking natural landscapes make this a truly beautiful destination.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Families?

Khao Lak is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Khao Lak is a very kid-friendly area. This series of islands is filled with outdoor adventures for the whole family. You can explore the undersea world with a mask or snorkel or get out on the water on a kayak. There are also turtle sanctuaries and beautiful beaches where you can pass the time.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Couples?

Khao Lak is an amazing area to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Khao Lak has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Underwater beauty, stunning beaches, outdoor adventures, and wildlife experiences all make these islands a world class honeymoon destination.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Khao Lak is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Khao Lak is a great area to visit for backpackers. Like most of Thailand, the backpacker amenities are abundant. You'll find plenty of hostels, fun activities, and affordable entertainment throughout the region.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Phuket and Khao Lak.

You'll find some public transit in Phuket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

While Khao Lak offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation comes in the form of tuk tuks, Songthaew (pick up trucks), taxis, and public buses. There are also VIP buses and minivans as well.

Is Phuket or Khao Lak a more walkable city?

Phuket is a resort island with good options for its walkability. However, Khao Lak is a area with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Phuket is somewhat walkable. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

Khao Lak is generally not a very walkable resort island. While there are areas where you can walk, the region isn't particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Khao Lak Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Khao Lak or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Both Phuket and Khao Lak have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Khao Lak has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Khao Lak than Phuket. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 5-7 days is enough time in Khao Lak.

Families should spend more time in Khao Lak than Phuket. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Khao Lak, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Khao Lak than Phuket. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Khao Lak that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Khao Lak than Phuket if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Khao Lak.

One day in Phuket or Khao Lak?

The resort island of Phuket offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Khao Lak. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Phuket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Khao Lak is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Khao Lak. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Khao Lak?

Phuket is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phuket has to offer. This resort island offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Khao Lak. This area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Khao Lak, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Khao Lak Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Khao Lak?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Khao Lak, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Phuket or Khao Lak?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Khao Lak in the Summer?

Both Khao Lak and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives around the same amount of rain as Khao Lak. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Lak during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Khao Lak. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Lak fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Khao Lak in the Autumn?

Both Khao Lak and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Khao Lak year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets less rain in October than Khao Lak. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Lak. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 181 hours of full sun.

Phuket is around the same temperature as Khao Lak in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Khao Lak fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Khao Lak in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Khao Lak. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Phuket is the dry season. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Khao Lak. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Lak this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Lak during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Phuket is around the same temperature as Khao Lak. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Khao Lak averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Phuket or Khao Lak in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Khao Lak. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.

June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets less rain in April than Khao Lak. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Khao Lak. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Khao Lak. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 249 hours of full sun.

In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Khao Lak. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Khao Lak fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Typical Weather for Khao Lak and Phuket