A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Paris for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Paris?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Paris, 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 energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. Phuket is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Phuket travel costs.

Paris

Paris is a beautiful, iconic, and bustling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of Paris is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife. See Paris travel costs.

Phuket and Paris: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Paris?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paris than Phuket. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Paris is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Phuket attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Phuket is famous for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Paris is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, iconic landmarks, trendsetting fashion, and dynamic markets. It is also well known for The Eiffel Tower.

The Eiffel Tower

How is Phuket different from Paris?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Paris 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 Paris?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Paris are among the most recognizable in the world. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House. In addition to the many iconic sights, there are beautiful buildings and hidden gems throughout the city.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Theater?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its theatre productions. However, Phuket is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Paris. There are world class theaters as well as smaller local venues where you can enjoy a show.

Phuket is not a theatre destination.

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

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paris is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.

Phuket has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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."

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Phuket or Paris has a better nightlife scene.

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.

Paris is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Music?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Phuket is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Paris Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires. You'll also find many small bars where you can enjoy live music in a quaint setting.

Phuket is not a live music destination.

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Resorts?

Phuket is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Paris is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Phuket is a great choice. 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.

Paris is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Paris is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Phuket. 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.

Paris is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Paris Better for Beaches?

Phuket is terrific for its beaches. However, Paris is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Phuket. 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.

Paris is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Paris?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Paris make it a world-class shopping destination. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées. The city is iconic for its fashion scene and world class shopping venues.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Phuket or Paris More Beautiful?

Paris is an amazing city 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 Paris is one of the main draws. It is famous for it's beautiful buildings, grand avenues, and impressive gardens. Many consider it among the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world.

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 Paris Better for Families?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Paris is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.

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 Paris Better for Couples?

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

Paris has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. A city filled with romance, you really can't find a more ideal destination for a European honeymoon or a couple's getaway.

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 Paris Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Paris. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.

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 Paris Better for Students?

Paris is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

Paris is a great destination for students. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Paris is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Paris is top-notch. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Paris a more walkable city?

Paris is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Paris is a very walkable city. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Paris or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Paris?

Both Phuket and Paris have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Paris has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Paris than Phuket. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Paris 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 Paris.

One day in Phuket or Paris?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this activity-filled destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Paris?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Paris is a great place to explore. 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 Paris?

Phuket is a fun place to experience. In Phuket, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Paris. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Paris?

In Phuket, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this party-hard destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Paris is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Paris, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Paris is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris than you might in Phuket.

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

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Paris?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Paris, 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 Paris?

Paris has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Paris in the Summer?

Both Paris and Phuket during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Phuket is generally a little warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Paris, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phuket. In the summer, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Paris. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in July than Paris. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Paris in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Paris. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Paris because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Phuket is much warmer than Paris in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Paris fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Phuket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Phuket usually receives more rain than Paris. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Phuket is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Paris in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Paris. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

It's quite cold in Paris in the winter. In the winter, Phuket is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Paris averages at about 5°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the winter, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Paris. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.

Phuket usually gets less rain in January than Paris. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Paris in the Spring?

Both Paris and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Phuket is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Paris during spring. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In April, Phuket usually receives more rain than Paris. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October.

Typical Weather for Paris and Phuket