krabi or phuket?
They're neighbours on the Andaman Sea with the same season and the same short flight from KL, and you can reach Phi Phi from either. Krabi is about limestone cliffs and longtail boats from a smaller, calmer base, while Phuket is a big, busy island with more beaches, an old town and nightlife.
krabi
Dear group chat,Limestone cliffs straight out of the sea, longtail boats and island hopping.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingKrabiTH, Krabi
phuket
Dear group chat,Beaches, Old Town shophouses and island-hopping, all a short flight from KL.Read the guide →To: whoever’s drivingPhuketTH, Phuket
- From KL
- krabiAbout 630 km
- phuketAbout 640 km
- Best months
- krabiNov–Apr
- phuketNov–Apr
- Vibe
- krabiLimestone cliffs, longtail boats, calmer evenings
- phuketBig island with busy beaches and an old town
- Beaches
- krabiRailay and island beaches, reached by longtail
- phuketPlenty of choice, from Patong to the quiet north
- Island hopping
- krabiFour Islands, Hong Islands and Phi Phi
- phuketPhi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and the Similans
- Getting around
- krabiAo Nang is compact; the boats do the rest
- phuketBig island; allow time between beaches
- Nightlife
- krabiLow-key, mostly around Ao Nang
- phuketPatong is loud and goes on late
- Best for
- krabiScenery, climbing and boat trips
- phuketGroups who want variety and nightlife
Go krabi if…
- the limestone cliffs are the picture you have in mind
- you want a smaller, calmer base with boats right off the beach
- someone in the group wants to try rock climbing at Railay
- you're up for the 1,260 steps at Tiger Cave Temple
Go phuket if…
- you want nightlife as well as beaches
- you'd like an old town with cafés and a Sunday walking street
- the group can't agree on one kind of beach
- you want more choice of places to stay and eat
The verdict
Krabi has the better scenery and a calmer pace; Phuket has more range, from Patong's bars to the old town's shophouses. Both are best from November to April. Can't decide? Pick Krabi for boats and cliffs and Phuket if the group wants nightlife, or with a week, do both, as they're only a few hours apart by road or ferry.