Is Phuket a first-trip must?

It is the easy Andaman airport. Krabi is prettier on the water. Samui is the Gulf alternative when the Andaman is in monsoon.

Three on one beach. Add a fourth only if you want a boat day and a recovery day.

Phuket

Phuket is the easy Andaman airport with beaches attached. Stay on the west coast. Use Patong for a night if you want it, not as a four-night base.

AndamanHKTPhi Phi boats

SeasonBest November to April

AirportHKT, then 45-90 minutes by car

BoatsPhi Phi and Krabi in the morning

Phuket is known for west-coast beaches and a huge airport, not for one pretty town. Kamala, Surin, and Bang Tao are calmer than Patong. Kata and Karon sit in the middle. Old Phuket Town is a morning of sino-portuguese streets if you need a non-beach day.

Beach clubs (Catch, Cafe del Mar) live on the Phuket nightlife page. Amanpuri and Avista Hideaway sit under resort living.

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Phuket staysWest coast first
Filter by beach name, not by "Phuket" as if it were one town.
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Patong hotelsNight strip
Only if you want that strip.
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Island hoppingPhi Phi and James Bond
Morning boats only in the wet months.
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Common questions

Is Phuket a first-trip must?: It is the easy Andaman airport. Krabi is prettier on the water. Samui is the Gulf alternative when the Andaman is in monsoon.
How many nights?: Three on one beach. Add a fourth only if you want a boat day and a recovery day.

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Common questions