Phuket and Bangkok are both popular places to visit in Thailand. While Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and Bangkok is a megacity and is the capital of Thailand. Both places have an international airport but the majority of people arriving in Thailand will arrive first in Bangkok.
Phuket is a busy resort island that tends to attract people who are looking to party and just relax on the beach. While Bangkok is a megacity that is full of clubs, bars, and hotels and is a foodie’s paradise that attracts people from every walk of life.
In this post, we will go through which one to visit Phuket or Bangkok. Let’s get started!
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Which Is Better Phuket Or Bangkok?
Phuket and Bangkok are both very different places to visit in Thailand. With Phuket being a tropical island and Bangkok being a mega-city. Phuket is more of a tourist-focused resort island with popular nightlife which has a population of around 420,000 people.
While Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand with a population of well over 8 million people. Generally, it is the first stop for visitors to Thailand where you can enjoy great nightlife as well it is a foodie paradise.
In comparing these two places, we will compare things to do in each place, accommodation, nightlife, and any other factors that would have an impact on your visit.
Let us compare Phuket and Bangkok.
Places To Stay In Phuket Or Bangkok
Phuket or Bangkok both have a very good supply of guest houses, hostels, and hotels. Here are a few places to give you an idea of what is available if you are planning to visit either one.
Remember to check the reviews and book a place that suits your interests while traveling.
Phuket Accommodation
Phuket has a good variety of guest houses, hostels, and hotels. There are over 1600 properties in Phuket with prices starting from $18 a night.
Pearl Hotel
Rating 8.1, Prices start from $45 for a double room
Pearl Hotel offers accommodation in Phuket Town with an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, laundry service, and a shared lounge. Free WiFi is available in all areas.
Rooms are air-conditioning with a seating area that has a flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge, and a minibar. Shower facilities, and free toiletries.
Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach
Rating 8.3, Prices start from $125 for a double room
Novotel Phuket Kamala Beach offers accommodation on the beach which comes with a restaurant, concierge service, and an outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi is accessible in the rooms and throughout its premises.
The rooms are modern air-conditioned rooms with a private balcony, flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge, and a minibar. The private bathroom comes with shower facilities and free toiletries.
DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort
Rating 8.4, Prices start from $50 for a double room
DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Banthai Resort offers accommodation in Patong. WiFi is available in public areas and in some rooms. The property offers an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, a bar, and a restaurant.
The rooms are modern air-conditioned rooms with a private balcony, flat-screen satellite TV, a safe, and a minibar. The private bathroom comes with shower facilities and free toiletries.
Bangkok Accommodation
Bangkok also has a huge variety of guest houses, hostels, and hotels. There are over 1200 properties in Bangkok with prices starting from $23 a night.
Siri Sathorn Bangkok by UHG
Rating 8.6, Prices start from $39 for a double room
Siri Sathorn Bangkok offers accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a pampering spa. They offer free WiFi and other services such as a 24-hour front desk, and room service.
Rooms and suites are all air-conditioned suites that have a comfortable living space and flat-screen TVs in all rooms. Large en suite bathrooms are fitted with granite and marble.
The Continent Hotel Bangkok
Rating 8.3, Prices start from $97 for a double room
The Continent Hotel Bangkok features accommodations with a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness center with free WiFi available throughout the property.
The rooms are air-conditioned, flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge, and a minibar. The private bathroom comes with shower facilities and free toiletries.
Nouvo City Hotel
Rating 8.5, Prices start from $35 for a double room
Nouvo City Hotel features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, rooftop pool, airport shuttle, and a restaurant. Along with free WiFi throughout the property
Rooms are air-conditioned with glass-walled bathrooms and wooden flooring. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and tea/coffee facilities.
Nightlife In Phuket And Bangkok
Thailand is well known for its nightlife. Phuket and Bangkok are famous for their nightlife. It’s well known that they are both great places to party.
Let’s compare the nightlife between Phuket and Bangkok.
Phuket’s Nightlife
Phuket’s nightlife is mainly in Patong, particularly on Bangla Road. It is full of clubs, bars, go-go bars, massage parlors, and more. You will find that some bars and clubs are open till 4 am.
Patong in particularly on Bangla Road can come across as sleazy, so you need to go there with an open mind. Also, don’t waste your time on money going to the ping pong shows, it’s not worth it.
Bangkok Nightlife
Bangkok’s nightlife needs no introduction but it is world-famous. It has more than its fair share of clubs, bars, go-go bars, and more. There are the main areas to party.
- Khao San Road – This is where the backpackers go to party. Can get very messy.
- Sukhumvit – Here you will glamorous rooftop bars, bars, and clubs to seedy hangouts.
- Silom – This has stylish rooftop bars, clubs, and more.
What To Do See In Phuket And Bangkok?
Phuket and Bangkok are both blessed with temples, food, shopping, and plenty of other things to explore in each city.
Here are some of the best things to do in Phuket and Bangkok.
Things To Do In Phuket
Phuket is a popular resort island that attracts millions of international visitors every year. Despite being an island there are other things to do in Phuket other than the nightlife.
Here is a list of a few things to do in Phuket Thailand.
Visit A Few Temples
There are a few interesting temples in Phuket that are worth a visit. Here are the lists of the temples to visit in Phuket.
- Chalong Temple – This is a massive temple and is the largest and the most popular Buddhist temple in Phuket.
- Big Buddha of Phuket – This is an iconic 45-meter-tall marble statue on top of Nakkerd hill. That offers panoramic views from the top.
Go Diving Or Snorkeling
Phuket offers some of the best site dives in Thailand as well as great snorkeling opportunities. There is no shortage of dive shops on the island.
Here are some of the dive sites around Phuket.
- Racha Noi and Racha Yai.
- Hin Musang.
- King Cruiser wreck.
- Similan islands.
- Surin islands.
Snorkeling gear can be rented from dive shops on the many beaches in Phuket.
Go, Island Hopping
Phuket is close to a couple of islands that have some awesome beaches and is an enjoyable day out visiting the islands. Go can relax on the beach, go snorkeling, and more.
Some of these islands are as follows.
- Phi Phi islands.
- James Bond Island.
- Koh Panyi.
- Similan islands.
Visit The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Elephants can be found across Thailand but because of tourism and logging have suffered terrible abuse.
Elephant sanctuaries provide protection and rehabilitation. There is a fee to enter the elephant sanctuary but it is money well spent. As it helps to ruin the sanctuary.
Enjoy The Beaches
One thing Phuket does not lack is beaches. Phuket beaches have crystal clear water, comfortable breeze, blue lagoons, and white and soft sands.
Some beaches in Phuket have been damaged by over-development in the last 20 years. Here is a list of the best beaches in Phuket.
- Nai Harn beach.
- Kata Noi beach
- Bangtao beach.
- Freedom beach.
- Karon beach.
- Kata beach.
- More on the best beaches in Phuket.
Things To Do In Bangkok
Bangkok is truly a city that never sleeps. Other than the nightlife there are plenty of things to do in Bangkok. The challenge is trying to get around to doing it all.
Here are a couple of things to do in Bangkok Thailand.
Going Shopping
Bangkok is a great place to go shopping. There are huge shopping centers all around Bangkok that suit any budget.
Some of these shopping centers are as follows.
- Siam Paragon.
- Terminal 21.
- CentralWorld.
- MBK Center.
- Platinum Fashion Mall.
- Pantip Plaza.
Visit The Markets
There is no shortage of markets in Bangkok. These are from river markets to the standard markets. At these markets, you can buy anything from fruit, food, souvenirs, clothing, and more.
These are only a few markets in Bangkok.
- Chatuchak weekend market.
- Srinakarin train market.
- Damnoen Saduak floating market.
- Ratchada train market.
- Saphan Phut.
- Pratunam market.
See The Normal Touristy Things
There are the normal touristy things that everyone visiting Bangkok should try and do. These are as follows.
- Grand Palace and Wat Pra Kaew.
- See Wat Arun.
- Drink at the Sky Bar.
- Jim Thompson’s house.
- Visit Lumpini Park.
- Drink on Khao San Road.
- Try the street food.
- Watch kickboxing.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, which one to choose really depends on your personal preference. If you are looking to party and want to enjoy the beach lifestyle with some diving or other water sports then it is Phuket. If it is looking for more culture and trying new food with good nightlife then it is Bangkok.
Personally, I would choose Bangkok over Phuket as it has more to offer with a huge range of restaurants and a better variety of nightlife to enjoy.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on Phuket or Bangkok which one should you visit has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.