Koh Samui is a famous island in the Gulf of Thailand, close to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. KOh Phi Phi is also a popular island of Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea, close to Phuket and Krabi.
In this article, I will compare Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui to help you decide which island is best suited for you. I will outline their similarities and differences in terms of locations, accommodations, beaches, nightlife, food, shopping, and attractions.
I traveled to both islands and many other parts of Thailand, so I hope I can give us some useful comparisons based on my personal experiences.
Is it better to visit Koh Phi Phi vs Koh Samui?
I personally visited both Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. I walked around Koh Phi Phi and rode a scooter around Koh Samui, so I was able to explore most parts of these islands.
I enjoyed Koh Samui for its good mix of beaches, good nightlife, shopping, and a wide range of other interesting cultural and natural attractions to explore. It’s also easier to access because it’s home to an international airport, which is only around 1 hour from Bangkok and Phuket.
I enjoyed Koh Phi Phi for its beautiful natural landscapes of beaches and mountains. It has a crowded and backpacker party atmosphere in the main village, but you can still find quiet resorts and beaches for relaxation.
It’s really well worth staying on the island a couple of nights rather than taking a day trip, which only allows you to visit Maya Bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh island. The main island of Koh Phi has plenty of other things to explore such as hiking, checking out the viewpoints, and enjoying the sunset and sunrise.
In Koh Samui, I liked the easily accessible beaches and attractions. Most places are reachable by a scooter or a car. While in Koh Phi Phi, many beaches are only accessible by boats or by a long hike. The viewpoints of Phi Phi are only accessible by steep paths.
I would recommend visiting Koh Samui if you want a big and developed island with a good combination of accessibility, beaches, and tourist amenities, and activities.
I would recommend staying in Koh Phi Phi if you are enjoying the stunning natural beauty of the beaches and limestone cliffs. The island has some of the best beaches in Thailand.
Koh Samui is more a family-friendly destination while Koh Phi Phi attracts budget travelers and backpackers more. Koh Samui has all amenities for long-term visitors and expats, while Koh Phi Phi is mostly for short term visitors (day trips or just a few nights’ stays).
If your time allows, you can visit both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi within a single trip. You can take a direct flight between Phuket and Koh Samui that takes about 1 hour, and a 2-hour boat ride between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi.
My recommended hotels in Koh Samui:
- Luxury: Centara Reserve
- Mid-range: OZO Chaweng
- Budget: Chaweng Cove Beach Resort
Best Hotels in in Koh Phi Phi:
- Luxury: SAii Phi Phi Island Village
- Mid-range: Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort
- Budget: Phi Phi Villa Resort
Location & How to Get There
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi are located in South Thailand. Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, near Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Koh Phi Phi is located in the Andaman Sea, half way between Phuket and Ao Nang/ Krabi.
There is no direct connection between Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi. You can travel between these two islands by the combination of boats and buses, and airplanes and boats.
Koh Samui has an international airport, so it’s easier accessible by air, just around an hour flight from Bangkok. Additionally, you can get to Koh Samui by taking boats from piers on nearby islands and mainlands such as Koh Phangan, Ko Tao, Chumphon, and Surat Thani.
Koh Phi Phi is only accessible by boat, there is no airport on the island. The closest airports to Koh Phi Phi are Phuket airport and Krabi Airport. You can fly into these places, then take boats to Koh Phi Phi.
There are also plenty of connections between Koh Phi Phi with other islands on the Andaman Sea like Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Yai/ Noi, Koh Lipe, Ao Nang/ Raily, and Phuket.
Beaches
Both islands have beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing, watching the sunset, and partying. I personally prefer the beaches in Koh Phi Phi more because it has white fine sand, crystal clear water, and stunning scenery of the dramatic limestone cliffs.
Most beaches on Koh Samui are easily accessible from the main road by car and scooter. In Koh Phi Phi, many beaches are only accessible by long tail boats or a long hike through the jungle, which creates a more secluded atmosphere.
As the larger island, Koh Samui has longer beaches with a different atmosphere. The main beaches are located on the east coast and northern coast of the island. The beaches on the west offer a more peaceful atmosphere.
Chaweng is the main beach and tourist hub of Koh Samui. The beach is around 7km long and is lined with beachfront resorts, restaurants, and bars. The central part of Chaweng Beach is very lively at night, with large beach clubs and bustling crowds.
The second most popular beach on Koh Samui is Lamai Beach. This is a 3km long beach that has a quieter atmosphere than Chaweng. At the southern end of the beach is the rock formation, Hin Ta Hin Yai, where you can enjoy stunning views of the whole coast.
The third most popular beach of Koh Samui is Bo Phut Beach. This beach has more high-end restaurants and bars. The beach sands and waters are not as good as Lamai and Chaweng but still a great place for swimming and watersport activities.
The Bophut Fishing Walking Street running parallel with the beach adds a charming atmosphere to the area. Lots of nice boutiques, restaurants, and bars along the beach front and at Walking Street.
Other quieter beaches on Koh Samui are Mae Nam, Choeng Mon Beach, and Ban Tai on the north coast, as well as Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam Beach on the west coast. If you want a secluded atmosphere, these beaches are places for you.
Koh Phi Phi also has both party beaches and remote ones. The main beaches of the island are Loh Dalum Beach and Ton Sai Beach, located right next to the island’s main village.
These places are always busy with boats and people and especially lively at sunset and evening with big beach clubs and fire shows.
If you want a bit quieter atmosphere but still close to the main town for nightlife and shops, you can check out Long Beach. It’s just a 15 minutes walk along the beautiful coastal town from the main village. Off Long Beach is the Blacktip Reef Shark Point, which is a famous snorkeling/ diving spot on Phi Phi.
From Long Beach, you can take a short walk to the more secluded Loh Moo Dee Beach. Unlike other beaches on the island, there are almost no tourist amenities on this beach, just a small mobile beach bar.
Not everyone likes the busy and crowded atmosphere of the main beaches on Phi Phi. If you belong to this group, you must check out the beaches on the north coast, only accessible by long tails boats or a long hike from the main village.
Laem Tong is my favorite beach north of Koh Phi Phi that has a quieter atmosphere but also numerous trendy restaurants and bars on the beachfront. Additionally, you can visit Nui bay, Loh Lana, and Loh Ba Kao beach that has an even more peaceful vibe.
That’s the beaches on Koh Phi Phi Don, you must check out the Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi Leh, which is a picture-perfect paradise in Thailand. It’s only accessible by boats. Visitors are not allowed to swim here, but you can admire its beauty and swim or snorkel farther out with the views of the bay.
Size
Koh Phi Phi islands are home to two main islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is where the pier, hotels, and tourist amenities are located. Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island that is home to the famous Maya Bay, Pi Leh Bay, and Viking Cave.
Both islands have compact size. Phi Phi Don is the bigger island, around 7km long and 3km width. If you are an active traveler, you can get around the island on foot easily.
Koh Samui is one of the biggest islands in Thailand. It is 20km long and 14 km wide. There is a ring road running around the island. It is a 50km long road and takes around 1-1.5 hours to drive around the island.
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi have mountainous terrain with winding steep roads in Koh Samui and steep trails in Koh Phi Phi. It’s great for the view, hiking, but if you are driving (in Koh Samui), make sure to be more cautious with the road conditions.
Accommodations
Both islands have plenty of accommodation options for all preferences. Koh Samui is a more developed island, it has a wider range of luxury resorts.
Major areas to stay in Samui are Chaweng, Lamai, and Bophut. Chaweng is the party hub of the island. Lamai has cheaper accommodations of the three, while Bo Phut is a more up-scale area of Samui. You will be able to find backpacker hotels and luxury beachfront resorts in all areas of Samui.
In Koh Phi Phi, you can find budget backpacker hostels and mid-range hotels in the main village, along Ton Sai Beach, and Loh Dalum Beach. These are also party hubs of the island.
If you want more luxury resorts and a quieter atmosphere, it’s best to choose accommodations along Long Beach or at the more remote locations such as Laem Tong and Loh Ba Kao Beach.
Koh Phi Phi has many accommodations located high on the hill or in remote beaches. If you stay high on the hill, you might have stunning views but it will be challenging to get your suitcase to the hotel.
If you stay in remotest beaches, you will need an additional long tail boat to get to your hotel when arriving at the island’s main pier, Ton Sai Pier. Most hotels in Koh Samui are easily accessible by road.
On both islands, accommodations are generally very expensive and tend to sell out quickly during the high season, from November to May. So make sure to book well in advance whenever you choose to visit.
See more:
Nightlife
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi have a vibrant nightlife scene. Koh Samui has a wide range of nightlife including wild and laid-back experience for party animals, families, couples, and solo travelers. The nightlife in Koh Phi Phi is more for backpackers and young crowds.
The nightlife in Koh Phi Phi is concentrated in Tonsai Village, Tonsai Beach, and Loh Dalum Beach. There are plenty of bars and clubs along the narrow streets inside the village as well as big beach clubs along Loh Dalum. There are fire shows, live music, and the partying often goes late into the night.
The hub of the wild nightlife in Koh Samui is Chaweng. There are dozens of bars, restaurants, and clubs along the main road of Chaweng and at the beachfront. Loud music is everywhere.
Lamai and Bophut also have a great nightlife scene with good bars, clubs, restaurants, and night markets. Other parts of the island have a quieter nightlife atmosphere.
In addition to the bars and clubs, the selection of night markets in Koh Samui also adds the lively atmosphere to the nightlife scene of the island.
I’m not interested in the party and enjoyed browsing the night markets for street food and souvenirs. I recommend checking out Bophut Fishermen Walking Street, Lamai night market, Chaweng Night market, and Si Khao Night Market.
Shopping
Koh Samui, without a doubt, is the best place to go for shopping. As the more developed island, it has modern shopping malls and a range of night markets in all the main beach towns. So, if you want to do shopping, Koh Samui is a better place to go.
You can easily find luxury and mid-range brand products at Central Samui Shopping Center in Chaweng. For affordable local souvenirs and fun bargain shopping, make sure to visit Chaweng night market, Lamai Night Market, and Bophut night market.
Ko Phi Phi has no modern shopping malls but it’s packed with local shops along the narrow streets of Tonsai Village. You can find typical Thai souvenirs, beach wear, and accessories.
Food
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi have a wide range of Thai street food and fresh seafood dishes. You can find classic Thai food such as mango sticky rice, Thai pineapple fried rice, pad thai, and Thai curry on both islands.
As the larger and more developed island, Koh Samui has a wider range of upscale dining and restaurants serving international dishes such as Mexican, Indian, and Italian.
Both islands have some fast food chains such as Mc Donald, KFC, and King Burger. These fast food restaurants in Koh Phi Phi are located right at Tonsai Pier, the main pier of the island. These places can be found in major towns of Samui such as Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai.
Cultural attractions
Koh Phi Phi is best known for its natural attractions and there is no significant cultural attraction on this island. If you want to explore cultural and historical attractions, Koh Samui has several options for you to explore.
Koh Samui is home to some beautiful temples, peaceful gardens, and charming fishing villages. The top attractions are the Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, Wat Khunaram, Tarnim Magic Garden, Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks, and Bophut Fisherman Village.
The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem are located in the north eastern side of the island. It has beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. The Big Buddha has stunning views of the surrounding beaches. They are both active temples in Samui where locals come to pray.
Wat Khunaram is another spiritual attraction located near Lamai beach. It’s home to the mummified body of Luang Pho Daeng, a monk who lived and meditated at the temple. He passed away in 1973, and his body was preserved after his death, displayed in a seated meditation pose inside a glass case.
The lesser known Red Temple Wat Ratchathammaram is also worth visiting if you’re in Lamai. It has beautiful architecture and good views of the beach. You can combine a visit to this temple with the nearby Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.
To change the scene from the temples, you can check out the peaceful Tarnim Magic Garden in the central hills of Koh Samui. It is a beautiful landscaped garden with a small stream and many Hindu and Buddhist statues. Driving on the road to Tarnim garden also offers a great experience and refreshing air.
Viewpoints and Hiking
Both Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi have mountainous terrain, so you can enjoy the beautiful views from many viewpoints around these islands.
Famous viewpoints on Koh Samui are the Overlap Stones 1, 2, and 3. These are a unique rock formation located high on the mountain, offering stunning views of the sea.
Other viewpoints on Samui are the Big Buddha Viewpoint, Hin Ta Hin Yai, Pra Buddha Dīpankara, and Lad Koh View Point. Many bars in Samui are located high on the hill, such as Jungle Club Samui, offering stunning views especially at sunset.
The most popular viewpoints in Koh Phi Phi are Phi Phi Viewpoint 1,2,3. It has views of the island’s main village and two main beaches, Tonsai and Loh Dalum. It requires a challenging hike from Ton Sai village over a steep staircase.
The hike to these view points from the beaches in the north of Phi Phi such as Loh Ban Kao and Laem Tong is easier with less steep stair case but still through a jungle trail.
In terms of hiking, I prefer the hike in Koh Phi Phi. I hiked almost around the island. When the tide is low, you hike along the coast line from the main village, to Loh Lana, Nui Bay, Laem Thong, and Loh Ban Kao. Then from these beaches, I hiked back to the village via Phi Phi Viewpoint 1,2,3.
I also enjoy the hike from Tonsai Village to Long Beach, and the hike from Viewpoint 1,2,3 to Phak Nam Bay. There isn’t much road traffic on Phi Phi, so it’s a pleasant walk and hike around the island. Just be mindful of the heat and make sure to bring a hat with you.
I didn’t do much hiking around Koh Samui as most places are reachable by scooter. But I did have a great hike on the jungle trail at Hin Lad waterfall. I wanted to hike to the top of Na Muang waterfall 2 but it was closed during my visit.
Waterfalls
Koh Phi Phi is not known for the waterfalls. Koh Samui has some beautiful waterfalls to explore. The three most famous waterfalls on the island are Na Muang waterfall 1, Na Muang Waterfall 2, and Hin Lad Waterfall.
These places are best to visit in the rainy season when the water is at their fullest and most impressive. Na Muang waterfall 1, and Hin Lad Waterfall are great places for swimming.
Island Hopping
There are island hopping opportunities in Koh Phi Phi because it’s located in the Andaman Sea where there are many islands with direct boat connections from Koh Phi Phi.
From Koh Phi Phi, you can take boats to Phuket and other parts of Krabi Province. These are the two famous places in South Thailand. Phuket is the country’s largest island, with a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
Other parts of Krabi Province include Ao Nang, Railay, and Koh Lanta, which all have beautiful natural landscapes. They are just 2-3 hours boat ride from Koh Phi Phi.
There are also boat connections between Koh Phi Phi with James Bond island, Koh Lipe, Ko Hong, and many other small islands in the Andaman Sea.
If you stay in Koh Phi Phi, you must rent a private boat or take a guided tour to visit Koh Phi Phi Leh with the iconic Maya Bay, Pileh Bay, and VIking Cave. I rented a private boat and early in the morning, the sunrise on the beach was also very beautiful.
Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, and there are less opposites for island hopping in this region. But you can take boat trips to its neighboring islands, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Koh Tao is known as one of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. It has many affordable diving schools where you can take diving certificates.
Koh Phangan is known for its monthly Full Moon Party at the Haad Rin Beach at the southern tip of the island. Additionally, the island is also known for its wellness retreat, healthy lifestyle, and lots of natural attractions and hiking trails.
Getting Around
I rented a scooter to get around Koh Samui and used a Grab taxi to travel from Chaweng to Lamai. In Koh Phi Phi, I explored the main island, Phi Phi Don, on foot, and I rented a private long tail boat to get to Maya bay and Koh Phi Phi Leh.
Koh Samui is a more developed island, so it has plenty of taxi, tuk tuk, and riding share services such as Grab, Bolt, and InDriver. The taxi price on Koh Samui is generally expensive compared to other parts of Thailand. I paid 500 baht for a taxi from Chaweng to Lami, which is only 10km away.
Renting a scooter is the cheapest way to explore the island. It also gives you more freedom to see places you want to see at your own pace. The price of the rental is around 250-300 baht per day.
Koh Samui has mountainous terrain with some winding steep roads, especially the roads to the viewpoints and the more remote areas, so make sure to drive carefully.
If you don’t plan to rent a scooter or a car, you can consider taking guided tours. There are dozens of local agencies in popular beach towns like Chaweng, Bophut, or Lamai. You can book safari tours, sightseeing tours, and snorkeling/ diving tours.
I didn’t see many vehicles on Koh Phi Phi. The whole Tonsai village, Loh Dalum Beach, and Tonsai Beach area are pedestrian-friendly areas. There are some local motorbikes, motorbike taxis, and songthaews that belong to the resorts in some other parts of the island.
It’s possible to explore all beaches of the island on foot. I walk all the way from the main village to beaches on the north such as Laem Tong, Nui Beach, Loh Lana, and Loh Ba Kao Bay. There is also a beautiful coastal path between Tonsai Beach and Long Beach.
If you don’t like walking which involves lots of steep paths, you can consider renting a long tail boat to explore the main island. To get to the famous Maya Beach on Koh Phi Phi Leh, you can rent a private boat or take a tour from many local tour shops in the main village.
See more:
- Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi
- Phuket or Koh Phi Phi
- Phuket or Koh Samui
- Chiang Mai or Koh Samui
- Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao
- Koh Phi Phi or Koh Tao
So, I hope you’ve found some useful recommendations after reading my comparison between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. Both islands are excellent places to visit for first-timers to Thailand. Koh Phi Phi is often known as popular day trip destinations from nearby Phuket and Krabi. Koh Samui is a larger island, attracting lots more long term travelers and expats.
Overall, I recommend Koh Samui if you want a big island with a wider range of attractions and amenities. It has an airport, making it easier accessible than Koh Phi Phi.
Koh Phi Phi is a better choice if you want white sandy beaches with crystal clear water and stunning views of the limestone cliffs. This island is small, with a good party and backpacker scene, and great snorkeling and diving.