Pick Phuket for more amenities and nightlife; pick Krabi for a quieter stay among limestone cliffs.
- Phuket: a large island with many beaches and an international airport; Patong is busy, Kata – Karon quieter.
- Krabi: base yourself in Ao Nang, take boats to Railay and the 4-island tour; beautiful and less hectic.
- Both offer tours to the Phi Phi islands.
- You can combine them: fly into Phuket and take the ferry to Krabi via Phi Phi.
Note: from May to October the Andaman Sea is rough and many island tours are cancelled.