Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya: which Thai beach to choose

"Phuket or Krabi?" After a few days in Bangkok, most travellers want the sea, and three names keep coming up: Phuket, Krabi and Pattaya. They are very different places, and the right choice depends on your trip: family holiday, couple's getaway or honeymoon. Here are the differences, checked against several public sources, followed by our tips for choosing a hotel.

In short

• Phuket: the big island, with the widest choice of hotels and activities. A good pick for a first visit and for families, as long as you choose the right beach.
• Krabi: limestone cliffs, islands and a more nature-focused feel. A good pick for a honeymoon or a couple who enjoys boat trips.
• Pattaya: the closest beach to Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand. Handy for a short stay, with a nightlife reputation worth knowing about.

Phuket, the big island

Phuket is Thailand's largest island. It lies in the Andaman Sea, off the country's west coast, and the Sarasin Bridge links it to the mainland. It has its own international airport, with domestic flights from Bangkok.

Patong is the island's best-known and busiest beach, with Bangla Road and its bars and clubs: it is also the least suited to families. Kata and Karon, further south, are quieter and more popular with families. Before booking, ask how far the beach really is: some hotels described as "near the beach" mean taking a taxi or a shuttle.

Krabi, cliffs and islands

Krabi is a mainland province on the same Andaman Sea, served by its own international airport. Its main tourist base is Ao Nang, where many boats leave for nearby beaches and islands.

The landscape is made of limestone cliffs dropping into the sea. Railay, a small peninsula surrounded by cliffs, can only be reached by boat: there is no road. Climbers come from all over the world to scale its rock faces.

The Phi Phi Islands belong to Krabi province. You can reach them by boat from Krabi or from Phuket, on a day trip, or spend a night or two in a waterfront hotel.

Finally, more than a third of the people of Krabi province are Muslim, according to published figures. That matters to many Algerian families; still, ask your hotel whether its restaurant serves halal dishes.

Pattaya, the beach near Bangkok

Pattaya is a seaside resort on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 km south-east of Bangkok: you get there by road, with no extra flight. The city is known for its nightlife around Walking Street, so families should choose their area carefully. Just to the south, Jomtien is a long beach lined with hotels and residences. Offshore, Koh Larn island makes an easy day trip by boat.

When to go

On the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi), the best period runs roughly from November or December to February, when the sea is at its calmest. May to October is the rainy season: showers are often heavy but short. If you travel then, ask about boat trips before you book.

Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya: which suits your trip?

• Honeymoon: Krabi, Railay and the Phi Phi Islands for the scenery; Phuket if you want a wider choice of upscale hotels.
• Family with young children: Phuket, around Kata or Karon, rather than Patong.
• Nature and boat trips: Krabi, with Ao Nang as your base.
• Short stay from Bangkok: Pattaya, reachable by road.
• Both: many travellers combine Phuket and Krabi in a single trip.

Stopping in the capital first? Read our guide where to stay in Bangkok.

Paperwork in a nutshell

In principle, Algerian citizens need a visa for Thailand: Algeria was not on the official list of visa exemption or visa on arrival published in 2024 by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 1 May 2025, a digital arrival card must also be completed online within the three days before arrival. Check the current requirements with the embassy or the official website before you travel. Nreservi does not sell visa services.

Questions to ask before you book

• is the hotel really on the beach, or do you need a shuttle?
• does the restaurant serve halal dishes?
• can an airport transfer from Phuket or Krabi be arranged, and at what price?
• for an island: how does arrival by boat work, with luggage?
• what are the cancellation terms?

Book your hotel in dinars

On Nreservi, you book your hotel in Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya online. From Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. A question before booking? Ask NIA, our travel assistant.

See our hotels in Thailand

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.