Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Railay Beach
If you're looking to scale great heights and add more achievements to your list during your vacation, consider a trip to the peninsula of Rai Leh, or more commonly Railay Bay or Railay Beach, in the Krabi region of Thailand. This swimming and rock climbing hotspot is known for its towering limestone peaks and gorgeous surrounding scenery.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Railay Beach $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $115. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Railay Beach $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Railay Beach $138
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Railay Beach $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer: $19
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $31
- Private Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket with Transfers Option: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Cruise Port to Abu Dhabi city: $40
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Port to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $40
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Port: $40
- Arrival Transfer Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi by Car or SUV: $40
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $45Railay Beach $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dhow cruise with Buffet dinner & Burj Khalifa view in Canal: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $37
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $59
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $63
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $65
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.93
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Pizza$5.04
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Railay Beach $25
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $8.17
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Qasar Al Hosn Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets: $13
- Louvre Join an Express Tour: $14
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
- Skip the Line Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum General Admission Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket and Abu Dhabi Welcome Pass: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Rock Climbing (for Two)$21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Railay Beach $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Beer$1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Railay Beach, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Railay Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Railay Beach is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Railay Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Railay Beach and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Railay Beach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
Both Railay Beach and Abu Dhabi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Railay Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.