Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Railay Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Railay Beach?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Railay Beach $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $105. 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 Aqaba and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Railay Beach $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Railay Beach $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport transfer to Aqaba City: $25
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Arava Border: $27
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba City Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $36
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $40
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $40
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba Port: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $42Railay Beach $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $64
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner : $88
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner Under the Stars: $135
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- From Aqaba to Wadi Rum ,Jeep Tour with Dinner (Half Day): $185
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)$5.46
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Pizza$4.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Railay Beach $23
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- 3-Hour Shore Dive or Snorkel Experiences in Aqaba: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Full Day Private Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum: $36
- Discover Aqaba in Style: A 3-h City Tour by Car with meal: $37
- Walking Tour History ,Culture & Food: $37
- Jeep Tours in Wadi Rum with Bedouin Guide 2,3,4,5 hours | Magic Bedouin Star: $38
- Mosaic Art Experience: $38
- 4-hour sunset tour of desert highlights: $40
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)$19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Railay Beach $15
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$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Railay Beach, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Railay Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba 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 Aqaba or Railay Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aqaba usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during summer. Aqaba gets 384 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
Aqaba can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Aqaba is generally a little warmer than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 33°C (91°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Railay Beach. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Aqaba usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In the autumn, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.
Aqaba is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Railay Beach in the Winter?
Both Railay Beach and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. In January, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. Aqaba usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Aqaba gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Aqaba is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aqaba in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Aqaba during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Aqaba usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aqaba. In the spring, Aqaba often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Aqaba gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
In April, Aqaba is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 24°C (75°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.