A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arrowtown vs. Railay Beach for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Arrowtown 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 Arrowtown and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a historic, charming, and quaint town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a dramatic, spectacular, and fun-filled beach area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Arrowtown and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arrowtown. Although Arrowtown and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Arrowtown has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arrowtown is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Railay Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Arrowtown is popular for its gold rush history, impressive ski slopes, and famous hikes. It is also home to the Chinese Settlement. Railay Beach is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing.

How is Arrowtown different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Railay Beach and Arrowtown. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Skiing?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Railay Beach is not a skiing destination.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. In the area you'll find amazing skiing that ranges from professional level to family-friendly.

Railay Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is very good for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Arrowtown is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town feels likes a living museum with its historic sights. There's also the Lakes District Museum in town that you can visit.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Railay Beach. This is an adventure sport destination that is popular for rock climbing and its scenic beauty. Therefore, there are no real museums or temples in the area.

Is the Food Better in Arrowtown or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arrowtown makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town, there's a surprising number of great restaurants with award winning chefs. You'll find quaint cafes, traditional eateries, and casual restaurants where you can sample the local dishes.

Railay Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a number of tourist oriented restaurants. Many are affiliated with hotels and resorts and serve the standard Thai options along with pizza and burgers.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Both Arrowtown and Railay Beach have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Arrowtown. For such a small town, there's a surprisingly bustling nightlife scene with casual pubs and waterfront bars.

Railay Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a secluded area with a decent number of laid back bars that are usually associated with hotels or resorts. There's also a young crowd, including backpackers, who come for the beautiful setting and great rock climbing. This population insures that there's always something going on at night.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Railay Beach. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Arrowtown is not a resort destination.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Arrowtown is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Railay Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are famous for their dramatic limestone cliffs. There are three areas: Railay Beach West is scenic with its surrounding cliffs and popular resorts. This is the place to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is most popular for its rock climbing. You should also check out Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is the location of Phra Nang Cave.

Arrowtown is not a beach destination.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for its Old Town?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Arrowtown. This is a quirky and charming historic mining town that has many cottages and historic buildings. Many places have been restored to maintain their original character.

Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

Arrowtown is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Arrowtown specifically for its hiking. Many people use this town as a jumping off point for some of the world's most iconic hikes. You can explore Lord of the Rings country or do one of fifteen different listed walks in the area.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Arrowtown is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping is an experience in town. Head to Buckingham Street, which is the main street in town. You can wander through a wild west setting with local vendors and quirky galleries.

If you're looking to go shopping, Railay Beach has some nice offerings. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Arrowtown is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Arrowtown is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the old world charm as much as adults. There's gold panning, bike trails, and even a historic Chinese village. During the winter there are snow sports and during the summer there are outdoor activities that take advantage of the nice weather.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly town. This is a favorite beach area for many visitors to Thailand. It's only accessible by water and it offers adventure sports and calm waters that are nice for kids.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Both Arrowtown and Railay Beach are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Arrowtown makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming atmosphere and beautiful walks make this a great weekend destination for couples. You can take a stroll on the Arrow River Walkway or grab a meal at a quaint cafe followed by ice cream at a classic ice cream parlor.

Couples visit Railay Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arrowtown and Railay Beach are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Arrowtown is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels in town and backpackers love the frequent festivals and activities that the town hosts.

Railay Beach is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of affordable accommodation that attracts budget travelers and backpackers. The area's world class rock climbing also appeals to the young and adventurous crowd.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arrowtown is very good for its public transit. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for times when you don't have a car.

Arrowtown has a few public transit options. There are public buses throughout the region.

Public transit is mostly limited in Railay Beach. The area is only accessible by boat and there is no road transportation.

Is Arrowtown or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is terrific for its walkability. Also, Arrowtown is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Railay Beach. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

Arrowtown is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arrowtown Worth Visiting? and Is Railay Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Arrowtown?

How long in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Arrowtown or Railay Beach. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Railay Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arrowtown, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

Families should spend more time in Arrowtown than Railay Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Arrowtown, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arrowtown than Railay Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arrowtown that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arrowtown than Railay Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arrowtown.

One day in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beach area of Railay Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the hiking. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Railay Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dramatic beach area of Railay Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arrowtown or Railay Beach?

Arrowtown is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Railay Beach is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Arrowtown and Railay Beach, we can see that Arrowtown is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Arrowtown is in Pacific and Railay Beach is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arrowtown Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.