Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Bandung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bandung or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bandung or Railay Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bandung or Railay Beach?
Bandung
Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Indonesia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBandung $41Railay Beach $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $41, 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 Bandung and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBandung $22Railay Beach $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBandung $44Railay Beach $138
Compare Hotels in Bandung and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Bandung 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: Bandung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bandung $6.01Railay Beach $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung
Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Cipanas Thermal to Jakarta Airport CGK Departure Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from Mampang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $33
- Private Transfer from Villa Istana Bunga to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Paledang: $36
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271: $36
- Transfer from Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271 to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer from Kec. Cibeunying Kidul Kel. 40124 to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Cikole: $36
- Private Transfer from Cikole to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Lembang: $36
- Private Transfer Bandung Airport (BDO) to Malabar: $36
- Private Transfer from Dago to Bandung Airport (BDO): $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Bandung 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 dayBandung $15Railay Beach $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung
For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bandung Food Tour: $67
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.Bandung $5.91Railay Beach $25
Tours and Activities in Bandung
For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ali's Batukaras Surf & Countryside Eco Tours : $27
- Stone Garden Western Tour From Bandung: $39
- Kawah Rengganis Private Hiking and Glamping Lakeside Tour from Bandung: $41
- Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $43
- Daytrip Costum White Crater Volcano Mount Tour Guide Bandung: $50
- Kawah Putih tour - Day trip Ticket etc all including : $50
- Private Guided Sightseeing Day Tour of Bandung: $50
- Bandung:Kawah Putih,Volcano,HotSpring,Mud Bathing,Lake Tour: $53
- Kawah Putih Tour From Bandung City: $58
- Tangkuban Parahu Volcano North Bandung Private Tour : $65
- White Crater Day Trip Private Tour Bandung Kawah Putih All In: $66
- Private Rafting Adventure in Pangalengan with Lunch: $67
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 dayBandung $3.60Railay 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 Bandung and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Railay Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Railay Beach than you might in Bandung.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bandung Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
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.