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

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

Can Tho

Can Tho is a vibrant, friendly, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a fun-filled, adventurous, and dramatic beach area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Can Tho and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Can Tho. Although Can Tho and Railay Beach are popular destinations, Can Tho has more sights and attractions for tourists. Can Tho is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Railay Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is famous for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. It is also well known for Cai Rang Floating Market. Railay Beach is famous for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing.

How is Can Tho different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Can Tho is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Can Tho specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

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 Can Tho or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Can Tho 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, Can Tho makes for a great culinary experience. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

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 Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Can Tho and Railay Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Can Tho has a few options to choose from. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Railay Beach. 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 Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is great for its luxury resorts. However, Can Tho 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.

Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Is Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Can Tho 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.

Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is great for the beache. However, Can Tho 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.

Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

Can Tho is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Can Tho is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

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 Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Can Tho 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.

Can Tho is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly city. 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 Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

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

Can Tho is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Railay Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Is Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Can Tho and Railay Beach are very good places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Can Tho. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Railay Beach is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Can Tho or Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Can Tho and Railay Beach both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

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

Is Can Tho or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Railay Beach is a very easy beach area to get around on foot. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable city. The city center is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Can Tho 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 Can Tho, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

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

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

One day in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

In Can Tho, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Railay Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

Can Tho is a fun place to experience. 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 shopping. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Railay Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Railay Beach has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Can Tho. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Railay Beach is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Can Tho or Railay Beach?

Can Tho is a popular place to visit. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Railay Beach. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Railay Beach. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Can Tho much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Can Tho would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Can Tho 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 Can Tho.

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

When is the best time to visit Can Tho or Railay Beach?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Can Tho or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Can Tho during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually gets more rain in July than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Can Tho often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Can Tho is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 28°C (82°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Can Tho or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Can Tho usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Can Tho gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Can Tho is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Can Tho or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Railay Beach. Can Tho 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. Can Tho usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 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 Can Tho this time of the year. In the winter, Can Tho often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Can Tho is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Can Tho in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Can Tho or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Can Tho are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho 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 Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. In April, Can Tho usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during spring. Can Tho gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Can Tho is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 29°C (84°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Can Tho