A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chichibu-Tama-Kai vs. Railay Beach for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a relaxing, natural, and beautiful national park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a fun-filled, adventurous, and dramatic beach area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Railay Beach. Although Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Railay Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Railay Beach is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chichibu-Tama-Kai is known for its museums and hiking. Railay Beach is more touristy than Chichibu-Tama-Kai and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. It is also home to Phra Nang Cave. Chichibu-Tama-Kai is popular for its beautiful hikes and accessibility from Tokyo.

How is Chichibu-Tama-Kai different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a moderate national park for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are hikes that pass by historic villages and you'll see several ancient shrines such as Musashi-Mitake-jinja Shrine. Between the months of June and November you may even be able to see kagura, which is a traditional Shinto dance performance that has been passed down through the generations.

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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Railay Beach is a beach area with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Railay Beach. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. There are a couple of restaurants in and near the park, but if you're going for a longer hike, you're better off packing your own picnic.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Railay Beach is a beach area with good options for nightlife. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Railay Beach has a few options to choose from. 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is great for its luxury resorts. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a resort destination.

In Railay Beach, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a resort destination.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Railay Beach is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is great for its beaches. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Railay Beach attract visitors from all over. 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a beach destination.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes in this park that include everything from day trip hikes and multi-day treks with camping and mountain huts available. The trails run along gorges, pass by lakes, and take you through pristine forests.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Railay Beach is adequate for shopping. However, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Railay Beach is a good destination for shopping. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a very family-friendly place to visit. This national park offers educational programs, hiking, and outdoor adventures that the entire family can enjoy. If you kids need a break from history and cities, then this is the perfect place to reconnect with nature for a few days.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly national park. 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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a great national park if you're traveling as a couple. Hiking, natural beauty, and adrenaline-filled adventures all make this a wonderful couples destination for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of town.

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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for backpackers.

Railay Beach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's less than two hours from Tokyo, so backpackers can enjoy easy access to an accessible natural area.

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. It's recommended that you have a car to efficiently explore the park. There are some bus options within the park, such as the Nishi Tokyo Bus that runs to popular hiking spots in the Okutama and Mitake areas and the Yamanashi Kotsu bus service that goes to trails in Yamanashi.

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

Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its high level of walkability.

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.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a very walkable national park. There are hiking trails that cater to every level, from beginner to more experienced.

For even more information, also check out Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Worth Visiting? and Is Railay Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Chichibu-Tama-Kai?

How long in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

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

Couples should spend more time in Railay Beach than Chichibu-Tama-Kai. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Railay Beach than Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Railay Beach.

One day in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

In Chichibu-Tama-Kai, many people enjoy the that this peaceful national park offers. 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 national park.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Railay Beach, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the fun-filled beach area of Railay Beach, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

You'll find around the peaceful destination of Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Railay Beach. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Railay Beach experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Chichibu-Tama-Kai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chichibu-Tama-Kai as well as Railay Beach. The winter months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the museums and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

The weather in Chichibu-Tama-Kai can be very cold. In January, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai average around 4°C (39°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Chichibu-Tama-Kai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Chichibu-Tama-Kai this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai is much colder than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Chichibu-Tama-Kai