Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Dalian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dalian or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dalian 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: Dalian or Railay Beach?
Dalian
Dalian, China is a very large peninsula city located in the southernmost part of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The area has a wealth of history, with roots in Russian and Japanese rule, resulting in unique architecture and many universities that attract foreign students and teachers. Dalian is also known for their beautiful green spaces and relaxing beaches which juxtapose a lot of the more industrial cities found throughout other areas of northern China.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, and The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDalian $106Railay Beach $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Dalian is $106, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $119. 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 Dalian and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDalian $56Railay Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDalian $112Railay Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Dalian and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Dalian 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dalian $42Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dalian
Also for Dalian, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $27
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dalian Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dalian or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Dalian 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 dayDalian $28Railay Beach $24
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)$6.18
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Pizza$5.25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dalian $4.91Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Dalian
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dalian.
- Dalian City Private Day Tour in Your Way: $250
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)$22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDalian $6.48Railay Beach $17
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$1.85
When comparing the travel costs between Dalian and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach 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. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dalian Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dalian or Railay Beach?
Dalian 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 Dalian or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Dalian during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
In the summer, Dalian is cooler than Railay Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dalian in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 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 Dalian. Dalian usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Dalian gets 202 mm (8 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDalian 24°C (75°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dalian and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Dalian is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Dalian average around 15°C (58°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dalian usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Dalian gets 30 mm (1.2 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDalian 15°C (58°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dalian as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
Dalian can get quite cold in the winter. Dalian is much colder than Railay Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Dalian averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Dalian usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Dalian gets 9 mm (0.4 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDalian -4°C (25°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dalian or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Dalian are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Dalian is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dalian in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 29°C (84°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Dalian usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Dalian gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDalian 11°C (51°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Dalian
| Dalian | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (28°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | -0°C (32°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.