Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Datong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Datong or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Datong or Railay Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Datong or Railay Beach?
Datong
If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.
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 China, The Best Cultural 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 dayDatong $57Railay Beach $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Datong is $57, 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 Datong and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDatong $24Railay Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDatong $48Railay Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Datong and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Datong 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.Datong $13Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong
Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
- Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35
- Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
- Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
- Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
- Private Round-Trip Transfer Service to Hanging Temple and Hengshan from Datong: $118
- Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
- Flexible Private Transfer Service from Datong to Pingyao with Sightseeing Stops: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Datong or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Datong 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 dayDatong $20Railay 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.Datong $26Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Datong
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.
- Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
- YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
- Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
- Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
- Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
- Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
- Private Custom Tour: Datong City in One Day: $180
- Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong: $186
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188
- Datong Private Day Tour to Deshengbu and Zhenchuankou Great Wall with Lunch: $190
- Temples and Grottoes Private Full–Day Tour: $198
- Datong Day Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple: $203
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 dayDatong $13Railay 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Datong and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Datong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Datong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Datong 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 Datong.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Datong 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.