A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Railay Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Doha 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 Doha 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.

Where Should I go: Doha or Railay Beach?

Doha

Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.

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 Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $105. 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 Doha and Railay Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Railay Beach $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Doha and Railay Beach

Looking for a hotel in Doha 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.

Hotels in Doha


Hotels in Railay Beach


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: Doha Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Railay Beach $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
  • Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay : $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Easy Airport Transfers (Airport to Hotel): $30
  • Airport Transfer-Hamad International Airport, Doha-Qatar: $34
  • Airport Transfer (To and From Doha City): $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer - Doha: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Railay Beach?

Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Doha 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Doha $61
    Railay Beach $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $76
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
  • Doha Private Full Day Desert Safari Lunch | Dinner Included: $190
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
  • Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $197
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
  • Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
  • Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $234
  • From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299

Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pizza
    $4.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Railay Beach $23

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.02
  • Doha International Airpor: Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.02
  • Doha Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Qatar Quiz: $19
  • Al Safliya Island Photo Tour: $25
  • Al Safliya Island Boat Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $30
  • City Highlights Layover Tour: $32
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha City Tour (Private Tour): $35
  • Doha Geocaching & City Tour Combo: $35
  • Sharing City Tour From MSC Virtuosa/Mein Schiff2: $35
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha Private or Group City Tour: $35
  • 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $40

Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Rock Climbing (for Two)
    $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Railay Beach $15

Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.64


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Railay Beach, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Railay Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Railay Beach is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Railay Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Railay Beach 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha than you might in Railay Beach.

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


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