Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Guangzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Railay Beach?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Guangzhou Prices
China PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $104Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $104, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $139. 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 Guangzhou and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $58Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $116Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou 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.Guangzhou $14Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
- Guangzhou private airport transfer: $27
- [Airport transfer] Guangzhou Airport - Guangzhou city transfer service with a good reputation! <Private charter: $27
- Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
- Guangzhou Airport & Train Station Private Transfer English Driver: $32
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: $33
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou hotel: $33
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou Chimelong International Circus Private Transfer Service: $38
- Guangzhou Private Intercity Transfer Shenzhen, Dongguan and More: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Guangzhou 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 dayGuangzhou $34Railay Beach $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
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)$6.28
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Pizza$5.34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Guangzhou $18Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou：New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
- 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.18
- Reputable Private Guangzhou Tour Guide Service by Xaq: $5.00
- Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.72
- Discover Private Tour of Culture, Food & Pearl River: $6.99
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Private Guangzhou Tour with Comfortable Transportation: $16
- Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
- Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
- Pick Up Service and Tour for Canton Culture and Food: $26
- Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30
- Chen Clan Academy In-Depth 2-Hour Guided Tour: $31
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 dayGuangzhou $14Railay 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$1.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guangzhou and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guangzhou or Railay Beach?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou or Railay Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guangzhou is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Guangzhou, it's very sunny this time of the year. Guangzhou usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during summer. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Guangzhou usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
In the autumn, Guangzhou is cooler than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Guangzhou in October average around 25°C (76°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Guangzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Guangzhou usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Railay Beach in the Winter?
Both Railay Beach and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Guangzhou is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 14°C (58°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Guangzhou during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
Guangzhou is cooler than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in April than Railay Beach. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.