Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Harbin?
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 Harbin 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 Harbin and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Railay Beach?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Harbin Prices
China PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $66Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $66, 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 Harbin and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Harbin 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.Harbin $1.52Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
- 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
- Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $24Railay Beach $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
- Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
- Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300
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.Harbin $53Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Harbin Ice and Snow World Ticket Booking: $51
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin Summer Indoor Ice and Snow World Tour: $136
- Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150
- Private Half Day Tour Harbin ConfucianTemple and Temple of Bliss (Jile Si): $157
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Private Half Day City Tour including Russian Town and Harbin Ropeway Ride: $198
- Small Group Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $199
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
- Private Half Day Tour to Unit 731 Museum and Sites in Harbin: $218
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 dayHarbin $7.96Railay Beach $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin
Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250
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 Harbin and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Harbin or Railay Beach?
Harbin 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 Harbin or Railay Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
In July, Harbin is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 24°C (75°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Harbin usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHarbin 24°C (75°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
Both Railay Beach and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Harbin is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In October, Harbin usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHarbin 7°C (44°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Railay Beach in the Winter?
Both Railay Beach and Harbin during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Harbin. In the winter, Harbin is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Harbin in January average around -18°C (-0°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Harbin usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Railay Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Harbin is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around 8°C (46°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Harbin usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 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 AprilHarbin 8°C (46°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Harbin
| Harbin | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 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.