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

Should you visit Hefei or Railay Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hefei 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: Hefei or Railay Beach?

Hefei

While most would consider the city of Hefei a pass-through destination, there are plenty of things to see in the capital city of China's Anhui province.

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 Adventure Tours to China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hefei and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Hefei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hefei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hefei 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 Hefei.

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

When is the best time to visit Hefei or Railay Beach?

Hefei 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 Hefei or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hefei and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Hefei is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 29°C (83°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hefei gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hefei usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Hefei gets 171 mm (6.7 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.

Should I visit Hefei or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hefei as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Hefei is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hefei averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Hefei usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Hefei gets 66 mm (2.6 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.

Should I visit Hefei or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Hefei 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.

Hefei can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hefei is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hefei in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In January, Hefei usually receives around the same amount of rain as Railay Beach. Hefei gets 30 mm (1.2 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.

Should I visit Hefei or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Hefei during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

In April, Hefei is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Hefei average around 16°C (61°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hefei usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Hefei gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Hefei