A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hiroshima vs. Railay Beach for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a park-filled, memorable, and meaningful city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a fun-filled, adventurous, and dramatic beach area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, nightlife, and food.

Hiroshima and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Railay Beach. Although Hiroshima and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Railay Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Railay Beach is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima is known for its museums & sights, food, and shopping. Railay Beach is more touristy than Hiroshima and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. It is also home to Phra Nang Cave. Hiroshima is popular for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Hiroshima different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Railay Beach and Hiroshima. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

Hiroshima is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Hiroshima that are not to be missed. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Railay Beach. This is an adventure sport destination that is popular for rock climbing and its scenic beauty. Therefore, there are no real museums or temples in the area.

Is the Food Better in Hiroshima or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hiroshima is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hiroshima makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Railay Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a number of tourist oriented restaurants. Many are affiliated with hotels and resorts and serve the standard Thai options along with pizza and burgers.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Hiroshima and Railay Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Hiroshima has a few options to choose from. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Railay Beach. It's a secluded area with a decent number of laid back bars that are usually associated with hotels or resorts. There's also a young crowd, including backpackers, who come for the beautiful setting and great rock climbing. This population insures that there's always something going on at night.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for its luxury resorts. However, Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

In Railay Beach, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Railay Beach is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for its beaches. However, Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Railay Beach attract visitors from all over. The beaches are famous for their dramatic limestone cliffs. There are three areas: Railay Beach West is scenic with its surrounding cliffs and popular resorts. This is the place to swim or watch the sunset. Railay Beach East is most popular for its rock climbing. You should also check out Phra Nang Cave Beach, which is the location of Phra Nang Cave.

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

Hiroshima is a well-known place for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Hiroshima is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

If you're looking to go shopping, Railay Beach has some nice offerings. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Both Hiroshima and Railay Beach are good to visit with kids.

Hiroshima offers lots of family activities. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly place to visit. This is a favorite beach area for many visitors to Thailand. It's only accessible by water and it offers adventure sports and calm waters that are nice for kids.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Railay Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Railay Beach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of affordable accommodation that attracts budget travelers and backpackers. The area's world class rock climbing also appeals to the young and adventurous crowd.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Hiroshima is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Railay Beach. The area is only accessible by boat and there is no road transportation.

Is Hiroshima or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Railay Beach is a very easy beach area to get around on foot. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

Hiroshima is a very walkable city. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Railay Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Hiroshima or Railay Beach. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Railay Beach due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hiroshima, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

Families should spend more time in Railay Beach than Hiroshima. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Railay Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Railay Beach than Hiroshima. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Railay Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Railay Beach than Hiroshima if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Railay Beach.

One day in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

In Hiroshima, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this memorable city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beach area of Railay Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

Hiroshima is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the dramatic destination of Railay Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the memorable destination of Hiroshima. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous beach area of Railay Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hiroshima or Railay Beach?

Hiroshima is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Railay Beach is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Hiroshima and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

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

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Hiroshima during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

Hiroshima is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Hiroshima often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 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 Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the shopping scene during these months. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Hiroshima is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hiroshima in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Hiroshima usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during autumn. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hiroshima usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Railay Beach. The winter months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

The weather in Hiroshima can be very cold. In January, Hiroshima is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 4°C (40°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In the winter, Hiroshima often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Hiroshima is much colder than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Hiroshima usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during spring. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. In April, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Hiroshima