Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Railay Beach?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Railay Beach $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Railay Beach $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Railay Beach $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Railay Beach $22
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)$5.46
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Pizza$4.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Railay Beach $23
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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)$19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Railay Beach $15
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$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Railay Beach?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. Islamabad is a little warmer than Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 32°C (90°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 247 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 Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Islamabad in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 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. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
In January, Islamabad is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 14°C (57°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the winter, Islamabad often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Islamabad 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.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during spring. Islamabad gets 258 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. In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 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 AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.