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

Should you visit Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a historic, cultural, and well-preserved 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.

Kanazawa and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kanazawa. Although Kanazawa and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Kanazawa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kanazawa is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Railay Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Kanazawa is popular for its history, preserved architecture, and classically landscaped gardens. It is also home to Kenroku-en Garden. Railay Beach is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing.

How is Kanazawa different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kanazawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Kanazawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with history and you can visit the Kanazawa Castle, the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses, and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area. There are also museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the D.T. Suzuki Museum.

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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kanazawa 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, Kanazawa makes for a great culinary experience. There's a long history to the city's cuisine and you'll find many diverse dishes that combine traditional ingredients with international fusion. The cuisine uses a lot of seafood, but you'll also find the one pot meal of Hanton Rice, Oden (hot pot), and Jibu-ni (made with duck and vegetables).

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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Kanazawa and Railay Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Kanazawa has a few options to choose from. The town has everything from international style bars to local theaters that let you experience the traditional Japanese culture.

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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is great for its luxury resorts. However, Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Railay Beach. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Kanazawa is not a resort destination.

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

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

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Kanazawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

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

Railay Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Kanazawa is not a beach destination.

Is Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for its Old Town?

Kanazawa is very good for its historic old town. However, Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Kanazawa to see the historical old town. It's fascinating to visit both the Higashi Chaya Area with preserved Geisha houses and the Nagamachi Samurai House Area which has preserved samurai houses that line two canals. You can enter a few of the houses to see the traditional way of life.

Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

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

Kanazawa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many shopping districts that include department stores, traditional stores, and large markets. This is a great place to do some souvenir shopping.

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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Kanazawa or Railay Beach.

Kanazawa offers lots of family activities. Myouryuji Temple is a fun temple for kids where they can play ninja and discover the hidden spaces. When the kids are burned out of history, head to Tedori Fish Land which is a theme park in the area or check out the slides at Kenmin Seaside Park. There's also the Dolls Museum and the beautiful coastline.

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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is great for romance. Also, Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has markets, museums, and gardens that are fun to explore as a couple. You can visit the Kanazawa Castle or sample one of the many restaurants around town.

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

Railay Beach is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kanazawa 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kanazawa. There are a handful of hostels and affordable accommodation options that backpackers can choose from.

Is Kanazawa or Railay Beach Better for Students?

Kanazawa is very good for students. However, Railay Beach is not popular with students.

Kanazawa is a good city to visit for students. It has a good educational environment with high quality educational institutions that appeal to international students.

Railay Beach is not popular with students.

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

Kanazawa is very good for its public transit. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for times when you don't have a car.

Kanazawa has a few public transit options. There are two main buses that tourists use in town. The Kenrokuen Shuttle goes between the Kanazawa Station and Kenrokuen Gardens and the Kanazawa Loop Bus runs from Kanazawa Station via the Teramachi area, the Higashi Chaya District, and Omicho Market.

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

Is Kanazawa or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is very popular for its walkability. Also, Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa is a very walkable city. The city is relatively walkable with some rolling hills. It's possible to walk to Kanazawa Castle from Kanazawa Station in about 35 minutes.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Kanazawa?

How long in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Kanazawa 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, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kanazawa, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

Families should spend more time in Railay Beach than Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa. 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 Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

In Kanazawa, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

The beautiful beach area of Railay Beach offers nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

Kanazawa 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. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Railay Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this beach area makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Railay Beach, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

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

Railay Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kanazawa or Railay Beach?

Kanazawa 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 great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This beach area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kanazawa and Railay Beach, we can see that Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.

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

Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Kanazawa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Kanazawa because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

Kanazawa is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 26°C (78°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, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 180 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 Kanazawa. Kanazawa usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 251 mm (9.9 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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kanazawa and Railay Beach. The shopping scene are the main draw to Kanazawa this time of year. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Kanazawa is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kanazawa in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Kanazawa gets 155 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. Kanazawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kanazawa usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 203 mm (8 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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kanazawa as well as Railay Beach. Many travelers come to Kanazawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kanazawa. In January, Kanazawa is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Kanazawa average around 3°C (38°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, Kanazawa often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 67 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

Kanazawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kanazawa usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 294 mm (11.6 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 Kanazawa or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Kanazawa 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.

Kanazawa is much colder than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Kanazawa averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Kanazawa usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during spring. Kanazawa gets 183 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 Kanazawa. In April, Kanazawa usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Kanazawa gets 149 mm (5.9 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 Kanazawa