A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Koh Tarutao vs. Railay Beach for Beaches, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao is a secluded, remote, and beautiful island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches and hiking.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a dramatic, spectacular, and fun-filled beach area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Railay Beach than Koh Tarutao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Railay Beach is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Koh Tarutao is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Railay Beach is more touristy than Koh Tarutao and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. Also, Railay Beach is famous for Phra Nang Cave. Koh Tarutao is well known for its secluded beauty and undiscovered paradise setting.

How is Koh Tarutao different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Neither Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach offer quality museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Tarutao. This island is all about remote natural settings that will take your breath away, but you won't find anything in the form of temples or museums.

Railay Beach offers a few options for museum-goers. 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 Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Railay Beach is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Railay Beach is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Koh Tarutao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are three restaurants on the island that have limited hours so, if possible, it's best to arrive with some snacks. The food is simple and can get repetitive if you eat the same meals several days in a row.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Railay Beach is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Koh Tarutao. There's a good chance you'll have this island almost completely to yourself. The few restaurants on the island close early and you'll likely head to bed early after taking in the stunning night sky.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Railay Beach to choose from. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

While Koh Tarutao is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. You won't find luxury resorts (or any resorts) on the island. What you will find is simple bungalows, or tents available for rent at the ranger stations.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Koh Tarutao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Koh Tarutao is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Tarutao is a very popular vacation destination. A true island paradise, you'll find isolated beaches here that are so remote that you'll likely have them to yourself for large parts of the day.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Railay Beach. 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.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

Koh Tarutao is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Koh Tarutao is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails through mangrove coves, inland through the dramatic vegetation, and up cliffs to impressive viewpoints.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

Railay Beach is a decent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for shopping.

Railay Beach has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The Walking Street has shops that sell bathing suits or anything you may have forgotten.

Koh Tarutao has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a small shop at the visitor center where you can pick up simple drinks and snacks.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Both Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach are notable family-friendly destinations.

Koh Tarutao is a family-friendly island. For families who want seclusion, this beautiful island is the place to spend a night or two. There are great beaches, interesting hikes, and kayaks available to visitors.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Railay Beach. 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 Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach both high quality destinations for a couple.

Koh Tarutao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a truly remote experience, couples will enjoy this often overlooked island. There are hikes and isolated beaches that offer romance in its most simple form.

Couples visit Railay Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Tarutao is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Railay Beach. 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 budget travelers visit Koh Tarutao. Most backpackers overlook this beautiful island for the more party-oriented destinations of Thailand, but those who spend a night or two here will be rewarded with a truly unique and authentic experience.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach.

Public transit is mostly limited in Koh Tarutao. There are shuttle taxis that travel around the island at fixed times. You can also rent a mountain bike at the ranger stations.

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

Is Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Tarutao is lacking in good options for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Railay Beach. The area has no cars or road transportation so everything, including the beaches are easy to walk to.

Koh Tarutao is generally not very walkable. The island is quite large and difficult to explore on foot alone.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Koh Tarutao?

How long in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

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

In Koh Tarutao, many people enjoy the that this secluded island offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous beach area of Railay Beach. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

Koh Tarutao is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 beaches. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the dramatic destination of Railay Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach area offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

You'll find around the secluded destination of Koh Tarutao. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The spectacular beach area of Railay Beach offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

Koh Tarutao is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Railay Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Tarutao usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Tarutao in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

Both Railay Beach and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (81°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Koh Tarutao during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Railay Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives around the same amount of rain as Railay Beach. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Tarutao in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Koh Tarutao