A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lake Tekapo vs. Railay Beach for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a basic, small, and remote town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Lake Tekapo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking. See Lake Tekapo travel costs.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a spectacular, fun-filled, and adventurous beach area. The famous beauty of Railay Beach is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife. See Railay Beach travel costs.

Lake Tekapo and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Railay Beach than Lake Tekapo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Railay Beach is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Lake Tekapo is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Railay Beach is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is known for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. Also, Railay Beach is famous for Phra Nang Cave. Lake Tekapo is well known for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Lake Tekapo different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Railay Beach is not so good for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Railay Beach is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Railay Beach area. 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.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Railay Beach is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Railay Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a great destination for its resorts. However, Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

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.

Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Railay Beach is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lake Tekapo 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.

Lake Tekapo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is a great destination for the beach. However, Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Railay Beach for it's beautiful 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.

Lake Tekapo is not a beach destination.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

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

Lake Tekapo is a popular spot for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

Railay Beach is a beach area with a few options for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal 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.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach More Beautiful?

Railay Beach is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Railay Beach is one of the main draws. The dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches make this a stunning place to visit.

Lake Tekapo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. You really want to get out of town and explore the area's stunning natural beauty.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Lake Tekapo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Tekapo is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly town. 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 Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is a great destination for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Railay Beach is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Railay Beach is a very popular beach area for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

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

Railay Beach is a beach area with a few options for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Lake Tekapo?

How long in Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

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

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

In Lake Tekapo, many people enjoy the that this basic town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the spectacular 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 Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

Lake Tekapo is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the spectacular 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 Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

You'll find around the basic destination of Lake Tekapo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

The adventurous 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 Lake Tekapo or Railay Beach?

Lake Tekapo 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 Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Tekapo and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lake Tekapo is in Pacific and Railay Beach is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lake Tekapo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Tekapo 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 Lake Tekapo.

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