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

Should you visit Matsue 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 Matsue 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.

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a spectacular, fun-filled, and adventurous beach area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife.

Matsue and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Matsue or Railay Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Railay Beach. Although Matsue and Railay Beach are popular destinations, Railay Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Railay Beach is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Matsue attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere. Railay Beach is famous for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. It is also well known for Phra Nang Cave.

How is Matsue different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Matsue 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 Matsue specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Matsue 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, Matsue makes for a great culinary experience. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

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 Matsue or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Railay Beach is a beach area with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Matsue or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a great destination for its resorts. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a resort destination.

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

Railay Beach is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Matsue or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is a great destination for the beache. However, Matsue 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.

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Matsue or Railay Beach Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Matsue to see the historical old town. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Matsue or Railay Beach?

Matsue is very good for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Matsue is a great destination for shopping. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

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 Matsue or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Both Matsue and Railay Beach are nice to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Matsue. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Railay Beach offers lots of family activities. 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 Matsue or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

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

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

Railay Beach is a great beach area to visit for backpackers. 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 Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue 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 Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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

Is Matsue or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Matsue?

How long in Matsue or Railay Beach?

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

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

In Matsue, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quiet town 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Railay Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Matsue or Railay Beach?

Matsue 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Matsue or Railay Beach?

You'll find food and shopping around the serene destination of Matsue. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Railay Beach. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Matsue or Railay Beach?

Matsue 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the fun-filled destination of Railay Beach. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Matsue and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Matsue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Matsue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Matsue 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 Matsue.

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

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

Matsue 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 Matsue or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Matsue and Railay Beach. Many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Matsue is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 25°C (78°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Matsue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Matsue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during summer. Matsue gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Matsue usually receives around the same amount of rain as Railay Beach. Matsue gets 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Matsue or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Matsue as well as Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Matsue is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Matsue averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Matsue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Matsue gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Matsue usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Matsue gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.

Should I visit Matsue or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Matsue are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In the winter, Matsue is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Matsue in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Matsue usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Matsue gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. In January, Matsue usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Matsue gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March.

Should I visit Matsue or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Matsue during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

In April, Matsue is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Matsue average around 13°C (55°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Matsue often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Matsue gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 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 Matsue. Matsue usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Railay Beach. Matsue gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Matsue