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

Should you visit Melbourne or Railay Beach?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Railay Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Melbourne and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne. Although Melbourne and Railay Beach are popular destinations, Melbourne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Melbourne is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Railay Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Railay Beach is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also well known for the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Melbourne different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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

Melbourne 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, Melbourne makes for a great culinary experience. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Melbourne is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for nightlife and partying.

Melbourne offers plenty to do in the evening. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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.

Is Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Melbourne is not a resort destination.

Railay Beach is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Melbourne is not a resort destination.

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

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

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Melbourne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Melbourne and Railay Beach are great choices.

Melbourne is considered a top beach destination. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

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

Melbourne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly city. 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 Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Railay Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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

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

Many 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.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Melbourne or Railay Beach Better for Students?

Melbourne is an unbeatable place for students. However, Railay Beach is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Railay Beach is not popular with students.

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne is fairly effecient and thorough. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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

Is Melbourne or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Melbourne or Railay Beach. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Melbourne due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

Families should spend more time in Melbourne than Railay Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Melbourne, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Railay Beach than Melbourne. 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.

One day in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beach area of Railay Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Railay Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dramatic beach area of Railay Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Railay Beach?

Melbourne is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Railay Beach, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Railay Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne 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 Railay Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Railay Beach 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Railay Beach.

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

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

Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Railay Beach. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

In January, Melbourne is generally cooler than Railay Beachin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°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 Melbourne this time of the year. In the summer, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Railay Beachin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beachin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.

Should I visit Melbourne or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

Both Railay Beach and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Melbourne is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Railay Beachin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October.

Should I visit Melbourne or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

In the winter, Melbourne is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F)in January.

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Railay Beachin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets more rain in July than Railay Beachin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Melbourne or Railay Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Melbourne is generally much colder than Railay Beachin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Railay Beachin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 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 Melbourne