A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Pattaya vs. Railay Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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.

Where Should I go: Pattaya or Railay Beach?

Pattaya

Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.

Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.

Railay Beach

If you're looking to scale great heights and add more achievements to your list during your vacation, consider a trip to the peninsula of Rai Leh, or more commonly Railay Bay or Railay Beach, in the Krabi region of Thailand. This swimming and rock climbing hotspot is known for its towering limestone peaks and gorgeous surrounding scenery.

Which city is cheaper, Railay Beach or Pattaya?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $59, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $94. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Pattaya and Railay Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pattaya $21
    Railay Beach $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pattaya $42
    Railay Beach $112
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Railay Beach

Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Railay Beach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Pattaya


Hotels in Railay Beach


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Railay Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pattaya $10
    Railay Beach $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya

Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Return hotel transfers to Gems Gallery Pattaya (Jewelry): $2.56
  • Coral Island Indian Lunch, Transfer, Hindi staff (India Travelers): $11
  • Coral Island by Speed Boat Pattaya (LUNCH & A/C TRANSFERS): $12
  • Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $14
  • Alcazar Show in Pattaya with Optional Hotel Transfers: $16
  • Alcazar Cabaret Show in Pattaya with Hotel Transfer: $23
  • Alcazar Show (Normal Seat) - Round trip SIC Transfers: $23
  • Art in Paradise at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $23
  • Pattaya Alcazar Cabaret Show Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $24
  • Alcazar Cabaret at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $24
  • Alcazar Show Pattaya - With Transfers.: $24
  • Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Railay Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Railay Beach:

  • Ao Nang: One-Way Railay Beach Longtail Boat Transfer: $31

Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Railay Beach?

Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Pattaya change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pattaya $20
    Railay Beach $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya

For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Drink Drunk Drunk night & Sunset landmark selfie with Dinner: $56

Typical Food prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.10
  • Pizza
    $5.19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pattaya $18
    Railay Beach $20

Tours and Activities in Pattaya

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.

  • Pattaya Floating Market Admission Ticket: $6.99
  • Pattaya Kids Special: Teddy Bear Museum Tickets & Optional Hotel Pickup: $8.21
  • Pattaya Swiss sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $8.21
  • Join Half Day Pattaya City Tour with wat phra, view point (only Indian Passport): $8.52
  • LAZGAM Laser Game in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $8.74
  • Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $9.09
  • Skip the Line: Mini Siam and Mini Europe Admission Ticket: $10
  • Pattaya Coral Island tour + Indian Lunch + with Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $11
  • Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
  • Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
  • Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
  • Pattaya Colosseum Cabaret Show Entrance Ticket: $13

Typical Entertainment prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Rock Climbing (for Two)
    $21

Tours and Activities in Railay Beach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Railay Beach are as follows:

  • Crystal Clear Kayak Tour in Krabi: $30
  • Krabi: Hong Islands Full-Day Private Speedboat Charter Tour: $508

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pattaya $7.32
    Railay Beach $13

Typical Alcohol prices in Railay Beach

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.83

Sample the Local Flavors in Railay Beach

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Railay Beach:

  • Railay Pub Crawl: $15

About these numbers

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


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

Both destinations experience a warmer tropical 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 Pattaya or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Pattaya during the summer are popular places to visit. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Railay Beach stays around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pattaya 29°C (84°F) 
    Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Railay Beach. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the autumn. The temperature in Pattaya is usually 28°C (82°F) in October, and Railay Beach stays around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pattaya 28°C (82°F) 
    Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Railay Beach. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January are around 27°C (80°F), and Railay Beach is about 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pattaya 27°C (80°F) 
    Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Pattaya or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Railay Beach stays around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pattaya 30°C (86°F) 
    Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Pattaya

Pattaya Railay Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Apr 30°C (86°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
May 30°C (85°F) 202 mm (7.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 318 mm (12.5 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 399 mm (15.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 304 mm (12 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)


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Pattaya vs. Railay Beach Travel Comparison

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