A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Pattaya vs. Railay Beach for Nightlife, Food, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

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.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a fun-filled, adventurous, and dramatic beach area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, nightlife, and food.

Pattaya and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya. Although Pattaya and Railay Beach are popular destinations, Pattaya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Railay Beach attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Railay Beach and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also well known for the Sanctuary of Truth. Railay Beach is famous for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing.

How is Pattaya different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pattaya is very good for its sights and museums. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its museums and history.

Pattaya is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

Pattaya 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, Pattaya makes for a great culinary experience. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

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 Pattaya or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Pattaya is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

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 Pattaya or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Pattaya and Railay Beach have superb options.

In Pattaya, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

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.

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

Railay Beach is a great beach area for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Pattaya. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Is Pattaya or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Both Pattaya and Railay Beach are considered to be superb beach destinations.

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

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

Pattaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

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 Pattaya or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Pattaya 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.

Pattaya is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

Railay Beach is a family-friendly resort 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 Pattaya or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is a great beach area for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Railay Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Rock climbing is a favorite activity here, and couples who have an adventurous spirit will enjoy this dramatic location.

Pattaya is a good resort city for couples to visit. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

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

Railay Beach is a great beach area for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

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

Pattaya is very good for its public transit. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for times when you don't have a car.

Pattaya has a few public transit options. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

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

Is Pattaya or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

Pattaya is generally not very walkable. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Railay Beach than Pattaya. 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Railay Beach?

In Pattaya, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active resort city offers. 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.

In Railay Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Railay Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Railay Beach has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

You'll find nightlife and food around the colorful destination of Pattaya. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Railay Beach is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Railay Beach?

Pattaya 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Railay Beach. Many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting Railay Beach. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok.

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.

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

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

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

August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. 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. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. 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 daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 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. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. 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 average around 27°C (80°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 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. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya 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 Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. 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. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Pattaya