A Travel Price Comparison for Thailand Sukhothai vs. Railay Beach for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sukhothai and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai is a historical, cultural, and under-rated city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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. Other reasons to visit include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Sukhothai and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sukhothai. Although Sukhothai and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Sukhothai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sukhothai is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Railay Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Railay Beach is more touristy than Sukhothai and is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. Sukhothai is popular for its world class historical ruins and its history as the first capital of Siam. It is also home to Wat Si Chom in the Sukhothai Historical Park.

How is Sukhothai different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Although many visitors overlook Sukhothai, the Sukhothai Historical Park is one of the area's most impressive historical and cultural sights. There are countless historical landmarks both within the old walled city and in the surrounding area.

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

Sukhothai 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, Sukhothai makes for a great culinary experience. Tourists visit specifically to try the area's famed spicy noodle dish - kuaytiaw Sukhothai. The city is filled with a range of dining options, from noodle joints to Thai eateries, as well as tourist-friendly restaurants.

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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Both Sukhothai and Railay Beach have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sukhothai. This is more of a historical area than a nightlife destination, but you'll find tourist-oriented bars where you can grab a cold beer, or local cafes with live music.

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.

Is Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Railay Beach. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Sukhothai is not a resort destination.

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

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Sukhothai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

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.

Sukhothai is not a beach destination.

Is Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for its Old Town?

Sukhothai is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Sukhothai. The Sukhothai Historical Park is an impressive World Heritage Site. There are 21 historical sites and four large ponds within the old walls. Outside of the walls there are another 70 sites within a 5 kilometer radius.

Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

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

Sukhothai is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are a number of markets and handicraft studios nearby. Check out Tra Phang Thong Market for local foods and products or Suntree Thai Weaving for handwoven items. There's also Suthep Sangkalok where you'll find traditional ceramics.

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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Sukhothai or Railay Beach.

Sukhothai is a family-friendly city. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Sukhothai Historical Park and other nearby temples. The less touristy side of this area makes it great for families who need a break from Thailand's tourist crowds. It's also a fun place to explore by bike.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Railay Beach. 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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach Better for Couples?

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Sukhothai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who want to get away from the tourist crowds, this cultural and historical area is filled with temples and interesting sights.

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

Railay Beach is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sukhothai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Railay Beach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Sukhothai. For many backpackers, its not part of the typical Southeast Asian tourist trail, but for some, that is the appeal.

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

Sukhothai 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.

Sukhothai has a few public transit options. There are tuk tuks and local shuttle buses around the town.

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

Is Sukhothai or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an amazing beach area to visit for its walkability. However, Sukhothai is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

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.

Sukhothai is generally not very walkable. This isn't the most walkable area, and the historical sites are spread out so you'll really need a bike, motorbike, or some other form of transportation to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Sukhothai?

How long in Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

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

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

In Sukhothai, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this under-rated city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

Sukhothai is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 spectacular 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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Sukhothai. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adventurous 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 Sukhothai or Railay Beach?

Sukhothai is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Thailand.

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

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

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

The summer brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Railay Beach. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Sukhothai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In the summer, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

Both Railay Beach and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Sukhothai. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during autumn. Sukhothai gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sukhothai in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Railay Beach in the Winter?

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

December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sukhothai. In the winter, Sukhothai often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun.

In January, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 25°C (77°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Sukhothai or Railay Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Sukhothai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sukhothai usually receives more sunshine than Railay Beach during spring. Sukhothai gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's very hot in Sukhothai this time of the year. Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 32°C (89°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Sukhothai