Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Surat Thani?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani 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: Surat Thani or Railay Beach?
Surat Thani
The best way to see the real culture of a country is to go where the tourists are not. If you are itching to experience real Thai culture, you may want to visit the city of Surat Thani. Located on the central gulf coast of southern Thailand, this city is usually the gateway to other Thai islands – meaning visitors run through it without stopping. Stay a while and get to know Surat Thani – known to the locals as the "City of Good People."
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in Thailand, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySurat Thani $53Railay Beach $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Surat Thani is $53, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $105. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Surat Thani and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSurat Thani $25Railay Beach $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSurat Thani $50Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Surat Thani and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Surat Thani 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Surat Thani $24Railay Beach $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surat Thani
Also for Surat Thani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Koh Samui: One-Way Ferry Transfer to Surat Thani: $7.16
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Koh Samui Airport to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $14
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Bo Phut: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Chaweng: $36
- Private Transfer from Samui (USM) Airport to Choeng Mon Beach: $36
- Transfer to Don Sak Pier: $59
- Donsak pier to aonang , krabi town , klongmuang any hotel Private transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Surat Thani Airport (URT) to / from Surat Thani: $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Surat Thani or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Surat Thani 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
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Food Meals for one daySurat Thani $14Railay Beach $22
Typical Food Prices in Surat Thani
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Surat Thani:
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Dinner$4.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surat Thani
For Surat Thani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Khao Sok: Elephant Day Care, Cooking Class, & Bamboo Raft: $71
Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of dining costs in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Pizza$4.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Surat Thani $4.97Railay Beach $23
Tours and Activities in Surat Thani
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Surat Thani.
- Pick up and drop off tourists around Koh Samui: $14
- The one and only Zipline Experience of Lamai Viewpoint: $38
- Koh Samui Day and Night Fishing Experience: $48
- Koh Samui: 4x4 Sightseeing Safari & Elephant Sanctuary Tour: $58
- Koh Samui: Unique Iocal Tour & Elephant Sanctuary with lunch: $65
- Blue Stars Kayaking Adventure in Angthong Marine Park: $69
- X Quad Novice Waterfall ATV Tour (1 Driver): $76
- Koh Samui: Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary Half-Day Tour: $81
- Samui Dolphins Tour by Catamaran Yacht: $87
- Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake Sunset Cruise w/ Drinks: $91
- From Khao Lak/Khao Sok: Cheow Lan Lake and Emerald Pool Tour: $105
- Samui X Quad ATV Tour (1 Driver) with lunch: $122
Typical Entertainment Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Rock Climbing (for Two)$19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySurat Thani $4.96Railay Beach $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Railay Beach are as follows:
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Beer$1.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Surat Thani and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Surat Thani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Surat Thani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Surat Thani Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani 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 Surat Thani or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Surat Thani during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Surat Thani 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Surat Thani. Surat Thani usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Surat Thani gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySurat Thani 28°C (82°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Surat Thani and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Surat Thani year-round. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
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. Surat Thani gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Surat Thani gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Surat Thani in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSurat Thani 27°C (81°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Surat Thani as well as Railay Beach. Surat Thani 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. Surat Thani usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Surat Thani gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Surat Thani is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Surat Thani average around 25°C (77°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySurat Thani 25°C (77°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Surat Thani or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Surat Thani are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Surat Thani throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In April, Surat Thani usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Surat Thani gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Surat Thani is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Surat Thani averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSurat Thani 29°C (83°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Surat Thani
| Surat Thani | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (83°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.