Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Vientiane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vientiane or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Railay Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Vientiane or Railay Beach?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $15Railay Beach $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $15, 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 Vientiane and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $6.01Railay Beach $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $12Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.08Railay Beach $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $6.32Railay Beach $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
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.Vientiane $3.54Railay Beach $23
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $62
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
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 dayVientiane $2.35Railay 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 Vientiane and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vientiane or Railay Beach?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
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 Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 30°C (85°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
Both Railay Beach and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane 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. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach. Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets more sunshine than Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vientiane in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Railay Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane 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. In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vientiane is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 24°C (75°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Railay Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Railay Beach. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 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 Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. Vientiane is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.