A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yangon vs. Railay Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yangon or Railay Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon 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: Yangon or Railay Beach?

Yangon

Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.

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 Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Yangon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $63, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $100. 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 Yangon and Railay Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yangon $31
    Railay Beach $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yangon $62
    Railay Beach $126
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Railay Beach

Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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 Yangon


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yangon $2.38
    Railay Beach $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:

  • Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer : $8.54
  • Bagan Airport Transfer with Private Car: $13
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bagan Nyaung-U Airport (NYU) to Hotel: $14
  • Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer : $20
  • Private Airport Transfer at Yangon Airport to Center of Yangon: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Yangon International Airport (RGN) to Hotel: $23
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
  • Private Hotel Transfers to or from YIA Airport: $24
  • Yangon Airport Private Transfer : $27
  • Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $40
  • Yangon Airport (RGN): Private Transfer to/from Yangon City: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Railay Beach?

Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Yangon 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
    Yangon $9.70
    Railay Beach $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.

  • Morning Yangon Food Tour: $24
  • Yangon Evening Food Tour and trishaw ride: $26
  • Yangon morning food tour with train ride : $27
  • Yangon Street Food Tours: $28
  • Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
  • Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67

Typical Food Prices in Railay Beach

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


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pizza
    $4.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yangon -
    Railay Beach -

Tours and Activities in Yangon

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

  • Bus Ticket ( Yangon - Mandalay): $21
  • Morning Eat, Walk & Ride Tour: $25
  • Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $25
  • Yangon Dala Discovery Tour on Bamboo Bicycles: $32
  • Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
  • Yangon Full Day City Tour: $38
  • Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
  • Yangon Group Street Food & Walking Tour: $40
  • Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $42
  • Yangon Evening Street Food and Market Walking Tour: $44
  • One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $45
  • Bagan Temples Tour by Private car and Tour guide.: $46

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)
    $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yangon -
    Railay Beach -

Typical Alcohol Prices in Railay Beach

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


  • Beer
    $1.64


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

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