A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yokohama vs. Railay Beach for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Yokohama or Railay Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama 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.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a colorful, under-rated, and laid-back city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a spectacular, fun-filled, and adventurous beach area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife.

Yokohama and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yokohama. Although Yokohama and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Yokohama has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Yokohama is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Railay Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Railay Beach is more touristy than Yokohama and is known for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing. Yokohama is popular for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also home to the Yokohama Chinatown.

How is Yokohama different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Yokohama 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 Yokohama specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

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

Yokohama 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, Yokohama makes for a great culinary experience. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

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 Yokohama or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Yokohama is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Railay Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach area to visit for nightlife and partying.

Yokohama offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

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 Yokohama or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is well known for its resorts. However, Yokohama is not a resort destination.

Railay Beach is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Yokohama is not a resort destination.

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

Railay Beach is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Railay Beach to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Yokohama is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yokohama or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is well known for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Railay Beach. 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.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

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

Yokohama is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

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 Yokohama or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Yokohama is an unbeatable 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.

Yokohama is one of the most popular family destinations. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

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

Yokohama and Railay Beach are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Yokohama frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Railay Beach is a great city 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.

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

Railay Beach is well known for backpackers. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Yokohama is a good city to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Is Yokohama or Railay Beach Better for Students?

Yokohama is very good for students. However, Railay Beach is not popular with students.

Yokohama is a good city to visit for students. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Railay Beach is not popular with students.

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

Yokohama is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Yokohama is fairly effecient and thorough. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

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

Is Yokohama or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is terrific for its walkability. Also, Yokohama is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Yokohama is a very walkable city. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

It's fun to spend time in either Yokohama 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, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Yokohama, and 2-4 days is enough time in Railay Beach.

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

Couples should spend more time in Yokohama than Railay Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Yokohama that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Railay Beach than Yokohama 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 Yokohama or Railay Beach?

Each neighborhood in Yokohama has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

The beautiful beach area of Railay Beach offers nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

Yokohama is a fun place to experience. 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.

Railay Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this beach area makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Railay Beach, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Yokohama. 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.

Railay Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Yokohama or Railay Beach?

Yokohama is a popular place to visit. 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 great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This beach area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yokohama and Railay Beach, we can see that Yokohama is more expensive. And not only is Railay Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Railay Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Railay Beach 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 Yokohama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yokohama than you might in Railay Beach.

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

When is the best time to visit Yokohama or Railay Beach?

Yokohama has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Railay Beach experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Railay Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Yokohama is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during summer. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yokohama usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Yokohama or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Railay Beach. The autumn months attract visitors to Yokohama because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

In the autumn, Yokohama is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yokohama in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Yokohama usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.

Should I visit Yokohama or Railay Beach in the Winter?

Both Railay Beach and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Yokohama is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 6°C (42°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Yokohama usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March.

Should I visit Yokohama or Railay Beach in the Spring?

Both Railay Beach and Yokohama during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

Yokohama is much colder than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Yokohama often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.

Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yokohama. Yokohama usually gets more rain in April than Railay Beach. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Yokohama