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

Should you visit Kamakura or Railay Beach?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Railay Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a ancient, quaint, and charming coastal city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Kamakura travel costs.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a adventurous, dramatic, and spectacular beach area. You'll find world class beauty in Railay Beach as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Railay Beach travel costs.

Kamakura and Railay Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kamakura or Railay Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kamakura. Although Kamakura and Railay Beach are both popular with visitors, Kamakura has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kamakura is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Railay Beach is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also home to the Great Buddha. Railay Beach is popular for its beautiful limestone cliffs and its world famous rock climbing.

How is Kamakura different from Railay Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kamakura 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 Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

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

Kamakura 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, Kamakura makes for a great culinary experience. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

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 Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura 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.

Kamakura offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

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 Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for Resorts?

Railay Beach is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Railay Beach is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of beachside resorts and budget hotels, as well as a number of hostels in the area.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

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

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

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Railay Beach. There are dive centers that offer both snorkeling and dive trips to nearby areas.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for Beaches?

Railay Beach is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Railay Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Is Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is very good for its historic old town. However, Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Kamakura to see the historical old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Railay Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Railay Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kamakura or Railay Beach?

Kamakura is very good for shopping. However, Railay Beach is not a good beach area for its shopping opportunities.

Kamakura is a great destination for shopping. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

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 Kamakura or Railay Beach More Beautiful?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Railay Beach as well. The dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful sandy beaches make this a stunning place to visit.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Kamakura or Railay Beach Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kamakura or Railay Beach.

Kamakura is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

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

With fun activities for couples, both Kamakura and Railay Beach make for a great place to visit.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

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.

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

Railay Beach is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit 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.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

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

Kamakura 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.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

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

Is Kamakura or Railay Beach a more walkable city?

Railay Beach is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Railay Beach or Kamakura?

How long in Kamakura or Railay Beach?

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

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

One day in Kamakura or Railay Beach?

In Kamakura, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this ancient coastal city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this coastal 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 Kamakura or Railay Beach?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura or Railay Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the ancient destination of Kamakura. 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 Kamakura or Railay Beach?

Kamakura 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.

When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

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

Kamakura 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 Kamakura or Railay Beach in the Summer?

Both Railay Beach and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Kamakura is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during summer. Kamakura gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October.

Should I visit Kamakura or Railay Beach in the Autumn?

Both Railay Beach and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.

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

In the autumn, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Kamakura gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 181 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 Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.

Should I visit Kamakura or Railay Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Railay Beach. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Kamakura is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 6°C (43°F), 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. Kamakura usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Kamakura gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Railay Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Railay Beach. Most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. In the spring, Kamakura often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Kamakura gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets more rain in April than Railay Beach. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 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 Kamakura