Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nanjing or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing 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.
Where Should I go: Nanjing or Railay Beach?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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 Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Nanjing Prices
China PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $118Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $118, while the average daily cost in Railay Beach is $139. 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 Nanjing and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $47Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $94Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing 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.Nanjing $39Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- [Airport transfer] Nanjing Lukou International Airport ⇔ Nanjing city transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $27
- Nanjing Lukou Airport Chauffeur Service, Nanjing Airport Transfer, Pickup: $30
- Private Arrival Transfer to Nanjing City from Railway Station : $32
- Nanjing Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Hotels: $35
- Tangshan Hot Spring Spa Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing City : $44
- Private Departure Transfer from Nanjing City Center to Lukou Int'l Airport: $45
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Nanjing Lukou International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Center: $45
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer from City Hotels or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $45
- Nanjing Airport (NKG) to Nanjing - Arrival Private Transfer : $45
- Private Nanjing Airport Transfer to City Center or Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts: $46
- Nanjing Downtown hotels to Lukou Intl Airport (NKG) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $49Railay Beach $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
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)$6.28
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Pizza$5.34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.41Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Qixia Mountain Ticket for Adult: $20
- Night Cruise on Outer Qinhuai River for Adults: $20
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Nanjing Self-Guided Day Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $72
- Nanjing Private English Tour Guide Service: $75
- Private Amazing Nanjing City Day Tour in Your Way: $75
- Nanjing Professional English Tour Guide Service: $91
- 3-Hour Local Food Tasting Tour: $93
- Nanjing Private Day Tour With Must-Visit Attractions: $100
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 6-Hour Private Tour of Xiaoling Tomb,City Wall & Memorial Hall : $115
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)$22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.61Railay Beach $17
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$1.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Nanjing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Nanjing or Railay Beach?
Nanjing 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 Nanjing or Railay Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Nanjing is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 28°C (83°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNanjing 28°C (83°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
Nanjing is much colder than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Nanjing usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNanjing 17°C (63°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Railay Beach in the Winter?
Both Railay Beach and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Nanjing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nanjing is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nanjing in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In January, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNanjing 3°C (37°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Nanjing during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
In April, Nanjing is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 15°C (60°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanjing. Nanjing usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNanjing 15°C (60°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (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.