Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Railay Beach?
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 Railay Beach or Whitsundays?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Railay Beach and Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Railay Beach or Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Railay Beach Prices
Thailand PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRailay Beach $139Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Railay Beach is $139, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Railay Beach and Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRailay Beach $73Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRailay Beach $146Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Railay Beach and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Railay Beach or Whitsundays? 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.Railay Beach $29Whitsundays $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Railay Beach or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays and Railay Beach 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 dayRailay Beach $43Whitsundays $52
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Railay Beach $26Whitsundays $25
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
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRailay Beach $17Whitsundays $12
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 comparing the travel costs between Railay Beach and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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. Even though Railay Beach is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Railay Beach Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Railay Beach or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Railay Beach or Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Railay Beach as well as Whitsundays. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Railay Beach is around the same temperature as Whitsundays in the summer. The daily temperature in Railay Beach averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Railay Beach this time of the year. In the summer, Railay Beach often gets less sunshine than Whitsundaysin January. Railay Beach gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 285 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Railay Beach usually gets less rain in July than Whitsundaysin January. Railay Beach gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Railay Beach is the rainy season.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRailay Beach 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Railay Beach or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Railay Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
In the autumn, Railay Beach is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Railay Beach in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Whitsundays. Railay Beach usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during autumn. Railay Beach gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. In October, Railay Beach usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin April. Railay Beach gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Railay Beach is December to March. The rainy season in Railay Beach is August to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilRailay Beach 27°C (81°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Railay Beach or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Railay Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Railay Beach is generally much warmer than Whitsundaysin July. Daily temperatures in Railay Beach average around 28°C (82°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In Whitsundays, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. In the winter, Railay Beach often gets more sunshine than Whitsundaysin July. Railay Beach gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whitsundays receives 226 hours of full sun.
Railay Beach usually gets less rain in January than Whitsundaysin July. Railay Beach gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Railay Beach.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyRailay Beach 28°C (82°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Railay Beach or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Railay Beach and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
Railay Beach is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the spring. The daily temperature in Railay Beach averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Whitsundays this time of the year. In Railay Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Railay Beach usually receives less sunshine than Whitsundays during spring. Railay Beach gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Whitsundays receives 298 hours of full sun in the spring.
Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Railay Beach usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin October. Railay Beach gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberRailay Beach 29°C (84°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Railay Beach
| Railay Beach | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.