Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Yangshuo?
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 Yangshuo or Railay Beach?
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 Yangshuo and Railay Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Yangshuo or Railay Beach?
Yangshuo
A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.
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 China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Yangshuo Prices
China PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangshuo $86Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangshuo is $86, 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 Yangshuo and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangshuo $26Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangshuo $52Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Yangshuo and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Yangshuo 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.Yangshuo $43Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo
Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo(Xingping) Train Station to Yangshuo Hotel: $21
- Private Transfer from Yangshuo hotel to Guilin hotel: $37
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangshuo Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang Airport: $45
- Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48
- Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
- Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
- From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
- Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
- Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
- From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangshuo or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Yangshuo 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 dayYangshuo $33Railay Beach $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo
For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
- Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
- The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
- Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
- Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259
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.Yangshuo $24Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Yangshuo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Sanjie Liu Show Ticket Booking : $45
- Yangshuo Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $45
- Impression Liusanjie Show Ticket: $48
- Yangshuo Via Ferrata Ticket: $49
- Yulong River Bamboo Rafting Experience: $52
- Yangshuo Ruyi peak & round way cable car ticket: $55
- Yangshuo Walking Day Tour: $56
- Half/Full-Day Yangshuo Countryside Moderate Cycling and Sightseeing Private Tour: $60
- Ticket of Impression Sanjie Liu Show: $62
- Amphibious Off-Road Biking Experience: $68
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 dayYangshuo $34Railay 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 Yangshuo and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Yangshuo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangshuo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangshuo Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Yangshuo or Railay Beach?
Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Yangshuo during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
In July, Yangshuo is generally around the same temperature as Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 30°C (86°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Railay Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yangshuo. Yangshuo usually gets less rain in July than Railay Beach. Yangshuo gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYangshuo 30°C (86°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yangshuo and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Yangshuo is cooler than Railay Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yangshuo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Railay Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Yangshuo usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Yangshuo gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Railay Beach.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYangshuo 23°C (73°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Yangshuo as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
In the winter, Yangshuo is much colder than Railay Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yangshuo in January average around 10°C (49°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Yangshuo usually gets more rain in January than Railay Beach. Yangshuo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Railay Beach is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYangshuo 10°C (49°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Yangshuo or Railay Beach in the Spring?
Both Railay Beach and Yangshuo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Yangshuo is generally cooler than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Yangshuo average around 20°C (68°F), and Railay Beach fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Railay Beach. It's quite rainy in Yangshuo. In April, Yangshuo usually receives more rain than Railay Beach. Yangshuo gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Railay Beach receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYangshuo 20°C (68°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Yangshuo
| Yangshuo | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (49°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 263 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 334 mm (13.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.