Which place is cheaper, Railay Beach or Yichang?
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 Yichang or Railay Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yichang 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.
Where Should I go: Yichang or Railay Beach?
Yichang
Yichang, China is an ancient city situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River in central China. The city is located just below the famed Three Gorges Dam and is a popular ending point for many Yangtze River cruises. Yichang offers beautiful natural scenery and ancient relics from the Three Kingdom Period.
Yichang experiences cool, rainy, winters and hot, humid, summers. Temperatures tend to stay in the 40's Fahrenheit during winter and the 80's in the summer. Spring, Summer, and Autumn are fantastic times to visit, although if you prefer to beat the heat, stay away during late summer!
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Yichang Prices
China PricesRailay Beach Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYichang $74Railay Beach $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Yichang is $74, 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 Yichang and Railay Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYichang $25Railay Beach $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYichang $50Railay Beach $146
Compare Hotels in Yichang and Railay Beach
Looking for a hotel in Yichang 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.Yichang $14Railay Beach $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yichang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yichang:
- Yichang Airport Transfer Service, Yichang train station Pick up: $20
- Private transfer from Yichang to Zhangjiajie: $290
Is it cheaper to fly into Yichang or Railay Beach?
Prices for flights to both Railay Beach and Yichang 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 dayYichang $38Railay Beach $43
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.Yichang $18Railay Beach $26
Tours and Activities in Yichang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yichang are as follows:
- Yichang Tourist Center to Yichang Sanxia Airport (YIH): $53
- Private Day Tour in Yichang to Sanyou Cave and Sanxia Waterfall : $239
- From 5-Day Yangtze River Cruise to Chongqing: $679
- Yichang - Chongqing Yangtze Miracle Luxury 5D4N Cruise: $720
- From Yichang to Chongqing: 5-Day Cruise with Meals: $993
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 dayYichang $14Railay 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 Yichang and Railay Beach, we can see that Railay Beach is more expensive. And not only is Yichang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yichang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yichang 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 Yichang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yichang Expensive? and Is Railay Beach Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Yichang or Railay Beach?
Yichang 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 Yichang or Railay Beach in the Summer?
Both Railay Beach and Yichang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Railay Beach because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Yichang is around the same temperature as Railay Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Railay Beach fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Railay Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yichang. Yichang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Railay Beach during summer. Yichang gets 206 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 Yichang. In July, Yichang usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 229 mm (9 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYichang 29°C (85°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Railay Beach in the Autumn?
Both Railay Beach and Yichang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Railay Beach year-round.
In the autumn, Yichang is cooler than Railay Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yichang in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Railay Beach averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 134 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. Yichang usually gets less rain in October than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 87 mm (3.4 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYichang 20°C (67°F)Railay Beach 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Railay Beach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yichang and Railay Beach. Railay Beach attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Yichang is generally much colder than Railay Beach. Daily temperatures in Yichang 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. Yichang usually receives less sunshine than Railay Beach during winter. Yichang gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Railay Beach receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Yichang usually receives less rain than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 20 mm (0.8 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYichang 6°C (43°F)Railay Beach 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Yichang or Railay Beach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Yichang as well as Railay Beach. The warm climate attracts visitors to Railay Beach throughout the year.
Yichang is much colder than Railay Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Yichang averages around 18°C (65°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, Yichang often gets less sunshine than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Railay Beach receives 249 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Railay Beach. Yichang usually gets less rain in April than Railay Beach. Yichang gets 95 mm (3.7 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 AprilYichang 18°C (65°F)Railay Beach 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Railay Beach and Yichang
| Yichang | Railay Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.