Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesTanah Rata Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $64Tanah Rata $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, while the average daily cost in Tanah Rata is $192. 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 Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Tanah Rata $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Tanah Rata $152
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.52Tanah Rata $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata?
Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $21Tanah Rata $87
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$5.02
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Casual Lunch$8.48
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$53
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
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Dinner for Two$6.42
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Dessert$0.71
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Lunch$4.52
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Afternoon tea$4.40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $35Tanah Rata $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$22
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tanah Rata
Here are a few typical costs in Tanah Rata for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tea Factory Visit$6.42
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$24
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $35
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.36Tanah Rata $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Tanah Rata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tanah Rata than you might in Koh Lanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata?
Tanah Rata has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata in the Summer?
Both Tanah Rata and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?
Both Tanah Rata and Koh Lanta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Tanah Rata in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.
Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in April than Tanah Rata. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Tanah Rata | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 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.