A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sukhothai vs. Tanah Rata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sukhothai or Tanah Rata?

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 Sukhothai and Tanah Rata can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sukhothai or Tanah Rata?

Sukhothai

If you are the kind of wandering traveler looking to find calm and inner peace, you will want to add Sukhothai to your list. Also known as "the dawn of happiness," this area is best known for the ruins of the ancient city of Sukhothai – the capital of Thailand during the 13th century. As the first capital of Siam, the area's temples and monuments are restored and ready for visitors from around the world.

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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Tanah Rata or Sukhothai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sukhothai is $82, 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 Sukhothai and Tanah Rata in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sukhothai $26
    Tanah Rata $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sukhothai $52
    Tanah Rata $152
Compare Hotels in Sukhothai and Tanah Rata

Looking for a hotel in Sukhothai 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.

Hotels in Sukhothai


Hotels in Tanah Rata


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: Sukhothai Hotel Prices and Tanah Rata Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sukhothai $19
    Tanah Rata $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:

  • Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $154
  • Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
  • Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
  • Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
  • CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
  • Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
  • Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
  • Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
  • Cameron Highlands to Ipoh Hotel Transfer: $65
  • Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
  • Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
  • Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94

Is it cheaper to fly into Sukhothai or Tanah Rata?

Prices for flights to both Tanah Rata and Sukhothai 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sukhothai $36
    Tanah Rata $87

Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:


  • Dinner for Two
    $6.42
  • Dessert
    $0.71
  • Lunch
    $4.52
  • Afternoon tea
    $4.40

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sukhothai $38
    Tanah Rata $39

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:


  • Tea Factory Visit
    $6.42
  • 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 Sightseing Tour: $35
  • Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
  • Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
  • Cameron Highlands Full Day Join in Tour: $49
  • Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
  • Cameron Highlands Private Sightseeing Tour : $211
  • Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
  • Cameron Highlands: Agro Tour: $61
  • Cameron Highlands: Mossy Forest Tour: $30
  • Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sukhothai $14
    Tanah Rata $21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sukhothai and Tanah Rata, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Sukhothai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sukhothai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sukhothai Expensive? and Is Tanah Rata Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sukhothai or Tanah Rata?

Sukhothai has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Sukhothai 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 Sukhothai or Tanah Rata?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Sukhothai or Tanah Rata in the Summer?

Both Tanah Rata and Sukhothai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sukhothai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sukhothai. Sukhothai usually gets more rain in July than Tanah Rata. Sukhothai gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Sukhothai is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 29°C (84°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sukhothai 29°C (84°F) 
    Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sukhothai and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sukhothai year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to April in Sukhothai is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Sukhothai. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sukhothai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Sukhothai gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sukhothai averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sukhothai 28°C (83°F) 
    Tanah Rata 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Tanah Rata in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sukhothai as well as Tanah Rata. Sukhothai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Sukhothai usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Sukhothai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Sukhothai is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sukhothai in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sukhothai 25°C (77°F) 
    Tanah Rata 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Sukhothai or Tanah Rata in the Spring?

Both Tanah Rata and Sukhothai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sukhothai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Sukhothai is October to April. The rainy season in Sukhothai is May to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. In April, Sukhothai usually receives less rain than Tanah Rata. Sukhothai gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Sukhothai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Sukhothai is generally a little warmer than Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Sukhothai average around 32°C (89°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sukhothai 32°C (89°F) 
    Tanah Rata 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Sukhothai

Sukhothai Tanah Rata
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 30°C (86°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 32°C (89°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
May 31°C (87°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Jun 30°C (85°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 257 mm (10.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 241 mm (9.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 237 mm (9.3 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 270 mm (10.6 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)