Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or Tanah Rata?
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 Tanah Rata or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Brisbane? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tanah Rata or Brisbane?
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.
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesBrisbane Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Brisbane $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $154. 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 Tanah Rata and Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Brisbane $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Brisbane $162
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Brisbane? 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: Tanah Rata Hotel Prices and Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Brisbane $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Private Transfer Service Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur: $229
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Cameron Highland to Kuala Besut Jetty One Way SIC Transfer: $154
- Shared Transfer : Cameron Highland to Taman Negara via Kuala Tembeling Jetty: $154
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $125
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.81
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Go Card$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane to Brisbane Airport BNE in Luxury Car: $152
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $171
- Brisbane Airport Private Transfer Service to Brisbane City: $112
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Brisbane: $22
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $56
- Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Sunshine Coast: $59
- Brisbane Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $226
- Brisbane to Brisbane Airport (BNE) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
- BNE Airport to City | Gold Coast Private Transfer: $40
- Departure Transfer: Brisbane to Airport BNE by Luxury Van: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane and Tanah Rata 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 dayTanah Rata $87Brisbane $54
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
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.23
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Cup of Coffee$1.96
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.18
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Ice cream$3.60
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.25
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Japanese Soup$7.52
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Coffee & Muffin$4.58
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Morning Mint Tea$2.29
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.16
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Bread$1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Gold Coast: Glow Worms, Sunset & Stargazing with BBQ dinner: $118
- Vertigo Dinner – Dining on the Edge: $165
- Dinner on the Edge with Vertigo Brisbane: $168
- Local Icons Food Tour: $354
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Brisbane $24
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 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- Escape to Coochiemudlo Island: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Tour, Taste & Camel Encounter: $17
- Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $22
- True Crime Tour: $22
- Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
- True Crime Walking Tour: $25
- Haunted CBD Ghost Tour: $25
- Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour Crime Tours Australia: $26
- Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $26
- Adventure Theme Scavenger Hunt Experience in Brisbane: $27
- Solve a Detective Case in a themed adventure: $31
- Alice In Puzzleland an Escape Hunt Brisbane Experience: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Brisbane $50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.81
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Sixpack of Beer$9.16
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Guiness Beer$5.56
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Sixpack of Beer$8.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Hop on Hop off Brewery Adventure : $66
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $101
- Afternoon Brisbane Half-Day Brewery Tour: $107
- Hop on Hop off Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $110
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High-Speed Boat: $116
- Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour : $134
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $140
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $140
- Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $148
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $165
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $168
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Brisbane, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Brisbane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Brisbane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tanah Rata Expensive? and Is Brisbane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Brisbane, 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 Tanah Rata or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tanah Rata experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Brisbane in the Summer?
Both Brisbane and Tanah Rata during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tanah Rata is around the same temperature as Brisbane in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Brisbane fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Brisbanein January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Brisbane 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Brisbane in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Brisbane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Brisbane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Brisbane averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Brisbanein April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Brisbane 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Brisbane in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Brisbane. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Brisbanein July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Brisbanein July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Brisbane 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Brisbane in the Spring?
Both Brisbane and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Brisbane in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Brisbane fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Brisbanein October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Brisbane 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Brisbane and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Brisbane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (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.