Which place is cheaper, Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads? 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 Noosa Heads?
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.
Noosa Heads
A town and suburb located on Queensland, Australia's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is best known as a destination of pleasant weather, beautiful beachside scenery, shopping, dining, and outdoor adventure. Some of the top attractions of the area include Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesNoosa Heads Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Noosa Heads $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Noosa Heads is $135. 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 Noosa Heads in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Noosa Heads $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Noosa Heads $116
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Noosa Heads
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads? 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 Noosa Heads Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Noosa Heads $17
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Noosa Heads
Also for Noosa Heads, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Australia Zoo Transfer from Noosa and Sunshine Coast: $91
- Eumundi Markets Bus Transfer: Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast & Noosa : $32
- Private Morning Transfer From Noosa to Rainbow Beach: $91
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 11 pax: $238
- Private Transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport to Hotels 13 pax: $262
- Private Transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa (2pax): $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads?
Prices for flights to both Noosa Heads 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 $87Noosa Heads $58
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Classes on Witta Maleny Sunshine Coast: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Noosa Heads $40
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 Noosa Heads
For Noosa Heads, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Surf Lesson$43
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Sea Kayak Tour (for 2)$85
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Sunset Cruise (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Noosa Heads
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Noosa Heads.
- Noosa Queen Sunset Cruise River: $22
- 1 Hour Tour Mooloolaba Sunset Cruise: $24
- The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise: $24
- SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium Entrance Ticket: $26
- Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket: $32
- Sunset Cruise Mooloolaba: $33
- Aquaduck Sunshine Coast - 1hr Mooloolaba Amphibious Tour: $34
- The Ginger Factory Play, Taste & Discover Bundle Experience: $36
- Stillwater Luxury Noosa Sunset Cruise : $37
- Noosa Stand Up Paddle & Mangrove Tunnel Tour (Self Guided): $39
- Seafood Lunch Cruise: $46
- Sunshine Coast Adventure Park TreeTop Challenge: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Noosa Heads $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Noosa Heads
Also in Noosa Heads, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sunshine Coast Bar Crawl Sippin on Sunshine: $15
- Sunshine Coast Brewery Tour with Lunch: $164
- Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour - with 2 course lunch included: $188
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Noosa Heads, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Noosa Heads much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata is in Asia and Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads.
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 Noosa Heads Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads?
Noosa Heads has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Noosa Heads, 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 Noosa Heads?
Noosa Heads 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 Noosa Heads in the Summer?
Both Noosa Heads 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. Also, most visitors come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin January. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
Noosa Heads gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Noosa Heads 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Noosa Heads. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Noosa Heads. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.
In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 7°C (44°F)in July.
Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the winter. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Noosa Heads 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Noosa Heads in the Spring?
Both Noosa Heads 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, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin October. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Noosa Heads 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Noosa Heads | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.