Which place is cheaper, Sendai 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 Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sendai? 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Tanah Rata Prices
Malaysia PricesSendai Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTanah Rata $192Sendai $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $192, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $133. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $76Sendai $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $152Sendai $122
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata or Sendai? 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 Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $33Sendai $18
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
- Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Tanah Rata or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $87Sendai $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 Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
- Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tanah Rata $39Sendai $19
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
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
- Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120
- Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTanah Rata $21Sendai $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tanah Rata and Sendai, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Sendai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sendai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sendai 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 Sendai.
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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Sendai. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tanah Rata is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It's quite rainy in Sendai. Tanah Rata usually gets less rain in July than Sendai. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sendai in the Autumn?
Both Sendai and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Sendai. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sendai in the Winter?
Both Sendai and Tanah Rata during the winter 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, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tanah Rata in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Sendai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
In April, Tanah Rata is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Sendai. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.